The Billionaire's Con (10 page)

Just a boat? His easy dismissal of such incomprehensible wealth showed the distance between their worlds for the uncrossable chasm it was. Inadequate and outclassed, how could a struggling chef from a middle class upbringing find balance with a creature of privilege? Pride battled pragmatism, leaving her adrift in confusion.

With nerves tightening her belly, her eyes scanned the room once more. She gestured around the cabin with her free hand, hoping she could make him understand. “I don’t have any experience with this kind of lifestyle, Trevor.” The reality of her words made her unbelievably sad. “You live in a different world than I do.”

He raised the hand he held, turning it up to press a kiss to her palm. “I live in your carriage house, Meggy.” He smiled that crooked smile of his, the one that sent her pulse bumping. His gray eyes were steady. “And today, I’m taking a beautiful fairy sailing. Later, I hope to share a romantic dinner with her, or perhaps another naked picnic, where I can charm her into spending even more time with me.”

In spite of her misgivings, she couldn’t help but smile. His wealth and the differences it represented in their lives was something she would have to deal with eventually, but not today. Today, she simply wanted to enjoy a lovely sail with a sexy man. “I’m afraid the picnic will have to wait. Today is Cara’s birthday. We’re having a birthday dinner at the Finnegans’ at six.” He looked so disappointed she had to laugh. “I was hoping I could talk you into coming along. Finn will be there, and Erin’s Ryan. I think you’ll enjoy meeting them both.”

“You’ve twisted my arm.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “It’s a date. Now, let’s get this show on the road. The tide waits for no one.”

****

“That came for you while you were gone.” Shan jerked her chin toward a package sitting on the bar where she was doing inventory.

From across the dining room, Meggy could see the small box wrapped in pale blue paper with a silver ribbon. She changed direction in mid-stride. “For me?”

“That’s what the delivery man said.”

She wrenched off her sweatshirt as she approached the bar, tossing it across the back of a stool. Grinning, she picked up the box and examined it, turning it this way and that. She held it up to her ear and shook it.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Shan complained. “Open it already. I’ve been staring at that thing for the last three hours!”

She laughed and ripped at the ribbon and paper.

Shan leaned forward for a closer look.

When she flipped open the lid, startled laughter escaped her lips. She lifted the sterling silver bracelet from its bed and held it up for Shan to see. A single charm dangled. “It’s a picnic basket!” Her smile was so wide, her cheeks hurt. And her heart did a delighted, slow somersault. Every cell in her body sighed.

“I can see that.” Shan flicked the tiny silver basket with a fingertip. “It’s adorable. Who’s it from?”

“Trevor.” Meggy sighed, her smile still wide as she held it up to the light.

“Why a picnic basket? What’s it mean?”

“I’ve told you before, I don’t kiss and tell.” She knew the heat of the blush that rose on her cheeks spoke volumes.

“Hmmm,” Shan hummed in understanding, rushing to help when she struggled to clasp the bracelet around her wrist. “It’s a smart man who knows how to remind a woman of a sexy memory without words. You’re toast, Meggy.”

She nodded and laughed at Shan’s remark, holding out her arm to better admire Trevor’s gift. If he kept doing things like this, she certainly would be. All day long, he’d been charming and funny, and he’d made her forget all about the differences in their backgrounds. By the time they’d returned to the marina, she’d been all but floating with pleasure. She was still floating.

With his reminder of last night sparkling on her wrist, she decided Trevor Bryce had some very sweet ideas. She couldn’t wait to thank him.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if you had fun today.”

“No, you don’t. It was wonderful, but...” The pleasure of the afternoon dimmed when she recalled the evidence of his wealthy background.

“But?”

“He’s loaded, Shan. You should see his boat. It’s a frigging yacht.”

“Why does that require a ‘but’?”

Meggy ran a fingertip over the delicate bracelet. “It doesn’t, really. It’s just that I realized you guys were right this morning. I don’t know anything about him, and if he’s as rich as that boat indicates, I don’t have anything in common with him either.”

