Beauty And The Brooding Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 2)

“Good morning.”

“Hi,” he answered. Her foot slid along his calf, just a light caress, but it instantly brought his body to attention. “Sleep well?”

“Too well,” she laughed. “I think I got more than a full eight hours. I don’t remember the last time that happened.”

He wiggled his eyebrows, and she laughed again. Maybe keeping it light was the way to go.

“I think we wore each other out.”

She blushed, and he loved it.

A piece of hair had fallen over her cheek, and he reached out and tucked it back behind her ear. “So, what do you think? Room service?”

“Why not?”

“What do you like?”

This time she wiggled her eyebrows, and he laughed. Lord, she was such a ray of sunshine. “Everything,” she answered.

His brain took a direct trip back to last night, and his body wasn’t far behind. But while they’d been a bit crazed and frantic, he didn’t want to assume this morning would be a continuation. As much as he would like it to be. He pushed the thoughts aside as best he could and rolled to the night table, where he grabbed the folder containing the in-room dining guide. A few minutes later he’d ordered a veritable feast, due to be delivered in thirty minutes.

She sat up, the sheets tucked under her arms, covering her breasts. “So...uh...want to shower before breakfast?”

He swallowed tightly. “Together?”

There was that blush again. The air of innocence around her was enchanting. She didn’t need to ask again; they made their way to the luxurious bathroom and spent five minutes cleaning up and fifteen finding mind-blowing pleasure. After they’d caught their breath and dried with the fluffy towels, they dressed in the hotel-provided robes and waited for their meal.

When it came, he watched as she loaded her plate with French toast and fruit and bacon, then drizzled on enough maple syrup that it puddled under everything. He liked her so much. Liked just about everything about her. But as they shared a laugh over her love of the syrup, he realized something important.

He didn’t love her. Or at least, he wasn’t in love with her. It came as a huge relief. He didn’t want to love again. And they were having fun, weren’t they? A summer fling.

He bit into his omelet and frowned. Jeremy and Tori had a summer fling and look at them now. But that wouldn’t happen to him. Jess was on the pill, and so there wouldn’t be a surprise baby popping up. Even so, perhaps he’d be wise to stop at a pharmacy and grab some condoms just in case. There was no harm in doubling up, was there?

“You okay, Bran?” Jess’s light voice interrupted his thoughts. “You look like you disappeared for a moment.”

“I’m perfect,” he replied, feeling on surer ground now. “This is delicious. And so are you.”

She blushed and he grinned. “What?” she asked, tilting her head a bit in that adorable way she had.

“You blush a lot, and I like it.”

The pink color deepened. “I blush at everything, so there.”

“Mmm-hmm.” He stood and leaned over the table to get a taste of her maple-sweet lips. “I still like it.”

After breakfast they dressed in their clothes from the day before, and Bran dropped the key at the desk before they made their way to the parking garage. In no time, they were back on the highway and headed home. Bran’s heart felt lighter than it had in years, and he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in time to the music playing through the speakers. Jess told him about her agent wanting to set up a showing in the fall, and how much she was enjoying painting again. Truthfully, Bran couldn’t wait to get home and open his laptop. He wasn’t going to push, but he felt the urge to write, and he wanted to strike while the iron was hot. He’d always been a disciplined writer, working consistently but also riding a wave of inspiration when it hit.

It seemed no time at all that they arrived at Jeremy’s, and he parked behind her car at the boathouse. He helped her take in her packages from the art store, and then hesitated on the threshold. “So, I’ll see you soon?”

She nodded. “You know where I am.” Her smile was sweet. “I’ll be here, painting.”

“Good.” He reached out and pulled her close again, kissing her lightly. “I had a really great time,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Me, too.”

He left her standing there on the porch, and found himself whistling as he slid behind the wheel of his car and backed out of the lane, heading home once more.

* * *