The Billionaire Saved My Life (BWWM Billionaire Love Story Book 1) (5 page)

Chapter4

In the weeks that followed, Tanya and Kurtis became inseparable. For the first time in over a year, Kurtis began to sleep through the night and not have a single bad dream about Catherine.

“Because of you, I don't have to hold on to all those bad memories,” he told her one evening as they walked back to his apartment, after meeting some friends for drinks.

“I'm glad,” Tanya said, squeezing his hand. “But tell me, Kurtis, are you still in love with her?”

Kurtis stopped walking and turned to her. “Are you crazy?”

“Meaning?”

“I never felt about Catherine the way I feel about you.”

She looked deep into his eyes, searching for the truth in his words and found it.

“Tanya, I love you and I never want to be without you.”

“I love you, too, Kurtis. I never thought I'd find myself saying that. We come from different worlds. I could feel it happening but it made me scared.”

“Don't be scared, Tanya. This is real and no one can take that away from us. No more secrets, no more ghosts.”

They continued walking until Tanya realized that they had gone far out of the way of Kurtis's apartment building.

“Where are we?” Tanya asked.

“I've got a surprise for you.”

“What is it? Where are you taking me?”

“Just be patient, Tanya. It's supposed to be a surprise.”

He led her to a two story building and pulled open the door.

“Are these apartments? Are we visiting someone?” she asked.

“Yes, we're visiting.”

“So late?”

“Don't worry, the person who lives here will be up and awake.”

They walked up a wide staircase with highly polished banisters and oak wood steps. The walls were painted white with ornate wall mounted light fixtures. On the first floor Kurtis stopped.

“There are no lights on under the door, Kurtis. They must be out,” Tanya said.

Kurtis was feeling in his pockets and Tanya watched, dumbstruck, as he pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the door. It led to a dark corridor and Kurtis put on the light. In the corridor was a wooden table, on top of which was a small potted plant. Doors led off the corridor, two to the left and two to the right.

“Why does this person trust you with their keys?” she asked.

“Oh, she trusts me because she loves me. She told me so just now.”

“What are you...? You mean...?”

“Yes,” he said handing her the keys. “This is your place, if you like it, otherwise we'll shop around for something else.”

“Kurtis. No. I can't afford the rent here.”

“You don't have to pay rent. You own this apartment now. I bought it for you.”

“Kurtis, I cannot accept it. It's too much.”

“Well I don't know what else I'll do with it if you don't take it. I'll have the papers transferred to your name as soon as you say yes.”

He didn't give her a chance to speak but opened the door into a very large, square living room that was painted white and had light gray carpets. There were double doors leading onto a big balcony that overlooked a communal garden.

“You can decorate it any way you like. I'll let you have the number of a couple of interior decorators. But I was thinking, before you decorate, why not throw a housewarming party.”

Tanya walked around the apartment with her hands on her cheeks, eyes wide and unable to speak.

“If you don't like it, I can buy you something else.”

“Kurtis – I love it. No one has ever bought me anything like this. I don't feel worthy.”

“Don't feel worthy? You're the woman who saved my life. You're the woman I love. There isn't anything that's too expensive for you. And here.” He handed her a set of car keys.

“Kurtis, no, really.”

“You have to take this. It's the least I could do. It was because of me you no longer have a car. So now we're even and I don't want to hear another word.”

“Just two, then,” she grinned.

“And what are they?”

“Thank you.”

***

A week later, Kurtis took Tanya along to a music industry party. This time, when Kaya and Mae looked at her with puppy dog eyes, Tanya had no choice but to make sure they were on the guest list.

The party was in full swing. On several occasions, Kaya had to stop Mae walking up to celebrities and asking them for their autograph. She was so star struck she could hardly speak. She would make signals with her eyes every time she saw someone she recognized and say under her breath, out of the side of her mouth, “It's her!” or “It's him!”

“Just be cool,” Kaya had said to her, “or I'll get security to throw you out.”

“Having a good time?” Tanya asked her friends. She had just been talking to Jeannie and Kurtis, and felt as though she had been neglecting them.

“This party is the best, Tanya.” Mae was on the verge of exploding with excitement. “Thank you so much for getting us in. I'm so glad you crashed your car.”

“Shut up, Mae!” Kaya said swinging around to look at her. “What if she'd died in that fire?”

