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Chapter Eight
Last Updated:
2022-06-02 04:26:41
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The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Nine
I finish my lemonade, but before I can even set the glass down, I have a fresh one. When you are the only customer, the service is pretty amazing. It probably helps when the boss is flying with you, too. Christopher finally finishes his business call. He looks to put the phone in a suit coat pocket, but since he's dressed casually, he has to adjust and put the phone in his pants. He looks awkward and annoyed. “Sorry about that,” he says as if we didn't just have a forty-five minute interruption. “Business.” “It's always business with you,” I reply. “That's my lot in life.” He shrugs, but doesn't deny it. He motions to the file in my hands. “So, what do you think?” “It looks like a great resort and hotel,” I tell him. “I'm not sure if it's a great price, though. I'm afraid I don't know what private islands are going for these days.” “It's a seller's market,” he says with a shrug. “If the amenities are what they claim to be, it could be a good investment. The nearby ecology sanc
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Ten
Blue skies and leafy green palm trees greet us. I step off the plane and take a deep breath in. If I ignore the scent of jet fuel, I can almost smell the ocean. It's different here than in New York. The ocean here is lighter and more tropical. The sun is different here, too. There's more yellow and colors seem brighter. A man in a dark blue suit is waiting for us at the base of the stairs. He's smiling as we carefully navigate the steps from the plane. Christopher leads. The wind whips at his brown hair and he squints in the sun. “Mr. Lewis, your suite is prepared and ready for you. As requested, there is a fax machine and video conferencing equipment available in your room,” the man says. Christopher glances in my direction. I cross my arms. He's not getting out of this. He doesn't get to fly me out here and leave me on my own. “Actually, that won't be necessary,” Christopher tells the man. “I'll be accompanying Nora.” “Of course, sir.” The man smiles and nods. “If you'll come
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The limo stops and we get out at paradise. I can hear the soft song of the ocean. Birds call overhead and the wind caresses the palm trees. The world is warm and made of liquid sunshine and green plants. I love the islands. A woman in a suit with a name tag comes out to greet us. Behind her is a large open air lobby. The building is made out of local materials, giving it a very tropical tiki look. The decorations inside are a subdued tropical design that reminds me of a fancy spa I once went to. “Welcome to the Ocean Retreat. My name is Anna and I'm here to help you with anything you need.” Her bright smile is warm and welcoming. “If you'll follow me, I'll take you to your room.” I grin over at Christopher as she motions us to walk through the lobby and out onto a boardwalk. The lobby is cool with fans blowing softly. There's several comfortable chairs and a large check-in area. A man stands at the desk and smiles politely as we pass. I gasp as we cross the boardwalk. It's an ove
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Twelve
“This is beautiful,” I say, turning away and facing the water so he can't see the effect he's having on me. “I didn't know there was an over-the-water bungalow place like this in the Caribbean. I've seen pictures of the ones in Bora Bora, but this is amazing.” “The over-the-water bungalows are a newer addition,” he informs me. “There's a regular hotel and private bungalows on the shore as well.” I nod. “That makes sense.” I'm waiting for my heart to stop thudding in my chest. I didn't expect to ever think Christopher was attractive. I mean, I always thought he was handsome, but thinking it and experiencing attraction to him because of it, are two very separate things. “What would you like to do first?” Christopher asks, looking around at the lagoon. I can tell that laying poolside doing nothing would drive him crazy. Christopher is a doer. He doesn't know how to sit down and relax. Trying to get him to sit in the sun and enjoy doing nothing would have him hugging the fax machine
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“The boat's here,” Christopher says, clearing his throat and pointing.I look up in surprise. I thought we still had a few more minutes alone. Time went faster than I expected. Especially since I was contemplating telling Christopher I needed more sunscreen on my back.I greet the boat driver and he helps me climb aboard. Christopher is right behind me. The boat is small with a seat in the back and on the sides. Right now, the two side benches have snorkeling gear and a cooler on them, taking up most of the sitting space. The bottom center of the boat is made of glass and we can see all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. Fish dart beneath my feet. I point them out to Christopher and he grins.We sit next to one another on the small bench at the back. There isn't a lot of room in this small boat. Our legs are touching and once again, I can't stop thinking about his touch. I try to look around at the beautiful lagoon and not concentrate on his half naked body next to me.The drive
