More Than a Billionaire (27 page)

Until recently, the only thing she’d known about undercover operatives and the CIA came from movies and television.

More than once, Gray had assured her that he hadn’t slept with Nadia or anyone else while they were together.

She desperately wanted to believe what Gray had told her.

She considered her conversation with Jake. He’d insisted Gray wasn’t the type to cheat. Before that awful night in Anguilla, she’d believed the same thing herself. Now she again found herself thinking that.

Tired of sitting at her desk, Kiera pushed her chair back and walked to the window. Her rational side understood why he’d kept his secrets and made up the lies. The part of her brain concerned with self-preservation and emotional well-being, however, insisted she think long and hard before she let Gray back into her life.

Kiera blew out a deep breath and leaned her forehead against the window. It seemed like no matter how many hours went by, her decision remained just out of reach. In order to figure this out for good, she needed to see him.

***

Agony. No other word described the few days following his meeting at the White House. Unable to force Kiera to make a decision, Gray threw himself into work at Sherbrooke Enterprises. When he wasn’t reviewing proposals, he sat through videoconferences. If not busy with those, he set up meetings to check on projects currently in progress. Thanks to his hard work, by Friday night, he had solidified a new project in Paris and scheduled meetings to tour resorts being built in England and Germany the following month. He’d also started the preliminary work for a new resort in Switzerland. At any other time, he’d consider it a successful week.

“Are you leaving for the night?” Shirley, Trent’s secretary, asked when he closed his office door behind him.

It was only five o’clock; he could stay longer. “It’s been a long week.”

Most nights since his return to Providence, he’d stayed past seven. Staying at work in the office beat wandering around his sparsely furnished apartment feeling sorry for himself. Which he did anyway when he got home.

“This week has dragged by. I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

“Have a nice weekend, Mr. Sherbrooke. See you on Monday”

“You, too, Shirley.”

Gray took the elevator down. Outside, a soft drizzle fell, but the clouds promised much worse soon.

Soon came too soon. Seconds after he stepped outside, the sky opened and a deluge hit. By the time he made it to the parking garage, he looked as if he’d gone swimming in his clothes. Already in a sour mood, his suit being plastered against him only made it worse. Thank God he didn’t have a long drive home.

He’s apartment remained in darkness as it did every night he came home. Gray realized that hoping Kiera would use her key and be waiting inside for him was a stretch. Even still, he held his breath every time he walked in… Only to be disappointed each time.

Switching on the lights, he walked through the semi-furnished living room. He’d purchased the essentials. When Kiera moved in, he’d let her pick out what she liked. He refused to think that might never happen.

Grabbing some dry jeans and a t-shirt, he changed and left his soggy suit in the bathroom. On Monday, he’d drop it off at the dry cleaners and see if they could salvage the mess. If not, he’d replace it.

More out of habit than because he was hungry, he headed into the kitchen. He’d stocked his refrigerator with frozen meals, so he had plenty to eat. If he didn’t want one of those, he had the meal his sister-in-law had brought over. While Addie didn’t know the specifics, she knew he and Kiera had broken up. Gray guessed she felt sorry for him.

Out of all his options, the lasagna from Addie looked by far the best. Gray took out the container as well as a beer. Was Kiera home tonight? If he called, would she answer? She’d said she needed time. She hadn’t told him not to call.

Think positive. She loves me. It might take a long time, but she’ll come around.
He repeated the same sentences numerous times since he returned from DC.

His microwave dinged. Gray pulled out the container of lasagna, the aroma making his mouth water even though, ten minutes ago, he hadn’t been hungry. Addie might not be a professionally trained chef, but she was a damn good cook. He’d thank her again the next time he saw her.

Gray skipped a plate. Instead, he put the container on the kitchen island. He hadn’t bothered buying a table. He ate alone, so the stools at the island worked fine. While he worked his way through dinner, he started checking his email. Gray didn’t get far before he gave up. Shoving the phone into his pocket, he left his dinner behind and he wandered over to the windows.

