More Than a Billionaire (17 page)

After zipping through a shower, Kiera tossed on some clothes and hit the kitchen.

Dinner cooked: check. House clean: check. Everything looked ready. She only needed her parents. They’d called twenty minutes ago and said they were on their way.

Kiera readjusted the place setting. On the phone, her father sounded exited when he said how much he was looking forward to the evening. Since her return from Paris, she hadn’t spent a lot of time with her parents. They never made demands on her, and she hadn’t stopped to consider whether or not they’d like to see her more. Judging by her dad’s voice, they missed her but didn’t want to impose on her time. From now on, she’d make more of an effort. She did love to experiment with new dishes and her dad loved trying new meals. Her mom stuck with the more tried and true meals, but she could be convinced to try something new from time to time.

She refolded the napkin near another plate. Gray had teased her a bit when he’d spotted the intricately folded napkins, but she’d ignored him and continued folding the other scarlet colored napkins. Not long after that, he’d disappeared upstairs with his phone glued to his ear. He hadn’t returned yet.

When he’d answered the phone, he’d told her it was work. Since he remained upstairs on the phone, she guessed something important had once again popped up. Whatever the problem, she hoped he could solve it without returning to the office. She had her heart set on him sticking around for several days.

The intercom buzzed, and Kiera let her parents in the building. After taking a final look over the table she’d set to rival those at Mon Soleil, she headed upstairs to let Gray know it was time to eat.

“All that information was obtained and submitted.” Gray sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her.

Rather than call out, she walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

Gray looked over at her and held up one finger. “I understand that, Randall, but that doesn’t work.”

Deep frown lines formed on Gray’s face.

“Let’s discuss this again tomorrow. I’ll call you.” Gray ended his conversation and looked at her again. “Sorry that took so long.”

“I buzzed my parents in. They should be up here any minute.” As she said it, a knock sounded and her stomach knotted up. All afternoon, she’d kept herself busy, which kept her worry regarding her mom’s behavior tonight far from her thoughts. With her parents on the other side of her apartment door, however, those worries charged forward.

“Everything will be fine.” Gray took her hands and squeezed them. “Trust me.” He kissed her and led her down the stairs where they greeted her parents together.

Her dad walked inside and gave her a hug. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day. You and your mom couldn’t have given me better birthday present.”

If her dad thought the dinner was great, wait until he saw his actual gift.

Her dad then turned his attention to Gray. “Annette said you might be here tonight, Gray. It’s good to see you again.” They shook hands. “Have you been in town long?”

While Gray and her dad made casual conversation, her mom followed her into the kitchen.

“Everything looks and smells wonderful. Thank you for doing all this.”

She’d expected a comment about Gray’s presence from her mom, not a compliment. “Any time. You know I’d do anything for you and Dad.”

Her mom nodded and lowered her voice. “And I hope you know how much I love you. I wish you’d reconsider what I said earlier. Kiera, I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.”

She didn’t want an argument, especially with Gray present. “Don’t worry, Mom.” She pasted on a smile. “If everyone wants to sit, I’ll serve.”

Gray pulled out a chair at the table. “Please have a seat, Annette. I’ll help Kiera with everything.”

First, her mom glanced at her and then toward her husband, who, in return, only gave her a pointed look.

Once Gray helped her mom, he joined her at the counter. “Tell me what to do.”

She’d rather take care of everything herself. She’d get everything served quicker that way. “Can you pour the wine? I already opened it.”

A steady conversation ran throughout dinner, covering everything from his brother’s wedding in January to current events. Eventually, it appeared as if Kiera’s mom was enjoying herself. The frown she wore when she’d first walked in had disappeared.

“This meal is exception, Kiera. I expected your cooking to surpass my own, I just didn’t expect it so soon,” Mathieu said with pride. Then Kiera’s dad looked at him. “Don’t tell your father I said that. I might find myself out of a job.”

Annette’s frown returned. “That’s not funny, Mathieu. Especially—” Kiera’s mom picked up her wine glass. “It’s just not funny.”

