The Billionaire's Heart Read online

  “What’s wrong?” Curt asked, dropping the subject of her and Gavin’s relationship for the moment.

  “That,” she hissed and gestured in the general direction of Tasha and Gavin.

  He patted her affectionately on the shoulder. “I’ll let you handle that one. I’ve managed to stay under her radar today, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

  “Chicken.”

  “Hey, if it keeps me from being her next prey, you better believe it. Have fun. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Leah resisted the urge to stick her tongue out as she watched Curt walk away. They might both be adults, but sometimes her brother could still be as annoying as when they were children.

  As she approached Gavin and Tasha, Leah considered the best way to extract him. Countless times in the past she’d thought it was a shame Gavin didn’t have a special person in his life. Once or twice she even considered setting him up with either Courtney or Juliette. And since he wasn’t trying to get away from Tasha, it was possible he wanted to get to know her better. If that was the case, she shouldn’t interfere. Instead she should go and visit with some of the other party guests and let things between Gavin and Tasha develop.

  Unfortunately, the idea of them together had her mentally screaming. Leah didn’t know who the right woman for Gavin was, but she knew it certainly wasn’t Tasha Marshall. Since Gavin didn’t know Tasha, it was up to her to save him. After all, friends should look out for each other. If she found herself in a similar situation, she hoped Gavin would step in and help her out.

  “Hey, Tasha,” Leah greeted, stopping next to Gavin. She didn’t pause to think before putting an arm around his waist. She felt Gavin’s back stiffen, but he didn’t pull away. “How have you been? I don’t think I’ve seen you since my uncle’s New Year’s Eve party.”

  Tasha offered up a less than enthusiastic smile. “I’m well. I’m moving to Manhattan at the end of the summer. Until then I’m staying on Martha’s Vineyard.”

  “Lucky you. I haven’t been to the island in ages.” Leah glanced in Gavin’s direction. His expression didn’t suggest he was annoyed by her sudden interruption. “We should try to get over there before it gets too cold. Sara will let us use her and Christopher’s house for a weekend. They hardly ever visit the island.”

  Gavin didn’t hesitate to nod. Perhaps catching on to Leah’s plan, he put an arm around her, causing her heart to flutter wildly in her chest. “Sounds like an excellent idea. I’ve never been there.”

  What the heck? This was Gavin. Her friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Her heart shouldn’t be doing a tap dance routine against her rib cage.

  Leah cleared her throat and tried to think up an appropriate response. “Really? Never? You’ll love it. I’ll call Sara tomorrow and see when we can use the house.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes before Tasha left them alone, no doubt in search of a single Sherbrooke male. The moment they were alone, Gavin moved so they faced each other. Although they were no longer touching, her skin tingled where his arm had been.

  “Friend of yours?” he asked, nodding in the direction Tasha had walked.

  “More like a family friend. Her father is Senator Richard Marshall. He went to school with my dad and uncles. I’ve known her forever, but we never spend time together except at parties like this.” Leah’s eyes locked with his. Before this moment, she’d never wished she could read someone’s thoughts. Now she’d pay anything for the ability.

  “Gotcha.”

  At the single-word response, Leah’s eyes dropped to his lips, and she wondered how he’d react if she kissed him.

  Before it registered what she was doing, Leah stepped closer. “She usually pours herself all over any single male named Sherbrooke, but I think you were her prey for today. A fact Curt is very happy about, by the way.”

  Gavin’s hands slipped up her arms, bringing her closer and eliminating whatever space remained between them. “I’m glad you rescued me then.” Gently, he brushed several loose strands of hair back behind her ears. “It’s a little crowded up here. Do you want to go for a walk on the beach?”

  “Love to.” Was that really her voice? She sounded breathless.

  He smiled, causing the simple tap routine her heart was doing to change to something that would make the world-famous Rockettes jealous. Without another word, he took her hand, sending a warm shiver up her arm and straight through her body.

