Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Refuse to Settle (Kindle Worlds Novella) (4 page)

“Let’s make a list of questions.” Charlene pulled out her cellphone and tapped the note app.

“You better be careful with that so it doesn’t fall into the foot spa, like last time.”

Charlene stuck her tongue out. “Question number one. What do you do for a living?”

“He’s a Rutherford. They probably just count their money all day.”

“But didn’t you say he came to the café from work and was all dirty. That doesn’t sound very Rutherford-like. Sounds like there’s a story there. Next question.” She typed away. “What do you do in your free time?”

“Eat Lemon Dream cookies and annoy innocent pastry chefs.”

“And most importantly,” Charlene continued. “Question three. When will you lay another one of those amazing kisses on me?”

Jilly’s cheeks heated up, and so much faster than her ancient oven at the café. “Not gonna lie. It was pretty amazing.”

“I’ve never seen you like this. You’re finally acting like a girl!”

Jilly gave her an are-you-kidding-me look. “I come to this salon with you like once a month and spend way too much money every time. I watch all kinds of chick flicks with you. And I have purple hair. How much more girly do I need to be?”

She shrugged. “I like giddy-in-love Jilly.”

“I’m not in love.”

“You might be.”

Jilly knew not to argue. She wouldn’t convince her friend otherwise. They finished their pedicures and moved on to nails. As time ticked away, Jilly looked at the clock. Soon it would be dinnertime. Would Colin call her tonight? He’d said “later”. She refused to be one of those girls who sat around waiting for a boy to call, but it was damn hard not to. It had been a long time since she actually cared about getting a call from a boy. In the meantime, she could daydream and relive his kisses.

Damn. She really was acting extra girly today.

Chapter 6

After Jilly left the shelter, Colin stayed for a while and helped clean up. He played board games with the older kids while the young ones took naps. He’d been volunteering at the shelter for a while now. Rutherford enterprises had started it close to twenty-five years ago. His grandmother’s idea. When she died, Colin’s mother took over, until she got bored and moved on to a different charity.

On his way home he grabbed Thai takeout, another meal eaten alone at his kitchen island with the latest issue of
Car and Driver
magazine. He’d never minded before. Tonight, all he could think about was Jilly.

That kiss
. She had the plumpest lips and she smelled like sugar. Tasted sweet, too. Blueberries, maybe? He wondered what she’d baked that day.

But the way she came up to him, kissed him like that. No warning. She sure surprised the hell out of him. Especially since he thought she hated him. He didn’t know what he had done to change her mind, but whatever it was, he hoped he’d keep doing it. He definitely wanted a lot more kisses like that.

He tossed his takeout containers, grabbed a beer from the fridge, and plopped down on the couch. He pulled out his phone and looked up her website online. There were a bunch of photos of desserts and a few of her, too. My God, she was stunning.

He was calling her. Now. He didn’t care about the stupid rules.

“Hi. It’s Colin.”

“I know.” He could hear the smile on her face.

“How was your salon date?”

“Good. I have purple fingernails and toenails to match my hair.”

“Can’t wait to see them.”

A giggle and then silence. He should have thought this out a little more before dialing her number. He didn’t know what to say next.

“So, how long have you been volunteering at the shelter?” she asked.

“A few years. How about you?”

“I just bring food. I don’t really volunteer, though I should. My mom and I actually lived there for a while when I was little.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. My dad took off and left us with nothing, so we did what we had to do.”

Man. Colin didn’t have the greatest people for parents, but at least they’d taken care of him. Or hired people to. “That had to be rough.”

“It was, at times.” She paused. “But I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my childhood.”

“I do, actually. I want to know everything about you.”

“There isn’t much to know. My mom eventually married a guy and things weren’t much better. He wasn’t a nice man, but he put a nice roof over our heads. Actually, he’s the reason I need to apologize to you.”

“
Apologize
? For what?”

