Bidding On The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8) Read online

  Bidding On The Billionaire

  Christina Tetreault

  The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 8

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Other Books By Christina Tetreault

  About Christina Tetreault

  Bidding On The Billionaire, Copyright 2016 by Christina Tetreault

  Published by Christina Tetreault

  Cover Model: Jon Eric Doliana II

  Model Photo by: Green Owl Photography

  Cover design by: Leah Kaye Suttle

  Editing by: Hot Tree Editing

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author at [email protected]. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. For more information on the author and her works, please see www.christinatetreault.com

  Digital ISBN: 978-0-9971118-3-5

  Prologue

  Derek dropped his overnight bag on his bedroom floor, glad to be home. He’d spent the last week in Virginia with his twin sister, Allison. Unlike his previous visit down to see her and his cousin’s new baby, this one hadn’t been well timed. However, she’d needed him; although she may never admit it to anyone, including him. And he didn’t blame her. Considering the hell she’d gone through when her stalker broke into her house and tried to kill her boyfriend and kidnap her, anyone would need a good support system around them. He’d only left today because Rock, her boyfriend, had been released from the hospital yesterday, and Derek had an important trial starting tomorrow morning. Neither the judge nor his client would care that his sister needed him.

  His stomach rumbled as he walked back into the hall, and he wished he’d stopped at his brother Gray’s place after leaving the airport instead of heading home. Gray’s fiancée was a professionally trained chef who worked in Providence’s best French restaurant. No matter the day or time, she always had delicious food in their refrigerator, unlike what he knew he’d find in his. Even when he hadn’t spent a full week out of town, his refrigerator looked nothing like his brother’s. He’d learned to cook just enough to get by on his own. Since he hated doing it, every two weeks he had someone come in and prepare meals, which he kept in the freezer until he needed them. Unfortunately, Shauna wouldn’t be in until tomorrow morning and somehow he’d exhausted most of his premade meals even before he’d left for Virginia last weekend.

  Despite knowing he’d find next to nothing inside, he pulled open the refrigerator doors. A few containers of Chinese food that he’d gotten more than a week ago sat on the top shelf next to a bag of apples and some fuzzy strawberries. A half gallon of milk three days past its expiration date and an almost empty bottle of orange juice remained in the door. He tossed the spoiled food out and then grabbed an apple. Looked like takeout was on the menu tonight. Perhaps tomorrow morning he’d stop in and visit either Trent or Gray for breakfast before heading into the office. Both his brothers lived at the Hillcrest, which he passed each day on his way in to work.

  On second thought, he’d stop at Gray’s. Considering the fact Trent and Addie had a one-week-old baby at home, he doubted either was getting much sleep these days. They didn’t need him showing up at their door around eight o’clock looking for food.

  Until then he needed to decide which it would be now, Italian or Chinese? He opened the drawer near the sink where he kept all the takeout menus. Whichever one he grabbed first would be where dinner came from. Reaching in, he pulled out the one on top. Italian it is. He opened the menu for Mario’s Italian Eatery. A person couldn’t go wrong with something from there, and they delivered.

  Twenty minutes later, the scent of oregano, melted cheese, tomatoes, and sausage drifted up from the sub on the table and saliva pooled in his mouth as his stomach growled. The three apples he’d eaten while he’d waited for dinner had only made him hungrier than he’d been when he got home. He bit into the fresh-baked roll and homemade sausage. Mario’s might be a small hole in the wall, but they made a damn good sub.

  He managed to wolf down half the sub before his doorbell forced him to stop. This time of year, he didn’t get many visitors. Once the family started staying at Cliff House, the Sherbrooke estate on Bellevue Avenue, relatives frequently popped in unannounced to see him, but they normally started staying there in mid to late June unless some function was planned. The only one who had visited there regardless of the time of year was his Uncle Warren, who technically now owned the home although he let any family member use it whenever they desired. Since he’d become President and moved into the White House, his visits had become fewer and fewer. In fact, as far as Derek remembered, his uncle hadn’t visited Newport since the family’s annual New Year’s Eve party months ago.

  Pushing back his chair, he grabbed a handful of chips before he headed out of the kitchen. Through the glass panel near the front door, he spotted Aunt Marilyn, his dad’s younger sister. An automatic groan escaped him. He’d been avoiding her since the beginning of May, something he wasn’t proud of. He loved her. In some ways, she was like a second mother to him and his siblings. After his mom died, she’d stepped in and done her best to fill the void left behind.

  Regardless, every time the phone had rung this month and her name showed up, he’d let the call go to voice mail. He’d only called her back once and gotten her voice mail. It looked like she’d finally given up on the phone calls and decided to confront him while he had no chance of escape.

  She won’t leave until you answer. Like every Sherbrooke, his aunt had a stubborn streak, and when she wanted something, she let nothing stand in her way. Derek pulled open the door and pasted on a smile. “Aunt Marilyn, it’s great to see you.”