  Neither spoke as they made their way off the deck and down to the sand. With lunch being served, most of the guests had deserted the beach. Left off-balance by the emotions floating around in her body, Leah shot a few glances in Gavin’s direction, hoping for some clue as to what was going on in his head.

  Had he felt the pull between them on the deck or had she imagined it?

  At the moment, all she could see was his profile, and it wasn’t telling her anything. On the deck, though, his expression had suggested he wanted to kiss her. And although she shouldn’t want him to kiss her because they were friends and friends didn’t kiss, she couldn’t think of much else.

  “I spend so much time in an office, I sometimes forget how much I love the outdoors.” He stopped not far from the sandcastle they helped Reese build earlier. Although the buckets and shovels were still near the structure, at least for the moment the girl was gone. Leah guessed she’d gone up to get lunch along with the other party guests. “If not for you, I’d be sitting inside an office right now. Thanks again for inviting me,” he continued.

  Gavin released her hand. The loss of physical contact was an unpleasant jolt to her system. Leah was about to reach for it again when he moved, blocking the view of everything but him. Face-to-face, he settled a large hand on either side of her waist, and an almost tangible energy buzzed between them.

  He’s got to feel it too. I can’t be the only one.

  She fought the urge to reach out and trace his lips with her finger and instead curled her hands into fists by her sides, perhaps the safest place for them at the moment. “I’m glad you came.” Much like on the deck, she barely recognized her voice.

  Slowly he lowered his face toward hers. “Trust me, there is no other place I want to be.” He brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was gentle and undemanding, yet it sent her emotions into a whirlwind, and she reached for him.

  Kissing Leah with an audience in the background hadn’t been his plan. Instead he’d hoped to get her alone, perhaps right before he left for his hotel tonight, but when she put her arm around him on the deck, every one of his well-thought-out ideas jumped out the window along with much of his self-control. Getting her at least somewhat alone took center stage in his mind. Since the beach was temporarily deserted, it seemed like the best spot.

  Warm hands settled on his upper arms a moment before Leah stepped closer, her breasts touching his chest. Instantly visions of him peeling her T-shirt off so he could taste them, much the way he was tasting her lips, taunted him. Unable to do what he truly wanted, he locked his hands against her spine before they got any wild ideas of their own and went exploring.

  Raising his mouth from Leah’s, Gavin waited. Slowly Leah opened her eyes and met his gaze. The heat he saw glowing in them was a reflection of the desire burning inside him.

  Tilting her head, she studied him for a moment. “I was thinking about setting you up with either my cousin Courtney or Juliette.”

  Evidently he needed to work harder at showing her how he felt if she wanted to discuss setting him up with another woman seconds after they kissed. With her in his arms, he couldn’t think of a better time to do it.

  “But I can’t do it,” she continued with a slight shake of her head.

  “Good, because but I’m interested in someone else.” Gavin started toward her lips. “I’ve been ­—”

  Leah pressed her lips against his, cutting off the rest of his sentence. His first instinct was to take control and kick up the intensity of the kiss. Instead of doing what he wanted, he left the re
ins in Leah’s hands.

  She didn’t disappointment.

  Soon what started as a whisper of a kiss changed, and she traced his lips with her tongue, urging him to open for her. When he parted his lips, she dipped her tongue inside. Gavin groaned, the sound lost in her mouth. After months of waiting, he not only had Leah in his arms, but if her kiss was any indication, she wanted him as much he wanted her.

  “Do you guys want to help us some more on the sandcastle?” a girl’s voice asked.

  The question was an unpleasant reminder that not only were they not alone, but there were children around. He groaned again, although this time it had nothing to do with the passion setting him on fire.

  They pulled away at the same time to find Reese looking at them, an expectant expression on her face. Curt and Taylor were on their way toward them too. The expression on her brother’s face was much less friendly than it had been earlier.

  Reese didn’t wait for an answer before dropping to her knees and reaching for a plastic bucket. “I want to build a south wing.”

