The Billionaire's Christmas Engagement: A Feel Good Romance (Christmas Billionaires) Read online

  “Yes,” he said and held the door open for her. They stepped into air fresh from the rain that poured in sheets past the overhang.

  Around them, passengers, including Todd and Zelda, huddled next to the building and stared at the pouring rain. Lightning flashed, thunder cracked and the rain intensified.

  “This way.” Oliver nodded toward the drive lane to a black limousine idling by the curb. A suited chauffeur opened the rear door.

  “A limo? A limo is your car?” Madison stopped. She took a breath and looked at him.

  “It’s my shuttle when I come to the island.” He felt self-conscious.

  Madison looked past the limo to a van parked in front of an overhang. Guests huddled beneath the protection to escape the rain while they waited to board the shuttle. “This is a limo.” She looked at the limousine, then nodded to the van. “That is a shuttle.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Oliver’s gaze followed hers, and he lifted a brow.

  “Who are you?” Madison narrowed her eyes at him.

  Oliver gave a soft snort. Apparently, Brian had never mentioned him to Madison. Not that he had mentioned Madison to him. Because he traveled so much, he rarely attended any of the get-togethers Brian and Shelly had planned. It was just as well. Because of the past year, he hadn’t felt very sociable.

  “Just a guy trying to make a buck.” His mouth tipped.

  “Looks to me like you already made it and a few extra besides.”

  Maybe he had made a few extra bucks, but no one had been more surprised than he when his dorm room startup earned him a few million.

  “Your ride awaits.” Oliver swept his hand toward the limo and the smiling chauffeur.

  At the limo, Oliver introduced Madison to Jerry, the chauffeur. He smiled pleasantly and greeted Oliver as “Mr. Smith.” Oliver felt Madison’s surprise. The chauffeur slipped the luggage from Oliver and placed the suitcases in the trunk.

  Oliver took Madison’s hand. He hadn’t meant to, but it seemed the most natural thing to do. Immediately, he was struck by the silky smoothness of her skin. He helped her into the backseat of the limo and then slid in next to her. He wondered at this strange disappointment when their hands slid apart.

  Jerry climbed behind the wheel. Oliver pressed the intercom system and told him he should take Madison to the Windsong Royale.

  “You should like it there,” Oliver told Madison. “It wins awards every year for its amenities and service.”

  “That’s what I’ve heard, but it isn’t a normal place for me to stay. If it weren’t for the wedding, I’d be sacking out in a sleeping bag on the beach.”

  “I doubt that.” Oliver’s laugh was deep.

  “Pretty close,” she said grimly, which made Oliver wonder.

  Was the hotel really beyond her budget? If it were, he’d be happy to help out, but how did he broach the subject without insulting her?

  The drive to the resort was short, and by the time they arrived, the rain had stopped.

  Smiling bellhops rushed to the limo. Jerry opened the trunk and pointed out Madison’s suitcase, which the bellhops swiftly loaded onto a cart and wheeled inside the resort. Oliver climbed from the limo and held out his hand to Madison. The tenderness in her touch made his heart beat a little faster.

  “Thanks for the lift.” Madison’s smile made her face radiate. Reluctantly, Oliver released her hand.

  “It was my pleasure.” Oliver gave her a direct look.

  “Madison! You-hoo! Madison!” Shelly’s voice broke through the hum of conversations rising above the hotel guests.

  Madison and Oliver peered through the hotel entrance to Shelly dressed in a sarong, heeled sandals and a bridal veil. She carried a hurricane glass filled with a shaved ice drink topped with a paper umbrella and parted the hotel guests like Moses at the Red Sea. Several women, probably the bridesmaids, chatted excitedly and followed her.

  Madison waved to them.

  “Thank goodness you’re here. We’re on our way to the pool.” Shelly fussed with the bridal veil that blew across her face. She and the other bridesmaids hugged Madison. Shelly shifted her gaze to Oliver and her eyes widened. “You two know each other?”

  “We just met.” Madison laughed. “We were on the same flight. It was raining when we left the airport, and Oliver offered me a ride.”

