How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance (17 page)

Colton escorted her to the tent where the guests now gathered. Someone announced them and they entered, arm in arm. It was all so real. Technically, they were married, but she didn’t think Colton would expect anything from her.

He led her onto the dance floor for their first dance.

“Where should we go for our honeymoon?” Colton whispered in her ear.

“I can't ask that of you. You’ve done so much already to make this like a real wedding.”

“It is a real wedding.”

She pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to argue. “Still. I can’t. You can’t. We have work. We haven’t planned for a honeymoon. Everything must be booked.”

“I have a few houses we could visit.”

“Of course you do.” She shook her head. “Okay. I’ll bite. Where?”

“Los Angeles. Switzerland and in the Caribbean.”

“Good thing I signed that prenup. I’d have that Caribbean house in the divorce,” she said.

Colton’s chuckle washed across her ear. “You can have it. I never go there. I’ll sign it over to you tomorrow.”

She leaned back to look at his face, not sure if he was kidding. He smiled at her. “Seriously? What would I do with a house in the Caribbean?”

He shrugged. “If you want it, it’s yours.”

“No, Colton. No. You have been more than generous.”

“I like spending my money on you. And Derek. I’ll make more,” he said.

Only someone with that much money could be so cavalier about it. Someone tugged at her dress. She looked down into Derek’s big, brown eyes. Colton picked him up and held him between them.

“We’re a family?” Derek said.

“Yes,” Colton answered.

Ellyn couldn’t speak. This man had been so kind and loving to her son. The little boy would be heartbroken when this all ended. What would she tell him? Would he ever understand that she had to do this sham of a marriage to keep him?

Well, for now, she would let him enjoy the fantasy.

“Derek?”

“Yes.”

Colton put his forehead against Derek’s. “What do you think about going to Disney World?”

“You mean it?”

Derek’s eyes lit up.

Colton smiled at the boy. “I mean it. Not this week, but in a few weeks when your Mom and I can arrange to get away.”

“Can we, Mom?”

How could she say no to her son? “Of course.”

He squirmed in Colton’s arms, clearly excited. The man shifted him to his other arm, and kept his free arm around Ellyn. He mouthed, “Thank you.”

She nodded, her eyes a little watery from the whole scene. She didn’t want to, but at that moment she fell in love with Colton Hamilton the third.

***

Monday morning rolled around and Colton knew for sure that Ellyn would never love him. His heart ached. He did what he knew how to do and that was throw himself into his work.

Marcia poked her head into his office. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you get married over the weekend?”

“You know that. You were there.”

She entered his office, looking as if she was entering a lion’s den. “It was a beautiful ceremony. Ellyn looked gorgeous. And happy. So did you. What happened?”

Colton threw down the pen he’d been fiddling with. He’d stopped gaining any information from what he was reading about a half an hour ago. All his thoughts remained on Ellyn.

“Not sure, but what I am sure of, is that Ellyn will never love me.”

“That’s pretty defeatist for anyone, but especially you, Colton,” Marcia said.

She sat on a chair in his office. She crossed her legs. He was in for a lecture so he braced himself.

“She was cool to me the rest of the weekend. She was never alone. We had places to be. Everyone wanted a piece of us and she willingly went and played the dutiful wife, but there was a coolness underneath it all.”

“So you’re going to accept defeat?”

“I can’t make someone love me.”

“Does she even know how you feel about her?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “No.”

“You haven’t told her that you love her?”

“I didn’t know that I loved her. Until recently, at least.”

“You asked her to marry you and you wonder why she turned you down the first time?” Marcia shifted in her chair. “For a captain of industry, you are a butthead.”

Colton laughed. No one had called him that since he was a teenager. Of course, his mother had said it on a daily basis, with the greatest of affection. He didn’t think Marcia’s assessment was so benign.

He eyed her. “Butthead?”

“Yes. Women need to hear it. They need you to say it. Yes, you can show it, but the words mean something.”

