The Billionaire's Gamble (15 page)

Mindy drove them back to the resort, letting Sabrina off at the private entrance at the back. “Let me know if you figure things out. I have lots of listings,” she said before she drove away.

Sabrina went up the private elevator to what she still thought of as Sid’s penthouse. All of her furniture had been cleared out of her house after it sold but it was sitting in storage. She couldn’t bring any of it here. Her tastes were more cottage like whereas Sid’s was ultra sophisticated with clean, straight lines and no frills.

She wandered around the enormous penthouse, thinking through all the homes she’d been through with Mindy. All were fabulous houses with amazing details. But none really ‘worked’ in her mind. But what would work? She wondered hard, trying to think of reasons why each of the houses didn’t fit what she was looking for.

“I don’t really want a home,” she thought sadly as she plucked a rose out of a lovely arrangement that had been delivered that morning. “I want my job,” she thought out loud.

Being just a wife wasn’t enough for her, she realized. She wanted the intellectual stimulation of working on a project, figuring out the details, dealing with the people and all the stresses of individual personalities. She didn’t like being idle and useless.

She was an accessory!

As soon as the words popped into her mind, she realized why this whole situation bothered her so much. Sid didn’t want her to work because he wanted her to be there just for him. But was he here just for her? Was he hanging out, bored to tears waiting for her to come back from her house hunting? Did he even know if she was here or out somewhere? Probably not. He liked dressing her up in fancy clothes but not much more. Oh, sure, he still talked to her, debated the current issues but it wasn’t the same anymore. She didn’t feel alive like she used to before they were married.

Is this what marriage is all about? Is this why the women married to wealthy men become cynical and bored? Sabrina didn’t want to become one of those women. She didn’t want to be resentful of Sid’s career and the fact that she gave up hers for him. If she gave up her job, then she wanted it to be a decision they came to together, because they were excited about starting a family or some other important reason. Not simply because Sid would lose face with his peers for having a working wife.

Determined to do something about her boredom before it destroyed their marriage, she went to the store and bought all she would need. She’d build up her proposals for him without his knowledge. She didn’t have to work directly for him and get paid by him in order to feel needed. She could do this simply because she liked it and she was a good organizer with a head full of ideas.

That was it, she thought as she set up her computer and drawing table in the study. Sid rarely ever used the room since he only had to go down four floors to his own office so this one was perfect for her purposes. By the end of the first day, she already had several events on paper but she’d have to go through more of the details the next day.

The work wasn’t as fulfilling as before because she wasn’t sure she’d ever see any of her plans come to fruition. She heard through her friends and former co-workers that Sid had already hired a new person for her job. The man was interesting and creative, but rumors said he didn’t have the ability to follow through on his ideas.

The rest of the time, when she became too bored with her ideas and lack of planning ability, she would go shopping. It was at least fun because she shopped for Sid instead of herself. She decided that, since it was his money she was spending, she might as well spend it on him. She wouldn’t even tell him about it though. She’d simply come home and put her newest purchases into the closet for him to find.

It was interesting to see him dress each morning. He would find a new shirt or tie and look at it strangely but not say a word. She smiled, wondering if he was trying to figure out when he’d bought it.

But then he would leave, kissing her tenderly on the lips and wave goodbye, leaving her to yet another miserable, lonely day stretching out before her.

About two months after their honeymoon, something happened to change it all. Sabrina had been working in what she now considered her office when she heard the front door of the penthouse open and close. She glanced at her watch and realized it was about two hours earlier than Sid’s normal arrival time.

She left her office quickly and found him out on the patio with a bourbon in his hand. His tie and the top button of his shirt was loose and he was staring into the dark liquid in his crystal glass.

“Sid? Why are you back so early?” She saw the strain on his face and instantly became worried. “What’s wrong?” she asked, rushing over to him and putting her hands on his chest.