  Leah leaned in. “I don’t mind helping. Do you?” she whispered.

  While he’d love to have some private time with her, Leah’s willingness to help a little girl she barely knew build a sandcastle suggested she’d accept his daughter when the time came.

  Shaking his head, Gavin picked up two buckets and handed one to Leah. “Reese, we’re awaiting your instructions.”

  The bright smile Reese gave them instantly had him missing Erin and wishing she was here rather than in Florida with her mom.

  “You guys can start on the center tower for the new wing.” Reese looked over at Curt and Taylor as they joined them around the building site. “Gavin and Leah said they’ll help us.” She handed Curt a bright pink plastic shovel, which he accepted without hesitation. “Curt, you can start on the bridge connecting the south wing to the main one.”

  Curt saluted her with the shovel. “On it, short stuff.”

  Not for the first time today, Gavin wondered about the relationship between Taylor, her niece, and Curt. It was clear Leah’s brother and the little girl were comfortable around each other, and if the guy had a special nickname for Reese, he must spend a considerable amount of time around her. Considering this was Taylor’s niece and not her daughter, Gavin found it odd.

  Reese gave Taylor one of the tiny square buckets on the sand. “Auntie Taylor, we’ll work on the castle stables.”

  Reese chatted away as they worked, telling them all about everything, from her time at camp the week before to how much she was looking forward to the fireworks tonight. Each time she laughed or smiled, Gavin was again reminded of his daughter. They’d done a lot of things together, but they’d never built a sandcastle. He’d never even taken her to a beach. When she came to stay in August, he’d have to rectify that. Hopefully Leah would accompany them.

  Gavin shoveled more sand into the bucket. With the center tower of the south wing complete, Reese wanted him and Leah to start on the towers that would stand in each of the four corners. So far they’d completed one.

  “She has my brother wrapped around her little finger.” Leah’s leg brushed against his as she leaned in and whispered in his ear.

  Some would say the same thing about his daughter. There wasn’t anything Gavin wouldn’t do for her. “Little girls have a way of doing that.”

  “Yeah, I can see you doing anything Piper asked you too,” she replied.

  For now he’d let her assume his comment stemmed from his relationship with his much younger half sister. Soon he’d tell her about his daughter. He’d almost done it this morning when Erin called to tell him Amber had gotten engaged. Instead, when Leah asked, he told her the call was from Amber, because it hadn’t seemed like the right time to tell her he was a father.

  “What’s a brother for, especially an older one?” he asked.

  “Curt and Brett have always thought it was their job to drive me nuts.”

  He sensed eyes on them. Even before checking, he knew he’d find Leah’s brother watching them. Sure enough, when he glanced up he found Curt staring at him, and he instantly recognized the pure brotherly concern etched on the other man’s face. It was an emotion he’d felt numerous times on behalf of both Vivian and Piper. Holding Curt’s gaze, he nodded before turning his attention back to Leah.

  “They only do it because they care about you,” Gavin explained.

  “Oh, I know. And trust me, I’ve also made sure to fulfill my duties as an annoying little sister.” The mischievous smile made him wonder just what types of things she’d done to Curt and Brett over the years.

  “Something tells me you have some great stories to share.” Before he could ask if she’d care to share, his phone rang. As much as he didn’t want to interrupt the fun, he pulled the device out and checked the caller ID. Amber’s name was on the screen, but he doubted the caller was actually his ex-girlfriend. More likely it was Erin calling him again. A call from his dad or mom he’d consider ignoring, but not one from his daughter. “Sorry, I need to take this. It’s my dad.” He hated to lie, but what other option did he have?

  Leah nudged him in the side. “It better be him. If I find out later it’s work, you’re in big trouble.”

  He wanted to kiss her, but with Curt’s gaze still locked on him, Gavin opted for a smile instead. Pressing the green talk icon, he stood. “Be right back.”

