Billionaires Dollar Series

“You know,” I say, “If I were to meet Ben now, I’d shake his hand in thanks.”

She turns to look up at me. “You would?”

“Without hesitation,” I say. “He helped pave my way to you.”

Skye’s mouth drops open slightly, her gaze locked on mine. She’s speechless. I’d smile at the sight if I wasn’t knocked over by the emotion in her eyes.

“Oh, Cole,” she murmurs. “I love you so much.”

I clear my throat and look past her, at the driveway we’re turning onto. The large gate swings open on our approach. It diffuses the moment, and I’m glad of that, because this conversation has drifted into territory I’d rather not have Charles exploring with us.

“We’re here,” I say softly.

Charles parks the car in front of a large porch. The house is three stories tall, the facade white brick and ivy. Skye climbs out of the car before I can open her door, eyes wide. Artfully placed lights illuminate the beautiful brick inlays. “What’s this?”

“It’s a house,” I say.

“I can see that, silly. Who lives here?”

“No one, currently. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful. There’s so much charm.” She runs her hand through the little pealing fountain in the center of the driveway. “There are lights on inside. Are you sure no one lives here?”

“Positive.” I take her hand in mine and pull her along up the stairs. “Do you want to look inside?”

“Can we? Cole, what is this place really?”

“It’s a suggestion.” I open the front door wide for her. Charles had prepped the place before, and there are lanterns everywhere, all filled with burning candles. The lights line the double staircases. They illuminate a large living room. Even devoid of furniture, it’s easy to picture the place filled with life and love.

Skye walks ahead of me. Her silk dress shimmers in the candlelight, her hair a waterfall down her back. “Oh my God. It’s magnificent.”

I put my hands in my pockets and follow her as she explores the bottom floor. “It’s spacious,” I say. “Has a great view, too.”

She stops dead in the living room. “Oh, look at this fireplace. It’s massive.”

“There’s two, actually. The master bedroom has one as well.”

“Oh, and look at all these built-in bookshelves!”

“Let me show you the best part.” Grabbing her hand in mine again, I lead her onto the back porch. It opens up onto a wide lawn and beyond it, the million-dollar view over Puget Sound.

“Oh my God, Cole.”

“Beautiful, right?”

“Yes.” I wrap my arms around her waist, resting my head atop hers. For a few moments, both of us stand in silence, taking in the view. “I’ve bought it,” I say finally. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re insane.”

“Good insane, or bad insane?”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“A bit of both.”

I run my hand over her hip. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. We can find someplace else. I can rent it out or sell it.”

“Don’t you dare sell it,” she says. “Oh Cole, it’s too much.”

I tug her firmly against me. “Of course it’s not. We’re getting married, Skye. We need a house together. One filled with knickknacks and books and all the refrigerator magnets you like.”

“No minimalism?”

“Nope. I’ve left that behind.”

“And no fake fruit?”

I snort. “None at all.”

“Good.” She relaxes against me, her hand on top of mine. “And maybe a few kids one day?”

The tentative hope in her voice makes me smile. Before her, children had felt so distant. As had buying a house. But here with her, in this place, with my ring on her finger… I can’t wait. “Yes,” I say. “As many as you want.”

“Good. We need drawings, you know, for all the refrigerator magnets.”

“Right, of course. What else are kids for?”

Her sigh is one of pure happiness. “And so they lived happily ever after for the rest of their days…”

I laugh, turning her around in my arms so I can see her eyes. They blaze with joy. “Are you narrating our life?”

“Perhaps. You’re marrying a writer, you know.”

“Oh, I know.” I tip her head back to close the distance between us. “And I am very glad you came to Legacy that night to do research.”

Her words are a soft whisper against my lips. “Not as happy as I am.”

“Oh? Want to bet?”

“Sure, but you know what happens when you make deals with me.”

My smile is wide. “You win, I know. But somehow I like that even more than myself winning. Funny, that.”

“Love,” she says softly. “It’s called love. And that’s a wager we both won.”

THE END

*****

Afterword Thank you so much for reading Billion Dollar Enemy!

Keep an eye out for the next Billion Dollar book following Nick and Blair.