Katherine Garbera - Claimed by the Millionaire

“Romantic love…what about it, Sheri?”

“Do you believe in it, or just lust?”

“I believe that we all get a once-in-a-lifetime chance at romantic love.”

“Once in a lifetime?” she asked. That sounded good to her. “I believe in that, too.”

He gave her a little half smile. She thought about what she knew of Tristan. How he was rumored to still be mourning his deceased wife even though she’d been gone for a long time.

“Did you— Never mind.”

“Go ahead and ask.”

She knew she was prying, but after all they’d shared, and given the fact that she was vulnerable to Tristan in a way she’d tried to not let herself be to any man, she had to ask.

“Did you have that with your wife?”

He looked at her then, and the expression in his eyes made her realize there were layers to Tristan she might never understand. The pain in his eyes took her breath away.

“Yes.”

She nodded. There really wasn’t anything else to say. His one-word answer in that monotone told her everything she wanted to know about where this relationship was heading. Ha, she was kidding herself to call it a relationship. It was a one-night stand, except…he’d just kissed her like he wanted her again.

So she had to decide right now. Was she going to be an affair for him? Could she really deny herself Tristan just because he couldn’t love her?

“Have you ever experienced that?” he asked her.

“Would I be here if I had?” she asked, careful not to let on that she suspected he could be that once-in-a-lifetime love for her.

“I guess not,” he said, stroking his finger down the side of her face and then down the length of her neck. “Why haven’t you?”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t know. I don’t trust easily.”

“But you trust me,” he said. “You came to my bed last night.”

“It wasn’t easy,” she said. “But you wanted me….”

“And you wanted me, too.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Did? And now you do not?” he asked. He traced the scoop neck of her blouse and then moved his fingertip lower, to the upper curve of her breast.

She shifted her shoulders and had to force herself not to follow his touch when he pulled his hand away.

“Do you still want me, ma petite ?”

“You know I do. One night…it doesn’t seem like enough time with you.”

“What would be enough time?” he asked.

She doubted a lifetime would be, but she couldn’t say that. So instead she shrugged.

He smiled down at her. “I want more time with you. Are you willing to continue what we started last night?”

She thought about that. Her first instinct was to say yes. But what would that be like? Hell, she was going to be miserable when things ended between them anyway. Now or later…and later sounded much better than now. So…

“Yes.”

He smiled at her. “Good.”

“You are so arrogant.”

“You say that as if it is a bad thing.”

He leaned over and kissed her so deeply that she knew she’d made the right decision. Tristan might think all he had to offer her was lust but she sensed so much more swirling under the surface.

And he’d stayed, she thought, as she wrapped her arms around those broad shoulders of his and hugged him as close to her as she dared. She wanted to hold him even tighter, but she didn’t, afraid he’d realize how much he meant to her. That might be the trigger that finally made him leave.

Rene waited for them under the portico at the side entrance of his parents’ mansion. Tristan took one look at his older brother’s face and knew that he was facing a long afternoon. And he also knew it was nothing that Sheri needed to be a part of.

His family was overbearing at the best of times. Today, with his face once again splashed on the pages of every gossip magazine, it would be even worse.

“You have two choices,” he said, turning to Sheri as the car came to a stop. To the driver he called, “We need a minute, Tollerman, before we’ll be getting out.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tristan curved his arm around Sheri’s shoulders and drew her close to him.

“What are my choices?”

“I can have Tollerman take you to the Ritz and you can use the suite I keep there, but there is a chance that the paparazzi will be there.”

“For me?”

“No. They wait there for a chance photo of anyone of interest. And I can call and ensure that you have security and can go in the back entrance.”

“What’s my other choice?” she asked.

“Come inside with me and sit by the pool while I deal with my family.”

She sighed. “I’ll stay with you.”

“Good.” He smiled at that. “We’re ready now, Tollerman.”

“Very well, sir.”

The driver got out and opened Sheri’s door first. As she slid out of the car, he noticed the way the fabric of her trousers pulled tight across the curves of her butt. The image of her across his lap flashed through his mind again. Dammit, he wasn’t into anything kinky as a matter of routine, but he couldn’t get the idea of spanking Sheri out of his head.

She glanced back at him just before the door closed and he realized she’d caught him staring. He rubbed his hand against his thigh and she giggled a little. He knew her thoughts were along the same line as his. That she’d found humor now made him feel good.

He climbed out of the car as Sheri came around to his side.

Rene pounced. “It’s about time. We need to talk before you go inside.”

“Blanche already delivered the news.”

“Tristan—”

“Not now. Sheri, this is my brother, Rene.”

She held out her right hand and wrapped her left arm around her own waist, something he noticed she did when she felt insecure. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to tell that she felt vulnerable now.

It compounded his desire to make her safe. To take care of her. He was good at taking care of people, he thought. He didn’t have to love her, but he could make love to her and take care of her until this storm blew over.

“ Enchanté , Mademoiselle Donnelly. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person.”

“For me, too, Monsieur Sabina. Please call me Sheri.”

“And I am Rene.”

Tristan led her up the stairs away from his brother. He sensed she regretted saying she’d stay with him. He didn’t give her a chance to change her mind, just ushered her into the house and found one of the downstairs maids.

“Nathalie, please escort Mademoiselle Donnelly to the pool area,” he said in French.

“ Oui, monsieur .”

“There’s a cabana stocked with leisure clothing. I’ll be a while, so you should eat lunch. Just tell Nathalie what you would like.”

She glanced around the large foyer where Rene stood waiting for him and then she took his wrist and drew him aside. “Look,” she said. “I think I’ve changed my mind about sitting by the pool.”

“Too late.”

“We’re not at work. You can’t just give orders and expect me to do what you say.”

“Yes, I can. And I have. Go relax by the pool while I sort out my family.”

“I don’t like taking orders in my personal life.”

“Too late. I’m a bossy kind of man, which you already know.”

“Yes, but I thought—”

He bent and kissed her, because he knew Sheri would keep arguing and he needed to get her somewhere safe before Blanche and the rest of the family came out and started questioning him in front of her.

If he was going to protect her, he needed her safely tucked away.

He lifted his head, turned her toward Nathalie. “Go.” He followed his command with a smack on her backside. She gave him a quick glance over her shoulder. “I will now, but this is the last time I’m going to be tucked away while you deal with a problem.”