  “You’re flying commercial these days?” Shelly arched a brow at Oliver, then offered him her cheek.

  “When it works out.” He kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you, Shelly. You’re looking lovely as usual. Where’s Brian?” He looked around.

  “He and the guys are doing their manly thing or playing golf or something.” She gave a dismissive wave. “They didn’t look too excited when I suggested lounging around the pool.”

  “Their loss,” Oliver said with a laugh.

  “I couldn’t agree more.” She tapped his chest. “Now remember, we’re having that get acquainted party tonight, so make plans to join us.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Oliver said, though he wished he were more excited about the events Shelly and Brian had planned.

  “Good.” Shelly seemed pleased. She looked at Madison. “You have a lot of catching up to do, girl. Get checked in so you can join us.”

  “I’m on my way.” Madison grinned.

  The shuttle bus stopped near the hotel entrance. Guests poured out of the van and rushed into the hotel. Todd and Zelda, drenched and looking tired, were the last to climb out.

  “Oh, you made it.” Shelly rushed to Todd and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you decided to come, and you brought your little friend.”

  That made Zelda’s eyes widen.

  “I want you to meet Oliver.” Shelly looped her arm through Todd’s and escorted him to where Madison, Oliver and the bridesmaids waited.

  “Yeah.” Todd scowled. “We met.”

  “You did?” Shelly glanced at Todd in surprise. “Then you’ll get to know each other even better tonight, because he’ll be at the get-together.”

  Todd made a strange noise, and his frown deepened. “Swell.” He turned toward the registration desk. “We’re checking in.” Todd rolled his suitcase across the lobby.

  Zelda followed but glanced back several times, her expression changing from confusion to mystification.

  “We’re on our way to work on our tans,” Shelly said to Madison. “So hurry up and join us. Ladies?” She glanced at her bridesmaids, who stood around her. They stopped talking and almost seemed to line up. “Let’s get busy.” Pointing to the patio, she strode to the pool, her chattering entourage in tow.

  Madison looked at Oliver, who gave a low laugh.

  “I’m sorry you got caught up in that.” Madison blushed. “You don’t seem too excited about the get-together tonight.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. It’s just for one night.” Oliver had ignored social events for a year. He was here to support his friends and because his sister, Penny, had reminded him of the promise he made to start living again. “Besides, it sounds like fun.”

  “It might get a little crazy.” Madison glanced back at Shelly and the other bridesmaids who settled onto chaise lounges by the pool. She looked back at Oliver. “So if you want to back out, I’ll explain everything to Shelly tonight.”

  “Do you always do that?” Oliver gave her a direct look.

  “Do what?” Her breath caught.

  “Look so pretty when you blush?”

  Madison closed her eyes, and the pink in her cheeks darkened. She still looked pretty. “It’s a curse. You’d think at my age, I’d be past that.” Looking away, she released a slow breath.

  “I have no idea how old you are,” Oliver said, his voice low and gentle, “but I hope blushing is one thing about you that never changes.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Oliver took in Madison’s lush features, a hint of color touching her cheeks. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her, but it had been awhile since he’d been with a woman who bl
ushed.

  “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he murmured.

  “I don’t blame you for something I can’t control.” She looked after Shelly and the other bridesmaids, who had settled in chaise lounges by the pool.

  A smiling waiter greeted them and took their drink orders.

  “I’d better get to my room and change.” She looked back at Oliver.

  Something flickered in her eyes, and he wished his looking at her hadn’t made her blush again. He hadn’t meant to stare, but her expressive face was hard to ignore.

  “Like Shelly said, I have a lot of catching up to do.” Madison’s laugh filled Oliver with a warmth he hadn’t felt in months.

  “You don’t want to keep that group waiting. I’ll see you tonight.” He hoped his smile reassured her.

  “About tonight.” Her gaze wavered. “I hope you don’t feel obligated.”

  “Not at all.” He started to turn but looked back at her. “I didn’t ask Shelly what time I should come.”