“Then I would never have met Kanye West. That is him, right? This time I have to get an autograph.” Mae rushed away before Kaya could pull her back.

“Leave her,” Tanya said. “She's having a good time.”

Then Tanya thought she caught sight of someone she knew. A shiver went up her spine.

“What's wrong?” Kaya asked.

“Oh, nothing. I thought I saw... oh my God it is him.”

“Who? Who am I looking at?” Kaya looked all around.

“It's that guy James McConnagh, Kurtis's old friend. Oh, my God he's heading straight for Kurtis. I should get over there.”

Tanya got to Kurtis's side at the same time as James arrived. James nodded at Tanya.

“Ahh, the beautiful, Tanya. We meet again.”

“You know him?” Kurtis said, looking at Tanya but not at James.

“Oh we're old friends.” James answered before Tanya could open her mouth.

“That's not true James, and you know it,” Tanya interjected.

“But you know his name,” Kurtis said. Still not acknowledging James.

“You see we do know each other. We only met by chance and I bought Tanya a drink.”

“A drink?” Kurtis's eyes bore into her.

“It isn't like it sounds, Kurtis, I was waiting for you in the bar at the theater, remember? What was that show we went to see? Well, anyway, I ordered us a drink and he offered to pay.”

“You shouldn't have accepted.”

“He said he was a friend.”

As Kurtis and Tanya exchanged words, James stood smiling, on the verge of laughter.

“Relax, buddy,” James said and put his arm on Kurtis's shoulder. Kurtis flicked it off.

“I'm not your buddy.”

“Relax. This feud of ours was all based on lies and gossip. You know what New York is like. Anything for a story. Are you so insecure, you have to believe everything you hear?”

Kurtis and James stood almost toe-to-toe, Kurtis scowling at James who, so far, had not stopped smiling.

“Look, Kurtis,” James said, moving backwards. “All those lies people spread about me and Catherine died when she did. You and I were friends a long time before you and Catherine met. I'm willing to forgive and forget. Can't we just shake and be friends again?”

“And why would you want to be my friend?”

“For old time’s sake, that's why. You were always my buddy, my pal. My best friend until the gossipers started twisting those stories. How you could believe Catherine would cheat on you with me, I can't imagine. You should learn to trust, Kurtis.”’

James looked at Tanya, now, who had hooked her hand around Kurtis's arm.

“Tell him, Tanya. I didn't bite. I did a good thing. Bought you guys a drink and you look all set to punch me out again, Kurtis.”

Tanya pulled on Kurtis's arm. “Let's go,” she said under her breath, realizing people were trying discreetly to look at them and listen to the conversation.

“Please,” James touched Kurtis's shoulder again. “Let's just shake hands. You might not want to shake my hand now but I'll prove to you that you can trust me.”

Kurtis looked down at James' outstretched hand and shook it. Pulling James closer so he could speak into his ear he whispered, “Now will you just leave me alone?”

“Certainly,” James said raising his arms. “Now everyone sees we've kissed and made up. If you ever want to pay me back, you know, return the favor of buying you a drink, you know where to find me.”

“If you say so,” Kurtis said, putting his arm around, Tanya and leading her away to the bar.

James called after them. “And I look forward to getting to know Tanya more.”

Kurtis shot him a look over his shoulder and turned to Tanya when they were far enough away from James.

“You just keep away from James McConnagh. That guy is nothing but trouble.”

“I heard about the rumors going round that he and Catherine were having an affair.”

“It's not that I believed those rumors, Tanya. People were only gossiping because he was the one starting the rumors. I know it was him.”

“But why?”

“Why? Because the guy isn't right in the head. Dropping him as a friend was the best move I could make. He's got some kind of jealousy thing going.”

“What?” Tanya asked looking back at where James was talking loudly to a group of people. “He's rich in his own right isn't he?”

“The guy is super loaded. He's just resentful I made more money than he ever did and that I got there first.”

“But you were best friends. He should have been happy for you.”

“Don't be naïve, Tanya. Friends are great but a lot of people don't like it when their friends are doing better than they are. It's all a competition with him.”

“But you shook hands.”

“I just didn't want to cause a scene. The thing about James McConnagh is he has a screw missing somewhere. Always was a loose cannon when we were growing up. Spent most of our friendship keeping him out of trouble. But that's just what he is. Trouble. Dad warned me. Jeannie warned me. You see him and you go in the opposite direction, you hear me?”