Shan pointed a finger at the tiny charm. “Apparently, you both enjoy picnics.”

She snorted, but had to smile. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do. But just because he comes from a different social set doesn’t mean the two of you can’t be right for one another. You say you aren’t in love with him—”

“Yet…” She turned soulful eyes on her friend. “Yet.”

“Yet. But you like him, right?”

She glanced at his gift on her wrist. “How can I help but like a man who would think of something like this?”

Shan raised a brow. “It’s obvious he likes you too. Like you said, you don’t know him all that well. Don’t borrow trouble until you do. You may find you have more in common than you thought.”

“I’m trying to tell myself that, but I have to admit, the money scares me. I keep thinking of Elizabeth Ashford and my birth mother. Money screws up people.”

“You don’t really know what the story is there. The Ashford money may have had nothing to do with Rachel Hadley’s decision to give you up for adoption. It’s not a good idea to draw any conclusions until you know all the facts.”

“Aren’t you the wise one?” She teased, scooping her sweatshirt from the stool.

The smile on Shan’s face turned wry. “Yeah, that’s me. The wise oracle of healthy relationships.”

Meggy frowned at her friend. Though she’d finally begun to put it behind her after all this time, her ex-husband’s infidelity and their consequent divorce was still a sore point with Shan.

Stepping back from the bar, she sobered. “There’s a guy out there who will love you and your boys the way you deserve to be loved, Shan.” She held out her arms, beaming. “Look at me. I was just minding my own business, painting a wall, and wham! Trevor walked into my life. Your job is to stay open to the possibilities.”

“Yes, Ma,” Shan drawled.

She snickered and turned on her heel to head upstairs. “Hey, maybe Trevor has a brother,” she called over her shoulder laughing, but then her brows snapped together. Did he have any brothers? She’d have to ask him.

Chapter Twelve

Over the next week, Trevor came to learn that for a straightforward and strong woman, Meggy had a soft core of almost childlike appreciation for the life she’d built and the people with which she surrounded herself. She loved Palmerton and its residents and didn’t hesitate to show it.

And Trevor wasn’t excluded from her affectionate demonstrations; receiving more than a generous share of her tender attentions. He was humbled by her easy inclusion of him in her life, as though he belonged there. She didn’t speak of love or any other feelings she might have for him, but she came into his arms whenever he reached for her. Her fairy smile continued to light up the room whenever their gazes met.

He’d taken to eating his dinner each night in the Palmer House lounge, conversing with the regulars and sampling the excellent cuisine while bellied up to the bar. With Meggy busy working her magic in the kitchen, he was content to sit and listen to the bits of gossip that came his way from the locals.

It was obvious from the pitying glances she sent his way from her place behind the bar that Shan noticed just how often his gaze strayed to the kitchen door. He couldn’t bring himself to care. He loved watching his little fairy and was rewarded for his patience when she emerged from the kitchen each evening at eight.

Her sparkling blue eyes would seek him out and for a moment, her smile would be for him alone. Then, she’d turn her attention on her customers, charming her clientele like a magical sprite. When her tour of the dining area was completed, she’d stroll through the lounge, brushing her hand over his shoulder in silent greeting then stick out her tongue at Shan before returning to her kitchen.

The charm bracelet he’d had delivered the afternoon of their sail was a definite hit. Meggy loved the whimsy of it and had shown her appreciation by leading him to his bed that evening with a sultry smile. In the flickering firelight, she’d proceeded to shed herself of every stitch of clothing until she stood before him like a golden, glowing candle, wearing nothing but his gift. He grew hard thinking of the pleasurable hours they’d spent that night—and each one since.

The next evening, she’d stopped at the bar to kiss him lightly on the lips, ignoring Shan’s throat clearing. With a whisper, she’d thanked him for the tiny, silver fairy that had joined the picnic basket at her wrist that afternoon. She’d grinned and mussed his hair, much to the patrons’ growing amusement, the night the sparkling Celtic’s mascot was added to the charm collection.

