The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three (21 page)

KJ arched her eyebrow and questioned. “Will it be him or the police?”

She closed her eyes briefly. Could KJ be right? Would Ross consider her trespassing and have her arrested?
God knows he loves that boat.
Jill wanted to make a name for herself, be memorable, but not with a breaking and entering charge. There were things she still didn’t know about him but one thing she was positive about, he wouldn’t intentionally hurt her. “I considered that. Ross wouldn’t call them. I know he will come. Will you do it?” Jill asked.

She could see doubt in KJ’s face. “Tell you what, why don’t you head to bed; you’ve had a long flight. We can talk about it tomorrow. If it still makes sense then, we can plan it. Okay?”

Jill hadn’t come this far to give up. Sleep wasn’t going to come easily without knowing her plan was set for action. “I’m not going to change my mind. If you can’t do it, I understand. I can ask someone else.”

KJ shook her head and chuckled. “You are driven. Okay, I’ll help you but I think your plan needs something more. I’m not sure what, but something else.”

Take a sexy picture and send it. Sounded easy.
Way too easy.
She was right. It needed more.
It needs the chase.
But what? She was already here, and he was still on the East Coast. How was she going to get him here now?
The picture so would have worked.
“Any suggestions at all?”

“Just one. Make him work for it.”

Yeah that’s a lot of help.
How could she change it up? Too late to leave him clues. This really wasn’t a scavenger hunt.
Got it. Yes. Perfect!
Smiling from ear to ear Jill said, “KJ, I hope you get up early because I know exactly what I need to do.”

Laughing KJ answered, “Jill, you are something else. So how early do we need to be up on a Sunday morning?”

“Sorry, but we need to be at the beach before sunrise to take the first picture.”

Letting out a heavy sigh KJ said, “I only have one thing to say.”

She’s bailing on me.
“What’s that?”

KJ got up off the couch and said, “Good night!”

Jill couldn’t help herself. She hoped off the couch and gave KJ a quick hug. “You’re the best. Thank you!” Turning to Blossom, she said, “Sorry about your movie, Blossom. Maybe we can do it tomorrow.”

‡

S
he didn’t answer
any of his calls yesterday or return his voice mails. He wondered if she was that upset he didn’t spend the night.
And now she is what, punishing me?
He had told her he would see her again over the weekend. It wasn’t like him to lose sleep over a woman but every time he closed his eyes he pictured her lying naked beside him. Downing another cup of black coffee he flipped on the television, hoping the world news would distract him from his thoughts of her.

His phone buzzed, announcing a new text message. “Breakfast?”
Dammit.
He was hungry as it was already mid-morning, but breakfast with Drew wasn’t what he needed. “Not today.” Ross responded.

Instantly another message came in.
What the hell, Drew. I said no.
Opening the message without even checking the ID, he was more than shocked to see Jill’s beautiful face. His frustration from earlier eased. No message, just a picture. Ross returned her text: “Where are you?” While waiting for her response he opened the picture again and studied it. It appeared to be a normal picture of stunning woman leaning against a car. By the look on her face, she was smiling, looked peaceful, happy. When she didn’t respond he called her number. It once again went to voice mail. Had she sent him the picture in error? Was it meant for someone else? And who took the picture of her?
Was she on a date?
If he was taking a picture capturing a sunrise, that meant he had spent the night.
I’ll kill him if find out who it is.
The thought that someone else could be enjoying what was his, drove him mad.
Mine? Since when?
He must have lost his damn mind with thoughts like that. Wasn’t he the one who’d made it clear there was no relationship? Who was he to tell her she couldn’t go out with another man?
I’m the one sleeping with her.

Another text entered.
Good maybe I’ll get some answers now. “
I’m outside waiting. Let’s go. I’m starving.” Drew obviously ignored his first answer. He was tempted to tell him to fuck off, but sitting here thinking of Jill and what she was doing at this moment and with who, was driving him crazy. He left his penthouse and entered Drew’s car still filled with anger, unsure at who though. She’d done nothing wrong. She’d even asked him to stay that night, and he’d been so absorbed in his own issues he’d left abruptly. No wonder she wanted to be with some other guy.

This didn’t mean he was going to give her up easily. He had no choice but let her have whatever date she was on this morning and possibly for the rest of the day, but tomorrow he would call her early and invite her for lunch. Then they could clear up the misunderstanding about seeing other people. He wanted them to be exclusive lovers. What part of that hadn’t she understood?

Just what I need: a cheery Drew so dam early in the morning
. What had he done to deserve this?
Blow off Jill.
His stupidity never ceased to amaze him.
One of these days I’m going to get it right.
What was
right
still wasn’t totally clear, at least not when it came to him and Jill.

Drew’s Porsche 918 Spyder screamed
attention
as he peeled out from the curb. “I’m not sure who is worse, you or Trent.”

Drew laughed. “Trent’s life is about to change. I wouldn’t be surprised if he trades in his Lamborghini for a minivan one day.”

“Not taking that bet. Elaine has a way of getting him to do things I never would have believed.” There was no way he would allow another person to influence his decisions in such a way.

“Yeah, she’s been good for him. Since they’ve hooked up I’ve won almost every bet we’ve made. Easy picking. It’s almost too easy.” Drew laughed.

“Maybe it’s time to give it up.”

“Hell no. I might have to change it up a bit. How about you? Are you interested in a small wager?”

