Boxed Set: The Billionaire’s Desire Complete Collection (Books 1-3 and Bonus Books 1 and 2) (Submitting to the Billionaire) (13 page)

            "Thank you.  Yes, I'm ready."

            We were all sitting around the table chatting, when Bunny turned to me. 

            "Sarah dear, tell me more about yourself.  I already know that you are extremely bright, but I'd like to know more about you as a person.  What are your interests?"

            I could feel my cheeks burning so I am sure they were bright red.  The fact that everyone stopped talking to hear what I had to say didn't make it any better.

            "Well, I actually am an enormous art lover.  I was admiring your gorgeous pieces in the foyer hallway."

            "Oh?"  Bunny seemed to really perk up.  "Do you have a favorite period or a favorite artist?  Art is one of my first loves."

            I began to relax because I just discovered that Bunny and I had something big in common.  I could talk about art for days.

            "The Italian Renaissance is my absolute favorite period.  I am so fascinated by the artistic explosion that occurred in Italy at the beginning of the 14th century.  I don't really have one favorite artist, but I do enjoy the works of several different artists.  Of course there are the obvious artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.  But I also enjoy Botticelli and Titian among many others."

            Bunny seemed quite impressed with my answer.  Jake chimed in from across the table.

            "Sarah, I think you've just made mother's day.  To meet another art enthusiast, well, there are no words."

            "Sarah dear, later this week I will show you our art gallery.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.  So how did you fall in love with art?  Have you been to Italy to see the original works?"

            "Well, I was always drawn to the art history section in the public library as a child.  I used to spend hours reading about different periods of art and looking at pictures.  The Italian Renaissance captivated me the most.  And Italy?  No, unfortunately that has not been in the budget.  But, it is definitely on my list of things to do.  I hope to be able to go in the next five years."

            "I can tell that you are an extremely driven person.  I have all faith that you will get to Italy.  You simply must.  There is no substitute for seeing a beautiful, original piece of art in person."

            I glanced over at Joshua and for the first time since I'd met him he looked completely at ease.  The conversation turned to the plan for the remainder of the week and I was, thankfully, no longer the center of attention.  Joshua, Jake and Bunny talked about the family members that would be arriving later that day.  Through their conversation I discovered that Bunny's birthday was this week and that was why we were here.  A large celebration was planned for Thursday at the home.

            We were wrapping up breakfast when Bunny suggested we all get some rest.

            "I am sure you are exhausted from your travels so feel free to nap for a while.  We are not expecting guests until two o'clock."

            We all retired to our rooms and Joshua told me he would come get me around 1:45 PM.

            "If you need anything before then, just come to my room.  Get some rest, you will need it."  With that, he closed my door as he left.

           
What did that mean?
  I wondered how many people I'd be meeting, but then I realized it was best if I didn't know.  I would make myself sick with worry if I knew I had a bunch of wealthy people to meet and impress. 
Whatever happens, happens.  Bunny seems to like me so that should help.
  I climbed into the lush bed and dozed off.

            My alarm woke me at 1:30 PM and I quickly freshened up my makeup and fluffed my hair.  At 1:45 PM on the dot I heard a light knock on my door.  Joshua, Jake and Vivienne came to collect me and we went downstairs to wait for the other guests.  I turned to Joshua at the bottom of the stairs.

            "Who am I going to be meeting?"

            Just then the doorbell rang and he didn't have time to answer me.  He walked to the foyer and we all followed him.  I felt a hint of nervousness and I took a deep breath and counted to 10.

            "Bunny, my love!  You look ravishing as always."

            A
gorgeous
man leaned down to kiss Bunny on her cheek.  He was tall, had a perfect muscular physique, thick, dark, wavy hair and was extremely good-looking. 

           
Who is that?

            "Ethan!  Always the charmer!"  Bunny gave him a big hug and seemed happy to see him.

            He walked over to the four of us and gave Joshua a subtle, challenging stare.

            "Well, well.  If it isn't the golden boy!"  I could hear the disdain in his voice as he plastered a fake smile on his face and hugged Joshua. 

           
Hmmm, something's not right here.

            "Golden boy?  Hardly Ethan.  It's good to see you."  Joshua, ever the diplomat, ignored Ethan’s snide demeanor and hugged him back.

            "Jake, my boy!  Good to see you."  He seemed less irritated with Jake which I found peculiar.