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We swim back to the boat after a while. It's more because we're both hungry than because there's nothing left to see. We could stay all day at the reef and never grow tired of it. However, my stomach is growling and so is Christopher's. “That was amazing,” Christopher says, flopping into the boat. He takes off his mask, leaving a big red mark where it pressed into his skin. He's grinning from ear to ear. “Did you see that stingray? And those little blue and purple fish?” I laugh, enjoying his delight. “I'm glad you liked it,” I tell him. I stand in the middle of the boat, wrapping a towel around my torso. I hand him a towel from the stack near the unused snorkel masks. He drops onto the bench, wiping his face with the towel. “Liked it? I loved it.” He sighs with pleasure, leaning back against the back of the boat, his eyes closed and grinning. He squints one eye open against the bright sun, the grin still plastered on his face. The red goggle marks change his serious face into som
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Fifteen
“What should we do now,” Christopher asks. “Shopping? Isn't there a jewelry store on the property?” We've finished lunch and are just sitting at the table, snacking on food we don't really need to eat but eating it because it's there. The sun beats down on the thatched roof, but the breeze off the ocean lagoon keeps us comfortable in the shade. I don't really have a desire to move, besides, I'm not really into jewelry. I know I'm here to keep me away from Jonathan. I don't need to be bought off in addition to being distracted. “I don't want your money, Christopher,” I tell him. “You don't have to buy me things.” “You'd be the first,” he replies. “Then you need different dates.” Christopher looks thoughtful. I shake my head a little at him. I stand up and stretch my arms before going over to the menu of things to do. There's so many options. Massages, bowling, fishing, jet skis, even something called water golf. They all sound too active or include other people. I'm comfortably f
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Two margaritas later and we're still sitting on the dock laughing. The sun is starting to set, but we haven't run out of things to say or funny stories to tell. I feel like we never will. I'm sure we're supposed to be heading back to the airplane soon, but I don't want to leave. I'm having such a good time with Christopher here on this dock. Every so often we see dolphins. Christopher loves them. They make him smile and laugh every time. It's been the perfect day. One that I never expected, but enjoyed completely. If this is what “being managed” looks like, then I'm fine with being managed every day. As much as I want to see Jonathan, this is almost better. Almost. I look over at Christopher, curious if he feels the same. His gaze is out toward the horizon, his face calm and peaceful. The lines around his eyes are gone and his stern mouth is actually almost a smile. He looks happier than I've seen him in a long time. In all his business photos and the few times I've seen him aroun
Last Updated : 2022-06-02
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The Other Billionaire Brother Epilogue
Ten months later This hospital is freezing. You'd think since it's snowing outside they'd heat the building more, but no. I feel like I can practically see my breath every time I exhale. “Why is it so cold in here?” I ask Christopher. He smiles and shrugs out of his jacket. “Here.” He wraps his suit jacket around my shoulders. Even through my sweater, I can feel his warmth seep into me. I smile up at him. He grins. I love that he smiles more now. His skin is sun-kissed and he needs a haircut. He still shaves every morning, but sometimes he will skip a day or two just because he can. He shaved today because today is important. Today, we met his nephew. Deborah paces the waiting room, looking anxious and excited at the same time. She keeps checking her watch and mumbling about the time. The door opens to the hospital suite and we all perk up. “It's a boy!” Jonathan announces. He's grinning from ear to ear. I thought he had looked happy in the pictures of his elopement. I though
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirty-Four
My heart stalls. Shock, anger, love, hate, surprise, and then combinations of those each try to take control, but none of them seem to know which emotion should be in charge. I stare at him, my mouth open and jaw on the floor. I now see why the desk clerk didn't want to take me to employee housing. I'm tempted to change my mind about firing her and Anna. They did good customer service by stalling, even if it was helping Christopher. Why is he here, though? Is this some kind of sick joke? I consider slugging him, but I don't know what good that would do. He takes a step forward. “I'm sorry, Nora.” I cross my arms. He doesn't get to break my heart and then just apologize and make everything better. I don't care how many flowers he brings. “What are you doing here?” “Apologizing.” He swallows hard and takes another step toward me, his eyes focused intently on me. “And if that doesn't work, I'm willing to beg for your forgiveness.” My feet grow roots to the floor. It's a good thin
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirty-three
I drink fizzy lemonade the entire way to the island. I do add a little vodka, but it still counts as mostly lemonade. Dad drove me to the airport just before lunch. I didn't tell him about Christopher. I just told him that I'd gotten this amazing job opportunity and that I was taking it. I think he was actually glad I was leaving the Lewis boys behind. He promised to come visit me soon. He gave me a hug and told me he was proud of me. I cried. He cried. And I got on the plane and drank lemonade and vodka. The island comes into view as we circle around and prepare to land. I look out the window and will my heart to mend. The blue waters, white sand beaches, and warm sun will do wonders for my mental health. I keep telling myself that once I'm back on an island and working, I'll forget all about Christopher. It didn't work that way for Jonathan, but I keep telling myself that it might work for Christopher anyway. “More lemonade?” the stewardess asks, coming over with a full glass.