  “I can find out for you.” Madison worried her full lower lip. “I can text you … oh …”

  “You don’t have my number.” He pulled his phone from his pocket. “Give me your number, and I’ll send it to you now.” He typed the information she gave him into his phone, then looked into her soft brown eyes. “I’ll wait to hear from you,” he said and moved toward the exit.

  As he left, he felt an intense stare and looked up to see Todd staring at him from the gallery. Though he smiled at the man who gave him a terse nod before turning away, Oliver had to wonder about Todd’s interest in Madison. He was part of Madison’s past, and he needed to stay there. He had invited another woman to the wedding.

  As far as Oliver could see, Todd had no reason to wonder about anything going on between them. If Madison told Todd the truth, that there was nothing between her and Oliver, would Todd believe her? Oliver wondered.

  Oliver hadn’t been excited about attending the party tonight. These days, he didn’t socialize much, but if his going to the party tonight helped Madison move on with her life, he was glad to oblige.

  Outside, Oliver thanked Jerry for patiently waiting, then climbed through the rear door the chauffeur held open for him. He settled into the backseat and stared out the window as Jerry guided the limo down the palm-lined drive to the coastal highway.

  Oliver knew he should check his messages. He hadn’t contacted his office since he left New York, and he was certain people needed to talk to him. He rested his head against the back of his seat. The peaceful island was a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of the tech company he’d started in college. Madison’s sweet presence had been the balm his aching soul needed.

  Jerry parked in front of the beach house Oliver used to love to visit until a year ago. The thought of relaxing at the vacation home unearthed a flood of emotions he wished he could bury with his painful past.

  When Jerry unloaded Oliver’s suitcase from the limo’s trunk, Oliver took it from him.

  “Take the rest of the day off.” Oliver hoped his smile eased the confusion he saw in the chauffeur’s eyes.

  “Thank you, sir,” Jerry said, “but I’m not sure what I’d take the day off from, since you haven’t visited the island in a year and have only just arrived.”

  “Pretend to be a tourist for the day.” Oliver arched a brow at him.

  “Since this is my home, I tend to go where the tourists aren’t.” Jerry gave a dry laugh.

  “There is that.”

  “You have no other plans for the day?” Jerry looked at him.

  “Actually, I do, but I’ll drive myself.”

  “Then, with your permission, I’ll visit my new granddaughter.”

  “You have a granddaughter?” Oliver said in surprise. “You didn’t tell me. Yes, by all means, spend time with her. If my plans for the evening change, I’ll contact you, but I don’t foresee that happening, as I plan to enjoy some peace and quiet.” Except for the wedding this weekend, which would be far from peaceful and quiet, he hadn’t planned anything else.

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll wait to hear from you.” Jerry nodded and moved to the driver’s side of the limo.

  Oliver picked up his suitcase and walked up the steps to the beach house. His hand on the doorknob, he hesitated a moment and braced himself against the piercing memories⸻of a happier time he had thought would never end. How foolish he’d been.

  Inhaling deeply, he opened the door to an entrance tastefully decorated with wicker furniture. The sharp stab of pain struck him as his gaze swept from floor to ceiling. Everything was as he had left it―looking cheery and expectant as had been planned. Fans suspended from the vaulted ceilings caught the ocean breeze and circled it through the spacious rooms.

  Oliver moved down the hallway to the master bedroom where the plump mattress waited as it had a year ago on what he had thought would have been his wedding night. His jaw clenched remembering fate’s devastating plan for his future.

  When he wheeled his suitcase into the bedroom, he saw the pictures still sitting on the dresser and his throat closed. He knew the pictures should be removed, but when would he be ready?

  Looking at the photos, he remembered happier times with his fiancée, Liz⸻running along the beach, sailing. When they visited the ski chalet in Aspen, they’d enjoyed cozy evenings by the fire. Summer took them to their pied-à-terre on la Côte d’Azur.

  He’d been euphoric knowing he’d met the perfect woman. His euphoria turned to a nightmare when his beautiful fiancée succumbed to the cancer that had ravaged her body. When she breathed her last, the plans they had made for a life together crumbled before his eyes.