            Jake gave him a hug.  "Good to see you as well.  You remember Vivienne."

            "Of course, gorgeous as ever.  Nice to see you again."

            I saw Vivienne blush and noticed that she became extremely shy around Ethan.  I don't think Jake noticed it, but I did. 
I wonder if there is some sort of history there?
  I would have to resume my thoughts later because Joshua was introducing me.

            "Ethan, I would like for you to meet Sarah Vaughn, our newest associate.  Sarah, this is our cousin, Ethan Hunter."

           
Cousin?  That explains it.  Good looks ran deep in this family.

            Ethan's dark eyes slowly canvassed my face and then he gently grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips.

            "Enchanté." 
That sexy, smoldering thing must run in the family.
  "A business colleague at a family function…very unusual.  You must be very special.  I'm intrigued."

            He held my gaze for a little bit too long because I felt my cheeks flush. 
Boy, he's a charmer!
  I glanced at Joshua because I could feel his eyes burning a hole right through me.  Ethan was flirting with me and Joshua was not happy.

            "Where is Emily, Ethan?"  Joshua's stern question rang out.  He apparently wanted to make it clear that Ethan was taken.

            "Oh, you must not have heard.  We are no longer together.  We called off the wedding."

            "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."  Joshua actually did sound sorry but I suspected it was for a different reason.

            "No worries.  There are plenty of beautiful women out there.  I'm bound to meet another one."  Again, he held my gaze and gave me a quick wink.

            Ethan walked over to chat with other guests that had just arrived and I turned to Joshua.  I could see the familiar fire in his eyes. 
I can't help it if your cousin flirted with me!
  His jealousy was beginning to annoy me.  I decided to remain lighthearted and act as if nothing happened.

            "Your cousin is quite the character."

            "Yes he is.  He's also pretty ruthless, so I'd stay away from him if I were you.  There is a long history between us.  His father was my father's brother and he died before my father did.  Ethan is a year older than me and he wanted control of the company after my father died.  He would have been CEO if he wasn't such a screw up.  Initially, Ethan had a lot of potential and he was first in line to inherit the company.  But his hard partying railroaded his success and I was put in charge of the company.  Ethan was too much of a liability to us and it was decided that he would take a lesser position in the company.  He still has voting rights but he can't make any decisions without my authorization.  That's his main problem with me; he feels that I took the company from him.  He harbors a lot of resentment toward me and I wouldn't want you to be affected by that."

            "How on earth could I be affected by his negative feelings toward you?"

            "Because he'll see that I…"

            He stopped himself before finishing his sentence.

            "Yes?  He'll see that you what?"  I could feel that he was hiding something and it was time that we started having honest dialogue.

            Joshua looked surprised that I pushed a little bit and his eyes searched mine.  It looked like he was trying to decide if he should continue.  He hesitated and then just jumped ahead of what he was going to say.

            "Just stay away from him.  He's trouble."

            I let out an exasperated sigh.
  How are we ever going to get to the next level if you don't open up to me?

            He shot me a bit of a cold glance.  "Is there a problem?"

            I hesitated for a few seconds but then answered him.  "No, not at all."

            We went over to some of the guests that had arrived and Joshua introduced me.  I met Bunny's two brothers and her sister and their children.  While everyone was very friendly and welcoming, Ethan was the most charismatic of the bunch.

            Lunch was going to be served in the backyard so we all headed outside.  I decided to strike up a conversation with Vivienne who was acting aloof as always.

            "This home is so beautiful, isn't it?"

            "It is a beautiful home.  My parent’s home is similar in size to this one."

            "Oh, wow.  That must have been amazing growing up in such a nice home."

            "It was okay, I suppose."  Her snobby attitude did nothing to endear me to her. 
Ugh, I just don't get what Jake sees in her!

            "How big is this home, do you suppose?"

            "Jake told me it has 10 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and is around 48,000 square feet."

            "Oh my goodness!  That is incredible!"  I couldn't help how amazed I was.  I had never been anywhere like this before.

            Vivienne ignored my enthusiasm and it seemed as if she had something on her mind.  "Sarah?"

            "Yes?"

            "What did you think of Ethan?"

           
What a strange question.  I wonder why she is asking me that.

            "Um, well, he certainly knows how to make an entrance!"  I wanted to keep my response lighthearted.