Page 50 of The Billionaire Land Baron

Daisy wrinkled her nose. “Oh, how cute. Is that your latest money-making scheme, Shelby? Let’s see—you’ve been a baker and a delivery girl and a floral arranger and what else?”

Rhett still looked like he was about to move on for the kill. Jake instinctively shifted his weight so he was between Rhett and Shelby.

“Your cupcakes are delicious,” Rhett said with a wicked grin. He grabbed Shelby’s arm and pulled her toward a lounge chair. She held Jake’s arm for a moment, but when he didn’t fight to hold her, she slipped away.

“You’ve got your suit. Let’s swim,” Rhett said. He tossed Shelby’s bag on a chair.

Rhett stepped into the pool, waiting for Shelby. Daisy had left Jake’s side for a moment to refresh her drink. Jake stepped closer to Shelby.

“Business,” Shelby hissed, hands on her hips. “What business do you have with that...that...overstuffed armchair?”

Jake couldn’t help but laugh. Out of all the looks he’d seen, this angry Shelby might be his favorite. He didn’t mean to laugh, especially since she was deadly serious. She was also smart enough that she might figure out some of what was going on.

She gave him a hard shove and then he was in the pool. Another two splashes and he came up, shaking water from his hair. Daisy was back and moving in his direction. Rhett hung on the edge of the pool leaning on his elbows, watching Shelby. Jake’s stomach turned. There were no redeeming qualities in this family.

Jake glanced up at her in time to see her take off her tank top and shorts. Her bathing suit had about ten times the material that Daisy’s did, but she looked about a hundred times better in it. She caught him looking and he turned away and worked to swallow. Daisy had gotten back in the pool and was almost on him. Jake dove down, going deep again right underneath her, thankful for the 10-foot area of the pool. He felt Daisy’s foot touch his back, as though she hoped to slow him down or stop him.

He didn’t go to the bottom this time, but came up near the side in the deepest part. Shelby was on the diving board and he swam to the edge to get out of her way. She dove straight down with almost no splash.

Jake looked up and every set of eyes was on the spot where she disappeared. Rhett still being completely unabashed in his lust and Daisy in her jealousy. Jake wondered what his own gaze looked like. He tried to look down.

Before thinking twice, Jake pushed himself down through the water to where Shelby hovered, just above the bottom of the deepest part. Her eyes were closed and a steady stream of bubbles went up from her mouth. He grasped her hand and she didn’t even flinch, like she’d expected him to follow her. He let go of her hand and grasped her around the waist.

Her eyes flew open then. Startled and then peaceful. He kicked and began pulling them both to the surface.

When they reached it, both taking long gulps of air, he continued to hold her waist loosely, as they treaded water. For a moment it was like they were the only two people in the world. He zeroed in on her eyes, which were locked on his. His heart jolted and his nerves screamed awake. She looked at his lips, then back up at his eyes. Jake’s heartbeat went erratic and he felt his whole body flush with warmth.

And then Shelby grabbed his face and kissed him. It was a kiss with all the fire and passion he would have expected from her. Totally shocking in the moment, but his body responded immediately, his lips meeting hers and matching her rhythm. He kissed her just as passionately, feeling his body light up even as he had to kick to keep them both afloat.

It had been a year since Jake kissed anyone. That person had been Hannah. He couldn’t trust one thing that came from her—words or kisses alike. But even if he’d had a great and true kiss to compare this to, Jake knew there was no comparison. This was a kiss that meant something real and lasting. It was a kiss that held promises and hopes and a future—his future—in its touch.

Lord, let this be real,he thought, even in that heady and passionate moment. It felt strange to pray while kissing someone. But if you couldn’t pray about that, what could you pray about?

As suddenly as she had started, Shelby pulled away without saying a word. Jake dropped his hands and she swam away. She swam past Rhett and Daisy with their open mouths and simply went to the steps and climbed out.

Jake tried not to stare, but the way the water dropped from her body was about the most amazing thing he’d ever seen. He dove under again, letting the cold settle his skin. When he came up again, Shelby was dressed again. Rhett was trying to drape her in a towel and she was trying to wiggle out from under his grasp.

“You coming, Jake?” Shelby called. “You’re my ride home.”

While Jake was distracted by Shelby, Daisy managed to swim closer. “Daddy asked Lupe to make dinner,” she whined, trying to clutch at his biceps. “Don’t go.”

Jake pulled himself from the pool in a quick motion. The kiss from Shelby had thrown him, but he still felt poised with the confidence and power that came from his conversation with the Mayor. He could see Shelby trying not to look at his body, while Rhett’s jaw hardened, looking him up and down. Though he’d never been in a fight, he could see that look in Rhett’s face. A fight was not far off. Pulling on his shirt, Jake grabbed his towel and bag.

“Good to meet you Daisy,” Jake said. She pouted and shot a dangerous look at Shelby, but did not try to get close to him again.

Jake held out his hand to Shelby. “I’m ready if you are.”

Shelby looked at him for a moment, her face clouded with a mix of emotions. He thought his heart would beat right out of his chest before she took his hand and they both walked toward the house, leaving Rhett and Daisy behind.

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