“How can she not know I love her? I threw her this fabulous wedding. I bought her a dress that cost more than her whole wardrobe.”

“You have to say it. Why don’t you get that? You could be doing that just to get into her pants,” Marcia said.

Colton hadn’t looked at it that way. He rubbed his chin. “Wow. We men must seem like beasts to you women.”

“You do, sometimes.”

“So where do I go from here? Do I run home and tell her?”

“No, you have to ease into it. Keep doing the things to show her and then when the time seems right say it. Put your heart out there. You have to take a risk.”

He nodded. “Too bad I have to work late today.”

“You did that on purpose.”

“I did.”

“Then try again tomorrow.”

“I’m an idiot.”

“Yes, you are.”

“You don’t have to agree,” he said. “Don’t you have work to do?”

She rose a smile on her face. “Of course, boss.”

She left. Colton stared out the window at his view of Manhattan. He’d always been good at getting women in bed. How did he get one to give him her heart? Marcia was right, but he wanted to plan some things. He didn’t want to rush into anything.

He had a business trip in the morning to Los Angeles and he knew Ellyn had some photo shoots this week. He wouldn’t see her for a few days.

That was dumb timing on his part. This was getting complicated, he thought.
“Loving them and leaving them was much simpler.”

His heart would not let him do that. He loved Ellyn. He loved Derek and he wanted both of them in his life.

Hopefully, he hadn’t messed up the situation badly. He would have to send flowers while on his trip. That might be a start. Chocolates? Derek would enjoy them, though Ellyn probably did not like that much candy in the house.

Wooing a woman with a child was proving to be more difficult than he thought. He’d hoped he was doing a good job, but based on Ellyn’s behavior after the wedding, he wasn’t sure. She hadn’t wanted a honeymoon, but that might have just been logistics.

The wedding had been quick so they hadn’t had time to figure out a destination or the flights or anything about it. Should he have just scheduled something? He walked out to Marcia’s desk. “Book a trip for Disney World in two weeks.”

She blinked. “How long? Do you care what hotel?”

“For a week. Don’t care as long as it is nice.”

“Flights?”

“Nah. I’ll take the jet.”

“Of course. You haven’t used that in ages.”

“I know. I’ve been flying commercial. Why?”

“I’ve asked you that many times.”

“Okay. See what you can get me. Spare no expense.”

“I never do,” she said.

Colton left her chuckling, wondering what this trip was going to cost him before he realized that in reality, he didn’t care. If it made Ellyn happy, it would be worth every penny.

CHAPTER 16

Shalia came over to the penthouse for lunch later that week. Derek went to school that day. Colton was still out of town.

Ellyn had been wandering around the penthouse for the whole morning, not sure what to do with herself. Shalia was off for the day.

Ellyn made chicken salad sandwiches. They sat in the living room enjoying the view.

“You actually eat in this room?” Shalia asked.

Her gaze roved over the expensive furniture.

“I don’t let Derek do it, but I will sometimes. It’s such a nice view.”

“True dat.”

Ellyn laughed. She hadn’t heard street talk in a few weeks. Felt like home, but not. She was no snob. She didn’t feel she had changed, but maybe she had.

“What’s got you glum?” Shalia asked. “You’re married to a rich man.”

“It doesn’t solve all of your problems.”

“Probably not, but it can’t be too bad.”

“I’ve made the mistake of falling in love with him.”

“So?”

“He’s not in love with me.”

“You are nuts if you think that. I saw how he looked at you and Derek at the wedding.”

“I think that was all for show. He’s been in LA all week and not a phone call. He sent flowers,” she said eying the large bouquet on the coffee table. Those came today. I’m going to have to move them when I go get Derek, but for now I’m enjoying them.”

“What did the card say?”

“Thinking of you.”

“I bet he is. How do you have sex with Derek here?”

