Beauty And The Brooding Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 2)

“Actually, it’s from a photo I took the first day. Bran was looking out over the point, and he seemed so lost and lonely. The image hasn’t left me alone, so I figure it’s time to get started on it.”

Tori’s voice was soft. “You really care for him, don’t you? Oh, Jess. I’m afraid we really did goof. I don’t want to see you fall for him, only to get hurt.”

The consideration was genuine, and Jess patted Tori’s hand. “It’s fine. We like each other but neither of us is after anything serious. We’ve talked about it, Tori, so truly, don’t worry. I’m going to paint to my heart’s content, and at the end of the summer I’m going to head back home to my life. Besides, Bran is not in a relationship place. He’s still too hung up on his wife.”

“I never knew her. Jeremy says she was lovely, though, and that they were very happy.”

“Hard to compete with that.” She took a sip of her soda water. “Not that I want to. Still, we enjoy spending time together. That’s all there is.”

And the sex, she thought, but didn’t say. She and Tori had become friends but weren’t quite close enough to be confidants of that sort.

“So you aren’t falling in love with him?”

“Of course not.”

Jess said the words with confidence, but she knew deep down it wasn’t strictly true. No matter how often she repeated the words to herself—summer romance, short-term fling—she couldn’t erase the sight of Bran while they were making love, the intense expression on his face as he gazed into her eyes as if no one else existed. He was an extraordinary man, smart and sexy and deep, sometimes grouchy and other times sweet, and a man who knew how to love a woman with all his heart. Of course she was falling for him. Her head was in the clouds, and there was going to be an awful thud at the end. The difference was this time she wasn’t going to be blindsided. She saw it coming and could prepare.

And yet, she looked at Tori and said, “Men like Bran don’t come along often. I’d be a fool not to spend whatever time I can with him. Even knowing the outcome.”

Tori nodded and looked down in her glass, and looked up again, her eyes bright as if she might cry. “I felt the same way about Jeremy.” Her voice was soft and dreamy. “And I was fine after he left, mostly. Until he came back. You’re right, though. Bran isn’t ready for anything serious. As long as you know that, and you’re having fun...more power to you.”

“I appreciate you caring, Tori, I do. But I’ve got this.”

“Of course you do. You’re a strong woman. I think that’s why Bran likes you. None of those men are the kind who like pushovers.”

“I think that’s a compliment.”

Tori laughed. “The best kind. Now, I’d better get back up to the house. I truly am glad you’re okay. I was worried you’d got sick or something.”

“I’m absolutely fine,” she replied. “But thank you for caring.” At least Tori hadn’t realized that Jess hadn’t returned home until this morning. The conversation had been personal enough without that information being out in the open.

After Tori left, Jess made an early dinner since she’d missed lunch. She checked her email on her phone; no texts from Bran. That was okay. After the past forty-eight hours, maybe he needed time to process everything. She certainly did.

Because she was falling for him, no question. But he didn’t need to know that. And neither did Tori.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

BRAN LOOKED UP from his laptop and squinted. Ever since his return from Halifax, he’d either been embroiled in research, or working on the opening chapters of the new book. It had felt wonderful working again. The words weren’t quite flowing, but they were there, ready for him to pluck out of his brain and put them on the page. Now the story had a basic outline, he had pages full of notes and his master document had the better part of two full chapters written.

Not long now, and he’d call his agent and tell him the good news. Maybe send him some pages. But right now, the light was dimming and he’d been working the better part of sixteen hours.

He checked the date on the bottom right corner of the screen. Was that correct? Had he been back from Halifax for three days already? And he hadn’t heard from Jess. Not once. Nor had he texted.

He hit the save button and slumped back in his chair. He wasn’t sure what to do about Jess, really. To say he wanted her was an understatement. Having sex again had been amazing...she was a good lover, sweet and generous and passionate. Their nights together had been wonderful, but he’d stayed quiet for two reasons. One, he’d gotten the bug to write and he wanted to catch the words while they were there, no longer out of reach. And two, it would be very easy to get wrapped up in her. Spending a few days regaining his equilibrium seemed like a good idea, especially after their dash to the hotel. That wasn’t his usual style. There was a “can’t keep my hands off her” edge to his feelings, and it was strange.

She was different from Jennie, and he was so glad. He still hadn’t forgotten the way she’d asked if he’d been thinking of his wife when he’d kissed her. He wasn’t into looking for a substitute. That wouldn’t be fair to Jess, or to him.

But she hadn’t called him, either. And that made him wonder if she was having second thoughts.

It wasn’t something he wanted to talk about over the phone, so he closed his laptop, changed his shirt and drove over to the boathouse.

The porch light was off, but light poured from the windows onto the stone path leading to her door. It was nine at night; was she up working this late? Perhaps she’d been painting just as much as he’d been writing.

Then the sound of laughter filtered out through the open window, and he hesitated. She had company?

Maybe he should do this another time.

He hesitated for a full ten seconds, then he heard Tori’s laugh and Jeremy’s low voi