The heavy rain continued making it difficult to see outside. It didn’t look like the rain would stop anytime soon. He hoped Kiera was at home tonight. The driving rain made visibility difficult and the thought of her driving home tired after a long shift worried him.

Before he realized it, he had his phone to his ear. It rang several times before Kiera’s voice mail picked up.

Since the television held no appeal, he went back to staring out the window.

A loud knock echoing through the apartment pierced the fog in his head. His brother had roped him into sparring the night before, claiming he’d wanted to distract him. Was he looking to do some more distracting? Given his current mood, maybe he ought to be interested, but he just wasn’t up for a repeat performance tonight.

Gray opened the door in time to see his visitor walk back toward the elevator. It took a moment or two for his brain to reconcile what his eyes saw.

The elevator doors opened.

“Kiera, wait.” He almost rushed into the hallway and hugged her.

She turned and looked at him, neither a smile nor a frown on her face.

“Please come in.” He stepped out of her way as she walked back toward the door.

“I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t call first.”

He dreamed she’d show up on his doorstep so of course he didn’t mind. “I’m glad you’re here.” Gray jammed his hands into his pockets before they got any ideas to reach for Kiera. “I tried calling, but you didn’t answer.”

“Forgot my phone at work last night. Since I’m working tomorrow, I figured I’d get it then rather then drive back.” She sat on the couch, the only place to sit in the living room.

The night kept getting better. Kiera was in his apartment and she hadn’t ignored his call. With his luck looking up, did he dare ask the question he needed answered?

“You haven’t bought much furniture. Have you decided you don’t like it here?”

He considered an answer then dismissed it.

“Kiera, I don’t think you came out in the rain to ask me that.”

She gave him a smile. “You’re right, but you could still answer my question.”

“For the most part I like it, but I’m lonely. I’m hoping for a roommate soon who’ll help me pick out furniture.”

Tension stretched between them and, he took her hand.

“You have—”

Kiera pressed her other hand over his mouth. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since DC. More than a lot. It’s more or less consumed me.”

He pulled her hand away so he could speak. “Kiera—”

“Please shut up, Gray.”

Gray’s eyes got wide, but he complied.

“I’ve done a little research, too.” Kiera shook her head. “No, that’s not true. I’ve done a ton of reading since I left DC. I can’t believe you worked as an operative for the CIA. You could have been thrown into a foreign prison to rot or been killed.”

“But I wasn’t.”

She glared at him so he’d be quiet. “Stop interrupting me.”

“My lips are sealed, love.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I understand why you didn’t tell anyone the truth. It would’ve been dangerous. But I don’t understand why you did it. You’ve got a life that most people only dream about. Why risk it? Did you watch too many Bond movies as a kid or something?”

Gray cracked a smile. “Not exactly. I just wanted to do something besides make more money for my family’s company.”

“You’re telling me you don’t like money?”

“I didn’t say
that
. I just don’t love business like Trent. Politics bore me to death. I’ll leave that to Uncle Warren and Sara. I couldn’t see myself in the military like my cousin Brett. When the CIA approached me, it intrigued me. It gave me a way to do more with my life. It gave me a way to be someone besides another Sherbrooke. Does that make sense?”

“I think so. What about now? Are you done with them? I can’t spend my life worrying that you won’t come home every time you walk out the door.”

“Yes. My handler isn’t pleased, but I’m done.”

“And you’re okay with that?” It was one thing to say he left; it was another to not regret his decision.

“As long as I have you.” He inched closer until their knees touched. Taking her face in his hands, he met her eyes. “You mean everything to me. I never intended to hurt you. If I could go back and tell you everything from the beginning, I would. Unfortunately, I can’t change the past.”

A tear slide down her cheek, and Gray wiped it away with his thumb.

“I can promise you there will never be any secrets between us again. Will you please give me the chance to prove that to you?”

She’d known what her decision was before she’d walked in the building if he said he was finished.