Ellyn bit her lip and stared out the window. “We haven’t had sex.”

“At all?”

“Not since the wedding. We had it before then.”

“What the hell, girl? He’s fine looking man. You have to tap that. I don’t care if this isn’t a real marriage. Get some while you can. Might have a dry spell after that.”

Ellyn didn’t want to discuss her sex life with Shalia. “How do I know if he cares about me?”

“Girl, it’s in how he treats you. He looks at you as if you’re a work of art. He listens to you.”

“He hadn’t been here to listen to me.”

“He still has to run a business.”

“Then why hasn’t he called?”

“Because you ain’t giving him any so he doesn’t want to bother you. When’s he coming home?”

“Tomorrow night. He’s taking the red eye back.”

“Then you be here, looking sexy and seduce the man.”

Ellyn wasn’t so sure she could do that. She knew that Colton found her attractive, but actually telegraphing that she wanted to get naked with him was a whole other circumstance. “I’m not sure.”

“Men are easy. They want a beer and to see something naked. I’m sure you can skip the beer. Or make it wine if that’s what he wants.”

“I’m not the seduction type.”

“Then you better figure out another way to get that man in bed, girl.”

Ellyn laughed. She did want to have sex. With Colton. He was good at it. “We’ll see. How about that man you’re seeing?”

Shalia smiled. “He’s taking me to Las Vegas for the weekend.”

“Wow. That’s pretty cool. You like him?”

“I do. He’s been the perfect gentleman. I’m hoping he’s going to change that in Vegas.”

Ellyn couldn’t help laughing. Shalia was not a commitment fan, but her face lit up when she talked about Doug. Shalia was smitten, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

Ellyn admired the flowers that Colton had sent. He’d been thinking about her. That was so nice. Was it enough? Was this going to be a real marriage? If she got him in bed would he want to continue that?

“What if he doesn’t want to sleep with me?”

“Trust me. I saw how he looked at you. And how you looked at him. He’s in love with you.”

“I’m not sure I’d go that far. He cares for me.”

Shalia rolled her eyes. “Trust me. I know men better than you do. He wants you. Show a little skin and he’ll be begging you for it.”

Ellyn couldn’t imagine Colton begging for anything, but she was going to trust Shalia. “He wants to take us to Disney World,” Ellyn said.

“Not surprised. He wants to make Derek happy, too. Will you please see what you have in front of you, girl. Please? He’s a catch. You’re married to him.”

“I signed a prenup.”

Shalia shrugged. “So. You’re not divorcing this guy. He’s yours forever. You’ll probably have hot mocha-skinned babies.”

Okay, Shalia was taking this too far. “We’ve never talked about kids.”

“Trust me. That man wants to see you pregnant with his child.”

How could Shalia be so sure when Ellyn was not? She lived with the man and she wasn’t seeing what her friend was seeing. She let out a sigh. “It’s almost time to get Derek. You want to come with? See him?”

“No, I have to shop for Vegas.”

“Shop?”

“With what money?”

“I know that look. Doug gave me his credit card.”

Ellyn blinked. “Don’t go crazy.”

“I won’t, but I could use some new underwear and the kind that a man wants to rip off with his teeth. Not the Walmart flowered kind.”

Ellyn laughed as she rose to take Shalia’s empty plate. She didn’t want to envision that, but if Colton wanted to rip underwear off her with his teeth, she’d let him. Her practical side would prefer it be Walmart underwear which didn’t cost as much. That was just her.

***

Colton’s luggage had been the last off the plane. What was the point of first class if you had to wait at baggage claim? He’d hired a car service so that Paul didn’t have to pick him up at this awful hour.

He sat in the back of the Lincoln, trying to keep his eyes open. He wanted to crawl into his bed and sleep for two days. The negotiations had been very contentious in California and he felt as if he’d been through a ringer.

His bed would feel so nice and he’d already emailed Marcia that she might not see him until noon tomorrow. He had to sleep.