“Yes sir,” she smiled.

“I'm serious, Tanya. Don't trust him. That guy is crazy.”

Kurtis turned to the bar and waved his empty glass at the bartender for a refill.

Tanya felt that shiver again and turned back to look across the room; James was staring straight at her and raised his glass as he held her gaze. His smile was wide but the look in his eyes frightened her and she swung back around. She touched Kurtis's shoulder.

“Maybe we should leave.”

Chapter5

“I know it's a surprise, Kurtis, but if you don't tell me where we're going, then I won't know what to pack.”

Tanya was standing in front of her closet with the phone to her ear. The door to the closet was wide open and an empty suitcase lay open on her bed. Next to it was half her wardrobe and quite a few of her accessories. She had lined up several pairs of shoes on the floor next to her bed. She had Diana Ross songs playing in the background and was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.

She and Kurtis had planned to go away together. It was his idea and told her to leave everything to him and he would arrange it all. Her girlfriends speculated about where he might take her and came up with places as far flung as New Zealand. Well, that was Mae's imagination getting carried away. All Kaya asked was that she brought back some duty free perfume.

“Are we going on your yacht?” Tanya asked Kurtis.

“No,” he replied from the other end of the phone.

“Sorry, was that insensitive?”

“No. Why would it be?”

“Well you bought a new yacht after, you know, and you never use it.”

“I know. I'm working on that.”

“Look, I'm tired of guessing, Kurtis. Where are you taking me?”

“To meet the folks.”

“What?”

“Well by folks, I mean my dad and his girlfriend, Carla – on his country estate in California.”

“Am I ready for this, Kurtis? Meeting your dad?”

“Only one way to find out.”

They took off in Kurtis's private jet and drank champagne and ate strawberries on the flight. Kurtis chatted with ease but all the time while, Tanya's stomach was in knots. Very soon, they came in to land and Tanya found that she had taken a deep breath in but was unable to exhale. If she didn't calm down soon she might faint.

***

“Just relax. Dad will just love you, Tanya. I'm sure Carla will, too. She's great. You'll like them both. Just stop worrying so much.”

Kurtis had a hired car waiting for them and began the long ride out to his father's home, his too when he was a boy. They drove through wide country roads with the top down. There were trees and grasslands on either sides of the road and the occasional house.

“This is a beautiful place,” Tanya said. “You grew up around here?”

“Well for some of my life, anyway. As you know, I've moved around. I'm lucky I've got a lot of places I can call home. We're pretty close to the farm now. It's just over that ridge.”

“I love it here. How much of this does your father own?”

“All of it.”

Kurtis's father and Carla were both waiting on the large front porch when they pulled up.

“Tanya, I'd like you to meet my dad, Henry and this is his girlfriend, Carla.”

“Welcome, Tanya, welcome. It's very nice to meet.” He kissed her on both cheeks and gave her a hug.

“Thank you so much for having me. I love it out here, you're so lucky to live in a place like this.”

“Pity I can't convince my son to feel the same way. But you know you're always welcome and maybe I'll get to see more of the music business tycoon now that he has you.” He turned to Kurtis, squeezing his son's cheeks between his hands and patting him on the back.

Tanya could see where Kurtis got his deep blue eyes.

Carla kissed both Kurtis and Tanya on the cheek and led them all into the hallway.

“I assume you'll be sharing a room,” she said. “I put you in one to the east facing ones. Come up. Bring the bags, Kurtis.” She took Tanya's hand and began leading her up a wide staircase.

“Can't the girl have a drink first?” Henry called after them. He was promptly ignored. Kurtis went to get their bags from the car.

***

The next day, Kurtis took Tanya out for a long walk in the grounds surrounding the house.

“So. Are we near to the vineyards?” Tanya asked.

“Kinda,” Kurtis replied. “If we cut through this field, just up that hill you can see a part of one crop.”

The sun beat on their backs. Tanya wore a bright yellow, short-sleeved shirt and cut off jeans that showed most of her toned legs. Kurtis was in jeans and a t-shirt. They both wore sunglasses. The long grass tickled Tanya's legs and they held hands as they walked for ages across a field and up an incline, their bodies in silhouette against a bright sun and a clear sky. There, Kurtis stopped and took his sunglasses off.

“Just over there. That was my Dad's first crop. It's still growing strong. He knows everything about this business.”

