Torn:Billionaire Bachelors Club #2(2)

     



 

I'm a part of the Molina family legacy, one of the oldest families in  all the Napa Valley, yet I feel like there's nothing I can do. It's  slipping out of my grasp right before my eyes and I'm powerless to stop  it. Though maybe I could stall Gage for a little while . . .

But how can I hold him off? What can I do to stop him from changing my life forever?

You're a smart, strong woman. You can come up with something.

Sometimes I swear it feels like the voice inside my head is not my own.

It's our turn to order at the bar, and Gage asks for a beer while I  order a glass of sparkling wine, locally produced. I'm ultraconscious of  supporting our area businesses. After all, I'd hope for the same in  regards to my business.

My failing business, thank you very much.

He pays for my drink, and I let him. He's still trying to figure out who  I am; I can tell by his scrunched brows, his narrowed eyes. We move  away from the bar but remain standing nearby. His back is facing  everyone else still in line, and he's turned toward me while I'm leaning  against the wall. He's got me effectively trapped, though I don't feel  it. I rather like being surrounded by Gage Emerson.

Even though I shouldn't.



Gage

I CAN'T PLACE her, but I swear I've heard of her before. Maybe even met  her though I can't recall where. Archer's hotel opening, maybe? I don't  know. I met an endless stream of people at that specific event, though  they weren't overly friendly. Most everyone in the Napa Valley still  treats me like an outsider.

Marina Knight . . . it's her first name that's tripping me up. I don't  know many Marinas. Or even one aside from her. Who does? But this one . .  . she's beautiful. And not what I expected-though really? What the hell  could I expect? I don't know her.

At least I don't think I do. And damn it, I'm too distracted by her pretty face. I think she's screwing with my brain.

All that calm, contained elegance she wears so eloquently is seductive.  Honey-blonde hair that falls in gentle waves to the middle of her back.  Cool, assessing blue eyes that seem to see right through me and are  amused with what they find. Her mouth is slicked with a deep, ruby red  lipstick and she presses her lips together before she flashes a  mysterious little smile. Just looking at the gentle curve of them sets  my blood on fire.

Not a good sign.

She's of average height, hitting me at about my shoulder, and she's  wearing a simple black dress that covers her completely yet clings to  every delicious curve. She screams both ice queen and touch me-an  alluring combination I'm finding harder to resist the longer I'm in her  company.

Lately, I've sworn off women completely. I enjoy spending time with  them. I appreciate them like any other man. But they're a total  distraction when I don't need one, always wanting more than I can give.  Focusing on my business is the ultimate goal at the moment. Starting up a  relationship with the potential for it to turn serious?

I don't think so.

Truly, that is the absolute last thing I want. Especially after  witnessing my best friend Archer Bancroft fall hopelessly in love-with  my little sister Ivy, for God's sake. I know that's not the path I'm  ready to take.

Plus, there's a hell of a lot of money on the line. The asshole friend  of ours who came up with the million-dollar bet, Matt DeLuca, is  laughing hysterically at me right now. I can feel it; I can always feel  it. I think he's here somewhere, probably spying on me as I talk to this  woman I don't even know. All the while he's got that new assistant of  his following him everywhere, sending him longing glances while he's an  oblivious idiot.

She's got the hots for him, the poor thing.

We were at a friend's wedding when the three of us declared we never  wanted to get married. We must've been drunk when we did it, but we all  bet each other we'd never let ourselves get tied down to a woman. And  the last single man wins one million dollars.

Fucking crazy.

If I have my way, Matt definitely won't win. Smug bastard. He thinks  this situation we've all found ourselves in is hilarious. He believes  he's got winning our stupid bet covered. Mister Lone Wolf has thrown  himself completely into the renovation of the winery he recently bought.  Women don't interest him, he told me just the other day. Maybe for a  quick romp between the sheets, but nothing that could last. Nothing  serious.

All the while, his very attractive assistant is sitting not ten feet  away from us, her body stiff. I swear to God, her head tilted toward us  so she could totally listen in on our conversation.         