“My stepfather was wealthy and I judged you based on what a horrible human being he was. He was a controlling, manipulative, abusive man who didn’t love my mother. It was wrong of me to compare you to him and I now know you’re nothing like him.”

“I’m sorry that happened to you. It all makes sense, and I don’t blame you for judging me. I’ve seen men like him, associates and friends of my father. It’s really sad.”

“I hate that I still let him affect me like that.”

Colin hated the sadness in her voice. “He sounds like a real asshole, so let’s not waste another second talking about him. Tell me how you became a baker.”

Jilly launched into a story about how she used to play at the shelter on the kid-sized stove, baking all kinds of pretend creations. Then one day, a volunteer took her in the kitchen and showed her how to bake for real. He wondered if it was his grandmother. She’d loved to bake. Jilly knew then it was what she wanted to do with her life. She read every book she could and took every class. Her stepfather’s money had allowed her the privilege of attending a special high school with a culinary program.  At least he’d been good for something. She went on to culinary school after that, specializing in pastry arts. She worked for a few different restaurants before opening her own place.

Colin loved how excited Jilly was, talking about her passion. He felt the same way about cars. And was quickly feeling the same way about her.

“So, can I ask? The vegan thing? How’d that come about?”

“We couldn’t really afford meat when I was little and I never really liked it all that much anyway. I was a vegetarian through my teens, partly because it was the cool thing to do, and it really pissed off my stepfather. Then when I was in culinary school, we watched a video about how animals are treated and that was it. I went vegan and never went back.”

“I commend you for that. I really do. But I gotta admit, I love a good steak.”

She laughed. “And that’s fine. I don’t look down on people who eat meat. It’s just not for me. But I’ve talked long enough. It’s your turn for the hot seat.”

“Uh oh.  What do you want to know?”

“What job do you have that gets you all dirty and stinky every day?”

“I was hoping you didn’t notice. I was so embarrassed that day, but I got busy at work and had to run over before you closed.”

“I kinda liked it.”

“Then maybe I’ll have to come to the café like that more often.”

“Maybe.” She was smiling again. “So what do you do?”

“I own a vintage car restoration company. The truck I was driving that day, my team did that. I found it in an old barn, rotted and covered in rust.”

“That’s pretty cool.”

“It is. I love it. So much so that I decided to focus on the business and not take over when my dad retires.”

“Wow. That’s a big deal. How did he take it?”

Could Colin admit to Jilly that he hadn’t told him yet? He knew what his father was going to say, the disappointment he’d face. He could already hear the spiel about how this corporation was started generations ago by his great-great grandfather, who’d gotten really lucky in a poker game and started a lumber mill with his winnings. The man had put his blood, sweat, and tears into that company and grew it into what it is today: the biggest real estate development company in the country. How the hell could Colin turn his back on his birthright?

“I’ll let you know what he says when I actually tell him. I don’t expect it to go well.”

“Maybe he’ll understand if you tell him how much you love your car stuff.”

“He knows. He thinks I’m just fooling around. But we don’t need to talk about that. I’d much rather hear more about you.”

Conversation flowed well into the night, effortlessly. Hard to believe they were at each other’s throats just a few days ago. He’d known she was something special the second he laid eyes on her. And if that kiss was any indication, she felt it, too.

*   *   *

Jilly reluctantly pressed the end button on her call with Colin. Three hours can sure fly by when you’re talking with someone who really gets you. They may come from different worlds, but he was probably the first man to ever truly try to understand her. They just clicked and she couldn’t wait to see him again.

And kiss him, too.

Charlene peeked her head into Jilly’s bedroom. “About time you hung up. Now I can finally go to sleep.”

Jilly threw a small pillow at her. “You have
no
right to complain! Do you know how many nights I laid here praying you and Eddie would stop doing it so I could sleep?”

“I’m guessing there will be some payback soon. Should I invest in earplugs?”

Knowing what Colin’s kisses did to her body, Jilly couldn’t even imagine what sex would be like with him.
Mind-blowing.