“Was he sorry you didn't want to follow in his foot steps?”

“It's a beautiful life, but it wasn't for me. Or Jeannie. Her father's vineyards are out to the north. We clicked straight away. But it was pretty obvious we were both city slickers waiting to burst out of our country folk shells. We both persuaded our fathers to send us to school in New York.”

“You're lucky to have Jeannie as a friend.”

“I know.”

Tanya watched Kurtis in profile as he looked out across the land.

“Dad is worried about what will happen when I inherit it. But I promised him they'll always be here. I might not know much about vineyards but I'll make damned sure these stay in the family.”

“Can I ask you a question? And don't get mad,” she said.

“Why would I? Oh I know, it's about her isn't it?”

“I'm sorry. You know all about my past boyfriends, I never held anything back. But tell me one thing.”

“No, I never brought Catherine here. She hated the country. Even though it was where she was raised. She turned her back on her roots and stayed firmly planted in New York. I guess that's one of the reasons I never came out much while we were dating.”

“So in all the time you dated, she never even met your father?”

“Oh they met when he came to New York a couple of times but that was it. And no more talk about her, not today.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“Down there, down to the vineyards.”

“That's a long walk.”

“I'll carry you if you get tired.”

They continued and eventually reached the vineyards. They walked amongst the shady vines and felt the late afternoon sun cooling but only slightly. Tanya was exhausted but she listened with enthusiasm while Kurtis parted with all the knowledge he had about the grapes and the history of the vineyard. His eyes lit up and she could tell that deep down there was more than the slick city businessman inside him. He was a country boy, too. Eventually he stopped talking and looked at her.

“What is it?” she said.

“Nothing. It's just there's something I want to ask you.”

“Anything.” Tanya absently looked around vines that dwarfed her the deeper they walked through them.

Kurtis reached out a hand to stop her.

“Yes?” she said.

“I know we haven't known each other for a long time, Tanya, but I feel like we really understand each other. I know I'm not the easiest of people to get on with.”

“Are you crazy, I love being with you.”

“Yeah, but let's face it, when we first met I was an emotional wreck.”

“But not anymore, right? You're over all that.”

“And that's all thanks to you, Tanya.”

“It was fate, Kurtis, that's what it was. Fate brought us together and that's why we're here now, having a great time, sharing each other's company.”

“I want to share more than that with you.” Kurtis got down on one knee.

“What are you doing?” she said, knotting her eyebrows.

“Just go with me on this.”

“Okay.”

He reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a ring. She gasped and held her breath. The ring was gold: a slender hoop with a large diamond stone that gleamed as streaks of sun broke through the vines and bounced off it. The reflections hit her eyes and she blinked several times.

Kurtis held up the ring. “Tanya, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Kurtis. Yes, I'll marry you.”

He stood and kissed her. They kissed until she felt light headed, blown away with the shock proposal and the fact that she had answered yes to a question that would change her whole life.

“Let's see if it fits,” he said.

Kurtis slid the ring onto her finger and held her hand.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“Kurtis, I love it. I wouldn't have chosen anything else but this ring. Should we tell your Dad when get back? The girls will scream for a week when I tell them. I should call Dad. He'll be so happy.”

“We'll have a great big party to celebrate when we get back to New York. Come on, we'll go get us a ride home.”

They held hands, made their way to the vineyard manager’s office, and arranged a ride back out to the house.

Tanya beamed all the way along the country roads and Kurtis held her hand.

“I can't believe what a great fit it is,” she said looking down at her hand.

“I'm glad we don't have to alter it. It's a bit of an antique. It belonged to my mother. My dad proposed to her in that very vineyard.”

“That's so romantic.”

“Dad brought the ring to New York when he came the last time. I was to give it to me for Catherine.”

The smile left Tanya's face, instantly “You mean you already proposed to her with this ring?” Her eyes were wide, inquiring.

“God, no, Tanya! What do you take me for? Catherine knew about the ring but she never even got to see it. I told Dad to take it back with him, keep it safe until I was sure I wanted to be married.”

“I see.”

“No, I don't think you do.”

“I truly never loved any woman they way I love you. Maybe if Catherine had lived we might well have gotten married but I never proposed to her because it never felt right.”

“And it does now?”

“Why do you even ask?”

“Of course. I shouldn't ask. This was fate.”