  Gavin walked back up toward the house and listened as Erin filled him in on all the rides she’d gone on so far today. By the sound of it, she was having a blast on vacation. While things hadn’t worked out between him and Amber, he couldn’t deny that she was a fabulous mom to their daughter, and Todd treated Erin like a daughter. So although he selfishly didn’t love the idea of Erin having a stepfather in her life, he was genuinely happy for his ex-girlfriend and her new fiancé.

  “I can’t wait to see the pictures,” he said, darting to the left when he spotted Tasha Marshall. The last thing he wanted was to get corned by her again, although perhaps he owed her a thank-you for her unintended help earlier. It hadn’t been until Leah saw him and Tasha talking that she’d given him a clear sign her feelings for him ran deeper than mere friendship.

  Chapter Four

  From the comfort of a beach chair, Leah watched Gavin jump and hit the volleyball back over the net toward her cousin Jake. They’d asked her to play too, but she’d played enough sports with her family to know that what started out as friendly games quickly became extremely competitive. Sometimes she was up for that, and other times she preferred to sit back and watch her various male relatives get all worked up. Today not only wasn’t she up for a competitive volleyball match, but by sitting on the sidelines she was able to work on her tan, and more importantly study Gavin half naked—an activity she found most enjoyable.

  “Does he live in Providence?” Courtney asked. She’d opted not to play volleyball as well and sat next to her.

  Leah’s eyes followed the ball over the net and toward her cousin Trent, who managed to save it before it hit the sand. “Who?”

  “Your boyfriend, Gavin. And don’t tell me he’s not. I saw you rush in to save him from Tasha. I swear I only left him alone for a minute to get a drink and she swooped in. If I’d known she’d try something, I would’ve waited until you got back. I assumed she’d be on the prowl for either Curt or Alec today.”

  When Curt had cornered her and insisted something was up between her and Gavin, she denied it. She couldn’t deny it now, not after the kiss they shared on the beach. “I think Taylor’s presence saved Curt today. And Alec just got here, so I can’t say I blame Tasha for going after Gavin.”

  In an attempt to reach the ball, Gavin lunged up, the muscles in his back flexing.

  “Neither do I,” Courtney admitted.

  Even though she trusted Courtney, a hint of possessiveness swept through her and she had to bite her tongue to keep from telling her cousin to stay away from him.

  “But back to
my question. Does Gavin live in Providence?”

  “No, Manhattan. Why?”

  “I’ve seen him or his twin a few times at Meg’s building.”

  “Are you sure?”

  It was a silly question, because Courtney never forgot a face—or much of anything else for that matter. The woman was a literal genius with the IQ to prove it. Regardless, Leah didn’t think the man her cousin had seen could be Gavin. When he wasn’t traveling for work, he was putting in twelve-plus-hour days at the office.

  Courtney looked back over at the group playing volleyball and then at Leah again. “You’re really asking me that. Look at him. His not exactly the type you forget.”

  “Good point,” Leah said as she reached for the lemonade she’d brought down. And she was extremely glad she had. Watching Gavin play while dressed in only his shorts was making her hotter than a summer afternoon in Death Valley.

  “Does he have any family in Providence?” Courtney asked.

  “His mom and stepfather live somewhere in Rhode Island, but I’m not sure where. He has a stepbrother in the area too.”

  “Who is his mom?”

  “Faith Williamson.”

  “Really? I didn’t know that. He doesn’t look anything like her.” Courtney turned her attention back to the friendly game on the sand. “Anyway, I’ve seen him or someone who looks like him going into the apartment next to Meg’s, and it doesn’t belong to his mom. I’ve never talked to the woman who lives there, but I’ve seen her a couple times when I’ve gone to see Meg. She looks about our age.”

  Leah considered her cousin’s words. Gavin had never once mentioned traveling to Providence or anywhere else to visit friends, and his sister Vivian lived in California. Besides, the only travel he seemed to do was for work.