Billionaire's Second Chance (sam, bella and Kate Book 2) (13 page)

Bella
had contacted the papers, with permission from Dante and Sam, promising pictures of the wedding at no charge, this action helping to reduce the number of paparazzi that turned out for the ceremony.  Dante was impressed and relieved with her action.  Philippe gave her all the space she needed to do her job, as she flitted between being in the wedding party and co-ordinating the event, happy to have Anna with her, reminding herself to offer the younger woman a more permanent role if things took off.

She smiled seeing the way Dante held Sam’s hand, her friend often gently touching the necklace that had been delivered that morning, her eyes sparking with happiness.  As the couple made to go, Sam pulled Bella to the side
, asking where the honeymoon was.  Bella winked, a big smile on her face, “I can’t tell you – promised Dante it would be a surprise.”  She looked around before whispering conspiratorially, “But, I will say that it is so romantic”, both sets of eyes turned to a smiling Dante.

H
e shook his head as he grabbed Samantha’s hand.  “Trying to get it out of your wedding planner?  Shame on you Mrs Durant.”

Waving them off, Philippe sidled up behind
Bella, his hands rested on her hips as she snuggled against him, her voice sensual, “So, do you know where they are going, or am I the only other person to know?”

Philippe shook his head, “Oh no
, he had to tell me.”

Sam grinned and turned against him, “She is going to find out that they are going back to the island at the airport anyway
.”

Philippe shook his head again.  “Wrong
– they are using my plane.”

Bella stared open-mouthed at him.  “You have a plane!”, she gasped, seeing as he chuckled
.

“Seemed fair.  Dante got the boat
, I got the plane.  System works.”

Bella shook her head in disbelief.  “You two are unbelievable”, she grinned, his mouth dropped to hers, silencing her, Bella groaning softly as her hands gripped his tailored jacket.

Pulling back, she could see the fire in his eyes, a playful smile on his face ,“Did you know that the owner of this wonderful establishment has suites he uses for himself and his friends?”

Bella’s eyes widened as she grinned back, “I did not
.”

Philippe pulled a key from his pocket, “Did you further know that he and I are friends, and he INSISTED on my having his largest
suite for tonight?”

She raised a suggestive eyebrow, “I bet that the beds in those suites are even bigger than the ones you have at home
.”

His head nodded his eyes full of playful fun, “
And colder.  What should I do about it?”

Bella cocked her head thoughtfully to the side
, miming deep thought, “It is a hard one.”

Philippe pulled her in harder to him, his mouth whispering seductively against her ear, “Not yet, but getting there
.”

A chuckle left her as she pushed away from him.  “Well, give me an hour.
  Somebody has to supervise the clean-up and make sure that everything goes back to where it needs to tomorrow.”

The clean-up had been faster than she expected, Dave’s team efficient in their jobs as they followed her instructions carefully, all the items that needed to be returned placed in a locked room, labelled for pickup the following day.  Philippe insisted on staying to help, his idea of helping mostly consisting of keeping a watchful eye on Dave, who moved up to her at the first opportunity, asking how she planned on spending the rest of her time in New York.  Bella saw the disappointment fill his eyes as she mentioned that she was staying in one of the guest suites that evening with Philippe Tremour, seeing as he slipped away, wishing her well for the remainder of her time there.

Looking over at Philippe, she mouthed, ‘He might still be interested’, holding back the laugh as his eyes narrowed in playful warning. 

Philippe leaned against the wall as he watched Bella work. Still wearing the gold cocktail dress she chose in place of a
bridesmaid dress, she looked stunning, her easy manner and ready smile eliciting the same in all those who carried out her instructions, all seeming relieved that the woman in charge had a clear plan. 

Sipping the whisky he managed to procure, he played over the last few days, a softness coming to his eyes as he remembered standing at the altar with Bella only days earlier, seeing the way she looked warmly back at him.  Pulling out his phone, he noticed the voice mail, listening to it as a happy grin spread across his face
, hearing Lucy wishing him goodnight, he having phoned earlier while she was in the bath.  Looking up once more, he saw the look on Bella’s beautiful face as she turned, moving towards him, her mouth open in silent cheer letting him know that the work was finished.  Philippe gave a return smile as he felt contentment fill his entire being.  He knew that his world was better than it had ever been, his eyes flashing with the depth of happiness that filled him.

Moving forward to meet Bella he took her hand, twirling her around as she giggled before throwing an arm protectively around her shoulders, hers moved around his waist as the two sauntered slowly up to the penthouse suite. 

“Bella... Bella”, the sensual voice of Philippe pushed through the still sleepy befuddled mind of the woman lying against him. 