“Everyone here knows I was joking, Annette.” Mathieu looked at Kiera and then at him.

So far that night, Mathieu hadn’t exhibited anything that spoke of his disapproval. Still, Gray wanted Kiera’s parents to know they had nothing to worry about.

“Mathieu, my father would never allow himself to go without your cooking.”

Despite his statement, Annette’s frown remained fixed in place. Obviously, she needed a more straightforward reassurance. He hadn’t planned to pour his heart out in front of her parents, but if it would help diffuse the tension between Kiera and her mom and put her mom more at ease, he’d do it.

“Annette, my father considers you and Mathieu family. Nothing could ever change that. Neither of you ever has anything to worry about.” Next to him, Kiera fidgeted in her chair, and he covered her hand with his. The action caught Annette’s attention.

“I realize you have reservations about us, Annette, but you have nothing to worry about. I love your daughter. She means the world to me.”

Kiera whipped her head toward him her eyes wide. Across the table, Annette pulled her chin up off the table. He’d never told a woman’s mother that he loved her daughter. Perhaps Annette’s reaction was normal.

“And we couldn’t be happier for both of you.” Mathieu smiled and looked at his wife. “Right, Annette?”

Kiera’s mom nodded. “Of course.”

“Who’s ready for dessert? And presents.” Kiera stood and began clearing away the dishes.

“I’ll help you.” Annette pushed her chair back.

Kiera’s dad forbade them from singing happy birthday and lighting candles, but Gray noticed the way his eyes light up when the homemade birthday cake was placed in front of him. Gray was eager for a slice himself. He’d smelled the cake the moment he’d walked in that afternoon. The only thing that had stopped him from cutting into it as it cooled was the knowledge that it was intended for Kiera’s dad. Otherwise, he would’ve eaten the cake even without frosting.

“This year, Kiera and I decided to go together and get you something special.” Annette retrieved the slim box she brought in with her.

Gray had raised his fork toward his mouth, but now, he put it down. “Before you give him that, can I grab my gift? I forgot it upstairs.”

Annette’s eyebrows reached her hairline.

Gray beat it upstairs before she commented. He’d dropped the envelope on the nightstand when he’d woken Kiera. Grabbing the envelope, he stole a glimpse at his phone. He’d intentionally left it upstairs so he wouldn’t get any interruptions during dinner. Two texts messages appeared on the screen now, one from Randall and another from his brother, Derek. He marked both as read and then put the phone in his briefcase. He’d answer them later.

“Which one should I open first?” Mathieu accepted the envelope Gray handed him and looked between it and the gift from his wife.

“Up to you. It’s your birthday,” Annette said.

“I’ll start with this one.” Mathieu opened the envelope and pulled out the theater tickets. He glanced at Gray, then at the tickets again. “I’ve always wanted to see
The Phantom of The Opera
.”

“There is something else in there,” Gray said.

Mathieu pulled out the hotel reservations. “This is way too generous, Gray.”

Annette took the papers from her husband and gasped. “We can’t accept this.” She folded everything up and put it on the table.

He’d never had anyone refuse a gift. “I wanted to get Mathieu something he’d enjoy. I know he loves the theater. Please go and enjoy the weekend in New York.”

Annette glanced at him, then Kiera, before she picked the reservations up. She read the information again.

When he decided on the gift, it hadn’t crossed his mind that they’d consider it too extravagant. After all, it was just a show. People attended the theater all the time. His hotel choice made logical sense. It was located in the heart of the city so Annette and Mathieu could enjoy everything New York had to offer.

“Perhaps I can convince Kiera to come visit me that weekend. We can all go out one evening.” He didn’t mind always coming to Providence, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t like a change. Everyone liked a weekend away from time to time.

“The show does sound lovely.” Annette looked at her husband. “What do you think, Mathieu?”

Mathieu sized him up, making Gray want to squirm in his seat.

“Thank you, Gray. I’m sure we’ll love the show.”

For a moment there he assumed they would hand him back the gift.

Kiera squeezed his hand, and while her dad opened his other present, she leaned closer. “I love you.”

