The Billionaire's Heart Read online

He knew it was a good sign that they were getting along well already, but that didn’t mean he liked being the odd man out where his daughter was concerned.

  “She reminds me of Reese,” Leah commented.

  They were alone for the first time since leaving the airport. He’d sent Erin to change into pajamas before they put on one of her favorite superhero movies. For the past year or so she’d been obsessed with superheroes, especially female ones. Before that she’d been into movies based on her favorite book series. No doubt in another year or so, she’d have a new obsession.

  “I thought the same thing when we were at your brother’s house.”

  Leaning closer, he touched his lips to hers in the briefest of kisses and then pulled away. Regardless of his best intentions, sometimes when he meant to merely kiss Leah, desire got the better of him and he got carried away. Yeah, they were alone now, but Erin could return at any moment, and he didn’t want her walking in on anything inappropriate.

  “She likes you already.” Leah might not be a mother, but she was a natural with his daughter. “Todd and Erin get along great now, but I remember Amber telling me it took Todd a good month of trying before Erin warmed up to him.”

  “Must be because I voted for pizza tonight.”

  He pretended to consider Leah’s theory. “It probably helped,” he agreed with a straight face. “But it’s not the only reason.” Gavin was about to tell Leah how much he appreciated the way she was welcoming his daughter into her life, but a tornado of energy disguised as a young girl in pastel-colored pjs stopped him.

  Erin flung herself on the sofa next to him. “Here’s your bracelet.” She handed him a larger version of the one she wore. “Mom let me bring the thread with me. I’ll make you one tomorrow, Leah. Do you like yellow and black? I have pink, purple, and green thread too. I made Uncle Harry a green and black one. What colors would you like?”

  “Surprise me,” Leah replied.

  Satisfied with the answer, Erin settled in next to him and leaned her head against his arm as he pressed Play on the remote control. Immediately, the theme song to the newest superhero movie in the series filled the room. Once the action started, Erin wouldn’t say much of anything else.

  But the action on the screen hadn’t started yet.

  “My room is ugly. You promised we could change it. Can we do it tomorrow?”

  “I planned to take you to Six Flags in the morning. How about I take you sometime next week?” The weather for the next few days looked great for outdoor excursions, and he didn’t get many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. If he had to go shopping, an activity he didn’t care for, he’d rather do it on a day when it was better to stay inside anyway.

  “Or I can take you,” Leah offered. She knew his views on shopping. “We can make it a girls’ day out. Visit the Met first, have some lunch, and then go shopping.”

  During dinner Leah had discussed art with Erin, and he’d expected to her to ask Erin then if she’d like to visit a museum with her. She hadn’t.

  “I love the Met. Can we go Sunday?” Erin asked.

  “Your dad has something planned for Sunday. But I’ll take the day off and we can go Tuesday.”

  I love you. The thought formed before the magnitude of it hit him like a high-speed train.

  He didn’t enjoy spending time with Leah.

  He didn’t desire her.

  He loved her.

  How could he not? Not only was she thoughtful and caring, but she was also making Erin a part of her life and saving him from a shopping trip.

  He should’ve realized it days ago, because the emotion pulling at his heart now was the same one he’d experienced on Sunday night.

  “Awesome. I can’t wait.”

  Now that the opening sequence was over, Erin turned her attention to the television. With her eyes focused solely on the movie, he brushed a kiss across Leah’s cheek. Later, when they were alone, he’d demonstrate his gratitude. But for now words would have to suffice.

  “Thank you,” he whispered before relaxing and simply enjoying the moment with the two people in the world most important to him.

  Chapter Twelve

  Weekends went by fast, especially in the summer, but the past one had literally gone by in a blur. It seemed as if one minute Leah was enjoying breakfast with Gavin and Erin Saturday morning before she left for her cousin’s house, and then the next she was waking up for work this morning.