She chuckled softly as the memories of the previous evening filtered through her mind, a slow grin cover
ing her face as she pushed the hair which was strewn all over the pillow from her face, her muscles complaining from the intensity of their lovemaking.  “If you are going to do that often Philippe, I may have to inform my insurance company”, his throaty laugh against her pleasurable as he turned her around onto her back, his eyes glowing as they looked down on her.

“Well
, maybe you should do that then, because I have got to tell you Miss Smith that I plan on doing that a lot more.”

She chuckled before looking at her wristwatch, groaning sadly at the time.
  “I will have to go.  Need to go back to the hotel and get a change of clothes and shower.”

Philippe grinned warmly.  “Now
I am feeling smug because I had Anna pack you an overnight bag, so you have everything you need.”

Bella looked back in open-mouthed wonder,
“Oh my God... I just might have to keep you”, the laughter on his face disappearing instantly at her words, Bella wondering if she had said the wrong thing before his voice became much softer.

“I could think of worse things
.”  A smile lit up her features as he sat up, giving a small groan himself as his muscles too complained.  “Oh Miss Smith.  Many of those things you did last night I feel are barely legal”, her chuckle like music to his ears as he gave a long sigh, “However, first things first”, he looking more apologetic.  “I have to go home today, with a huge present for Lucy from uncle Dante and her new aunt Samantha”, smiling seeing the disappointment tingeing her mouth, warmth filling his eyes.  “When can I send the helicopter to collect you?”

The disappointment vanished as she looked thoughtfully back, “Well
, if all goes well today, perhaps tomorrow”, the excitement in his face making her chuckle.  “That is a big IF.”  He nodded his head declaring that it would all go to plan because she was the best planner he had ever met.

Showered, the two left the suite together, Bella walking him to the exit, smiling as he pulled her into his arms once more.  “I am going to miss you
Cara.
”  She made a deep throaty purrrr as he kissed her, “I will see you tomorrow.”  Bella bit her lip, her whole features radiating happiness as she nodded, waving to him as he moved into the waiting car.

The day passed quickly, all of the items stored in the locked room picked up on time as per the schedule she had given the suppliers.  By five that day
, everything was done, Dave insisting on buying her a drink so that he could talk with her.  She was pleasantly surprised that rather than hitting on her he had been complimentary with regard to how the whole wedding progressed, especially given the time constraints.  His offer to include her on the approved planners list made her smile although Philippe had not been so happy to hear it as she later texted him the news.

With spare time on her hands she even had time to shop, finding herself before a large toy store, a whimsical smile on her face as she remembered his words, “She looked like a princess”, moving inside to rummage through the shelves of princess toys and accessories.  Making her choices, she was soon walking back out of the store, her arms full of brightly wrapped parcels.  Next she moved to a jeweller and selected a small trinket similar to one she had been given as a child, the memory making her smile.

Returning to her hotel room Bella finished packing, taking a long relaxing bath before slipping into the crisp cotton sheets, both excited and nervous about the next day when she would be spending time at his home and would meet his daughter.  Lying on her back she savaged her lip, frowning as her brows furrowed with concern.  What if his daughter hated her, or he bored of her? With a shake of her lovely head she turned onto her side murmuring, “Give yourself a chance Bella”, her lovely eyes fluttering closed as she fell into a dreamless restful sleep.

She woke early, moving into the shower, singing happily as she waited for his call, not sure when he planned on picking her up, his vague “early”, his only answer the previous day.  As she sat wrapped in the white fluffy towel finishing drying her hair, she found herself constantly looking over at the mobile phone, the time now 6:30, a whimsical smile lighting her lips just as the doorbell rang.  Frowning, she moved to open the door, her eyes widening in surprise seeing Philippe stood there, a big grin on his handsome face.

“You...
You said that you were going to phone”, she mouthed, feeling the heat which instantly spread through every part of her at seeing him.

“Well
, I was going to”, he drawled sensually, moving slowly into the room, “But my pilot needed to keep an appointment – so I thought I would hitch a lift with him early”, a small wicked smile rising to his lips, his brows wriggling playfully.  “I thought I might find you still in bed.  I was looking forward to waking you.” Bella chuckled as she moved backwards with him into the room “But… It does of course mean that we can’t leave for about an hour and a half”, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively, “Now what could we do to pass the time?”

With her long hair swishing around her like a golden cloud, eyes flashing brightly as she dropped the towel
, Philippe groaning softly, her glorious body sending a small shudder through him, his lips curved into a big smile, “Oh – something just came to mind.”  Moving forward to pull her into his arms, his mouth possessively dropped to claim her soft lips as together the two stepped back until, wrapped in the other’s arms, they fell onto the bed.  Both moved to the helicopter late.

As the helicopter flew over the New York cityscape, moving closer and closer to his estate, she bec
ame nervous, her fingers tugging at each other, jumping slightly as his hand covered hers, moving his head closer to be heard over the sound of the whirring blades above, “Relax.  She is going to love you.”  A weak smile came to her lips as she flashed him a thankful look.