“So when do I get to meet Mr. Moneybags? Does he have any single hot friends he can hook me up with?”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely! Who wouldn’t want a rich hottie?”

“I’m hardly even hooked up with him myself. I can’t ask him to hook you up.”

“Fine. I’ll wait a little while. But once you guys are official, it will be your duty to hook a sister up.”

Jilly shook her head. “Sure.”

Charlene went back to her room and Jilly readied herself for bed. But once the lights were off, instead of thinking about what new pastry concoctions she could come up with, as usual, she thought about Colin. Those eyes, that smile…his delectable lips. She could feel his arms around her, his chest beneath her fingertips. Strong and solid. She wasn’t a girl who fantasized about any man, but she sure as hell was fantasizing about this one.

Damn you, Charlene!

Sex hadn’t been on Jilly’s mind, but it was now. She couldn’t stop her brain from envisioning it, so vivid she could almost feel it. Chest to chest, face to face, her legs wrapped around him, one of his hands holding both of hers above her head.

It was going to be a long night.

Chapter 7

Colin woke before his alarm and tried to go about his routine without rushing, but he couldn’t help it. He was out the door and waiting at The Rhubarb by 6:45 a.m. It didn’t open until seven.

Finally Jilly rounded the corner, that gorgeous hair in waves. His groin tightened just thinking about the kiss they were going to have in about sixty seconds.

“Good morning,” he said as she stepped toward him, her sweet scent surrounding him.

“Good morning to you, too.” Her gaze met his, a shy smile.

She pushed her key into the lock, a simple task that seemed to take forever. He followed behind as she entered the cafe, resisting an intense urge to touch her. She switched the Closed sign to Open and flipped the light switch.

“Do you want some coffee and a—”

He couldn’t wait a second longer. Colin curled his hands around Jilly’s waist and pulled her against his chest. He buried his face in her neck, tasting her supple skin. She spun in his arms, letting her purse fall to the floor, and wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips to his. He lifted her up, fingers pressing into the firm flesh of her ass. Her legs locked around his waist and he loved the feeling of her wrapped around his body.

He moved to the front counter and set her on it, not caring that this was probably a health code violation. As they kissed, her hands moved from his neck to his chest and down his stomach. Her nails left sparks of heat in their wake, sending jolts of desire to his manhood.

“Ahem!”

Jilly’s eyes popped open and she pulled away. “Shit,” she whispered.

How had they not heard the bell above the door? They’d both been so lost in the kiss that nothing else mattered.

Colin stepped back and let her slide off the counter. She adjusted her shirt and stepped out to the side.

“Hi, Sandra. The usual?”

“Yes, please,” the woman said, laughter in her throat.

“Comin’ right up.” Jilly headed behind the counter to the kitchen and got to work.

Colin smiled at the woman over his shoulder and willed his erection away. “Good morning,” he said.

“Apparently it’s a very good morning for you.” Her eyes held a twinkle, a sly smile across her face. She approached the counter where he still stood, her voice low. “You better be good to her.”

Had he heard her correctly? He faced her again. “Excuse me?”

“She’s dealt with enough heartache in her life. She doesn’t need more.”

“I know what she’s had to deal with.”

“Do you
really
?”

He knew what Jilly had told him, but he had a feeling there was more to the story. He wasn’t going to push. She’d tell him when she was ready.

Jilly reappeared with a drink in a to-go cup for the woman, some kind of pastry in a bag. “On the house today.”

“Jilly…”

“Please. Take it. So I feel slightly less embarrassed.”

“Fine. But next time I’m leaving you a huge tip.” She winked at Jilly and headed for the door.

“Oh my God,” Jilly said as she slapped her hands over her face. “That was so bad.”

“Eh. I don’t think it was a big deal. She seems to be a big fan of yours.”

“Sandra’s great. She’s been a huge help. Smart lady and a great businesswoman.”

Colin hated the two feet of counterspace between them. He wanted Jilly back in his arms. “I should go. I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself and I don’t want to risk another incident like that.”

