The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three Read online

  The Billionaire’s Longshot

  Betting on You

  by

  Jeannette Winters

  Author Contact

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  JeannetteWinters.com

  email:

  [email protected]

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  Author Jeannette Winters

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  @JWintersAuthor

  Copyright

  Kindle Edition

  An original work of Jeannette Winters.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to Stephanie Aragao who cheers me on endlessly and the many friends and family who take time from their day (not that they have a choice) and listen to me brainstorming.

  I am also supported by a team of beta readers who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth. Thank you for that!

  Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock and Marion Arche, my editors as well as Nicole Sanders at Trevino Creative Graphic Design for my cover, you are all amazing!

  To my readers who brighten my day with messages regarding my series. Always keep romance in your lives!

  Ross Whitman wasn’t looking for love. He was content in his lifestyle, a renowned designer of luxury sail boats and one of the world’s most eligible bachelors.

  Jill Aragao was focused on one thing, proving she had what it takes to be successful in New York. When her make it or break it opportunity finally arises she is faced with only one obstacle and he’s bound to be a major distraction.

  Sparks begin to fly and they ignite something neither had anticipated. One night changes everything.

  Falling in love with a man who says he’s incapable of love is always a bad idea. Too bad her heart didn’t get that memo!

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Book

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Other books by Jeannette Winters

  Prologue

  ‡

  Ross Whitman sat on the deck of his boat, drifting on an ocean so calm he could not tell where the night sky ended and the water began. And for all the beauty surrounding him, his mind, like his boat, was adrift. A smile came to his lips when he recalled a soft, delicate hand grabbing his own and pulling him to the dance floor. He was not a man who danced, but that night, the night of his best friend’s engagement party, he danced with her.

  She had that effect on people. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d met her, but somehow she’d accomplished in a single moment what other women could not in years.

  Ross was a laid-back man, or so he liked to think. What others said about him didn’t escape his notice, though. Calm, collected, and ever the peacekeeper, he had a coolness about him that kept most people at a distance, despite his desire to truly connect with someone. He blamed that on his old-money upbringing.

  He didn’t lack friends. He had the best a man could ask for, and he hadn’t failed entirely when it came to romance. But for a man whose heart was as deep as the ocean, the shallow, polite relationships with women were not enough to melt his icy exterior.

  And then there was Jill with her outstretched hand, her expectation and determination to dance with him evident in her radiant smile. Just remembering her smile was enough to bring one to his lips.

  I’ve found the answer I was looking for. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’ll call her before I board the plane tomorrow.

  Chapter One

  ‡

  Is he avoiding me? Why now? The fundraiser for wounded soldiers was going to take place in two weeks, and there were so many things left to finalize. She needed to make decisions quickly, and while his input wasn’t necessary, it would have been nice. The original meeting with Ross Whitman had gone so well, almost flawlessly. I guess that’s the problem. There was only one direction to go from there: down. If she didn’t confirm the final plans with him in the next few days there would be no way to change them later.

  Dialing his number once again, she was hit with the disappointment of being immediately directed to his voicemail. “This is Jill. The clock is ticking, and time is running out. It would be nice if you returned one of my calls this week.” As she disconnected the call, she realized her tone had been filled with the frustration she was feeling. It was obvious the pressure was getting to her. I need to do more yoga. This wasn’t how she pictured them working together. Jillianne Aragao stared at the cell phone in her hand.

  Together, that’s a joke. Ring, damn it!

  Others may describe her differently, but she normally thought of herself as a patient person, with an endlessly positive attitude, but at that moment, Jill felt neither. Her nerves were on edge, her head pounded with tension, and she paced her apartment, fighting the urge to break something, anything—no, everything. If you bailed, Ross! Grrr. With such short notice she would never be able to find a replacement, at least not one with the connections the Whitmans had when it came to fine wines. What was I thinking when I said I could handle this one on my own? It had seemed the perfect opportunity to prove she was ready and capable to take on any challenge. Boy, was I wrong.

  Jill had plans to meet Elaine and Lizette for breakfast the following morning for some ever-so-needed girl time. There was no way she would be able to hide what was going on, not from those two. At times they were able to read her better than she could even read herself. The benefits of best friends. Scrolling through the contacts on her phone, her resolution teetered. Call them and ask for help now or wait? God knows I need them. A heavy sigh of defeat escaped her tense body. Something had to be done, and it had to be done today.

  Jill’s phone rang, and she had to stop herself from answering it immediately. She didn’t want to come across as desperate. She took a moment to compose herself and see who was calling. Ugh . . . still not him.