Finally in open country, she enjoyed watching the scenery below as it became green and rural, amazed how quickly the helicopter could traverse the area simply by avoiding the snarled streets of the metropolis.

His hand squeezing on hers brought her attention to his other, as he pointed animatedly out of his side of the helicopter, Bella staring in awe as they moved quickly towards a large house, with manicured lawns and every conceivable luxury, from tennis courts to a large swimming pool.  Staring back at him she mouthed, “Is that yours?”  Philippe smiled as he nodded, Bella holding back the sigh of awe.

Soon they were descending onto a clear area of lawn
, Bella able to see the large stone building reminiscent of a castle she had once seen on a trip to Scotland, with turrets, spires and imposing wooden doors, yet sitting perfectly in the acres of land.

Moving from the helicopter with its blades still whirring, he placed a guiding hand on her back, the wind whipping up her hair as they moved towards the house until they were able to once more stand straight, Bella laughing up at him as she fixed her hair which was blown across her glowing face.

The pilot joined them, handing her case to Philippe who spoke to the other man in Greek, both waving the other off as she threw a thank you, the pilot once more taking off as Philippe took her hand.  “Come and meet Lucy”, his voice full of pride and excitement as her hand trembled slightly in his warm hold.

Before they could move, the door burst open, a little girl running from the opening, her eyes focussed solely on Philippe as she threw herself into her father’s arms.  Small chubby hands were flung around his neck as he released Bella to bend and scoop up the writhing bundle in his arms, lifting her high and swinging her in a circle as she cried,  “Daddy, daddy, daddy”, only stopping as he tickled her, infectious laughter leaving her, Bella’s lips twitching at the touching scene.  Finally the small child became aware of the other person, moving slightly to turn her beautiful features towards the stranger, becoming shy as she regarded Bella in the sombre way children
do, not sure of her.

“Hello Lucy”, Bella smiled, moving slightly closer, “I love your dress
.”  The little girl’s features broke out into a wide grin as she fought to get down to show her daddy and the new stranger the lovely pink summer dress she had on, complete with small socks and designer pumps.

“Karen said I should wear something pretty
.”  Bella’s eyes wandered to the small woman – instinctively knowing it to be her nanny – who had followed the little girl from the house, watching the scene with a smile on her face.

Looking over as he squatted down beside her, Philippe nodded
, giving the nanny an approving wink.  “Well Karen was right, and you look beautiful”, the happiness at this comment obvious on the child’s small face.

Once more looking over at Bella she held her head up, eyes looking up at the stranger.  “What’s your name?”,
she questioned, Philippe giving her a reproachful look.

“Is that how we greet new people Lucy?”, his rebuke having no effect on the small child who still looked up at Bella, her lovely face with blonde hair in an Alice-band
, full of curiosity.

Placing a hand on his shoulder
, Bella gave a chuckle moving to kneel down beside him. “My name is Bella.”

The small girl’s mouth opened with surprise.  “Like in beast”, her comment making Philippe gasp in shocked surprise. 

Bella realised with a quirk of her lovely mouth that he had not picked up on the Disney reference, thinking that his daughter was insulting her as she chuckled before nodding,  “Well kind of, but her name was Belle”, looking over at him with an impish smile on her face.  “You so have to read up on your Disney – Beauty and the Beast”, a relieved smile filling his features.  Lucy however grabbed her hand seeming to have made her mind up that the new person was not to be feared, the group moving into the house together.

Inside
, Bella gasped, impressed with the wonderful home, the warmth and welcoming way it was decorated and furnished making her eyes grow larger.  “You like?”, his sensual voice beside her pulled another grin from her.

“What is not to like?”, a small laugh leaving him. 

She felt as the child pulled on her hand.  “See my princesses?”, her eyes pleading with her as Bella threw Philippe a happy smile.

“I would love to see them”, adding in a whisper only meant for him, “The chance to see more of one of your houses would be great”, his lip
s curled as he tried to give her a reproachful glare which only made her chuckle as she was pulled up the stairs by the small child.

For the next few days, Bella had been in heaven.  Lucy took to her instantly and she her, Philippe often finding the two in a corner as she played princesses with the little girl or helped her dress up in one of her many outfits.  He admired the natural way the two had bonded, this making him happy, not fully understanding why, telling himself that
she was only there until Lucy’s birthday, the event coming closer and closer with each day.

He enjoyed showing her around the old building, her admiration genuine as she loved his home.  Smiling
, he remembered as they entered his room for the first time.  He had moved up behind her. “The guest room is made up for you”, his strong hands moving to turn her to face him, “Or, you could stay here with me.”

Flicking a look over at the large bed, she moved even closer
, bringing their bodies hard up against the other.  “What would your daughter think of finding a strange woman in her daddy’s bed”, a small shadow flitting over her expressive eyes, “Or... Is she used to it?”

