The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three by Jeannette Winters Page A

questions, but this was not the way. She closed the book and slipped it back into the drawer.
    If it was meant for her to know, he would tell her in his own time, when he was ready. At this point she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Rolling over she punched the pillow in frustration. Doing the right thing sucks.

Chapter Eleven
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    H er dreams were once again filled with Ross. They were not the hot steamy ones she had become used to. Instead, they held mystery. She saw herself turning the pages of his journal, uncovering many secrets, all of which should remain so. Of course that was only her imagination. She couldn’t picture him on the run from the law, or a secret agent. In the best dream he was secretly married to twelve women all over the world and traveled by sea to spend a month with each of them. And I only get a week. She laughed softly. The actual journal would seem boring compared to the type of vivid dreams she had.
    Stretching, she got up from the bed and headed out of the cabin, fully expecting to see Ross still asleep. The living area was empty. He must be on deck. She didn’t see him there either. Oh God, he fell overboard! Panic filled her. What to do? She didn’t even know where to start looking for him, how to look for him, or even how to get help.
    Tears began to fill her eyes as she stood at the stern. Then she saw it, something moving in the water. Maybe she wasn’t too late. Quickly she grabbed the life preserver and without even thinking, jumped into the water and swam toward him.
    “What the hell are you doing?”
    He’s alive. She swam the few feet to him, putting the life preserver between them. “Saving you. Hold on, I’ll pull you back.”
    “Saving me? From what?”
    Her body was against his, and it hit her. He hadn’t fallen over; he wasn’t drowning. He was skinny-dipping. I’m such a fool.
    She was still in shock, but she pulled the life preserver away and started swimming back to the boat without answering. He was close behind. Climbing out of the water was not easy. She struggled once, then twice, and fell back in. The last thing she wanted to do was ask him for help, but it was too late. As she gripped the ladder she felt his hands on her hips lifting her gently out of the water. She was grateful for his help, as her arms were exhausted from this short swim.
    Jill stood on deck, wringing her wet T-shirt when she saw him pull out of the water, naked and absolutely beautiful. She wanted to turn away but found herself gawking at him. She anticipated he would grab something and quickly cover up. Ross obviously didn’t have any inhibitions about his body, nor should he by the looks of it.
    He ran his hand through his wet hair, his muscles taut from the swim. She shivered, and he was instantly by her side with a towel she hadn’t noticed earlier. Wrapping it around her shoulders, he asked, “Are you cold?”
    Not one bit. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and her hands trembled as he pulled her against him, rubbing her back to warm her. She was warm all right. Downright hot. She wanted to pull away, but that would mean standing with him naked in front of her, and that wasn’t something she was prepared for.
    After a moment, her body calmed, and she settled in his arms, leaning into him with her head resting on his chest. She didn’t know what came over her, but there was a drop of water that ran down his chest, and her tongue darted out and licked it off. Instantly she felt his body jerk and his manhood snap to attention. What have I started?
    It was all the encouragement he needed. Bending, he captured her mouth, his tongue plunging deep, hungrily. Once again she could stop this and pull away, but she did neither. She wanted to feel what she had the first time. She wanted his touch, needed it. Her body burned for more.
    Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled herself closer to him. He bent, picked her up, and carried her to the bow of the deck. He rested her on her