  Without Liz, Oliver found no joy in life and had thrown himself into his work. He avoided dinner invitations and parties⸻no one would’ve enjoyed his glum persona anyway.

  When Brian had asked him to be his best man, he accepted. He needed to take that first step away from his past, if not for himself, at least for Liz. She had told him he needed to move on.

  His phone rang, and his mouth twisted. He’d only told his sister, Penny, he was visiting the island. Though he knew friends on the island and at the wedding would see him, he’d hoped to have a couple of days to himself before word spread he was staying at the beach house.

  He glanced at the phone’s screen and released a slow breath. Penny. He’d always make time for his sister.

  “Hey, Penn.” He held the phone to his ear and stood in front of the picture window that overlooked the shoreline. Across the inlet, he could make out the red roof of the Windsong Royale Resort Hotel and wondered about Madison, her dark eyes, and how pretty she looked when she blushed.

  “Hey, yourself. I’m assuming you made it safe and sound,” Penny said and in the background, he could hear children’s voices.

  “The trip was fine. It sounds like the twins had a refreshing nap,” he said, referring to the boy and girl who had doubled Penny’s family size a year ago.

  “Refreshed and raring to go, so I’ll keep this short.” Penny laughed. “I just wanted to make sure you made it and make sure you were following through on those activities we discussed, I’ve kept my promise and haven’t said a word about your visiting the island.”

  “I appreciate that.” He watched the waves from the inlet lap the shores in front of his house and at the resort across the way.

  A group of women strolled down the knoll from the resort and moved toward the water. Above them, a white veil caught the breeze. That had to be Shelly’s veil. He laughed softly when she seized the veil floating around her and pulled it to her side. The other women stood around her and sipped their drinks while gingerly dipping their toes into the receding tide. Was Madison with them? He couldn’t tell.

  “But have you made arrangements to meet with friends?” Penny asked, and he could imagine his sister’s eyes narrowing at him.

  “The wedding should provide a little activity starting with a get-together tonight. You know how Shelly li
kes to do everything on a grand scale.” He stepped out of the house and down to the beach. He didn’t care that he still wore his suit. The urge to feel the ocean breeze and watch the waves was an overwhelming feeling he’d be foolish to fight. One way or the other, he’d find his way to the shoreline and let the breeze and the ocean soothe the ache in his soul. Maybe he’d grab his surfboard and catch a few waves.

  Nearby, a boy tossed a gliding disc to his dog. A woman with a toddler, the boy’s mother and sister, Oliver presumed, sat on a beach towel nearby.

  “How true. Give Shelly and Brian my best,” Penny said. “And promise me you’ll mingle tonight.”

  “I promise,” he said finally, and struggled with the surge of emotions filling his throat. Losing Liz was still the raw pain that refused to heal.

  But even Liz had told him he shouldn’t mourn her death.

  I’ll give you six months, then you have to promise me that you’ll at least start dating again. She had narrowed her eyes at him.

  Oliver had made Liz that promise, though he had no idea how he could keep it.

  Without thinking, he touched his hand to the breast pocket of his suit jacket, to the ring box holding the engagement ring he’d given to Liz a year ago August. He gave a rough exhale. Why had he brought Liz’s engagement ring to Vermeil Island? But he knew why. It was a part of her that he could take with him wherever he went. He wasn’t ready to let her go, and he wasn’t ready to be with someone else.

  “Oliver? Are you still there?” Penny’s concerned voice sounded in his ear.

  “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I want to hear a full report of all the great people you met this weekend.”

  “You’ll get it,” he said and wanted to laugh. He’d already met one woman. If things were different, he’d probably want to get to know Madison better—if she agreed. Judging from the look in her eyes, she was still hurting, too, though he hoped she’d soon realize Todd wasn’t worth thinking about. Maybe she already had.

  “Sorry, Oliver, but I have to go,” Penny said. “Cassius just raced through the living room wearing only underwear and covered in blue paint. Something tells me this new nanny isn’t going to work out. But call me later. I want to know everything. ’Bye. Cassius?” she called out. The phone went silent.