Freshwater Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (10 page)

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that, but thank you," I said, a happy smile replacing my no-nonsense look.

"This will make her happy, and in turn, that will make you happy." He leaned forward and kissed my forehead gently. "I think I'm the one who is getting the best part of the deal."

The lights flickered, and a warning that the store would be closing soon came across the overhead speakers. Robbie took my hand in his, and together we headed back toward the entrance. About halfway to the doors, I stopped, dropping Robbie's hand and hurrying toward the book display.

Robbie watched me, a look of curiosity transforming into a soft smile as I picked up his beloved children's book and quickly paid for it at a small counter nearby.

"I think she'll enjoy reading this to you," I said as I came back to Robbie, the bag looped over my arm.

We stepped out into the New York night, the lights fabulously bright. It felt like it was still daytime with all the people still rushing about, but my watch said it was just past one in the morning.

"I need to get you home before your sister kills me," Robbie said as he saw me looking at my watch. "She's going to think I'm a bad influence or something for keeping you out so late."

I put my hands on his chest, feeling the warmth of his body through the dark green dress shirt. He reached out and pulled me in to him, one hand behind my neck and the other on my waist. Our lips connected, sweeter than honey, and I melted into him. His kiss was gentle at first but also filled with hunger. Every fiber in my being ached to be with him, to have more than just this kiss in a brightly lit street corner.

He released me, breathless and flushed. I knew I was breathing hard, but I could barely contain myself. I wanted to kiss him all night. Damn getting home! Damn tomorrow! All I wanted was to have him kiss me again.

He smiled, his perfect, supple lips curling up and making his eyes sparkle like the ocean. "Time to get you home," he whispered.

I nodded.
Always the good one,
I thought, but I let him wrap his arm around me and lead me back to the hotel where a car was waiting to take us to the helicopter.

***

I
kissed Robbie the whole way home. I'm sure the helicopter pilot thought we were behaving like love-struck teenagers, but I didn't care. I just wanted to kiss him until my lips were raw and even then, I knew I would want more.

The helicopter landed, and Robbie walked me home. The night was cold and I was glad for Robbie's jacket wrapped around me. His hand was warm in mine as he escorted me to my front porch. I stepped as slowly as I could, trying to make the night last forever. I didn't want it to end. I just wanted to stay, my hand in Robbie's, for as long as I could.

The wooden porch creaked softly as we stepped up onto it. I slid my key in the door, hearing the lock click open. Grace had left a light on in the hallway so I wouldn't come home to a dark house. For a moment, I thought about asking Robbie to come inside, but I knew that was a bad idea. Not bad because I was afraid of what would happen, but bad because I knew Avery would come bounding into my bedroom in the morning. As much as I wanted him, it was just going to have to wait.

I turned from the door, and Robbie's arms wrapped around me. He was bathed in moonlight, his eyes deep green pools that I wanted to dive into and never surface. He smiled, his face somehow growing more handsome right before he leaned forward to kiss me. I melted into his kiss, soaking it up and losing myself to him.

I smiled softly as we separated, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. This had been the best night of my life.

"Goodnight, Princess," Robbie whispered as he let me go, stepping back off the porch. I pushed the door open, gliding into the warm house on happy feet. I peeked out the window, watching him stride down the driveway, a silly-happy grin plastered on his face as he walked under the streetlight. Clearly, he had enjoyed the night as much as I had.

I smiled and locked the door, feeling as giddy as a teenager. I knew there was a grin glued to my face and I didn't want it to go away.

I stepped into the kitchen to grab a glass of water to take to bed and nearly ran over Grace. She was wearing an old tattered robe that was once cream-colored, but was now a faded gray. Several pens stuck out of a messy bun while her reading glasses perched precariously on her forehead. She had a big glass of milk and several oatmeal cookies in her hand. I could tell she was still in full study mode.

"I was wondering when you were going to get home, young lady," she whispered, giving me her best motherly glare. I just smiled at her and went to the cabinet to get a glass. "Did you have a good time?"

