The Billionaire Next Door (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection) (11 page)

***

“For someone who’s got a new love interest you’re one
depressed-looking girl.”  Kyra didn’t hold back when it came to telling the
world what she was thinking.

“Solie’s got a love interest?”  Dominic looked up from
his computer screen to peer over at the two women standing by the reception
desk.  “How come I’m just knowing about it?”

“Because you’re not one of us, Dominic.  Stay out of
this.”  Kyra fixed him with a glare that would deflate any man. 

Any man, that is, except Dominic.  He was like the Bobo
Doll that you punched and it came bouncing back for more, even though he looked
nothing like the short, squat, smiling Bobo Doll.  Tall and reedy, he looked
like an absent-minded professor with his wild brown hair and horn-rimmed
glasses.  The funny part was, sometimes he acted like one, too, getting himself
lost in a good book, totally forgetting that he was the receptionist.  There’d
been quite a few complaints from visitors who arrived at the desk only to be
ignored.  Dominic was lucky he’d held the job down this long.

But he was a good guy, quick to share words of wisdom. 
And with all the reading and philosophizing he did, he had lots of those. 

“I was reading something the other day,” he began,
pushing his glasses back up his nose with his pinky finger, “that has a lot of
insight on what makes for a successful relationship.  It said romance is
something you should-”

“Oh, no, not more insights.”  Kyra threw her head back
and in a dramatic sweep she lifted her arm to cover her eyes with the back of
her hand.  “Oh, Lord, deliver me from this not-so-wise sage.”

“Will you knock it off?”  Dominic rewarded her with a
scowl then, totally ignoring her, he turned and gave Solie his full attention. 
“What’s the problem, Sol?  Maybe I can help.  You know I’m a good listener.”

Solie nodded and gave him a tiny smile.  She had no
intention of discussing her personal life with him but he looked so eager.  How
could she let him down softly?  “I know, Dominic,” she said gently, “and I
appreciate your wanting to help but it’s not that important.”

“Not that important?”  His brows fell again and this
time his eyes flashed indignation.  It was like they were saying, how dare she
prevent him from doing good.  “Of course it’s important.  You’re my best
friend.  How could it not be important?”

Solie cocked an eyebrow in surprise.  Now where had that
come from?  Long-time co-worker, yes.  Pretty good friends, sure.  But best
friends?  She didn’t know about that.  “Uhm, Dominic, it’s okay,” she said
quickly, wanting to stem his flow before he got any more ideas.  “I’m not
depressed like Kyra said.  Give me till tomorrow.  I’ll be bright and chirpy
again.  Promise.”

That made him tilt his head and give her a doubtful smile. 
“Chirpy?  I don’t know.  That’s not really you.”  Then his eyes brightened and
he straightened.  “Hey, I’ve got a great idea.  It’s bound to cheer you up. 
Why don’t you and me go see the latest Spider-Man pic?  I know you love
yourself some Spider-Man.  Right?”  He got up and slapped his hand on the
counter top.  “Right?”  He leaned forward, shoving his grinning face toward
her.  “Right?”

“Right.”  With the way he was carrying on what else
could she say?

“All right, then.  We’re going to the movies.”  He slid
his hands off the counter, plopped back down in front of the computer and
proceeded to close all the windows he had opened.

“What?  You mean now?”  Solie stared at him, not
believing what she was seeing.  She knew Dominic was an impulsive one but, come
on, they were at work.

“And what about me?  I’m not invited?”  Kyra jammed a
fist on her right hip and gave him an indignant glare.

Dominic paused, still staring at the computer screen and
gave a dramatic sigh.  Then he turned, shook his head and began to tut-tut at
them.  “Ladies, ladies, give me some credit for not being an idiot.  Of course
we’re not going right now.  It’s a work day.  I’m closing my windows because
I’m leaving early for an off-site meeting.  Lyn’s already on her way.  She’s
going to fill in for me and she'll sign in with her own password.  And you,” he
jerked his chin toward Kyra, “you know you’re always invited.  You’re the life
of the party, girl.  We ain’t goin’ nowhere without you.”

