The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

She’d had him pegged as an entitled, spoiled, rich jerk, but he hadn’t borne out that initial impression. Indeed, he was caring and funny and generous.

And, boy, did he know how to kiss.

He snuffled a bit behind her and shifted, and she let out a sigh. His hand moved over her arm, and she hummed a little at the soft, soothing touch. When was the last time someone had casually grazed her arm like that? Or held her? She hadn’t let anyone this close in years. Especially physically. It had only taken a few brief minutes on a spring afternoon to instill an aversion to having her space invaded. The attack had made it impossible for her to be intimate with anyone. But now she felt no panic. She hadn’t on the beach the other night, either. All she felt with Cole was safe and protected.

Well, perhaps more than that.

“Did you get some rest?”

His voice sent ripples of pleasure down her spine. “I did, thank you.”

“Good. You needed it.”

She rolled over to face him, and was suddenly aware of the room they occupied. She’d been too tired and overwrought earlier, but now she realized that the suite they were in was stunning. It was probably nothing next to Cole’s regular accommodations, but to her the huge space, luxurious bed linens and sweeping views were nothing short of amazing. She could never afford a night in a place like this on her own.

She definitely didn’t want him thinking she expected it or...worse, that she was taking advantage. “Cole, I want to pay my share of the room.” She didn’t mention the helicopter ride or the cabs, though. They were both aware of the differences in their lifestyles. She wished she could afford to split the cost straight down the middle, but her finances would never withstand it. Instead, she’d feel forever in his debt. She didn’t like that. Didn’t like feeling indebted to anyone.

He studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “If you feel you must, but it’s not necessary, okay? I would have done the same for any friend.”

She believed him. And not just because it assuaged her guilt, but because Cole was turning out to be the kind of man who told the truth. “Any friend?” she asked. She seriously doubted Cole’s friends ever needed this sort of help.

He smiled at her, his eyes still a little soft from sleep. “To show you I mean it, I’ll share a funny story. I was traveling for work but found out that Jeremy was back in New York, licking his wounds because Tori had left him. I dropped everything, hopped on a plane and then Branson and I showed up at Jeremy’s office and staged a romantic intervention.”

She snorted a little. The picture of the two men offering relationship advice to Jeremy seemed utterly unreal. And yet... Jeremy and Tori were very happy. “I’m trying to imagine that.”

“It really happened. He was miserable and taking it out on everyone around him. Anyway, I told you so you can see that I mean it, Brooklyn. When people are important to me, it’s a pleasure to be able to help them.” His eyes darkened. “Sometimes I wonder what I can possibly do with all my money. Helping friends is a good start.”

Still, one thing stuck with her. “We’re friends?”

A slow smile crept up his cheek. She was beneath the covers and he was on top, but it felt intimate just the same. “Aren’t we?”

“I suppose we are,” she conceded. “It’s just unexpected.”

“For me, too. But I’m not sorry.”

She waited a few moments, trying to put her thoughts into words that wouldn’t offend him. Finally, she met his gaze. “You’re much nicer than I expected.”

“Thank you?” He phrased it as a question. “Glad you think I’m nice. Not sure I’m as glad you didn’t think so in the beginning.”

She laughed softly. How lovely was it that they were still facing each other, talking? Was this what her grandmother had used to call “sweet nothings?”

“I had this idea of who you were. Especially after some of the things you said at first, about working hard and playing hard, and offering to buy me out without batting an eye at the price. You’re in your mid-thirties, and not married. No girlfriend you’ve mentioned. I had this image in my head of a playboy, but that isn’t being borne out by your behavior.”

His smile widened. “Oh, I’m glad.” His hand was still on her arm and his thumb made little circles. She wasn’t even sure he knew he was doing it. “Here’s the thing, Brooklyn. I did work hard and play hard for a lot of years. But things changed after my heart scare. I’d been trying so hard to be like my dad in some ways and very unlike him in others. I wanted to follow in his footsteps at Abbott, but I was determined to stay away from marriage, since he and my mother barely spoke. In the end, he died a young man because he was a workaholic. That is not a path I’d like to follow.”

“Do you feel you’ve let him down somehow by slowing down, or adjusting your priorities?”

His eyes widened in acknowledgment. “Man, you hit the nail on the head. I do. Abbott Industries was everything to him. He was so damned good at it. I made a different choice, and on one level I know it was the right one. But I still haven’t quite moved past the idea that I’ve failed or something.”

“There’s nothing wrong with searching for some balance in life. Or...getting off the hamster wheel.”

“Intellectually I know that. I guess...” He halted, looked down and then lifted his gaze again. “I’ve always been looking for approval. My parents didn’t have a good marriage. Certainly not overtly loving, and I’m an only child. It always seemed Dad’s hopes were pinned on me. There was never any question of me not taking over the business. It was just a matter of when.”

“And you’re okay with that? Didn’t you ever want to do something else?”

He smiled a little. “I went through a stage where I wanted to be a football quarterback. And then one where I thought I should be in a rock band. But seriously...no. I love the company. I want to see it succeed. And yet...”

His voice trailed away, and Brooklyn reached out to touch his cheek. “What is it?”