     



 

I'm with him one hundred percent in that regard. Let Archer take the  fall-alone. He's thrilled to be playing house with my sister, which  still blows my mind. Ivy's just as enamored with him. Funny, considering  how not that long ago they argued all the damn time. I figured they  hated each other.

Now . . . hell, they're getting married in a couple of months. I'm going  to be Archer's best man. Just thinking of wearing the imaginary noose  that Archer's willingly walking into has me tugging at my suddenly  too-tight shirt collar.

"So what brings you here tonight, Gage Emerson?" Marina repeats the  question I asked her earlier, that same little mysterious smile curving  her lips. There's a natural sultriness to this woman that calls to me. I  can't explain it. I want to lean in closer to her and inhale her scent.  Touch her soft cheek, take her hand and press my palm to hers.  Something, anything to make that instant connection between us I'm  suddenly looking for. Her lips drive me to distraction; they're such a  lush, seductive red.

I bet she tastes fucking amazing.

Keep your head straight, asshole.

"Business," I answer firmly, sipping from my bottle of beer. It's from a  local microbrewery that's become a recent favorite. That's why I came,  that and-as always-to make business connections. Archer got me the  invite. The more properties I buy in the area, the more inclined I am to  stay here.

I like it. The countryside is beautiful, the people seemingly friendly  until you want to take over their turf, and it's not too far from San  Francisco, my home base.

I keep my eyes trained on Marina the entire time I drink, noticing how  she jerks her gaze away from mine, her chest turning the faintest shade  of pink, as if I might've made her uncomfortable.

Yep, I'm such a goner. And when I know I shouldn't be. I'm completely  entranced. The women I'm normally drawn to are sophisticated, confident.  My equals in age, status, and earning capability. I appreciate more of a  powerhouse couple ethic. I sound like a complete jackass in my own damn  brain, but I can't help it. I'm drawn to intelligent, confident women.

This one is young, pretty, and seemingly shy . . . with that air of  innocent, yet sensual mystery that has me eager to get to know her  better, despite my current aversion to the fairer sex.

"And what sort of business are you involved in?" I swear she just batted her eyelashes at me.

"Real estate." I take another drink, giving her the side eye as she  casually averts her gaze, seeming to scan the crowd from over my  shoulder. I glance behind me, seeing no one familiar in the room before I  turn to face her once more. Of course, I'm the outsider here. And  they're all watching me as if they expect me to grow five heads or  something. I feel out of place.

Napa is small and everyone notices a new face. At least back home in San  Francisco, it's pretty damn easy to get lost in the crowd when you want  to. "I've recently made some purchases here in the area."

"Is that so?" Her lips curl into a knowing smile and I frown, trying my best to figure out who the hell she is.

But I don't know. Not for lack of trying.

"It is. There are a few more that I'm interested in too. That's why I'm here. I'm hoping to find out some information."

She lifts an elegant dark blonde brow and my gaze is drawn to it. So  she's a natural blonde? There's a rarity. "What sort of information?"  she asks carefully.

"Well, I was hoping to run into someone from the Molina family." I've  tried to contact many of them already, but they won't return my calls.  "I know they still own a substantial amount of property and businesses  in and around the area. And that they've slowly sold off a few pieces  they felt didn't fit into their real estate portfolio over the years." I  clamp my lips shut, afraid I might've revealed too much. What is it  about this woman that makes me . . . forget?

Marina remains quiet for long, tension-heavy seconds. Pressing those  sexy-as-hell lips together, she blows out a shuddery breath, her gaze  narrowing. "So what you're saying is that you're a vulture."

Cocking my head, I frown. "What did you just call me?"

"You heard me. A vulture." Her voice drips with contempt. She scrunches  her mouth into a sexy pout, her eyes coldly assessing. "You swoop in  when someone is vulnerable and desperate for money. Then you take  everything from them."

I never said any such thing, though she's right. The Molina family is  vulnerable and looking to sell off their assets, considering they're  land rich and cash poor. "I wouldn't call myself a vul-"