Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Roadside Assistance (Kindle Worlds Novella) (7 page)

Lathan’s parents had been polite, and a bit unsure. Well, she couldn’t blame them. She imagined they’d expected him to bring home someone from their social circle. They hadn’t been unkind, just knocked off-balance by her.

Francine, well, Jack didn’t know what to make of her. She seemed a bit cold, a bit judgmental, but then, having Edie as a sister had to be a hard act to follow.

A tentative knock sounded on the door. “Are you alright, dear?”

“I’m fine..” Jack opened the door and forced a smile.

“Feeling better?” Annette asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

Annette offered a small smile and linked an arm with Jack’s. “Walk with me for a minute.”

Jack nodded. “Sure.”

Annette led her through the kitchen white and stainless kitchen into a massive living area with tall windows and walnut furniture. Family photos covered the multiple tables at the ends of the couches and easy chairs.

Annette picked up the one nearest her, of two teenage boys, with their arms slung around each other. She held the frame out to Jack. “My boys were best friends, before.”

Jack took the frame and studied the boys. They were both tall, but Liam had a full head of almost black hair, while sun streaked Lathan’s brown hair. They shared those blue eyes. “Before what?” Jack asked.

“Before Liam died.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

“Lathan didn’t tell you?” Annette pulled back, surprised.

“Well, I guess it just never really came up.”

Annette assessed her, and for the first time in Jack’s life she struggle to not squirm under the scrutiny. “You and Lathan haven’t been together long, have you?”

She knew she should lie. She didn’t want to cause strife, but she just couldn’t do it. Annette had been kind, and Jack was grateful. “No, it hasn’t been long.”

“Do I want to know exactly how long?”

Jack laughed in relief at the mischievous smile on Annette’s face. “No, I don’t imagine you do.”

“Fair enough. Well, let me introduce you to Liam, our oldest.” She held out a picture of Liam dressed in a tux.

Jack ran her fingers over the glass. Women must have loved that square jaw of his. “How many years are between them?”

“Two.”

Jack replaced the picture to its spot. “There are three between my brother and me. He’s always been my best friend, too.”

“Where are you from?”

“I live in Placerville.”

“Hmmmm. So you plan to move to Brentwood?”

“Well, no. I have a business to run.”

“Placerville might be too far for Lathan.”

“There you two are,” Lathan interrupted from the doorway. Jack sighed in relief. She didn’t want to get into the logistics of their arrangement. She hadn’t even gotten into the details with Lathan.

“Your mom was just showing me some family photos.”

Lathan pointed to the picture in the front. “That was the day I made varsity. Liam was a senior, so for his final year of high school we played together on the varsity team.”

“Liam was such a talented boy. There was no limit to what he could do,” Annette said with a tone of wistfulness in her voice.

Lathan’s jaw flexed, the only sign that the comment bothered him, before he smiled down at her. It wasn’t the smile full of dimples and mischief she had seen thus far. It was a smile made to distract. He didn’t want to go there, and she would respect that. For now.

The party wound down. Guests drifted out the gates after saying their goodbyes. Jack decided she would make her exit while she could. “I guess I should get going soon.”

Lathan tightened his hold and brought her hand to his mouth. Goosebumps rose on her skin at the feel of his lips sliding over the skin on the back of her hand.

“Stay tonight,” he said.

“Probably not a good idea. I only just broke the news to Jeremy this morning. I’m sure he’s waiting to grill me.”

“He can grill you tomorrow. Come on. Everett and Corrine are spending the night. Totally innocent. I’ll even give you your own room.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to the spot just below her ear.

A shiver rolled through her. Low laughter rumbled up from his throat against her sensitive skin, telling her he felt it, too. “Do the doors have industrial locks?” she asked.

“Just the standard locks, but heavy furniture that can be slid in front of the door.”

“I have a feeling I’ll need something, with you lurking.”

He cupped her chin and kissed her. There was nothing polite about the way he brought her in, and held her there. His harsh breathing mingled with hers. His hands slid into her hair, holding her there as he devoured her. He nipped her upper lip, and she forgot everything and everyone around her. There was only this. This man who, in one day, had managed to turn her routine world upside down and excite her in ways that had her forgetting why this was a bad idea.

Just once she wanted to throw caution to the wind. She wanted to not worry about her dad, her business, her brother, and just do what felt good. Right now, Lathan fit the bill. The sadness in him called to her. She wanted to ease his pain. She wanted to be what made him forget what tormented him. She wanted to be the fun part of his day.

He pulled back, and those stormy blue eyes of his searched her face. She had a good idea of what he must be seeing there. No matter how she tried to calm the storm of attraction thundering through her, it was there.

Brewing…

“Lathan,” she whispered, rubbing her thumb over his bottom lip. He nipped her thumb, the sting making her squirm. “You may need to move some heavy furniture in front of your door, too.”

“I like to live dangerously,” he replied.

“Dangerous often leads to trouble.”

“Jack, you have trouble written all over you, and have since the minute you kicked open the door of your tow truck and gave me stink eye.”

“I didn’t give you stink eye.”

“Yeah, you did. I was just another rich guy with a ridiculously expensive toy.”

The things he said about himself, reducing himself to something ordinary, grated on her nerves. One thing was for sure: when she walked away in a year, Lathan would know his true worth.

She slid her palm over the hand the cupped her neck. Strong hands, capable, and hers for the next year. “You could never be just another rich guy. You’re in a class all your own.”

If the look on his face was any indication, it might just take the next year to make him believe it.

With the guests finally all gone, they congregated in the kitchen before taking off for the night.

Annette leaned on the marble kitchen island, sipping a glass of wine. “What do you have planned for tomorrow, Jack?”

“I planned to head home.”