  Marilyn Belmont swept inside so quickly Derek wondered if she suspected he’d shut the door before she got her feet across the threshold.

  “Considering the way you’ve been ducking my calls, I doubt that’s what you’re really thinking.” Her voice contained its usual warmth. “But it’s great to see you.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  Guilt gave him a not so gentle stab in the chest, and he closed the door. “I haven’t been avoiding your calls. I’ve just been busy at work. Then with everything that happened with Allison, I got distracted.”

  At the mention of his sister, his aunt’s smile disappeared. “How is she doing? Harrison and I want to go down and see her, but we don’t want to overwhelm her either. I know your dad and Abby spent a few days down there and Courtney visited her.”

  He’d seen his cousin Courtney, one of Marilyn’s daughters, while he’d been with Allison. “She’s doing better and the therapy is helping. Rock’s out of the hospital, and she’s moved in to his apartment. She’s going to sell her town house. I’d probably do the same thing.”
Derek suspected most people would. “I’m sure she’d love to see you.” Actually, he knew his sister wanted a rest from all the concerned family members, but what else could he say to his aunt? Stay away, everyone is suffocating her? You didn’t tell a Sherbrooke such a thing.

  “That’s good to hear. I’ve been so worried about her. Tomorrow I’ll give her a call. It’ll probably be too late by the time I get home tonight.” Marilyn walked further into his condo, leaving him no choice but to follow. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve been calling so much.”

  Derek hadn’t been wondering any such thing. He knew exactly why she’d been calling. He also knew why she’d made the hour and a half drive from Weston, Massachusetts down to Newport unannounced. She planned on trying to change his mind again. He’d known she would.

  Derek took a seat in the armchair across from his aunt and prepared himself. “I figured you missed your favorite nephew,” he said, flashing a bright smile.

  “Always the charmer. And while I’ve missed you, that’s not why I’ve been calling.”

  And here it comes. He pressed his lips together rather than voice one of the many expletives going through his mind.

  “I wanted to talk to you again about the bachelor auction next month.”

  He opened his mouth to reply, but she held up a hand to stop him. “You already said you’re not interested, I know. But it would mean a lot to me if you’d please reconsider. It’s on track to be one of the foundation’s most successful fundraisers in a long time. And you know what a good cause it’s for. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t so important.”

  Of course he knew that. The fundraiser was to benefit the Helping Hands Foundation, which his family had started during the Great Depression. Every year the foundation helped countless people. That didn’t mean he wanted to be paraded around on stage like a piece of meat so women could bid on him. Especially considering who some of the women in the audience may be. Perhaps if he could somehow control who the ultimate winner was, he’d be more receptive to the idea. Not by much, but a little.

  “Ticket sales are going fantastic. And you’ll know most of the other men there. Even Scott finally agreed to participate.”

  He’d known it had only been a matter of time before his cousin caved in. After all, how long could anyone resist their mother when the woman had stubborn Sherbrooke blood with an extra helping of Sherbrooke persistence running through her veins?

  “Your friend Colton Horne signed on.” His aunt paused as she searched for something in her oversized shoulder bag. “He’s one of your friends, right? Or is he Gray’s? I can never keep everyone’s friends straight.”

  Yep, Colton was one of his friends. It didn’t surprise him the guy had signed on. A bachelor auction and all the attention that went with it was right up his alley.

  “Drew Robinson will be there too,” she said, naming another of his acquaintances. “I wish Alec could come, but he’s been dating Sydney for two months now.”

  He doubted his youngest brother’s most recent relationship would last much longer, but he understood why she hadn’t asked.

  “I know you’re worried a ninety-year-old woman will win you, but the guest list is diverse.”

  Actually, he wasn’t worried about a woman old enough to be his grandmother winning him. Four dates with a person like that he could handle. The idea of Tasha Marshall or someone like her putting in the highest bid scared him. He’d known Tasha forever. At one time, the woman had been obsessed with his cousin. Once Jake had gotten married though, she’d set her sights on his oldest brother. When Trent got engaged and then made the walk down the aisle, she’d turned her eyes to him. He couldn’t think of many things worse than being saddled with Tasha or someone similar for four dates.

  Aunt Marilyn handed him several papers. “I brought a copy of the guest list so you can see it’s not made up of only older women. At least half the guests are closer to your age.”

  “How about I make a donation?” Since the papers were in his hands anyway, he glanced through the names, many of which he recognized. Not even halfway down the first page he spotted the names Tasha and Janet Marshall. Big surprise there. The Marshalls and Sherbrookes went way back. “You name the figure, and I’ll take care of it first thing tomorrow morning.”

  His aunt’s eyebrows pinched together. “I suppose you could.”

  Derek waited for the but he heard.

