Page 20 of In the Heir (Westerly Billionaire 1)
Sunday to Sunday.
I’d have to clear my schedule at work.
And find out what cabin she’s in. I’m sure the people in the next room would love to spend a week on my yacht instead.
Okay, then.
“Are you staying here or heading home?” he asked.
A kind of hopeful expression filled her eyes. “Going home.”
“I’ll follow you to make sure you get there safely.” He stood and offered her his hand. She took it and came to her feet close enough that with a dip of his head he could have claimed her lips with his. Their eyes met and held. He wanted her, but strangely he didn’t want to rush it. He wanted to savor every moment with her before he tasted every inch of her. Being with her felt that good.
“Thank you.” Those two softly spoken, heartfelt words warmed him in a way that he welcomed even as they scared him a little, too.
Whatever they had, however this thing between them worked out, he knew he would never be the same. And that is not a bad thing.
Chapter Eleven
Alisha was up early reading countless blogs and passenger reviews to help her decide what to take with her. She didn’t want to pack so much that she couldn’t handle the luggage herself, but she couldn’t turn off the side of her that needed to be prepared. Armed with a long list, Alisha showered and rushed out the door.
She was halfway down the steps when she registered having passed something on her porch. She turned and her jaw dropped open. A three-piece set of luggage patterned with delicate flowers stood proudly, each wrapped in white ribbon and sporting a huge bow. She read the card she found propped against them.
I took a chance you didn’t already have luggage. Consider these your first flowers from me.
—Brett
Blinking back tears, Alisha smiled. She texted a polite: Thank you. She knew if she called, she’d probably cry. In the years of watching her father and mother interact, she had rarely seen selfless kindness. If ever. But here was Brett, consistently showing that he cared in ways that were truly touching.
If you don’t like them, I have the receipt, he texted back.
They’re perfect.
I’m glad. What are your plans today?
Busy. Packing. Shopping. More packing.
Dinner?
She wanted to say yes, but she didn’t want to open the door to more. There couldn’t be more. I can’t. At least that’s honest.
Tomorrow?
Is this a test? Because remembering why to say no to him is hard when all I want to do is say yes. Sorry, no.
Don’t be sorry. I don’t mind waiting. It’ll make being with you that much sweeter.
Holy crap. That’s hot. Alisha tucked her phone into her jeans pocket, leaned against the railing of her porch, and fanned her face.
She stashed the luggage just inside her front door and headed back out with the list of what she needed, one item now crossed off. Thank God she had the list. She found it difficult to think of much beyond Brett as she drove. Sleeping with Brett would only make things worse.
Rachelle had mentioned him over the years, but not usually in a favorable way. She’d always described him as judgmental, arrogant, and impossible to talk to without arguing. Rachelle had led Alisha to think he was the type who cared only about money and himself.
She couldn’t reconcile Rachelle’s version of Brett with her own experience of him. The Brett she knew went out of his way to take care of people. He was thoughtful. Funny. Sexy as hell.
But off-limits.
There was no way she’d risk making things worse between Rachelle and her. Rachelle hadn’t called her back to confirm that it had been a misunderstanding, so it must be true. Spencer wasn’t Dereck’s son. And I brought that fact to light.
She pulled into the parking lot of the local pharmacy, grabbed her purse, and headed in while giving herself a mental shake.
Rachelle said she needed time. I’ll give her time.
Focus on the cruise.
Alisha walked up and down the aisles, filling her basket with travel-sized items. She accidentally walked down the contraceptive aisle, paused in front of the condom section, and blushed as she remembered how she’d told Brett she couldn’t sleep with him. I don’t even know what he sees in me. So far I’ve yelled at him, told his grandmother off, cried all over him while I was sick, and practically destroyed his family. I’m a hot mess.
The memory of how his lips had felt as they grazed across her knuckles vividly came back to her. She warmed from head to toe as she imagined how good his mouth would feel on hers, or anywhere else it roamed.
Although she’d been dating a man until a short time ago, she hadn’t slept with him. He’d been nice enough, and attractive, but his kisses hadn’t left her craving more. That was never a good sign.
She wasn’t a virgin. Like many of her friends, she’d lost her virginity to a high school boyfriend who hadn’t wanted much more than sex. She slept with a college boyfriend she’d imagined herself in love with until she caught him screwing one of her friends in the bathroom at a party she’d said she couldn’t attend because she had to study. Studying always took priority over men after that. There had been two more men since college, but neither had made her feel all tingly and alive the way Brett did.
Unlike the men she’d dated, Brett wouldn’t be tentative in bed. No, he was definitely a man who would know what he wanted and how to please a woman. She had nothing to base that on but a gut feeling. And the way he looks at me. Like he wants to devour me.
I want to be taken like that.
Alisha licked her bottom lip as she pictured him picking her up and carrying her to his bed. She wasn’t the type who gave control to someone else, but imagining being with a powerful man like Brett was exciting. She didn’t think it would be scary because she couldn’t imagine him ever hurting her.
She ran her hand over the front of a box of extra-large condoms. Was Brett as big in reality as he was in the naughty dreams he’d inspired the night before? Images of the two of them naked and rolling around passionately on her bed circled in her mind. The fantasy was so good she could almost taste him.
From the corner of her eye she caught a movement and saw a man in his early twenties watching her. She realized she’d been caressing the front of the condom box and hastily dropped her hand. Feeling like she should say something, she smiled sheepishly at him. “It’s a good brand.”
He nodded and blushed.
She turned away, but as she left the aisle, she saw him toss two boxes of that brand into his cart. She waited until she was around the corner before she laughed into her hand. There is always a bright side. At least I know I could do condom commercials.
She hurried to the cashier and paid for her items.
Now I need new underwear, a bathing suit, and a few dresses. Hopefully, I can buy those without making a spectacle of myself.
Back in her car, she started the engine and said, “Brett Westerly, get out of my head. I’m trying to do the right thing.”
Not that I’m totally sure what that is anymore. I know one thing: I shouldn’t leave without talking to Rachelle. She dialed the number.
“Hello?” Rachelle said as she answered.
“It’s me.”
“I know.”
“How are you? How is everyone else?”
“You were right.”
“I’m sorry.”
“My mother is still upset. Nicolette is in shock. Spencer isn’t talking to anyone. All in all, it’s pretty bad.”
“Do you need—”
“Are you seeing Brett?”
Wham. The question hit Alisha like a punch. “No. We talk sometimes. That’s it.”
“Is that the truth?”
Since fantasies don’t count, and I’ve told him I wouldn’t go out with him, yes. “Why would I lie to you? When have I ever lied to you?”
Rachelle sighed. “Never. It’s just that he said some things that made it sound like . . . Alisha, my family is fall
ing apart over here. I feel like one more tap and we’ll shatter. Please, stay away from Brett. Spencer is already hurting enough.”
Her request was a painful slap that sent Alisha momentarily off-balance. Apart from agreeing to go along with a scam to help Spencer receive his inheritance early, why am I the pariah here? I was helping him. How did I end up as the outsider? Alisha started to feel angry. And it showed as she said, “So stay away from you, your mother, your sister, the brother you’re close to, and the brother you never talk to. In general, just stay away.”
“Alisha, that’s not what I’m saying—”
“No, I get it.” She gripped the steering wheel. “You know what? It’s fine. I’m going away for a week. If you want to talk when I get back, call me.” Alisha hung up the phone and threw it on the seat next to her.
Two more days until the cruise.