"I had a spectacular time," I answered, setting the glass on the counter. "He took me to this amazing restaurant, and then we walked around in Times Square. It was so incredibly wonderful."

"Well, at least he didn't hit you with a boat this time."

I looked up at her in shock. Grace stood in the kitchen, crossing her arms and frowning. She was not happy.

"Grace, that was an accident," I said quietly.

"Right. An accident that nearly got you killed." She punctuated her statement with a sigh and her shoulders sagged as though she were carrying the weight of the world. "I know it was an accident, but you can't expect me to welcome him back with open arms after that."

I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her close to me. I hadn't thought of how hard it must have been on her to have almost lost yet another family member. She smelled of oatmeal cookies and ink.

"You know Robbie would never intentionally hurt me," I whispered.

"I know. I just don't want to see you hurt, period. I can't lose you too, Sam." Grace's eyes met mine, and I could see that their blue depths were full of pain and loss. I hugged her closer, feeling her arms tighten around me as well.

"I won't let that happen," I whispered. I heard her sniffle, and she gave me one more squeeze before letting me go.

"You should get to bed. You have work in the morning." She pushed the glasses back onto her petite nose. "And I have to finish studying for this test. I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

"You got it. I'll make the coffee," I promised. Grace smiled and picked up her glass of milk and cookies and headed back into her room. I watched her go and then headed up to my room to get some sleep myself.

R
obbie was supposed to be here to pick me up at any moment, but I stood half-naked in front of my closet trying to figure out what to wear. My nerves had me jumping and changing my mind about every article of clothing, and even how I should do my hair.

Just relax!
I tried to tell myself, but it wasn't working.
He's just Robbie! He won't care what you're wearing or how your hair looks! You are supposed to be sailing!
I knew I shouldn't care, but after the amazing date in New York City two days ago, I was flustered. I had never liked someone as much as I liked Robbie. He made me feel like anything was possible and that the future could be a wonderful place.

I finally just threw on my favorite sailing leggings and a lightweight long sleeved shirt over my bikini. The bikini part was optional, but I felt prettier wearing it than my normal swimsuit. I stared at the mirror for a moment, trying to figure out what to do with my hair. I finally just gave up and put the long, dirty blonde tresses up in a manageable ponytail. I did, however, put just a touch of lipstick on. Just because I was being sensible didn't mean I didn't have to at least try a little bit.

I had a cute skirt with a flattering top in a bag to change into if I needed something dry, and I tossed a waterproof jacket and my sailing shoes in on top of it. I kept a hairbrush and hair-ties in the pocket of the bag, and other than that, I couldn't think of anything else to bring. Nervous butterflies did the mamba in my stomach, and no matter how much I tried to convince myself that this wasn't a date, the butterflies didn't believe me.

A strong knock on the door told me Robbie had arrived. I slung my bag over my shoulder and hurried to the front door, but it didn't matter. Avery had beaten me to it. She had the door open wide, her new princess dress fluttering in the fall breeze as she waved to Robbie. Robbie grinned at me over her head as I made my way to the door.

"Hi, Robbie! Do you like my dress? I like it. Thank you. You ready to take Aunt Sam on a trip?" she asked him, her sentences blurring together in a long stream of little-girl enthusiasm.

"Avery, sweetie, we're just going to go out for today. The race isn't until next week," I answered, giving her a kiss on the top of the head. Avery's small features frowned, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Robbie knelt down in front of her and whispered in her ear. A knowing smile blossomed across her face, and she nodded emphatically at Robbie.

"Right. I forgot. You guys have a good...
day.
" She giggled hysterically at the last word, as though she knew some sort of secret. Robbie shook his head and stood up slowly.

"You look amazing. You ready to go?" he asked. He stood confidently in the door, the wind ruffling his sandy hair. The stubble on his chin was back, but it made him look rugged. I rather liked it.

"Yeah, let me just let Grace know I'm leaving," I said, twisting around to call back into the house. Before I could yell out, Grace came out of the kitchen. She had a highlighter tucked over her ear and her reading glasses on, so I knew she had been studying.

