More Than a Billionaire (5 page)

Kiera measured out flour while Gray placed the order. For several minutes afterward, the entire apartment remained silent. She didn’t know what he was doing, and since he remained almost as far from her as possible in the small apartment, she didn’t turn around to look.

Maybe he was playing a game on his phone or checking his email. Either activity should keep him occupied while she baked and continuously reminded herself that this was Gray Sherbrooke. She shouldn’t be thinking of him as anything but an old friend. She didn’t need to impress him. Well, unless he planned to open a gourmet restaurant somewhere. And if he planned to do that, she better prepare something besides chocolate cupcakes.

“Do you need any help?”

She spun around, her arm clipping the mixing bowl, almost sending it to the floor. Somehow, though, Gray managed to catch it before flour went everywhere.

“Are you okay?” Gray put the bowl back on the counter.

“I forgot you were here.”
Yeah, like that would ever happen
.

Gray’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t think any woman has ever said that to me before. I think I’ve been insulted.” He crossed his arms. “Maybe I should take my pizzas when they get here and go see your pole-dancing neighbor.”

Kiera tightened her grip on the vanilla. “I just meant that you were so quiet that I got caught up in what I was doing.”

Gray studied her, and she tried not to fidget.

“Joking, Kiera. You do remember what that is, right?” He stepped closer and reached for her hand. “If you hold this any tighter, you’re going to break it.” He pulled her fingers from the bottle. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re trembling.”

“Caffeine withdrawal. I didn’t have my afternoon cup yet.” The lie flew out of her mouth.

“Gotcha. Happens to me all the time. Tell me where the coffee is and I’ll make us some.”

She doubted he ever suffered from her current aliment, but since he believed her excuse, she’d stick with it.

“Coffee’s in the corner cupboard.”

Somehow, she finished the cupcake batter without once again putting her foot in her mouth. She even thought she got the recipe correct, although it was possible she’d added too much sugar. With Gray in the tiny space that claimed to be a kitchen, she had a little trouble focusing on anything but him.

“These babies are ready for the oven.” Kiera opened the door. “I’ll do the dishes after we eat.”

The pizzas hadn’t arrived, but they should show up soon. At least she hoped so; her stomach kept making the most unladylike sounds.

“Health experts say you shouldn’t eat uncooked batter because of the raw eggs, but I can’t bake cupcakes and not lick the bowl.” Kiera ran her finger along the inside of the bowl and then licked the batter off. “Mmmm, perfect.” If she’d added too much of something or left something out, she couldn’t tell. “Want a taste?” She nodded toward the bowl.

Gray didn’t comment. Instead, he left his seat and approached her, reminding her a bit of a lion stalking his prey.

Why, oh why, did he have to look so sexy?
She wanted to lick him the same way she’d licked the batter from her finger.

Without any warning Gray took her hand and used her finger to scoop up the chocolate batter. She watched as he lifted her hand toward his mouth, and about half a second before he closed his lips around her finger, she realized his intent. But by then, it was too late.

His tongue ran along her finger, and then he sucked the remaining batter off. Right away, a mental image of him doing the same thing somewhere else on her body danced before her eyes. Heat spread throughout her, and she swallowed, frozen in place.

He pulled her finger from his mouth. “Delicious.” Gray maintained eye contact as he kissed the top of her hand. His breath traveled over her skin, sending shivers up her arm.

“You, uh, always did love chocolate.” Her voice came out far from casual, but considering the circumstances, that came as no surprise.

He lowered their hands, but didn’t let go. “I didn’t mean the batter.”

Boy, oh, boy did she need a cold drink. “Gray—”

The intercom came to life.

“Pizzas.” Thank God.

Gray nodded. “I’ll get them.”

Alone, Kiera sagged against the counter. The Gray Sherbrooke who’d given her a hug, patted her on the back, and even kissed her on the cheek… that Gray she could handle. But she didn’t know what to make of the man who’d just sucked raw cupcake batter off her finger and kissed her hand. Most women in her shoes would thank their lucky stars, then grab hold of Gray before he changed his mind and went back to giving them friendly pats on the back.