He hopped off the chair and reached for his leather shoulder
bag.  “There’s Lyn now,” he said, looking down the hallway.  “Right on time.” 
He stepped around the receptionist counter, looking sleek and debonair as
always.  “I’ll shout you guys Saturday morning.  Now get back to work, you
slackers.”

Before Lyn had even slid into his chair he was off,
leaving all three women smiling and shaking their heads.

That Saturday Dominic called bright and early as
promised and Solie spent an enjoyable afternoon in the company of two people
who were lots of fun.  And, just like Dominic said, it lifted her spirits
tremendously.  

The past several days had been rough, wanting to reach
out to Ransom, knowing he was probably wondering if she’d gone batty.  She’d
been more than cool to him the last time they’d met but what else could she
have done?  How could she have given in to what she really desired with the
thick, dark cloud of Raul Escobar hanging over her head?  No, best to lay low
and fly solo.  The last thing she wanted was for her stalker to get jealous and
lash out.

Right now it was just too much to think about, too much
to deal with.  For the moment her best strategy was to just avoid conflict at
all costs.

“You’re good now?”  Dominic turned away from the cashier
and held out two sixteen-ounce mango smoothies to Kyra and Solie.

Solie knew the question was meant for her.  “Perfect,”
she said and gave him a smile so bright it would leave no doubt in his mind
that the movie they’d just watched had done the trick.

“Good.”  With a nod he turned and grabbed his own smoothie
then, all three, they strolled through the mall as they headed back to the
parking garage.

At her car Solie waved goodbye.  It wasn’t late, just
after eight o’clock, but as fun as it had all been it had still been a bit of a
strain to keep grinning when your thoughts weren’t all happy ones.  She needed
to make it an early night.  Sometimes the best thing you could do for yourself
was carve out some alone time, time when you didn’t have to fake cheerfulness
just to keep your friends happy.

As she drove home, the euphoria of the movie and
friendly company behind her, try as she might she could not get Raul off her
mind.  The man left a bitter taste in her mouth.  He’d caused her so much pain
and now, just when she thought a new light was…possibly…coming into her life,
he’d shown up and was threatening to snuff it out.

She was still mulling over her dilemma as she drove up
the driveway and put her car in park.  For a while she didn’t move, she was so
lost in her dismal thoughts, but then she blinked, snapping back to the
present.  Time to move.  She couldn’t stay in the car forever.

Sliding her hand across to the passenger’s seat she
reached for purse then, with her other hand, she flipped the lock open and slid
out of the car.  Right then all she wanted was the comfort of her bed.

“May I walk you to the door?”

A tiny shriek ripped from her lips as she whipped round
to see the tall, lean form of a man in the shadows.  Raul!

She gasped and took an involuntary step backward. 
“Leave me alone,” she said in a fierce whisper.  “Stay away from me.”

The man stopped short then cocked his head to one side
as if confused.  It was then, when the light from the front porch hit his face
that she saw who it was.

“Ransom.”  She pressed her hand to her heart and gave a breathless
laugh.  “Oh, my God.  You scared me.”

He gave her an apologetic smile.  “Sorry.  I didn’t mean
to startle you like that.  I thought you’d seen me walking up the driveway.”

“No.”  She shook her head.  “Why would you think that?”

He shrugged.  “You were sitting in the car for a while. 
I could have sworn you glanced up into the rear-view mirror.  I even waved.”

Slowly, she shook her head again.  “I guess I was too
preoccupied with my thoughts.  I didn’t see a thing.”

Ransom slid his hands deep into his pockets and a slow
smile crept across his lips.  “So what thoughts were occupying your mind so you
couldn’t even see me?  They must have been…sweet.”

“Not…really.”  Solie grimaced.  If he only knew…

“So like I said,” Ransom held out his arm, “let me walk
you to the door.”

