Page 41 of Secret Billionaire

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Jesse sat on the edge of the bed watching Faye’s chest gently rise and fall in sleep. Her thick lashes rested against high cheekbones and her hair fanned out on his pillow just like he’d fantasized. He hated to wake her. All he wanted right now was to feel her smooth satiny skin writhing underneath him again.

Already showered and dressed, he had to leave to deal with some problems at the condo construction site. His vibrating cell phone had jarred him out of a deep sleep about an hour ago. He lightly caressed her cheek and her eyelids fluttered before opening sleepily.

“Hey you,” Jesse said, softly.

She smiled shyly, “Hi.” She stretched out sensuously, like a cat. “Did I oversleep?”

“No, I wanted to let you sleep in. I have to go to a job site; I’ve got some big problems. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye. I won’t be able to work at the bar today. I’m sorry.”

“I understand. How did I get to bed last night? Did you carry me?”

“Yes.” He leaned down and kissed her softly. “I’ll call you later.”

She pouted, “I don’t want you to leave.”

“You’re killing me. Believe me baby, I don’t want to go.” His finger traced the outline of her lips. “Thank you for last night.”

“It was everything,” Faye said quietly.

After Jesse left, Faye stared at the ceiling, a roller coaster of emotions flooding her senses. The ache in her chest from watching him leave was running a close second to the feeling in her belly like she’d just bungee jumped off a sheer cliff. Her entire body felt like a live wire. She touched her lips still feeling the warmth of his kiss. Lord have mercy, it was going to be a long-ass day.

* * *

Faye had called Ty and asked if he could come work for a few hours. Currently she had him busy stocking the coolers and replacing the kegs while she caught up on bookkeeping.

Ty poked his head inside her office and said, “Faye where to you want me to put the empty cases?”

She leaned back in her chair studying him. “Stack them right next to the freezer in the kitchen. Thanks. Everything all right? You seem a little down today.”

He mumbled and she had to strain to hear his reply. “Just life.”

“Girl troubles?”

He shook his head. “Naw, my mom and I had an argument.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“What good would that do?”

“Maybe my incredible wisdom will enlighten you.” Smiling, Faye added, “Sometimes just talking about something helps.”

Ty plopped down in the chair facing her desk. “I guess it can’t hurt. Mom is mad that I took this job.”

“Oh. Can I ask why?”

“A multitude of reasons…its complicated…but the one thing she made me promise is that I come clean with you about something. I hope you’ll hear me out. I was in juvie some time back. I got myself in some trouble dealing a little pot. But I’m clean now, I promise. If you hadn’t called me in on the fly, and we’d had that sit-down interview, I would’ve fessed up. The right time hasn’t come up since…and I wasn’t sorry about that.”

“I see.” Faye looked thoughtful as she tapped her pen against the desk. “I don’t need any DEAs hounding my bar. Not good for business.”

“That was a couple of years ago. I’ve kept my nose clean since. I don’t ever want to be incarcerated again. Plus, now that I’m eighteen it would be much worse. Not to mention it broke my mama’s heart. I’d never do that to her again.”

“Look, I like you Ty. If I’m going to be one-hundred-percent honest, I’ll admit that information might have influenced my decision before I had time to get to know you...but now that I have, I’m willing to give you the chance. I always trust my gut. You’re a good kid. I’d bet the bar on it.” Faye smiled.

“There’s not a chance in hell I’d get into that world again.”

“I believe you.”

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