“That’s probably a good idea.”

“But I hope to see you later. If I ask again, will you take me up on my invitation for dinner?”

Her lips curled into a smile. “Maybe.”

“Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at 7.”

“Perfect.”

Colin turned and left, hating to be away from her. But soon enough they’d be together again. He had all day to plan a first date. Something that would sweep her off her feet. He had a feeling that typical wasn’t going to cut it.

*   *   *

Jilly went about her day, taking care of customers, making sandwiches, wraps, and salads, and baking new treats. A lull hit at two, as it often did. The last hour of her day was always slowest. But it was a good time to update her social media accounts. She knew how important it was, but she fully admitted she was lazy about it. When she pulled out her phone she noticed a text from Colin.

Change in plans. Picking you up at 5 instead. Is that okay?

Fine by her. The sooner she saw him—and could kiss him—the better.

She finished her tasks and closed the café, but now she had a problem that was bigger than the anticipation in kissing him again. What the hell was she going to wear?

Jilly went home and felt like she was in one of the chick flicks that Charlene loved so much. She had yanked every item from her closet, tried it on, then tossed it on her bed. After finding nothing that satisfied her, she dialed Charlene’s work number.

“Thank you for calling Smith, Davis, and Associates. How may I direct your call?”

“I’m gonna have to go on this date naked.”

“Jilly?”

“I’ve tried on everything I own. It all looks awful.”

“You have a date? With Colin?” Charlene’s exuberance blared through the phone. “This is so exciting!”

“Yeah. Real exciting. I’m freaking out here.”

“I’ve never seen you like this. It’s so adorable.”

“Are you gonna help or just coo over me?”

“What about the floral peplum top with black skinny jeans and boots? That looks so awesome on you.”

“I don’t know where we’re going. What if it’s fancy?”

“Okay. Keep the top and skinnies, but wear my fuchsia peep-toe shoes and those chandelier earrings I bought last week.”

“You don’t think that’s too much?”

“No. It will be perfect.”

Jilly was just going to have to take Charlene’s word for it. She was running out of time and the anxiety was kicking in. “Thanks. I love you so much!”

Jilly hung up with her friend and busied herself with date preparation. Why was she so nervous? It’s not like she’d never been on a date before. But this was different. Colin was different. At least she hoped.

Her doorbell rang at 5:01 and her body filled with flutters. She opened the door to him and said “Hi” as she soaked in every inch of dreaminess. Dark jeans with a thin gray sweater, pushed up at the forearms. A sexy amount of stubble and those delicious lips in a sly smile.

“You look amazing,” he said before she fully finished admiring him.

She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thanks.”

“Ready to go?”

“Yes.” Jilly grabbed her purse and a sweater and locked her door. “Where are we going?”

He reached for her hand as they headed out to the street. “You’ll see.”

“Should I be scared? After all, you could be a serial killer.”

“I assure you I am not.”

“I bet that’s what they all say.”

He led her to a very fancy sports car and opened the door for her. “This is really nice. Did your company restore this one?”

“Actually no. This was my grandfather’s car. He bought it brand new in 1961.”

After he closed the door behind her, she took the few seconds of alone time to look around the inside of the vehicle. Holy shit! A freaking Ferrari!

“I got my love of cars from him,” Colin said as he took his seat. “He left me his baby when he died.”

“I bet he’s real proud of your company.”

“I hope so.”

Colin pulled away from the curb and as they drove, conversation flowed easily. For a rich guy who came from a super powerful family, he was pretty down to earth. A bit full of himself, perhaps, but it was slowly becoming one of his charms.

“Wait. Where are we going?” Jilly looked out the window as they turned into a small private airport. “What are we doing here?”

“You can’t fly to LA without going to the airport.”

“
LA
?”

“It’s only an hour and twenty minute flight from San Fran to LA. Just in time for dinner. There’s a James Beard Award-winning chef there who has an extensive vegan menu at one of his restaurants.”