As if word of his daily gifts had spread, the number of locals appearing at the bar each night, just before eight, swelled until the patrons were standing three deep, waiting for Palmer House’s chef to emerge from the kitchen wearing her latest charm. The nosy residents of Palmerton didn’t even try to hide their interest in “the writer’s” courtship of Meggy Calhoun.

Each night that week, she stopped by his stool to thank him for the newest trinket he had delivered daily. While Shan rolled her eyes at the spectacle, Meggy would present her wrist to the growing crowd. With a fairy smile on her wide mouth, she displayed the miniature whisk, the sailboat, and the chef’s hat.

Applause and laughter had those in the dining room craning their necks at the commotion the night the gleaming lady juggler joined the other charms. Meggy, in her chef’s smock, skipped the tour of tables that night to head straight for him. Her laughing gaze never left his as she crossed the room. Climbing into his lap with a throaty laugh, she winked at the cheering crowd, and proceeded to plant a very unprofessional kiss on his grinning lips.

His wooing of Meggy Calhoun was proceeding according to plan, but she still hadn’t told him she loved him. Tonight’s charm was designed to rectify that. If he was to see Meggy wave her flag before the truth came to light, it would have to. Elizabeth’s patience had run out.

****

The hour was late and Meggy was tired when they left Palmer House. She floated in pleasant lassitude as Trevor drove them to a surprise location. A grin curled her lips when he pulled into the marina parking lot. The idea of having Trevor all to herself for the next thirty-six hours sent shivers of excitement through her, dispelling her weariness. She’d been fantasizing about having him alone on his boat and in his big bed since the day he’d taken her for a sail.

Aboard Christos’ Chariot, he led her directly below. She caught her breath when he opened the door to the cabin. Candlelight bathed the soft wood of the walls, and when her gaze moved to the bed, it was to find the coverlet turned down in invitation. Wine chilled in a bucket on the side table.

Her heart did a slow roll in her chest. Like a conquering marauder, he’d battered against her misgivings over the past week, showering her with thoughtfulness and his gently teasing attentions. Though she’d been able to deny her ever-insistent voice of reason up to now, she no longer could. She slid across the chasm with barely a whisper—and found love.

Her heart throbbing with her newly realized emotion, she turned to smile. “You’ve been busy.”

He dropped their overnight bags at the foot of the bed and moved toward her. “I had help. I wanted everything set when we arrived so there would be no delay when I did this.” His mouth swooped down on hers hungrily, and the heat she’d come to expect at his slightest touch burst into flame.

His mouth on hers was ravenous, as though he’d been starving for the taste of her. She knew the feeling. She’d been just as starved. Under his nimble fingers, the buttons of her top gave and the silky material of her blouse slithered from her shoulders to pool on the floor. Her slacks joined it with amazing speed. He stepped back to look down at her, and she saw him swallow. Without a word, he lowered her to the mattress and joined her, his body pressed to her side.

His fingers were urgent as he nipped and tugged at her bra and panties, frantically shedding her of the last barrier of clothing. It wasn’t until he had her completely naked that he gentled his touch. Propped up on one elbow, he stroked her from neck to knees, his eyes darkening as he stoked the fire in her until she reached critical mass. She exploded like a roman candle on the fourth of July, his name on her lips as she shattered beneath his talented fingers.

He was leaning over her, watching her with a stormy gaze when she finally came back to herself. Her arms leaden, they lay limply above her head, refusing to move. She smiled up at him.

“Why aren’t you naked? I’ve dreamed about having you naked in this bed.”

His eyes flashed with an answering heat. “I’m sorry, Meggy.” He leaned down to drop a kiss on her nose. “Ripping off your clothes before I’d even shut the door wasn’t in my plans for tonight.”

“It’s good to know you can think outside the box.” She grinned at his guilty smile. “I wasn’t exactly complaining, Trevor. Though I might start if I don’t see some of that sexy skin of yours really soon.”

Rolling away from her, he stood.