“Yes. I love you, Gray. I’m sorry I doubted you before.”

Gray’s whole face spread into a smile that made Kiera glad she was sitting down.

“I love you too.”

Happiness welled up inside her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Gray’s lips came down on hers before she got another syllable out.

His kiss started out urgent, as if he was worried she’d disappear. Gradually, it changed and became more of a sensuous caress that she felt through her entire body.

Gray tore his mouth away. “God, Kiera. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

His mouth covered hers again.

Kiera lost herself in Gray’s embrace as she returned his kisses with equal intensity. She never wanted to relive the past few weeks without him. They’d been the worst days of her life.

After a while Gray pulled away again. “I want to marry you. Will you take the engagement ring back?”

The dam holding her tears back gave way.

“What’s wrong?” Concern and fear laced his voice. “If you want to wait, that’s okay.”

“Nothing,” she said between sniffles. “I’d love to take the ring back.”

Gray stood and pulled her up with him, then led her into the master bedroom.

“We really need more furniture.” Kiera looked around the room while Gray opened a bureau drawer. Other then the bed and the bureau, the huge bedroom was empty.

Coming back to her, Gray slipped the ring on her finger. “We’ll go shopping next week, love. I’m not sharing you with anyone this weekend.”

“I have—”

Gray cut her off with a kiss as his hands slipped under her shirt.

Oh, well she’d tell him later that she had to work tomorrow. Right now, she had much more important things to do.

Gray ran his hand up Kiera’s thigh beneath the kitchen table. In response, Kiera planted her hand over his and leaned toward him.

“Be good,” she whispered so that no one else would hear.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

Kiera pinched him. “Half your family is right here.”

“Fine.” He pulled his hand away. No one was paying much attention to him, but if Kiera insisted, he’d behave. For now, at least. Once they went back downstairs to their apartment that was another story. Too bad dinner hadn’t even started yet.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking my brother back,” Trent said from across the table. “I was starting to think I’d have to shoot him and put him out of his misery.”

“Shut up, Trent,” Gray said.

“It’s the truth, and you know it.” Trent looked at their brother, Derek. “You should have seen him. He was worse than Alec was when he found his gerbil was dead, and you remember what that was like.”

Why had he agreed to this family dinner?

“Be nice. Both your dad and Abby and Kiera’s parents are on their way up.” Addie walked past the kitchen on her way to answer the door.

“I don’t know how your wife puts up with you.” Gray stood so that he could greet Kiera’s parents.

Trent clapped him on the back as he followed his wife. “The same way Kiera puts up with you.” Trent turned his sights on Kiera. “If he gives you any trouble let me know. I’ll take care of him for you.” With that comment, he left to greet his guests.

Gray and Kiera joined everyone else in the foyer. Once greetings were exchanged, Trent escorted everyone into the dining room while Addie served dinner.

Once Addie sat with them, his father cleared his throat. “Before we eat, I’d like to say a few things.” All eyes at the table turned in his dad’s direction. “The past several months have been wonderful. First, I learned I was going to be a grandfather, and then Addie rescued Trent by marrying him.” His dad looked at Trent. “Sorry, son, but most of these wrinkles have your name on them.”

His dad then looked at him. “The great year continued when Gray called me yesterday to tell me about his engagement. Congratulations to both of you. Welcome to the family, Kiera.” His dad raised his wine glass.

Gray noticed the blush climbing up Kiera’s cheeks, and he squeezed her hand.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into by joining this family,” Derek said with amusement.

Kiera squeezed Gray hand as she answered his brother. “I know all the secrets, don’t worry.”

Dinner progressed after that and the conversation moved onto other topics. Gray joined in a little, but preferred to think about what he’d do to Kiera once he was alone with her.

“Have any of you talked to Allison?” Derek’s question caught his attention—or, more specifically, the worry in his brother’s voice did.

“Not in a couple weeks,” Gray answered.

“Same goes for me,” Trent answered as he helped himself to more dessert.