  “With your name added to the event it would sell out. Please reconsider, Derek. You don’t have to marry the winning bidder, only go out with them. You can pick the when and where. And who knows, you might have fun. Meet someone you enjoy spending time with.”

  He hated to disappoint her. If only she could guarantee who’d win him. Of course she couldn’t. No one could and somehow he guessed that if he agreed he’d end up saddled with Tasha for some glorious nights of hell.

  Derek turned to the second page of guests while he tried to choose the right words. The four names at the top caught his eye: Scarlet, Milan, Paris, and Brooklyn Novak. Those were four names he hadn’t expected to see printed there.

  “So, can I add you to the bachelor lineup?”

  He met her eyes. Without a doubt, Aunt Marilyn would keep pestering him until he gave in. Derek glanced down at the four unexpected names again, a plan forming that would make his aunt happy, and even better, keep him in control. “Okay, fine. I’ll do it.”

  Chapter 1

  Two weeks later

  Brooklyn Novak stopped in front of her apartment door and searched through her gym bag for her keys. She’d spent the last hour downstairs in the pool, just one of the fabulous amenities the Hillcrest offered its residents that made it Providence’s most sought-after residence. Not to mention one of the city’s most expensive.

  She could have easily spent another hour down there. Swimming was her favorite form of exercise, although she didn’t really consider it exercise. In fact, she enjoyed being in the water so much when she was young, her father had often joked she should’ve been born with gills and flippers rather than ears and hands.

  Tonight though she’d headed down more because she hoped it would tire her body out than because she needed a good workout. The past two nights she’d had the worst time falling asleep at a decent hour. Her body seemed to think it was still on West Coast time. She guessed it was to be expected. She had spent the last three weeks in California for her older sister’s wedding and all the pre-wedding festivities, many of which she would have preferred to skip. Unfortunately, family was family even if you didn’t always get along with them.

  Finding her keys underneath her swim goggles, she pulled them out and unlocked the door. Behind her she heard the elevator doors opening, and she expected to hear Roberta Warwick, the fortysomething stockbroker who lived next door with her husband, call out to her. Since she’d moved into the building the year before, Brooklyn had grown close to the outgoing woman. Perhaps not BFF close, she already had two of those anyway, but they frequently got together for lunch or to go shopping. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for Roberta, or Robbie as her friends called her, to pop in on a random night to just chat. Brooklyn suspected the woman was lonely. Her husband spent a great deal of time traveling for his company and they didn’t have any children or family in the area.

  Brooklyn pushed open her door and turned, prepared to say hello and invite Robbie in for a little while, but it wasn’t Robbie crossing the distance between the elevator and her door. Instead, it was Derek Sherbrooke, one of her two BFFs, although she’d never call him that to his face. Regardless, she suspected he knew how much she valued his friendship.

  She’d met Derek on her second day at Harvard. She’d been heading to her first class and despite her campus map she’d been utterly lost. Derek had spotted her and, perhaps sensing her confusion, he’d stopped to help. Although he was also a freshman at the university, he’d spent his fair share of time on the campus because his oldest brother, Trent, had graduated from the school and his
other brother, Gray, was a junior. Since it turned out they were both heading to the same freshman English lit class, they’d walked together. That had been the beginning of their friendship. A friendship that remained strong today. In fact, Derek was one of the few people from Harvard who remained a permanent part of her life.

  “I hoped you were back,” Derek said, giving her a quick hug.

  For a moment her body forgot she’d long ago accepted they’d only ever be friends, and her heart gave an extra little flutter.

  “I got home late Friday night.”

  “Did you go for a swim?” He pointed toward her gym bag. He knew how much she loved the water. In fact, he shared that particular love. In college they’d often meet up at the pool and do laps together.

  “Yep, I spent about an hour downstairs. My body still thinks it’s in California. I’m hoping the swim will help me fall asleep earlier tonight. Otherwise, tomorrow will be a long day at the office. Come on in.” She walked through the doorway and switched on the lights.

  “You should’ve called me Friday. I would’ve picked you up at the airport and we could’ve grabbed a drink or something. It hasn’t been the same without you around.”

  Brooklyn dropped her gym bag inside the half bath off the kitchen. Later she’d wash out her swimsuit and hang it to dry. For now, she’d visit with Derek, perhaps the friendliest face she’d seen in three weeks.

  “I figured you’d have plans. I arranged for a car to pick me up. No big deal.” Rarely did a Friday night go by that Derek didn’t have plans. More times than not those plans involved some beautiful woman, although occasionally he did spend time with one of his brothers or another friend in town.

  Derek shook his head as he made a beeline for her refrigerator. “Nah, just hung out at my place this weekend. It’s been a crazy few weeks, and I needed some downtime.” He popped open the can of cream soda he’d pulled out. She only kept it around for him and his frequent visits. She couldn’t stomach the stuff.