LOGINShare
Chapter Twelve
Last Updated:
2022-06-02 04:27:03Related chapters
The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Thirteen
“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
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Fourteen
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
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Sixteen
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 : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Seventeen
The kiss is simple and sweet. Just our lips pressing together like they were meant to be that way. I like the way his lips feel against mine and tremble at the idea of more. I pull back, my eyes searching his face. My hand is still on his cheek. What am I doing? I ask myself. Does he feel this connection too? Or is this all just in my head? Was this day as magical as I think it was, or is Christopher just that skilled in keeping me busy? All I know, is that right now, I want to kiss him. I want to do more than just kiss him. Time resumes and the sun slips beneath the waves behind us, shadows growing longer with every passing second. My hand trembles as I wait for his reaction. “Nora,” he whispers. His pupils dilate, nearly swallowing up the blue of his eyes. His hand is suddenly on the back of my head, pulling me into a new kiss. This new kiss is better than the last. There is passion and desire in this kiss, a need that threatens to overwhelm both of us. This kiss is a little p
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Eighteen
The sound of Christopher's voice wakes me. The dawn is coming, but it's still dark outside. The sound of the ocean against the pillars below us remains steady. There are no birds or animals moving yet. It's still dark, with just the gray image of light soon to come. I sit up in bed, unsure of where I am. I look around, getting my bearings. The bed next to me is empty and cool to the touch. I'm not sure how long Christopher has been gone. I look around, trying to figure out what woke me. I hear Christopher in the next room. Yellow light gleams from under the door. It's bright and artificial looking against the gray of dawn in the bedroom. “No, the merger takes precedence. I don't care what it costs, get their lawyers in line. This is going forward as planned.” Christopher's voice is frustrated. I slide out of bed, the sheets hissing as I move. The floor is cool on my bare feet and I grab my robe from where I tossed it the night before. I wrap it around me, surprised that I'm still
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Nineteen
It's late afternoon when we get back to the mansion. The sun is hot and there isn't a cloud in the sky. It's smoggy in the city, but clear by the estate. I step out of the limo and into the driveway. It feels different to be here now. This is where I've loved Jonathan all my life. To be here now feels like I've betrayed that memory somehow. “Oh no.” Guilt pulls on me with invisible strings, making me heavy. “What?” Christopher asks. He slides his phone back into his pocket, but I can already hear it vibrating with some sort of urgent message. All Christopher's messages are urgent. “I promised Jonathan I would call him,” I reply. I wince, feeling shame and guilt roll through me. “I totally forgot.” I forgot to call him because I was too busy doing his brother. “I wouldn't worry,” Christopher advises me. “I'm pretty sure he was busy keeping my mother from freaking out. You were the least of his concerns.” For some reason, the comment stings a little more than I expect. “I should
Last Updated : 2022-06-02The Other Billionaire Brother Chapter Twenty
“I have a favor to ask of you,” Christopher says. I squint up at him, the morning sunlight bright behind his head. I have a book in my hands as I sit on the bottom step to my dad's apartment, but I'm not really reading. My brain is more focused on Christopher and Jonathan than on the words on the page. I spent a restless night thinking about the two of them, and the book isn't helping me get my mind off of either of them. I have years of wanting Jonathan on one side, and a night of passion on the other. How am I supposed to choose between them? “What kind of favor?” I ask warily. I have a feeling that there is more to this request than just driving him to the airport or loaning him a cup of sugar. “It's kind of a last-minute thing,” he tells me. He sounds casual and unconcerned, but he's playing with his cuff links. It's another one of his tells. Cuticles and cuff links mean he's nervous. Christopher is wearing his traditional suit. It's dark gray today with a pale blue tie. His
Last Updated : 2022-06-02
Latest chapter
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. “