Sid tossed back the rest of his bourbon but didn’t say anything for a long time. “Jim is not working out,” he finally admitted. Jim was the new special events coordinator who backfilled Sabrina. “Let’s eat,” he said and led her over to the table already set up. “I hope you don’t mind. I asked the chef to bring dinner earlier than normal. I missed lunch so I’m pretty hungry.”

She looked down at the white linen tablecloth and smiled. “This smells delicious and I don’t mind at all,” she said, taking the seat opposite him. “It’s ideal, actually. I generally get hungry right about now and grab a snack until you come home.”

He smiled tightly at her. “I didn’t realize I was putting you out. I’ll try and come back earlier from now on.”

Sabrina laughed and shook her head. “And have you head back down to your office after dinner?” she teased. “No thank you. I’ve figured out that if I can wait until you get in about eight o’clock, then I get you to myself for the rest of the evening.” She grinned across the table at him. “See, I have this all planned out to suit my own needs.”

“And what are those?” he asked, relaxing under her soft smile and sweet nature.

 

“I think you know exactly what my agenda is for the evening,” she said softly and cursed her white skin that easily showed Sid the blush she couldn’t conceal.

 

“I like your thinking, my dear,” he said and took another bite of his meal.

 

“So what’s wrong with Jim?” she asked.

 

“He’s not as good as you are. And now, he’s been in the job long enough so the rest of the staff are starting to realize it as well.”

 

Sabrina took a bite of the perfectly cooked chicken the chef had delivered, savoring the smoky taste. “I know,” she said and took a bite of the creamy potatoes.

 

“And you were right,” he said, sighing. “He’s worthless.”

 

“So what are you going to do about it?” she asked, trying desperately to hide her hopes that he would ask her to step in and do the job.

“I don’t know,” he said, taking his bourbon and leaning back in the chair. “I guess I’ll interview someone else. Or maybe get him an assistant. He can’t keep going like this. He’s missing details that are important.”

“I know he’s considering a gambling night in the lobby next month. You should mention he might want to get some hors d’êtres for that. And lots of drinks.”

 

Sid’s eyes snapped to hers. “What are you talking about? A gambling night?”

Sabrina hid her smile. “Yes. He spoke to me about it earlier in the week. His idea is that probably many of the guests here might be a little too tentative to try out the main casino. So this would be an easy way for them to venture into the world of gambling.”

Sid’s eyes narrowed. “And you didn’t talk him out of it?” he demanded. “You know that it’s a ridiculous idea, Sabrina. You can’t put a casino inside a casino! Hell, I’ve set up free gambling training for all of the ‘tentative’ guests!”

Sabrina raised her shoulders slightly and sampled the asparagus. “It’s not my job. You made that crystal clear,” she said.

Sid’s head fell backwards and he stared at the stars for a long moment. Finally, he raised his head again and looked across at her. “What if I brought you back only temporarily? He could stay on and handle more of the details and you could be the creative side.”

Sabrina’s heart soared with excitement but she shook her head, hiding her joy from his observant eyes. “That won’t really help the situation,” she explained. “You see, Jim’s actually very creative but hasn’t ever worked for a casino so he doesn’t really know what works and doesn’t work.”

“You hadn’t ever worked for a casino but you knew what to do,” he countered.

 

She smiled warmly at him, glad that he was giving her credit. “That’s a very good point. Why did you hire me, anyway?”

 

Sid didn’t smile as he said, “I liked your legs.”

 

Sabrina laughed. “You hired a perfect stranger simply because you liked my legs? Are you crazy?”

He shrugged his shoulders before saying, “And I knew you’d be my wife. I was willing to gamble that you probably knew what you were doing when it came to being creative and organizing events.”

She smiled at his casual attitude. “I was a nervous wreck during that interview and you were only checking out my legs?”

Sid laughed. “You did a great job. And everything turned out okay, so stop worrying about the fact that I was looking at your legs,” he said, pulling her onto his lap. “And now you have your way once again.”

Sabrina stilled, terrified about what he was going to say next. “What’s that?” she asked, holding her breath without realizing she was doing it.