  Unfortunately, the workday hadn’t passed anywhere near as quickly as the weekend. Leah couldn’t put all the blame on the fact that it was a Monday and in general Mondays were her least favorite day of the week. Nope, the blame rested squarely on her shoulders. Needing to cram two days’ worth of work into one, she headed into the office long before she usually did and stayed there several hours later. Actually, her Monday resembled the workdays Gavin put in on a regular basis. Or more accurately, the days he’d put in before their weekend in Newport.

  Since then he spent fewer hours at Culloden headquarters, although he still did extra work when he got home. Most often he did it in the early morning hours before the sun came up, when he thought she was sleeping. Not that Gavin was aware that she knew. But more than once she’d woken up to get a drink or to use the bathroom and discovered him gone. The first time it happened she left the bedroom, only to see the lights on in his office down the hall. She’d been tempted to go inside and ask him to come back to bed.

  But she hadn’t.

  Well before their first kiss, she’d known he put in more time at work in a week than some people did in a month. If getting things done while he thought she was sleeping was his way of making sure they had more time together, she wouldn’t interfere.

  At least for now.

  Eventually the missed sleep might catch up to him. If it did, she would say something, but until then she’d mind her own business on this one.

  Unlocking the door, she walked inside expecting to hear the television or Erin’s voice as she talked Gavin’s ear off. It had certainly been the case on Saturday when she returned to his place after visiting Callie and her family. And on Sunday when Leah met up with them in the building lobby, Erin had talked nonstop from the moment the elevator doors closed until they sat down for dinner.

  Silence greeted her tonight instead.

  Kicking off her heels, she picked them up and crossed into the living room, where she switched on a table lamp. “Hello,” she called, on the off chance they were home.

  An unanticipated reply came from down the hallway. “In my office.”

  He’d taken the week off to spend with his daughter. Even next week he’d arranged it so he could devote most of his time to Erin. So what was he doing in his office tonight? Shouldn’t the two of them be enjoying a snack or playing a video game?

  Strolling through the open door, she found Gavin seated at his desk dressed in a sleeveless T-shirt. She couldn’t make out the words, but a document was up on his home computer and his laptop was powered on as well. His briefcase sat open next to a picture of Erin with his younger sister Piper on the credenza behind him

  “Hey, you,” she greeted. “Is Erin sleeping?” Being only seven o’clock it seemed unlikely she’d be asleep, but Gavin had taken Erin hiking today. Maybe hiking on a hot summer day was what it took to tire out his daughter. Nothing else seemed to.

  His fingers paused over the keyboard and he looked up at her. “Nope, she’s not home. Gigi showed up before we left this morning. She insisted on taking Erin for the day. She hasn’t seen Erin since Christmas.”

  “And you immediately came in here?” She leaned her hip against the side of his desk.

  Rolling his chair back, Gavin reached for her, pulling her closer until she stood between his legs. “No. I took care of a few errands I’ve been putting off. And I picked up a birthday present for my sister while I was out too.” His hands on her waist slipped around to the small of her back. “My dad called. Piper wants to celebrate her birthday early so Erin can
come to the party. Instead of the party being on her birthday, it’s going to be next weekend.”

  Considering the close friendship he’d explained existed between the two girls, Piper’s request seemed natural.

  “I told him Erin and I would be there. I’d like you to come with us.” He cleared his throat before he continued. “But I understand if you’d rather skip it. Harry will most be likely there. Unless he’s out of state, he doesn’t miss Piper’s birthday parties.”

  She had no desire to be in the same room with Harry Kincaid again. Unfortunately, the man was Gavin’s half brother, so unless they put an end to their relationship tomorrow, the possibility of going the rest of her life without seeing Harry again was almost nonexistent. So while she appreciated the gesture, skipping Piper’s birthday party would only delay the evitable.

  “Harry or no Harry, I’ll come with you. I’ll have Erin help me find a present for Piper when we go shopping tomorrow.” Nothing was more embarrassing than showing up at a birthday party empty-handed.