His gallant gesture surprised her but Solie didn’t
hesitate.  She slid her hand into the crook of his arm and smiled as he rested
a big warm hand on top of hers.  Then, almost as if they were a couple, they
walked up to the door.  There Ransom turned and, his face half-hidden in the
shadows, he looked down at her as he released her hand.  His eyes, now dark and
mysterious, gleamed as he watched her with hooded eyes.  “You know what I want
to do right now, don’t you?”  His voice was low, so soft, so seductive.

Solie felt a tingling shiver run up her spine. His words
made her heart jerk.  Was she finally going to taste his lips?  But what if-

Before she could finish the thought Ransom lifted an arm
and planted his palm above her head, blocking her in.  Then he moved in close,
so close that he’d trapped her against the wall.  “You know exactly what I
want,” he said in a hoarse whisper, “but do you want it, too?”

“I…” Solie’s words died in her throat.  Now she knew
what they meant when they said the cat got your tongue.  With him so close all
her thoughts fled and all she could do was revel in the nearness of him, the
warmth of his body leaning over her, the woodsy fragrance of his cologne and
the smoldering look of passion in his eyes.

She swallowed.  Where was big, bad Solie?  Ransom had
her heart pounding so fast she couldn’t even think straight.  But she had to
say something or he might not kiss her.  No way was she going to let him escape
now.

She lifted her face to his.  “I know what you want,” she
said, her voice husky with desire, “and I want it, too.”

At her words he lowered his head and, ever so gently, he
pressed his lips against hers.

As his lips moved over hers Solie moaned and leaned into
him, drawing pleasure from his lips but wanting more of him, much more.  She
wanted his arms around her, holding her tight, crushing her against his hard
body.  She wanted it so much she had to clench her fists at her sides to keep
from reaching out and pulling him into her.

And then he pulled back.  In the midst of her yearning
Ransom released her lips and lifted his head, leaving her bereft.

The softest of groans escaped her lips.  There was
nothing she could do to hold it in.  She wanted him.  Bad.

As if sensing her need, Ransom tilted his head again and
as his mouth came closer Solie’s lips parted on a sigh.

He captured her mouth with his and this time she gave in
to the desire to feel more of him.  Sliding her hands up between them she
pressed her palms against his muscled chest, delighting in the way his heart
thumped, its beat telling her all she needed to know.  Ransom was just as
turned on as she was.

The knowledge was like an aphrodisiac, divesting her of
the last vestiges of her reluctance.  Her eager hands left their post and slid
upward where she did what she’d dreamed of so many times.  Cupping his nape she
held him captive as she kissed him back fiercely, giving him as good as he
gave.

When they finally broke the kiss and drew apart she
looked deep into his eyes, boldly and unapologetically, and what she saw there
made her break into a grin.  In his eyes was just a hint of shock and plenty of
admiration.

Ransom gave a soft whistle.  “Talk about a woman in
charge.”  He chuckled.  “I can see you know how to turn the tables.”

“I can hold my own.”  Giving him an amused smirk she
slid away and bent to retrieve the purse that had slid off her shoulder.  When
she stood up again Ransom had backed away a bit, giving her some room and now
he stood watching her, a relaxed smile on his lips.

“Thanks for walking me to the door,” she said with an
impudent smile then she slid the key into the lock.  When she turned again he
was still gazing at her, an enigmatic look in his eyes.

“Goodnight,” she said softly, slipped in and closed the
door gently behind her.

Inside, Solie leaned her back against the door and
released a long sigh.  What a way to end the night.

Ransom’s kiss had been as mind-blowing as she’d
expected…and more.  If only it could have lasted forever.

She sighed again and, still smiling, she made her way to
the bedroom.  She would definitely have sweet dreams tonight.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The bad thing about dreams, especially the sweet ones,
was that they all had to come to an end.

By the next morning Solie had floated down from cloud
nine and landed back on her two feet on the solid ground of reality.  The night
before had been a dream come true but today, with the comforting shadows of
night replaced by the stark brightness of daylight, she was forced to accept
the fact that it wasn’t going to work.