She had no intention of doing that. A safer route would be to sit him down and ask him if he was okay. Maybe he’d bumped his head while in the shower or was, perhaps, having a life crisis.

Yup, when he came back, she’d ask him and get to the bottom of things because some kind of logical explanation had to exist. After all, they’d known each other for almost thirty years and he’d never once hinted that he saw her as anything but a friend.

Sure, she’d wished he saw her as more from time to time, but she’d gotten over the teenage crush a long time ago.

The apartment door opened, and Gray walked in, carrying two pizza boxes as if he did it every day. The aroma of pizza made her stomach rumble.

“I almost ate a slice on my way back up.”

She watched him cross the living room and wished he
did
do it every day.
Move your legs. Do something useful.
Kiera gave herself a mental shake and grabbed some plates from the cupboard.

“Go ahead and start without me.” She handed him the plates. “I need a drink. Can I get you anything?”

What she needed was a tub filled with ice, but for now, she’d settle for an extra large glass of water.

“I’ve got water and ginger ale.” She pulled open the refrigerator door more for the cold air than because she needed to see its contents. “Milk and a little cranberry juice.”

“Water, please.” Gray opened a pizza box and placed two slices on each plate. He didn’t start eating, though. Instead, he pulled out a chair and stood behind it. “Those cupcakes smell great. How long until they’re done?”

His mention of cupcakes sent her body temperature up again. She drank half of her water and reconsidered her earlier decision. Maybe the best option was to ignore what had happened earlier. She could pretend it’d never happened. Doing that might not answer her questions, but it would keep her from spontaneously combusting.

“About another fifteen minutes but if you want them frosted they’ll need to cool off.” Something she had no hope of doing anytime soon.

“If I want them frosted? You know me better than that.”

Until five minutes ago, she’d thought she’d known him rather well, but now? Not so much.

“Have a seat.” He gestured toward the chair he’d pulled out.

Right now, she’d rather stay where she was with the table separating them. Gray would never go for that. Each and every Sherbrooke had proper manners drilled into them, and that meant each Sherbrooke male had been raised to pull out chairs for women and only sit once all the women present had done so first. So Kiera did the only thing she could. She sat down.

Gray ate two slices of pizza before he spoke again. “You’re quiet over there.” He grabbed a third slice. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He left the pizza untouched in his plate and waited for her answer.

She’d spent the last several minutes avoiding eye contact. With him expecting an answer, it seemed rude to keep staring at her plate.

Kiera looked up and forced herself to meet his eyes. “Fine. Really.”

Gray remained silent as if considering her words. Then he reached for her. “I don’t believe you.” He squeezed her hand and waited.

Every Sherbrooke shared one particular characteristic: stubbornness. Gray included. If he suspected something bothered her, he wouldn’t give up until he got the truth or she tossed him out.

And she didn’t want to toss him out.

“What’s the matter, Kiera?”

“Before…” She paused and her gaze dropped to his mouth, lingering there for a bit before forcing herself to meet his gaze again. While his eyes were not as unique a shade of blue as many of the Sherbrookes, she found them beautiful.

“You know, when we were in the kitchen.” Kiera bounced her knee under the table and bumped his leg.

“Did I upset you?”

“No. Well, yes.” Kiera heard a growl and realized it came from her. Why did he have to sit so close? He could’ve picked the chair across the table, but no, he picked the one next to her. “Why?”

“Why what?” He moved his hand to her shoulder.

“Why did you do it?”

Gray leaned forward, and his voice became a mere whisper. “Because I couldn’t stop myself. Like now.”

She saw the intent in his eyes, but the press of his lips on hers startled her anyway.

He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her for a few more seconds before pulling his lips away. “Are you free this weekend?”

The kiss had been more gentle than passionate, yet it blew her mind away. “I’m off until Monday.”

“Let’s spend it together.” He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek then slipped it behind her neck. “I don’t know what we’ll do. It’s so damn cold, but I want to be with you.”

She was anything but cold.