  Without warning he stood and lifted her onto the edge of his desk. His fingers brushed against the bare skin just below the hem of her skirt before he pushed the fabric up until it reached almost where leg met torso, allowing her to open her legs further.

  When she did, he moved in between them. The hard ridge behind his zipper pressed into her. Closing her eyes, she took in slow, deep breaths, simply enjoying the feel of him against her.

  One of his hands trailed up and over her waist before settling on her right breast. His touch burned through her blouse, setting her skin on fire. On their own, her fingers moved to the tiny buttons holding the top closed and began undoing each one.

  “When will Erin be back?” It was the first time since Friday morning they’d been alone, and she was suddenly desperate to have his hands and mouth everywhere.

  The hand still resting on her thigh moved up and under her skirt. “No idea,” he admitted, his fingers pushing aside her panties and then moving against her, causing her muscles to contract as she pressed into his hand.

  With her blouse no longer buttoned, he spread the two sides apart with his other hand and yanked her bra down, exposing one breast. “Don’t worry, they’ll ring the doorbell.” His teeth raked across her nipple as his finger sank inside her, making it impossible to offer up a reply.

  He teased and stroked until Leah thought she’d die from pleasure. Needing to finally have him inside her, she reached for the button on his shorts.

  Or at least she tried.

  Gavin brushed her hand away. “Not yet. I’m not done.”

  Before she could argue, he dropped to his knees between her legs and proceeded to love her with his tongue and lips until she grabbed his shoulders to keep from flying off the desk.

  Only after she’d touched the stars and started to drift back down to earth did he stand and she heard his zipper move. “I love you,” Gavin said near her ear.

  The words hit her heart and spread through her soul. Opening her eyes, she met his steady gaze. His eyes burned with the same heat and desire she’d seen before, but now they reflected love too. And she didn’t need a mirror to know the same emotions shone brightly in her eyes.

  “I love you too.”

  ***

  Dropping the L-word tonight hadn’t been on his agenda. Hell, he’d only realized the truth recently and his feelings had run much deeper than mere friendship for months. So the chances of her sharing the sentiment so soon in their relationship seemed unlikely. But when she agreed to go with him and Erin to the party even though Harry would be there, keeping the words back had been impossible.

  “Should I let you get back to work?” Leah asked. At the moment she sat in his lap; her blouse remained unbuttoned but much to his disappointment she’d readjusted her bra.

  Yeah, like he’d get any more done in here tonight. He might never get work done in his office again. Every time he walked in, the memory of bringing her to orgasm on his desk before making love to her would occupy his thoughts.

  Her lips were still red and swollen from kissing and Gavin couldn’t resist tasting her again. “I’ve got all day tomorrow while you and Erin are gone,” he explained once his lips left hers.

  Leah’s hand skimmed across his shoulder and around to the back of his neck. Her fingertips brushed back and forth against his skin. “Since you missed out on the day with Erin, are you sure you still want us to go? The museum will be there next week.”

  “She’d never forgive me if I canceled your girls’ day out. It was all she talked about yesterday,” he replied. “I’ll take her hiking later in the week.”

  Smiling, she kissed his cheek. “I might not forgive you either. I haven’t been on a good shopping spree in months.”

  Shopping spree? Leah had promised to help Erin pick out things for her bedroom. He envisioned that to mean a new comforter and maybe some of those throw pillows women loved so much. It sounded like Leah had much more in mind.

  “Don’t go nuts tomorrow.”

  She feigned an innocent expression, one he wasn’t buying for a second.

  “Never. But I saw Erin’s room. It’s not a girl’s bedroom. It looks like a room at some hotel. It needs a facelift, my dear.” She patted the back of his neck.

  He couldn’t argue with Leah’s assessment. Erin’s room and the other spare bedroom both lacked character. “Just bring me back the receipts for whatever you buy.”

  He’d gladly hand the chore of shopping off to Leah, but he’d pick up the cost. This was his house and his daughter.

  “We’ll see,” she replied.