Suddenly serious, he dropped his mouth to kiss her lips gently, almost a whisper against the softness, “I have never brought a woman here
.”

Her eyes widened with surprise, feeling the strange lump in her throat, her voice husky, “Then in that case I think I would like to stay here
.”  He smiled gently as his kiss became more demanding, moving them back to the bed.

Four days later, Philippe was amazed at how easily Bella had fitted into their lives, enhanc
ed them even, he mused thoughtfully to himself as he watched her in the pool with Lucy, smiling as Bella pushed the small girl around in the water on her floaty.  Looking up, he could see the party celebrations, a smile lighting his handsome features.

Only days earlier
, when Bella had learnt of his plans for the party, she had shaken her head at him. “Seriously, you are going to have the children from the nursery Karen takes her to arrive and just ‘play’ by themselves in the garden?”, her tone incredulous as he looked at her with bemusement.

”
Isn’t that what kids do?”, adding with a smile, “I did order a cake: play and cake – sorted.”

Bella
shook her head once more, a sigh leaving her. “Honestly, why are men so clueless?” With that she had pulled out her computer and organised for items to be brought in.  She very quickly arranged for a themed area to be set up with bouncy castles and a dress up area for the many children expected that day.  He had sat back, shooed out of her way as she transformed an area of the garden into a castle themed play area, Philippe having to admit that it all looked wonderful. 

When Lucy
had heard the plans her eyes had been like plates, her small red mouth round with surprise and delight, hugging Bella as she chatted away to her.  Lifting his drink, he frowned softly.  While Bella had delayed her return to the UK for Lucy’s birthday, it suddenly did not seem enough, the thought of her leaving once more causing his stomach to twist.  However, she had a business and no reason to stay.  His mind once more yelled at him to give her a reason, his eyes following the antics of the two. 

For four years he had missed her, the fact that they somehow found each other again like a sign.  Swirling the liquid around the glass, he smiled softly; Bella was the woman he was meant to be with, his eyes
lifting, seeing as she turned, her eyes meeting his, something in his expression making her look at him with confusion.  With a smile Philippe rose and joined them in the water.

The party had been a huge success.  As there was no time to inform the parents of
the new theme, Bella set up an area in which the children could choose from an array of outfits bought for the event, the plan to allow the children to keep the costumes.  When twenty little boys and girls arrived with their parents, all were delighted as the children went one way and the parents the other.  Bella had also set up an area for the parents to enjoy some respite from the madness that was their offspring as they ran around within the safety of the play area.  She ensured that refreshments and food were provided for the parents: finger foods, tea and coffee. 

The
prince/princess theme had been welcomed by the parents, and the lawn was alive with the bright colours of children dressed as princesses and princes.  Within a tent she had set up continually running Disney movies, giving the children time-out periods and keeping the madness to a level which was comfortable, with very few cries but many happy squeals of laughter.  Lucy was in the middle of it all, happily ordering the other children around as Bella tried to hold back the laughter.  “Wow, she is as bossy as her dad”, she chuckled as he placed an arm around her waist, pulling her in harder to him.

“Not bossy
– just showing her leadership skills.”

With a chuckle
, she darted him an impish smile, “What was it you once told me? Potato, patato?”, his chuckle music to her ears, Bella happy to be there.

As the last of the guests left, everybody free with their praise for the event, carrying tired but still-smiling children who gripped loot bags full of sweets and toys, Philippe had stacked all of the praise on Bella, many of the mothers asking if they could phone her for advice when it was their turn. 

Smiling nervously, she flicked him a look, not sure how to answer that, a cold sensation in the pit of her stomach, knowing that in less than two days she would once more be returning to the UK.  Philippe had not broached the subject, leading her to believe that her return would be welcomed by him.  She knew that both enjoyed their time together, neither ever tiring of the other in bed, Bella not sure what she expected.  With a sad sigh she wondered if he hoped that maybe the two of them could reconnect if he was in the UK; she had discovered that he made trips there at least four times a year, this thought filling her with sadness.  She loved him, and now also the little girl who insisted for the party on dressing in her Belle costumed because it reminded her of Bella.  With a small frown she wondered if that arrangement would be enough for her.

On her wrist
Lucy wore the silver charm bracelet that she gave her that morning, complete with two little charms, one a princess and the other a heart to signify their friendship.  She also gave her a jewellery box with a small dancing ballerina which played music when the box was open, Lucy fascinated by it. 

Momentarily turning from the scene, she felt the tears welling in her eyes, the sensation of loss filling her.  Perhaps she should not have come
– she knew that she would be losing so much in a short period of time.  Quickly, she moved to look busy at a nearby table.  From the other side of the garden Philippe caught the change in her as he said farewell to more parents, a small frown creasing his features.