  She hit the screen and brought the phone to her ear. “Hey, Donna.”

  “You won’t believe what I just found, sis,” Donna said excitedly.

  “Are you pregnant again?” Jill asked.

  Donna laughed. “No, no! I found you the perfect apartment. It’s just down the street from me. I know yo
u had your reservations about living with me, so I started looking for apartments for you.”

  “I’m in New York, you know,” Jill said.

  “I really don’t know what you’re trying to do, honey. You’ve been very brave, and you’ve tried very hard. It’s okay to come home, you know. I can only take care of you if you’re within reach.”

  Jill knew Donna meant well with her encouragement, but she was unable to hide her condescending, maternal tone in her delivery. All Jill heard was, You’ve already failed. She expected Jill to run back to Rhode Island with her tail between her legs. It would be another item added to Donna’s long list of “I told you so’s” she’d be reminded of the rest of her life. Not this time, Donna. Her sister was everything she wasn’t: educated, successful, beautiful, with a wonderful husband and a growing family. Jill was happy for her sister, but that wasn’t her path in life, and Donna just couldn’t understand that they were different. Their mother often said as they were growing up, “You girls are as different as night and day but each special in your own way.”

  “The offer is still open,” Donna said. “I didn’t mean to flip out on you when I offered to pay your way through college. It’s just . . . starting a business in New York is no joke. If you come back to Rhode Island, I can help you in so many ways. I’m sure Another Chance would take you back in a second if you’re worried about not finding a job here.”

  “I’m not in the business alone,” Jill said. “I’m going to be fine.” She said the words, but still was torn about whether it would actually be fine.

  “Mom and Dad would have wanted you to go to college. What business will take you seriously if you don’t have any credentials? I’m sorry, honey.”

  The words stung, but Jill said, “I’ve made up my mind. I’m staying in New York. I’m happy here.”

  “Your friends are letting you tag along, but what kind of job is it? Event planning? What is that? Scheduling farmers markets?”

  “I didn’t start a business for you or for Mom and Dad. This is something I’m doing for me.” Jill sighed. “I’m waiting for an important phone call about work. I’ve got to go. Love you.”

  “I love you, too, but—”

  Jill hung up before Donna could continue. Jill hadn’t been shocked by her sister’s harsh words, and if she were honest, there were times she agreed with Donna. Education was important and even more so to her family. Both her parents had a master’s degree in education. Her mother had been a high school math teacher, and her father had worked as an English professor at the community college. The dinner table discussions always included the dreaded question, “How was school?” This usually led to a lecture on the importance of grades and how they would affect college options later.

  Everything changed one rainy night when her parents were killed in a car accident. Jill was only a freshman in high school when it happened, and Donna was commuting to the University of Rhode Island. Thankfully the state appointed Donna as her guardian so she wasn’t uprooted. There was enough money from the settlement for them to continue to live in the family home and cover basic essentials.

  When it came to college, though, they needed to figure that out for themselves. Donna’s grades earned her a full scholarship, and she eventually earned her PhD in engineering. Jill wasn’t so lucky. She was going to need student loans all the way, so she decided to work until she could save enough for school. That day had yet to come.

  The first few years out of high school were filled with one part-time job after another, and she tried everything: retail, manufacturing, and finally waitressing. She was twenty, and everything appeared to be going great; tips were good, and she loved working with the public. What she hadn’t planned for was the unexpected layoff due to slow business. That was the problem with working in a family restaurant. If you’re not family, then you’re the one to go.

  Jill had been crying outside the restaurant when Elaine Manning came by to pick up her usual lunch order. Jill explained what occurred, and Elaine comforted her with the kindness one would expect from a mother, though Elaine was only eight years older. “I can offer you a temporary position at Another Chance doing some filing and phone work until you can find another job.” Elaine’s offer changed her life.

  Now six years later, both she and Elaine were in business together with Lizette. Or trying to start E.L.J. Events as a business. If the Pet Therapy for Soldiers fundraiser didn’t go off perfectly, her one and only chance to succeed might simply fly out the window.

  The phone vibrated in her still tightly clenched hand. Please be him. Yes. Finally. Clearing her throat she answered, “This is Jill,” hoping her earlier panic and frustration were not evident in her tone.

  “Hello, Jill. How have you been?”

  Would be better if you’d returned my calls before now. “I’m fine, thank you. And who am I speaking to?” She wasn’t about to admit that after several months she still had his husky voice memorized right along with his muscular build and piercing blue eyes. Yum. With her thoughts betraying her, it probably was better they do this over the phone.