  The doorbell rang, preventing him from pressing the issue.

  Slipping off his lap, Leah buttoned up her blouse and then straightened her skirt. “How’s my hair?” she asked.

  Despite their activities, only a few blonde strands had escaped the twist she’d pulled her hair into that morning. Nothing about it would suggest to his grandmother or anyone else what they’d been up to.

  Her top was another story. The back was no longer tucked into her skirt and it had more wrinkles than a full-grown Neapolitan Mastiff. “Your hair is fine.”

  At eighty-two, Jean Kincaid had more energy than most women half her age. The woman simply never stopped. When she wasn’t experimenting in her kitchen or traveling around the world, she was playing tennis or skiing. And although she had spent an entire day entertaining a nine-year-old, she looked wide-awake and ready to tackle anything.

  “Sorry it’s so late.” Gigi hugged him before handing him several bags from various stores. “We did a little shopping for my upcoming cruise and then we started cooking. We both lost track of time.”

  Judging by the bags he was holding, they hadn’t shopped only for Gigi’s upcoming trip.

  “Erin knows her way around the kitchen already,” his grandmother continued.

  Before he could tell Gigi that he and Erin often cooked together, she turned her eyes in Leah’s direction. “You must be Leah. Erin talked about you all day. I hoped to meet you tonight.”

  While Gigi led Leah off toward the sofa, her mouth going a mile a minute, a trait she’d passed on to his daughter, Gavin turned his attention to Erin. When she’d left that morning, she’d been wearing a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt with a unicorn on the front. Now she had on a one-piece romper—or at least he thought that was what the outfit was called. Although she looked adorable, it wasn’t the type of clothes she usually picked.

  “Did Gigi pick that out?” He gestured toward her clothes.

  Erin nodded. “She got me a purple one like it. And I picked out the clothes she has on.”

  He’d noticed his grandmother was wearing a different outfit as well. And if Erin had picked it out, he never would’ve guessed because it was just as vibrant as all the other clothes Gigi favored. As far as Gigi was concerned, there was no such thing as too bright. She loved bold colors and animal prints. If anyone tried to tell her she was too old to wear either, they got an ea
rful.

  “She got me a bunch of other outfits. I’ll show you.” Erin reached for one of the bags he held.

  “Tomorrow. Right now it’s time for bed.”

  Erin offered up a few grumbles. Even as a baby she’d disliked going to sleep, and the older she got the more she resisted, especially if she thought she’d miss out on something. Like tonight, with both her great-grandmother and Leah chatting in the living room.

  After a good ten minutes of dragging her feet, first by insisting she needed a glass of water, then in the bathroom, and finally getting changed, Gavin pulled the blankets up and over her.

  Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “See you in the morning, Bug. I love you.”

  When he returned, Leah and his grandmother remained in conversation, but they weren’t sitting down. A good sign, because if Gigi planned to make this a long visit, she would’ve sat down and made herself comfortable.

  “Just waiting for you to come back before I left,” Gigi said when she caught sight of him.

  Good. He loved Gigi, but tonight he wasn’t in the mood for entertaining visitors.

  “Are the three of you going to Piper’s party?” she asked.

  “We’ll be there. Vivian too,” Gavin replied.

  “Excellent. I’ll see you both then.” Gigi said her goodbyes and left.

  No sooner had the door closed than he pulled out the clips holding Leah’s hair up. He raked his fingers through the strands, content to stand there and do nothing else but touch her hair.

  “She’s not exactly what I expected,” Leah stated. “Is she always so full of life? I thought my grandmother had a lot of energy, but I think yours could run circles around mine. I got tired just talking to her.”

  “More or less.” Gavin pulled his hands from her hair, reached for the top button of her blouse, and released it. “If you’re tired, I can tuck you into bed now too.” He unfastened the second and third buttons.

  Tonight in his office was the first time they’d been intimate since Erin arrived. But not making love to Leah again now might kill him. “It’s up to you.” He slid his hand across her chest and into her bra.