“You would think you actually kept the money instead of donating it to charity, the way you compete.”

Drew shrugged his shoulders. “The fun is in the victory. Oh yeah, you wouldn’t know because you have never won a bet against me,” he teased. “It’s not too late to start a new trend.”

Ross wasn’t worried about losing money; it was more what the bet would be about. With Drew he couldn’t even begin to guess. Normally he would say no, but right now he needed distraction. As they pulled up to the restaurant he asked, “What do you have in mind?”

Drew’s mouth gaped open. Evidently he wasn’t expecting Ross to accept the bet. “Let me give it some thought over breakfast. I am sure I can come up with something, something damn good, just for you.”

“That’s what worries me.”

They were quickly seated and both ordered the hungry-man special: two eggs, two sausage patties, two bacon strips, two slices of toast, two pancakes, and hash browns. Drew seemed to inhale his food while Ross ate only a quarter of it and pushed his plate to the side.

“Not hungry?”

“Drew I think we are getting to old to eat like this,” Ross said.

A loud belly laugh filled the room. “Speak for yourself, buddy. I’m in my prime.”

“Keep eating like that and you won’t be for long,” Ross said dryly.

Drew pushed his empty plate to the side and downed the rest of his coffee. “You sure are ornery this morning. What’s bugging you?”

“Work has been busy, that’s all.”

Shaking his head, Drew added, “Ross, we have been friends for over fifteen years. Work never stresses you. So spill it. You and Jill having issues again?”

Issues? Yeah something like that.
“Nothing we can’t work out.”

“Might as well tell me, it can’t be worse than the last round you guys had. I mean kidnapping her is going to be hard to beat.”

Ross’s jaw tensed. “Drew, don’t go there.”

Raising his hands in defeat he said, “I hear you loud and clear, Ross, but talk it out. Maybe I can help.”

His friends were more like brothers that he didn’t have. One good thing about that was he knew what he said would stay at this table. “I got a strange text from Jill this morning.”

Arching a brow Drew asked, “What exactly does that mean?”

“She sent me a picture of herself.”

Drew relaxed. “That’s not strange. I get those from women all the time.”

He was sure Drew did.
When is he going to settle down?
Then it hit him,
probably before me.
“It’s more than the picture. I don’t know who took it.”

“That’s a little controlling don’t you think? Most likely Lizette or Elaine. Who else would it be?”

“Another guy.” The words slipped out before he could stop them. The last thing he wanted anyone to think was he was jealous.

Drew reach out across the table. “Let me see it.”

“Just forget I said anything,” Ross added angrily.

Arm still extended he added, “Too late now. Might as well show me.”

Bringing up the picture, he handed it to Drew who studied it very closely.
What the hell is he looking at so long?
Snatching it back from him Ross said, “See, it’s nothing.”

“I wouldn’t say that. That picture says volumes,” Drew responded.

“It’s a simple picture, that’s all.”

Drew sat back arms crossed. “Fifty thousand to your choice of charity if you can tell me where Jill is.”

Looking at Drew sharply, Ross eyed him.
What the hell game is he playing?
Could Jill and Drew be seeing each other?
Did he take the picture?
That line had never been crossed by any of them, but there was a first time for everything. If he was seeing her on the side, Drew was about to get one hell of an ass-kicking, friend or not. “What’s going on? Why the sudden interest in Jill?”

“Since you’re not accepting the bet, I take it you don’t know the answer,” he said dryly.

Anger filled him. “You’re treading on thin ice.”

“Think of it this way, no matter who she’s with or where she is, she’s thinking of you. Hence the picture.”

Is that meant to make me feel better? Because it doesn’t.
Pulling out his wallet, he threw money down on the table to cover the bill. He needed to get out of there.
Why did I agree to go with him?
He got up and headed out the restaurant.

Once back in the car Drew asked, “So, what are you going to do?”

He wasn’t sure what his next move would be. Was Drew right; did she send that picture on purpose to tell him she wanted to be with him?
Who the hell knows?
There was only one person who could answer that, and she wasn’t picking up his calls right now.
Damn, whatever this is between us, it just got a lot more complicated.

‡

E
verything he touched
went to hell. Closing his laptop, he tossed it on the couch. Ross spent most of his day reviewing once again another set of last minute design changes on the boat order for Brice Henderson.
Can this guy make up his fucking mind?
Who was he to complain? He fit that mold himself right now and not over a damn boat either. Trying to sort out the next steps needed with Jill was a task he wasn’t accustomed to dealing with, nor was it something he seemed to be successful at.
Damn, how did she get under my skin?
Throughout the day he had picked up his phone, begun dialing, and hung up. He wasn’t about to chase her.
I’ve left a message; she can call me.
Relinquishing control wasn’t easy. Everything in him said get up, go to her apartment, and bang on the door until she opened up.
What if she’s not alone?
The answer was simple: she would need to call the police because he was going to throw the guy’s ass out the door.
More likely through it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the ding of his cell phone. It was almost eleven.
Better not be Drew.
Getting off the couch, he retrieved it from the charger on the end table.
Tonight’s looking up.
Opening it, he was greeted by yet another picture but no message. She looked joyful with a hint of sexy. That definitely fit her attire; she was wearing the bikini he had hungrily taken off her while they were on his boat. Thoughts of how she felt beneath him as he drove into her again and again only added to his growing need for her.