  She heard him chuckle softly. “Was there something more you needed from me?”

  He knew damn well there was, as each of her voicemails had become more and more detailed. “We need to finalize things. I have several ideas I need to review with you. When are you available to meet?” See? I can sound as confident and cocky as you. Too bad it was an act on her part.

  “Tomorrow night,” Ross stated.

  That isn’t convenient for me at all, thanks for asking. Jill knew she would cancel her plans; there was no way she was missing meeting with Whitman just to be the caller for bingo at the senior center. They would understand. “Fine. Where should I meet you?”

  “I’ll stop by your apartment around six, and we can review the plans there.”

  That’s strange. I don’t remember giving him my address before. Then Jill recalled that Elaine had lived here before her an very well may have invited him over with Trent. That’s logical. Either way she could almost hear her sister’s voice now: That is no place to hold a business meeting. Suggesting another location may mean delaying. What harm could come from one quick meeting? Ross was a gentleman, at least he had been the few times they had met. Always in a group. Her options limited, she rattled off the address and said goodbye.

  Sitting on her couch, she looked around the apartment. There were take-out containers, paper plates, and coffee cups scattered on the coffee table as well as in the kitchen. What a mess! Her gym bag and sneakers from earlier were on the floor near the door, and that was only the stuff that jumped out at her. It’s the lived-in look. But the truth was, she hated housework. Who doesn’t? The nice part about living on her own was no one nagging at her to pick up after herself. The only problem was things tended to get out of control quickly. This is one of the few times I miss living with Donna.

  Since being in New York, Jill kept her living space much tidier than she had in the past. Not clean, but better. The positive side to a smaller apartment was it was easier to clean, and with all the take-out readily available, she never had to dirty a dish. Dragging herself from the couch, she began collecting the trash. That was a start, but she could foresee what the remainder of her day would be spent doing. Cleaning! Why do I keep finding loose buttons all over the place? Since this was Elaine’s former apartment maybe they belong to Trent. Don’t overthink it. If those two had been getting their freak on in the living room she didn’t want to know. Maybe I should consider a new couch?

  Ross knew Jill was upset when he checked his messages before boarding the plane. Even on this call her normally happy, excitable self was replaced with cold dry tones. Leaning back against the leather couch on his private jet, he envisioned the pout on those sweet lips that begged to be kissed. Yes, she’s mad. Who could blame her? Jill left him four messages, each becoming more panicked than the last.

  He probably should have given her a heads-up that he’d be unreachable for a
few days, but he knew he could take care of anything that came up when he returned. This event was important, and he wasn’t about to let anything slip through the cracks. Tomorrow night they would meet, settle the few remaining details which seemed to be stressing her out, and see where things went from there.

  Drew had been correct, he had needed a vacation. Since graduating from college he’d worked seven days a week, every week. The hard work had paid off, but at a price. It was time to reevaluate and refocus. The quiet, peaceful week on the ocean was over. It was time to pay the piper and get back to work. Downing the last of his cold beer, he knew he couldn’t postpone it any longer. He reached for his laptop for the first time in a week.

  As expected, his email had blown up while he was away. The six-hour flight from California to New York was going to be spent digging out. The last thing he needed right now was to be co-hosting a charity event. Bad timing. Why did I agree to get involved?

  The answer was clear. Jill had batted her sexy light brown eyes, and he hadn’t listened to what she’d asked; he’d only had one thing in mind and still did. Tasting what those sweet lips have to offer. Of course, each time they met they weren’t alone, and she must have asked for his phone number while they danced at the engagement party. Jill must have struck up a conversation about fundraiser sponsorship, and without paying much attention to what he was saying, he found himself committed.

  She may be young, but she is driven. That was more than he could say for most people. Never had he met anyone so determined. It was not the impression he had of her when he first met her several months ago at Jon and Lizette’s engagement party, though. Her hair had been the colors of the rainbow, and her makeup had matched. Even now he laughed thinking how she’d grabbed his hand only moments after meeting him and dragged him onto the dance floor. I don’t dance.

  They had nothing in common, yet there had been something about her. Her appearance had changed, and he found himself dreaming of running his hands through her now blonde hair while making love to her on the deck of his sailboat. Once out to sea, he regretted not inviting her to go with him. He’d never taken her out to dinner, so he thought the offer to run away with him for a week was premature. Damn, how did she get under my skin? He needed to be alone with her, and tomorrow night they finally were going to have that opportunity. Problem was, she expected to talk business, and that was not going to set the mood for what he had planned.