Barefoot Bay: The Billionaire's Convenient Secret (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Leigh Duncan Page B
Authors: Leigh Duncan
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themselves at his feet that he guessed he’d never stopped to consider the alternative. That maybe, just maybe, Charlie didn’t feel the same way about him. And why would she? She was a rising star at W&B, one of the most prestigious finance offices in the state. She was going places. Women like her didn’t fall for the plain ol’ Joshes of the world. They didn’t give their hearts to clerks at the local convenience store. And that’s all he was to her, wasn’t it?
But if he told her the truth…
Groaning, he stumbled back a step. While it was true that the moment he crossed the bridge from Mimosa Key to Naples, he’d resume his position as one of the wealthiest men in America, he couldn’t risk getting involved with another woman who loved him only for his money. He’d made that mistake—with Bessie and with others before her—often enough that he’d earned the proverbial T-shirt. He couldn’t use his wealth, his prestige to win Charlie’s heart. She had to love him for who he was, not what he owned, or they’d never have a future together.
“Well, this is a fine kettle of boiled peanuts,” he muttered.
Realizing he’d created the situation himself, he reached down deep, summoning more courage than he’d needed when he applied for his first expansion loan, and knocked on Charlie’s door. His excitement for the day ahead of them took another hit when she answered wearing a wrinkled T-shirt and capris. Barefoot, she’d shoved her hair into a messy twist he was more than halfway certain she hadn’t combed since rolling out of bed that morning. If, that was, she’d spent any time in bed at all. Which was doubtful, considering the dark shadows under her eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked. Concern swept through him. He felt for his cell phone, determined to overrule her objections and send for his private physician if she had even the slightest fever.
“I’m fine, but I must look a sight.” She ran a hand through the bird’s nest of hair. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop. There’s just so much to do.”
“You need a rain check?” he asked, aware their time on Mimosa Key grew shorter with every minute. By midweek, he’d be back in Atlanta, his brief respite from the responsibilities of running a multinational company at an end.
“Um, no. Well, yes.” She tugged on his hand. “Come in, please? We need to talk.”
“Talk?” Unease sank its icy claws into his stomach. Was this it? Had she decided a poor boy from Mimosa Key had no place in her life? He gulped, certain she was about to give him the brush-off. Refusing to cross her threshold, his stubborn feet sank their roots into the wooden deck outside her door. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here and now.” He squared his shoulders, determined to take the news like a man and hide his heartbreak until he was alone. Bracing himself, he stared at the confusion that swam lazy laps in Charlie’s green eyes.
“You’re not going to break up with me?” he whispered.
“Why would I do that?” The saucy grin he’d grown so fond of played around her lips. “It’s not like that at all, Josh. I’ve been up all night trying to find a way to save the Super Min. I think I’ve found an answer, but it’s going to take both of us to get the job done.”
He leaned closer. “You’re not making a whole lot of sense.” But what else was new? Ever since Charlie had stepped foot on Mimosa Key, she’d thrown his life into turmoil. Breaking his feet loose from their cement galoshes, he stepped forward and cupped her face. “Ready for what? Charity will be home tomorrow. She’ll tell you she never intended to sell the store, and that will be that.” Releasing his hold on her, he brushed his palms together. The deal, as they said, was practically done. Or, in this case, un-done.
Charlie tucked a hank of loose hair behind one ear. “There’ve been some, um, developments. Come on in, and I’ll bring you up to speed.”
He
But if he told her the truth…
Groaning, he stumbled back a step. While it was true that the moment he crossed the bridge from Mimosa Key to Naples, he’d resume his position as one of the wealthiest men in America, he couldn’t risk getting involved with another woman who loved him only for his money. He’d made that mistake—with Bessie and with others before her—often enough that he’d earned the proverbial T-shirt. He couldn’t use his wealth, his prestige to win Charlie’s heart. She had to love him for who he was, not what he owned, or they’d never have a future together.
“Well, this is a fine kettle of boiled peanuts,” he muttered.
Realizing he’d created the situation himself, he reached down deep, summoning more courage than he’d needed when he applied for his first expansion loan, and knocked on Charlie’s door. His excitement for the day ahead of them took another hit when she answered wearing a wrinkled T-shirt and capris. Barefoot, she’d shoved her hair into a messy twist he was more than halfway certain she hadn’t combed since rolling out of bed that morning. If, that was, she’d spent any time in bed at all. Which was doubtful, considering the dark shadows under her eyes.
“Are you okay?” he asked. Concern swept through him. He felt for his cell phone, determined to overrule her objections and send for his private physician if she had even the slightest fever.
“I’m fine, but I must look a sight.” She ran a hand through the bird’s nest of hair. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop. There’s just so much to do.”
“You need a rain check?” he asked, aware their time on Mimosa Key grew shorter with every minute. By midweek, he’d be back in Atlanta, his brief respite from the responsibilities of running a multinational company at an end.
“Um, no. Well, yes.” She tugged on his hand. “Come in, please? We need to talk.”
“Talk?” Unease sank its icy claws into his stomach. Was this it? Had she decided a poor boy from Mimosa Key had no place in her life? He gulped, certain she was about to give him the brush-off. Refusing to cross her threshold, his stubborn feet sank their roots into the wooden deck outside her door. “Whatever you have to say, you can say it here and now.” He squared his shoulders, determined to take the news like a man and hide his heartbreak until he was alone. Bracing himself, he stared at the confusion that swam lazy laps in Charlie’s green eyes.
“You’re not going to break up with me?” he whispered.
“Why would I do that?” The saucy grin he’d grown so fond of played around her lips. “It’s not like that at all, Josh. I’ve been up all night trying to find a way to save the Super Min. I think I’ve found an answer, but it’s going to take both of us to get the job done.”
He leaned closer. “You’re not making a whole lot of sense.” But what else was new? Ever since Charlie had stepped foot on Mimosa Key, she’d thrown his life into turmoil. Breaking his feet loose from their cement galoshes, he stepped forward and cupped her face. “Ready for what? Charity will be home tomorrow. She’ll tell you she never intended to sell the store, and that will be that.” Releasing his hold on her, he brushed his palms together. The deal, as they said, was practically done. Or, in this case, un-done.
Charlie tucked a hank of loose hair behind one ear. “There’ve been some, um, developments. Come on in, and I’ll bring you up to speed.”
He
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