The Billionaire's Gamble

His hands are on my skin under my shirt, roaming across my ribs and sneaking up to cup my bare breasts. His touch is intoxicating, and I know that nothing will ever feel quite like this. My tongue dances with his, exploring him more deeply than I did that night in the hotel. That was frenzy and this is fire. That was bright and beautiful while this is deep and warm and is keeping me alive.

We’re on the bed, his hands fumbling with the buttons on my pajamas while still kissing me. As he works to get the final button loose, something snaps into place, and I realize that I’m wearing my sister’s pajamas. I’m wearing my sister’s pajamas in my sister’s house and I absolutely cannot fuck Nolan in my sister’s house while she and Jacob are downstairs. I pull back from the kiss, startling us both. “We can’t do this,” I say, trying to catch my breath. “Not here.”

I find satisfaction in the fact that Nolan is breathing just as hard as I am. “Yeah,” he says. We right ourselves on the bed and I button myself up again. “I have to be at my office in a few hours for a meeting. I’d love for you to come with me.”

“To the meeting?”

He laughs. “No, just home. I’m not ready to leave you yet.”

And I’m not ready for him to go. Especially not after that. I wrack my brain, and there’s not a single reason I can think of not to go. I don’t have a job, my house is being stalked by crazed reporters, and Jacob doesn’t want me staying here. Besides, they say that change is good, right? Something like that? I mean, in the last day I’ve had enough change for a lifetime. But, another part of my mind says, why not? You have nothing to lose.

But can I really just go with him? Can I really just leave everything and go off with some guy for a few days? Granted, this guy happens to be amazing so far, but still. Is this crazy? What if John changes his mind and my clients need me? What if something happens here and Kelly is in trouble?

Nolan’s voice is softer this time, “Please, Dani. Come with me. It gives me a chance to make things right.”

Something stirs in my chest, and even though I told him that it was fine, that it wasn’t his fault, I’m glad he wants to do this. I’m glad he wants me to come with him. And I want to go. My worries evaporate, and a surge of adrenaline races through me as I realize I’ve made my decision.

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll go with you.” It brings an unexpected relief, and I find myself smiling wider than I have in a long time.

“Thank you.” Nolan is smiling too, and he leans forward to kiss me again. “I promise I won’t get carried away,” he says, running his hand up my side as he presses his lips against mine. “Though the temptation is certainly there.”

I laugh. “Let me get dressed. We could swing by my house on the way out of town so I can grab some more clothes.”

“Don’t bother.” He waves a hand. “We don’t want to deal with anyone who’s still staking out your house. I’ll take care of it once we get to New York.”

My jaw almost drops. “New York?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve never been. Always wanted to go.”

He heads to the door. “I’ll make sure we hit all the tourist spots.”

After he heads downstairs, I pick something hastily from Kelly’s closet—a blouse and skirt that’s not something I normally wear, but her style and mine are almost nothing alike. I throw my hair up into a bun and race through my make-up routine with the small supply I keep in my purse. Now that I know we’re going to New York I want to get out of here. It’s hard to believe that yesterday I was overwhelmed by the feeling of home. Now I just want to get out.

I grab my briefcase and purse, and find everyone downstairs wrapped in an awkward silence. Nolan is standing near the door, waiting for me, Kelly is staring at Nolan with barely concealed awe, and Jacob is simmering with frustration. I try to hide a smile as I imagine how much it must irritate Jacob to have someone like Nolan—someone who is wealthy beyond belief and who likely doesn’t fit into Jacob’s standard of ‘a Southern Man’—in his house.

“Ready to go?” Nolan asks.

“Yeah. This all right?” I ask Kelly, gesturing to my clothes.

She nods. “It’s perfect.”

“I’ll get them back to you soon.”

She hugs me, whispering in my ear, “Text me everything.”

“I will,” I say, stifling a laugh.

Nolan reaches out a hand to Jacob. “Thank you for your hospitality.” There’s no animosity in his words, but I see Jacob bristle at them. He takes Nolan’s hand and gives it a curt shake, not saying anything.