"Hi, Robbie. You two go have fun," she said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. I narrowed my eyes and glanced from Robbie to Grace to Avery. Last time Grace had seen Robbie, she had not been pleased with him, but now she was all smiles. Something fishy was going on. While Avery had a wild imagination, she didn't get confused
that
easily. Grace didn't stop studying for just anything, and Robbie looked just a tad too confident. Something was up.

"All right, you three, what's going on?"

Grace and Robbie exchanged grins and instantly changed their expressions to look innocent. Avery tried to mimic them, but all she ended up doing was looking like she was going to be sick.

"Nothing! Go, have fun! It was great to see you again, Robbie," Grace said, pushing me gently out the door. Avery giggled.

"You too, Grace. Thanks for all your help," he said with a wink.

"Seriously, guys, tell me what's going on?" I pleaded, but Grace just pushed me harder. Robbie moved out of the door, and before I knew it, the front door was shut with Avery and Grace's giggles muffled behind it. I gave Robbie a questioning look.

"What's going on? What sneaky surprise do you three have planned?" I asked. Robbie just laughed and guided me to the car. It was a cute, sporty little red thing. He took the bag from my shoulder and put it in the back seat before opening the door.

I could see Grace and Avery, their blonde hair shining and petite features smiling like jack-o-lanterns in the window, so I waved. Avery waved back emphatically, almost smacking Grace in the face as Robbie started the engine.

"I'll tell you what's going on when we get there," Robbie said cryptically. He pulled out of the driveway and began racing the little car down the street. The cool air felt wonderful against the warm sunshine and I leaned back and just let Robbie drive. I knew I wasn't going to get answers from him until he was ready to share the surprise.

He turned at the intersection leading to the marina, and instead of making a right, he turned left. I sat up in my seat. "This isn't the way to the marina."

"Nope."

I waited for him to say more, but he just gave me an impish smirk that made me want to hit him. I wondered where we were going that he would turn the wrong way.

"Where are we going?" I demanded, looking out the window at the fall foliage flying by. I never came out this direction, so I had no idea where we were headed.

"Some place fun." He shifted into a higher gear, the hum of the sports car singing in the air.

"Where is this 'some place fun’?" I persisted.

"Some place fun. You'll like it." He smirked.

"Argh! Robbie! Tell me where we're going!" I gave his arm a gentle swat, and he laughed.

"Nope, it's too much fun to get you riled. You're pretty when you’re mad," he said. I full-on punched his arm this time. "I promise you'll like it."

I slumped in my seat, crossing my arms and pouting. He laughed and turned onto another road. This one I recognized. It was the road to the small, private airport. Robbie turned the car toward the airfield, a plane starting to emerge on the tarmac. He parked the car next to the jet, popping the trunk and grinning wildly. A worn, blue suitcase emerged from the trunk.
My
worn, blue suitcase.

"So that's what Avery and Grace were up to last night. I knew we didn't need more milk! They had me go to the store to get me out of the house. You had them help you!" I sputtered, not really angry but definitely amazed that Avery had kept the secret all day.

"Yup. Grace packed it for me so this could be a surprise. I'm taking you away for the weekend." A little bit of pride at his ability to surprise me filled his voice. He took my hand in his and led me up to the steps of the jet.

I paused at the bottom of the stairs. "How did you get Grace to agree to this?"

"We had a conversation. While you were at work after our date in the city, I went to talk to her." He kicked at a small rock, sending it flying away from the plane. "I saw the look she gave me when I picked you up. She had every right to be mad at me. I nearly killed you. We had a long discussion and I told her my intentions toward you."

"Which are?"

"I can't tell you or it will ruin the surprise. But they are honorable. Well, mostly." He gave me a sly grin that made me laugh.

"And she's okay with you now?"

"Avery's princess dresses might have helped, but yes, we're good," he said. I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't even know I had been holding. Then it hit me that I was leaving Grace and Avery to get on an airplane.