“We could go skiing. I haven’t been in a long time. Or what about ice-skating? Or we could see what movies are playing. Whatever you want,” Gray said.

Since he’d made the first move before, she’d take the lead now. Butterflies tickled her insides as she leaned forward and kissed him.

Kiera might have instigated their second kiss, but she didn’t keep control of it. Instead, Gray left her in charge just long enough for her to put her arms over his shoulders. Once she did that, he changed the angle of his mouth, applying more pressure and tugging her into his lap. Heat consumed her when he slipped his tongue between her lips. Lord, the man could kiss.

Gray moved his lips to her ear lobe. “It’ll be fun. I promise. What do you say?” His breath was hot against her skin.

Kiera nodded as Gray switched his attention from her ear to her neck.

“I think I’d like to go ice skating.” She managed to get the words out as she pulled his head back towards hers for another kiss.

She was in Gray’s lap. Kissing him. Heat was coursing through her body. Her teenaged fantasies were coming true, and she didn’t have a clue why.

That wasn’t going to stop her, though. Matter of fact, it wasn’t until the oven timer buzzed that she realized she was still baking the cupcakes.

And it was only the threat of burned cupcakes that could convince Gray to let go.

She’d made out with Gray. Talk about a surprise. Kiera started the next show on her DVR but peeked over at Gray. He sat close. Unfortunately, he didn’t show any signs of kissing her again anytime soon which was what she wanted him to do.

Was his behavior now normal? Maybe Gray liked to get a woman all hot and bothered and then act like nothing had happened. Or maybe this was how Gray acted after he decided he shouldn’t have kissed a woman in the first place. If that was the case, why was he still sitting beside her? He sat so close she could smell the soap he’d used that morning.

The current episode of her favorite television show ended, and Kiera stood. “You can put on whatever you want.” She handed him the remote. “I’m going to frost those cupcakes. They’re cool enough now.” She wished she could cool off the way they had. “Do you want chocolate or vanilla frosting?”

“Surprise me.”

That was the word of the day. Kiera headed into the kitchen and grabbed what she needed for chocolate frosting. As she worked, she waited for a new television show to start. Instead, the television beeped as Gray switched it off.

“I might need to take some cupcakes home with me tonight.”

Gray’s voice came from behind her, and, without looking, she knew he stood close to her.

“You can take them all. I don’t need any more junk food hanging around. If I splurge much more this winter, I’m going to need new jeans.”

“Knock it off. You look fantastic and you never go nuts with junk food.” He came to stand next to her. “The only reason you might want new jeans is because those have holes in them.” Gray traced her jaw with his finger.

Kiera attacked the ingredients in the bowl with a spoon. “Gray, this is like the third time you’ve seen me in three years. Maybe I’ve become a junk food junky.” She heard the bite in her tone.

His hand fell away. “Did I do something?”

She shook her head. “I just meant that people change.”

Gray’s hand came down on hers, forcing her to stop mixing the frosting. “You’re beating that frosting to death. If I made you mad, just say so.”

Kiera released her death grip on the spoon. “I’m not mad. Confused a little, that’s all.”

“Because of earlier?”

“No. Because Boston traded their star pitcher to Baltimore.” He had to
ask
?

Gray smiled, and she imagined his lips pressed against hers again.

“Fair enough. That was a stupid question.” He turned her, so they faced each other. “I didn’t intend to confuse you, but since the wedding, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine. No guy, not even her last boyfriend, had ever said they couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“If you say no, I’ll respect that, but I’d like to see where things go between us.” His hands slid down her arms, and he took her hands.

Oh, man. Why did he have to sound so sincere? She’d been convinced that they would spend time together this weekend, and afterward, he’d jet off to wherever he went when he left town and it’d be another three years before she saw him again.

Now he made it sound as if he had other ideas in mind.

“You already know my two faults, so it’s not like you have to worry about uncovering some strange fetishes or anything.”

Gray had never taken himself too seriously, and it looked like that hadn’t changed.

“Your two faults? I’d say you have more than just two, Mr. I’m-Perfect.”