“You must have so much to do to prepare for the wedding. I mean, there’s just over two weeks left.”

Jack felt the blood drain from her face. She had to plan a wedding? She never had any intention of planning a wedding, let alone the kind they would expect. She figured if she got married one day, it would be at a courthouse. No muss, no fuss, a few cold beers after.

“Ummm…” Jack hedged.

Annette straightened and smiled. “If you want help, just say the word. I would be happy to guide you.”

Jack rubbed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger. A throbbing had just started in the front of her skull at the thought of dresses, flowers, food, jewelry, hairdos, and, Jesus, a bridal party. “I think I’m going to need more than guidance.”

Annette clapped her hands together. “Really? I would love that! You just tell me what you need and I’ll take care of everything.”

Lathan stepped up behind Jack and circled his arms around her waist. “Mom, easy; I want Jack to have a wedding on her terms.”

Annette pulled a pad of paper and pen out of the drawer next to the stainless steel refrigerator. “Of course! She is the bride, after all. As a matter of fact, let’s do this…tomorrow, spa day, just the girls. My treat!”

A spa day. A freaking spa day. Jack didn’t do spa days. She needed an ally. Her eyes darted about the room, avoiding Annette, and landed on Corrine. “Do you mind if I bring someone?” Jack asked.

“Of course not.” Annette said while she scribbled down items on her list.

Jack nodded to Corrine. “Everett and Lathan have work to do tomorrow, so how about it?”

Corrine winked. No doubt she knew Jack was scrambling for a lifeline. “I’d love to. I’d be crazy to turn down a spa day.”

Annette beamed and pointed her pen at Jack. “Wonderful! Okay, so before you go…what’s your favorite color?”

“Maroon. Burgundy. A wine color I guess.”

“Very nice! Okay, hair up or down?”

“Either.”

“Makeup…dramatic or natural?”

“Natural.”

“Favorite flower?”

“Don’t have one.”

“Anything you’ve ever dreamed of having for your wedding?”

“Never dreamed I would have a real wedding,” Jack laughed, but her laughter died at the looks aimed her way by Annette and Corrine.

“You never dreamed of your wedding?” Corrine asked, linking an arm with Jack’s.

“No, I mean, my mom wasn’t around and my dad wasn’t big on those things. I never really thought about it.”

Annette smoothed a hand over Jack’s hair. Jack swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat at the gesture. “Well, it’s time you start. Don’t worry about the details, dear. I’ll take care of them. You have one thing to do tonight when you lay down to sleep: Dream of your perfect wedding, and I’ll make sure you have it.”

Jack's mouth fell open at the 360-degree views through the floor to ceiling windows throughout Lathan’s house. Light from the landscaping and the pool glowed through the wall of back windows, illuminating intricate pathways, two outdoor seating areas, and lush plants spilling from massive planters.

When Jack followed Lathan up the stairs, her focus shifted to the way his charcoal gray pants pulled against his tight cheeks with every step. His family had knocked her off-balance and had her considering all kinds of crazy things. She walked into the party ready to charm the rich in order to do what Lathan needed, to get what her dad needed. She hadn’t prepared to like them.

They worried about appearances, yes, but most people did. She couldn’t hold that against them. They also cared about others… they cared about her. Jack found the caring irresistible. Which made what she was about to do dangerous as hell.

Lathan pushed open the door. “This is your room.”

Jack stepped in and spun in a slow circle. Lamps cast a golden glow on the pale gray walls. Lights in the distance winked through the wall of windows, a stunning sight, but it was the king-sized bed covered with fluffy white bedding and a mountain of pillows that drew her attention.

The bed begged for a warm body to slide between the sheets. And she would do that. But first, she would take Lathan with her and see just what kind of year they would have together.

Without falling in love.

“I love the room,” she said.

He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and avoided looking at her. “Good. That’s good. So, uh, use the lock, and it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to slide the dresser in front of the door.”

She kicked off her flats, dug her toes into the plush carpet, and headed right for him. “Or, you can tuck me into bed.”

Wide eyes met hers and he froze. Well, that was okay; she was feeling forward enough for the both of them. “What’s the matter, Lathan? You scared of lil’ ol’ five-foot-almost-nothing me?” She laughed, the sound low in her throat as she pulled her shirt up over her head and tossed it away.

His eyes darkened, his gaze roaming over her exposed skin. She reached over his shoulder and gave the door a shove before planting the flat of her hand against his broad chest and pushing him back against it.

“Scared?” she asked.

“Something tells me I should be, but no, I’m not scared. Bring it.” That sly grin split his face and he dragged a finger down the center of her chest and over her stomach.

Her skin burned where he touched. She couldn’t let him turn the tables on her. She could do this, but she had to be in control. She had to call the shots. She couldn’t handle any surprises, and Lathan had surprises written all over him.

She reached behind her for the clasp of her bra.

He tried to intercept. “Let me.”

“No can do, Casanova. You want me, we do this my way.”

“So you’re going to give me a show?”

Jack let her bra slide from her shoulders and tossed it away. Rising up on her toes, she pressed her lips to the underside of his jaw. His Adam’s apple jumped under her lips. “I’m going to lay you out on that bed and have my way with you. All you have to do is lie back and enjoy it.”

“Do I get a say in any of this?”

“You’re either in, or out. If you’re in, then no.”

He cupped her chin. She wanted to pull way, to resist. She didn’t want romance, loving looks, or gentle caresses. She wanted heart-pounding and fast.

“What are you up to, Jack?”

“If you’re in, you’ll find out.”

“I’m in,” he growled and swooped in, giving her a rough kiss. The clash of tongues, lips, and teeth fueled a burning attraction that had ignited the night she dropped out of her truck and landed on that dark road. His hands wrapped her and lay flat against her spine, holding her to him.