 

He looked her straight in the eye and said, “Come back and work for me. I’ll get rid of James but you have to fix what he’s messed up over the past few weeks.”

 

“Really?” she asked, releasing her breath in a whoosh. “Do you really mean it?”

Sid sighed heavily. “Yes. I really mean it. But I want you to train someone to be your replacement so there is someone there who can fill in when I want to whisk you away somewhere or for the time when we decide to have children. Deal?”

Sabrina could hardly believe it. She was so excited. “Why? Why did you change your mind?” she asked, hoping he had finally come to understand how much the job meant to her. But she was destined to be disappointed in that area.

“Because you’re the only one I know who can do the job. And until I find someone or you train someone adequately, I understand that I need you in the position.”

Sabrina considered his response. It wasn’t what she wanted to hear but at least it was something. And she knew that it was a big step for him. “Good enough,” she said and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him at the same time. “And you won’t be disappointed. I have so many ideas I’ve been working on that I can’t wait to get started,” she said.

Sid’s eyebrows snapped together with that admission. “What do you mean? What have you been working on?”

She rolled her eyes at his autocratic tone. “Sid, you’re really going to have to work on trusting me,” she said. “I trust you completely and that’s saying a lot around here.” She wriggled to the sofa cushion beside him before explaining. “But what I was saying is that I’ve been bored to tears and the only way I’ve been able to stay sane is to think up new ideas and draw out the plans. So I have about a year’s worth of ideas already set up in your office. Now that you’ve given me the go ahead, I’ll start working on them immediately.”

He considered her words carefully before deciding to accept her concession. “Well that’s good. And I’ll get rid of Jim tomorrow,” he said.

She put both hands on his shoulders, shaking her head against his statement. “No, he’s smart and creative, just not right for the director’s job. If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep him around but in a different capacity.”

Sid eyed her skeptically. “Are you sure? You’re not just saying that because you’re a soft hearted person and don’t want someone to be fired?”

 

Sabrina laughed. “I’m sure. But if there’s anyone that I think is not working up to your standards, I guarantee that I’ll hide them away somewhere.”

 

“Sabrina,” he said, a warning in his tone.

“I’m kidding,” she said, snuggling up to him again, distracting him by kissing his jaw. “I promise I’ll shove them into the lion’s den, otherwise known as your office. Promise.” Then she distracted him further by kissing his mouth, ignoring the skeptical look in his eye.

“Are you going to sit there not trusting me? Or are you going to celebrate my good job by making love to me?” she asked, still shy about coming on to him even after three months of marriage.

Sid smiled. “Well, when you put it that way…” he said and pulled her up onto his lap again.

A week later, Sabrina was heaven…almost. She was thrilled to be working again and loving her job now that she was back in the lead position. Her ideas were thrown out to the staff and they loved them, even adding other ideas to them. Jim was grateful to be released from the pressure of the lead and was more than willing to take her direction.

The only problem she found was that Sid still hadn’t told her that he loved her. She said it every time they made love. In fact, he never let her find her release, teasing her mercilessly until she cried out her love for him. But he remained emotionally aloof.

Sure, she still found jewelry in her drawers or in a pocket, one time even in a bouquet of flowers that were delivered to her office for no reason at all. But never what she really wanted. A declaration of his feelings for her.

She tried to be satisfied with what he was able to give. She knew that something in his past had hurt him terribly and she suspected it was his mother. After the conversation with Zeke where he admitted that their mother had basically abandoned him, she was careful that Sid knew that she did not take their wedding vows lightly. But he never showed her any emotion. Not even mild irritation since that first night back from their honeymoon when they were arguing about her job. Amusement, passion, caring – yes. He was very open about those feelings. But the deeper feelings of love and trust were never uttered.

Sabrina accepted that she would have to find other ways of determining his emotional involvement in their relationship.

 

Chapter 10

 

Sid was reviewing a report when the phone rang. “Sid, you’d better get down here. There’s a fight starting and you might be the only one able to diffuse it.”