Women had whispered the same words to him before, but he’d never felt a thing. When Kiera said it, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go.

“A cruise!” Mathieu’s announcement caught Gray’s attention. “This is wonderful.”

Mathieu blinked several times, and Gray wondered if he was fighting back a tear or two.

“This celebration deserves a second slice of cake.” Mathieu sliced himself another piece of cake. “I can’t believe you and Kiera did this. I can’t wait to go. And Gray make sure you get my daughter down to New York the weekend Annette and I are there. I’m looking forward to spending another evening with you both.”

Gray planned to get her there next month.

***

Gray sat on the couch and waited for Kiera. She’d walked her parents downstairs, insisting he didn’t need to follow. He hadn’t argued.

Gray’s phone beeped, alerting him to a new text message, which reminded him of the two he’d received during dinner. He hoped the one he just got wasn’t another from Randall. When he’d first started working for him a few years ago, Randall had let Gray do his own thing, only contacting him when he needed Gray’s assistance. Lately, the man controlled Gray’s every move. Perhaps the time had come for him to reconsider his position and go back to working solely for Sherbrooke Enterprises.

Gray checked the newest message.
Call me
the message from Derek read. Derek again. Well, he could handle a conversation with his younger brother tonight.

“What sunny beach is your ass parked on?” Derek asked after saying hello.

“It’s not.” Gray glanced over when he heard the apartment door open behind him.

“You’re not in New York. I stopped by your place this afternoon, so where are you and your latest beauty hanging out?”

Kiera sat next to him and snuggled against him. Right away, he kissed her head and put an arm around her.

“I’m in Providence, Derek. What do you need me for?”

“What are you doing there? Is Dad okay?” His brother’s carefree tone disappeared.

“Everyone is fine. Just visiting. I’ll be home in a few days.” Gray wondered if his brother would let it go at that.

“Why don’t you come back tonight? Miranda Bergman has a welcome home party planned for her cousin tomorrow night.”

Although they attended many of the same events, Gray had never cared much for Miranda and her cousin. Derek knew that.

“You called because you need a chaperone to a party?”

“Funny. No, I thought I’d let you know I ran into Val. She asked about you and made it quite clear how lonely she’s been.”

He’d gone out with the swimsuit model a total of five times. They’d had some fun together, but he’d stopped calling for a reason. Spending time with Val reminded him of being with a walking, talking, programmed doll. While beautiful, the woman couldn’t form a thought that didn’t involve fashion or her looks.

“I haven’t had the same problem.”

“Then you don’t mind if she and I go to Miranda’s party together?”

“Knock yourself out.” Gray didn’t care who is brother or Val spent time with.

“I guessed as much. Just wanted to make sure. If you get bored in Providence, Miranda’s party starts at eight. It’s at her place.”

He had plans to do many things and getting bored wasn’t one of them. “Don’t expect me. I’ll be back in a few days if you’re still around.”

Gray turned off his phone and tossed is aside. With Kiera’s parents gone and his phone off, he could focus all his attention on Kiera.

“Who was that?”

“Derek. He needed me to act as his babysitter again so he doesn’t get himself into trouble.”

Kiera flicked his arm. “He’s not the only Sherbrooke that needs a babysitter.
You
need one, according to the media.”

“Not anymore. My days of spending time with other women are over. You’re stuck with me, love.” A trip down the aisle like his brother had just taken might not happen tomorrow, but he saw them married in the near future.

“
Stuck
with you?” Kiera said. “I might be okay with that.”

Kiera teased him. She always had liked giving him a hard time.

“My dad loved the gift. He talked about it all the way outside. You made his day. Did you see his expression when he saw the theater tickets?”

Kiera smiled at him, her lips a siren calling to him.

He needed to taste her.

He traced her lips, which were still sweet from the cake, with his tongue, memorizing their shape and feel. From there, he captured her mouth and set out to chase any coherent thought from her mind.

When his need for air outweighed his need for her lips, Gray pulled away. Then he untucked her shirt from her jeans.

“How about we go upstairs? I believe I still owe you help in the shower.”