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirty-Two
It's almost dark when I get home. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting an orange warmth that makes everything look ruddy and joyful. I don't feel it, though. I half expect my dad to be sitting out on the front porch waiting for me. The light is on his room, so I assume he's in bed reading. I'm glad. I don't want to talk to him. I don't want to tell him he was right about Christopher. Just thinking about it hurts. I need a drink. I know there's some bottles of champagne still in the kitchen from a recent party. The supplier will come and get the extras at the end of the week. The Lewis family ordered and already paid for all of them, so taking one isn't a problem. My dad often saves one or two in the fridge with Deborah's blessing. I sneak into the kitchen. The main house is dark and quiet except for the hum of the air conditioners. Deborah and Christopher are still at the office working, so they aren't home. I'm not sure where Jonathan is, but I'd probably guess he's either at h
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirty-One
Silence fills the room. I stare at Christopher in complete shock. “You think that Jonathan is going to whisk me away to Vegas and marry me?” My voice squeaks on the word marry. “He's going to do that after just one conversation and while he has a concussion?” “He's done more on less,” Christopher tells me. “His lawyer is a very wealthy man for a reason.” I take a step away from Christopher. I don't recognize him anymore. He's not the man from the island that made me smile. He's a cold stranger with no love. There's no warmth or sparkle in his eyes. “So, to keep that from happening, you're sending me away. You're sending me to the islands so he can't even ask me to go with him, even though he's not going to.” “I knew you wouldn't say no if I did it this way.” Christopher shrugs like this isn't a big deal. Like he didn't just completely betray me. “I knew you wouldn't ask questions. You would be out of Jonathan's reach and the merger would continue as planned. ” “But you weren't
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirty
I follow him to a small table on the side of his office with two chairs. I unwrap my sandwich and find fluffy white bread, thick tomatoes, pickles, cheese, and piled with turkey. It's huge, and very New York deli. It looks delicious. I know I won't be able to eat a bite. “So, when do you think you will be able to come out to the island?” I ask. He shrugs, as if he's not lying to my face. “It's hard to say. There's still some regulatory hoops we need to jump through. Logistical problems. Eliminating some redundant positions once it's official.” I smile but it's not real. “You didn't answer my question.” “It's really impossible to say, Nora. If I had to put a guess on it, I'd say the earliest I could break away for a day would be four weeks.” “I see,” I say. “And could I come visit you before then?” He freezes, as if he didn't expect the question. “I'd love that, Nora, but aren't you going to be pretty busy? It's not everyday you get put in charge of a Caribbean hotel.” “Surely
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Twenty-Nine
I finish running my errands and window shop a little more as I work my way through the city until it's suddenly two o'clock and time for me to meet with Christopher. I can't wait to see him. My heart is bursting with love. I ride up in a silver elevator to Christopher's floor. I'm always amazed at how beautiful a concrete and glass building can be. It's not as pretty as a mountain or the ocean, but it's still magnificent and grand in its own way. I'm a little late, but not so much that I feel the need to call ahead. Besides, we said two-ish, so I'm in the clear. I check in with his secretary and she buzzes me into his office. Christopher's office is immense. It's bigger than any apartment I've ever lived in. There's a full marble bathroom complete with shower and fancy toilet. My father tells me that there's a pull-out bed in the sofa on the far side of the room. There's also a closet full of clothes. Theoretically, Christopher could live in this office and never have to leave as l
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Twenty-Eight
“You seem happy this morning,” Dad says as I slide into the small kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee. I'm humming and I did my hair and makeup today. I even have on a cute dress, so I have to agree with him. I am happy. “I had a good night,” I tell my dad. “With Jonathan?” Dad asks, doing his best to keep judgment out of his voice. “No, with Christopher.” Dad sets down the morning paper. “Christopher?” I nod. “I'm going to go meet him at the office after lunch.” I wince at the hot coffee. “I need to run some errands first.” “Why does Christopher have an interest in you?” Dad asks, his eyes narrowed. “Because I'm smart, pretty, and very amusing,” I tell him. “While all true, those aren't usually Christopher's reasons for having an interest in people,” Dad replies. “He's all business. He was that way as a child and it's only gotten worse since his dad died. He never does anything without a reason.” I think of how those words are the same ones playing in my head, but then
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Jonathan! Jonathan, are you okay!?” Deborah rushes into the room, her silk scarf trailing after her like a streamer. She rushes past me, nearly knocking me over even though I'm already sitting down on the floor. She gets to her son, and puts her hands on his cheeks, inspecting him for damage. “I'm fine, Mom,” he tells her with a chuckle. “You nearly took out Nora.” “Nora?” Deborah looks back at me surprised. “I'm sorry, dear. I didn't see you.” “It's fine,” I tell her. I am the butler's daughter after all. I'm not meant to be seen. “I am going to stay up all night with you,” Deborah tells Jonathan. “Dr. Wrigley told me exactly what I need to do.” “I guess you're off the hook, Nora,” Jonathan says to me. “You just don't want to lose another game of chess to me,” I tease him. I won the game just before Deborah came home, but only barely. Jonathan has a keen mind and is good at strategy. He'd be so good at business if he decided to help his older brother out. Jonathan laughs. “