“So…you just decided to whisk me off to LA for the night?”

“Yeah,” he replied with that same sexy grin, as if flying off to another part of the state on a whim was no big deal.

Jilly wasn’t sure if she should be pissed or flattered.
Who am I kidding?
This was pretty damn cool.

Colin drove around the main terminal toward the back, pulling up next to a small plane with an open door and stairs cascading from it. “Rutherford” had been painted on its tail. A private jet. She shouldn’t have been surprised.

They stepped out of the car and Colin met her on the passenger side. “Your flying chariot awaits.”

She climbed the stairs ahead of him, praying she didn’t stumble in Charlene’s platform heels.

After stepping inside the aircraft, she was greeted by the pilot. “Welcome aboard, Miss Cole.”

“Thank you.”

The inside was cream leather with burgundy trim, an “R” monogram in the center of each headrest. A matching couch and mahogany tables completed the décor. It looked more like a posh hotel suite than an airplane.

“Mr. Rutherford, we should be able to take off shortly.”

“Great. Thank you, George.”

While the pilot closed and secured the door, Colin led Jilly to the couch. The table nearby held a bucket with a chilled bottle of champagne and a bowl of strawberries. It was cheesy, but she appreciated it. So far, it was a very fairytale kind of date.

“This is super nice,” she said as she sat down. “You can go wherever you want, when you want.”

“I guess. I actually don’t use it much. But I thought it would be fun for tonight.”

The pilot walked through the cabin, stopping when he got to them. “I’ll let you know when we’re cleared for take off.”

“Thank you,” Colin said and watched George disappear into the cockpit. As soon as the door closed, he pulled Jilly toward him. “Finally.”

His mouth crashed into hers, one hand in her hair, the other wrapped around her body. She made herself comfortable in his lap, enjoying being so close to him.

“Mr. Rutherford.” The pilot’s voice blared through the intercom, jolting Jilly out of her make out haze. “We’re set for take off. Please buckle your seatbelts until I give the okay.”

Colin pressed a button on a nearby call-box. “Thank you.”

The next hour and twenty minutes flew by, literally and figuratively, alternating between talking and laughter, kisses and caresses. By the time they landed, Jilly was a little drunk, on champagne and on Colin. He looked so damn sexy sitting there, and she was pretty damn close to asking him to join the Mile High Club.

Jilly was having such a fun time…and the night was just getting started.

*   *   *

Colin held Jilly’s hand as they stood on the rooftop of The Standard, looking out at glittering downtown LA. She wore a smile of pure contentment as the breeze blew through her hair.

“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked.

She turned to him, a quizzical expression. “Are you kidding me?”

“I really want to know.”

“Of course. A private jet, the most delicious meal I’ve ever had, and now this.” She held her hand out to the view before them. “This has been one of the most amazing dates I’ve ever been on.”

“Good.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her into the crook of his arm. Damn, this felt nice. And it felt natural.

Jilly yawned and covered her mouth with her hand.

“Tired? We can go home now.”

“I don’t want to go,” she said, and snuggled in tighter.

He tilted her chin up to him, so he could see her eyes. Apprehension swirled in his gut, but he said the words anyway. “This is just the beginning. I plan on spending many more amazing nights with you.”

They stayed like that for a moment, his gaze locked on hers, then he leaned and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Colin escorted Jilly out of the hotel to their waiting car. Once they were settled in the plane, he pulled a blanket out of the storage box and wrapped it around her. He held her close as she dozed in his arms, and caught a few moments of sleep himself.

“I don’t even know how to say thank you for tonight,” she said as he walked her to her door.

“Then just kiss me.”

She put her hands to his chest, warmth instantly spreading throughout his body. She then traveled up to his neck, pulling him to her. Her kiss was electric, waking every cell in his body. He deepened the kiss, pushing her body up against the door behind her. A sweet sigh escaped from her throat and turned him on even more. His hands itched to feel her skin, to taste her.