Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Luckily for you, I planned to keep you company all day,” Jace said, squeezing her hand back. “Want to walk around? Since you've been here, you can show me around.”

Ella laughed. “I was sixteen and it was my cousin's wedding. I think I spent the whole time trying to convince my stepmother I wasn't going to drink anything.”

“Are you telling me you didn't want to drink anything?” Jace asked, leading them into the vines. Everything was peaceful and calm, like time was standing still while they wandered and talked.

“I would have loved to have sneaked a glass with my cousin, but...” Ella shrugged. “Making Delores happy was more important at the time.”

Jace paused. Ella turned to look at him, seeing a frown spread across his face. “Why should it matter to you what she thinks? She obviously doesn't care what you think of her.”

Ella reached out and toyed with one of the green grape leaves. It was strong yet flexible in her fingers as it grew, reaching for the sun. “I was sixteen and Delores was the only parent I had left. My father had always wanted us to be a family, and...” Ella trailed off. “It sounds stupid and childish now, but I wanted her to like me. To treat me like her daughter.”

“It's not stupid or childish to want someone to love you.” He reached for her hand and drew her eyes away from the plant and back to him.

“I used to secretly hope that one day she would wake up and see how much I tried to be a good daughter, and that she would treat me differently,” Ella said with a shrug. “I know that's not going to happen now, but it's a hard habit to shake.”

Jace nodded. “Family ties are a powerful thing.”

“It will all be over once I have my birthday. Things are going to be different.”

“I believe in you.” His words were simple, but they rang with truth. Ella's heart felt like it might explode. No one ever asked her what she wanted. Yet, when she looked into Jace's eyes, she knew he really was interested. It wasn't just that he was being kind or courteous, he honestly wanted to know.

“You think I can do it?” Ella asked, her heart threatening to stop at any moment.

“From what I've seen?” Jace nodded. “Definitely. You managed to put on a million-dollar wedding and make it look easy. I've been to several big weddings, and none of them have gone this smoothly or been as well planned. And I'm not just saying that. I mean it.”

Ella beamed. “So, you'll recommend me to all your friends, right?”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “In a heartbeat. I've already had three people ask me where to sign up for services here.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. And that was even before last night.” Jace wiggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh. “I left out the personal service you showed me.”

“Not everyone gets that particular service,” Ella informed him. “You have to be extra special.”

Jace grinned. “I am rather unique.”

“Quite,” Ella agreed.

Ella loved how easy it was to talk to Jace. When she spoke, Jace listened. He really listened, taking in her every word and paying attention to the details. She found herself wishing that they could stay in the vineyard forever, just talking and walking among the green leaves.

“What about you, Mr. Billionaire,” Ella asked, resuming their walk. “I've told you my dream. What's yours? What do you want to do? Or, are you doing it?”

Jace's face went thoughtful and he paused. His blue-green eyes evaluated her for a moment. “I followed my father's footsteps into this job. I enjoy it, and I'm obviously good at it, but it isn't my life's dream.”

“What is?” Ella asked, genuinely curious.

“I don't know.” Jace shrugged. “This is all I've ever known. The only thing that I am sure of, is that I don't want to end up like my father.”

“He walked your sister down the aisle, right?” Ella thought of the tall, older man on Madelyn's arm. The hair and facial features were similar to Jace's, though the eyes were different. “He didn't seem all that bad.”

“Compared to Delores, he's a saint,” Jace agreed. “But, he's not happy. He's on his fourth marriage, two heart attacks, and he drinks like a fish. The love of money is the only thing that motivates him, but he's so rich it doesn't seem to matter any more.”

“He seemed proud of your sister last night,” Ella said quietly. “I've seen a lot of fathers walk their daughters down that aisle, and he fit in with all of them. Nervous and proud.”

“Maybe,” Jace agreed. “But, he's not who I want to be.”

“Who do you want to be then?”