He gave the driver his address, then rolled down the window to get some fresh air. No need to fall asleep back here.

He must have slept because the trip from Kennedy Airport didn’t take long. He tipped the driver then lugged his suitcase into the building. Into the elevator he went, leaning on the wall.

The doors opened onto his floor. He unlocked the door and realized a light was on. Ellyn must have left one on for him. He dropped his keys and luggage by the door and went into the kitchen to get a drink of water.

When he turned back around, Ellyn was in the doorway.

“Hi,” she said.

He almost sprayed the water out of his mouth. She stood there in a red, satin teddy. Suddenly, he was wide-awake.

“Hi.”

“I waited up for you.”

He swallowed some more water as suddenly his mouth was dry. He hadn’t ever seen her look this sexy. Ever. His friend in his pants woke up, too. “It’s dangerous wearing something like that. I’m tired and I don’t think I have any self-control right now.”

She sauntered toward him. “I’m hoping not.”

He cleared his throat. “I mean it, Ellyn. I cannot be held accountable for my actions.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not a tease, Colton. I want you.”

He looked down at her big, gorgeous eyes staring up at him. There was no fear, just passion in them. He didn’t know what had changed while he was gone, but he thanked whatever did. He wanted her too.

He put his glass down, then leaned to her, capturing her lips in a kiss. Letting go of her lips, he scooped her into his arms. He strode to his bedroom, having no idea where this new-found energy came from.

He put her on the bed. “Last chance to say no.”

“I want this, Colton. I do.”

He ripped off his tie and made quick work of his clothes until he stood in front of her in his boxers. His erection strained the fabric.

Ellyn sat up, crooking her finger at him. “Come here.”

He smiled. Damn. He grabbed her hand and yanked her to him. The kiss he gave her was not soft or sweet. She responded in kind, her hands shifting his underwear down his legs. He stepped out of them and took a hold of the straps on her teddy. He slid them down her arms.

Ending the kiss, he slid her teddy down her legs. He knelt and kissed her belly as she stepped out of the lingerie.

“I can’t wait,” she said.

“I can’t either.”

She laid on the bed, he slid on top of her. “I missed you Colton.”

“If this is what I get when I get back, I may go away more often.”

She giggled. “Now, Colton,.I need a condom.”

He found on one his nightstand then ripped it open with his teeth. He rolled it onto himself then, without preamble, and slid into her. She was warm and wet. Her skin was soft as he kissed her neck.

“Hurry,” she said. “I’m going to explode.”

So was he. Sooner than he would have liked. He set up a slow rhythm, but her noises prompted him to move faster. She wanted quick and dirty, she was going to get quick and dirty.

He scooped up one leg to get deeper inside of her. He could thrust at a better angle. Her breath quickened. Her nails dug into his back. As if coming home for a second time, he felt as if he belonged here.

Her back arched and he knew she’d gone over the edge. So he followed her, thrusting a few more times before he spilt himself into the condom. Part of him wanted it to be in Ellyn. At some point he’d wanted to see her pregnant with his child.

Not tonight, but this night, this act, meant they were on the road to being truly married. He slumped onto her, his chest heaving.

“Welcome home,” she whispered in his ear.

He couldn’t help but smile.

*

Sometime in the night, after making love again, Ellyn had put on a nightshirt. Colton had put on his boxers in case Derek came in.

That they were sleeping together was not something they’d have to explain. They were married. The being naked was more than what Ellyn was willing to talk about with a five year old.

When she awoke, she knew it was a good idea. Derek was standing by her bed.

“Hi, Mom.”

She put a finger to her lips. “Mr. Hamilton got in late last night. He needs his sleep.”

Colton rolled in her direction. “Mr. Hamilton is awake. Tired, but awake.”

Derek looked from one to the other. “Should I still call him Mr. Hamilton since you’re married?”

Ellyn glanced at Colton. She hadn’t thought of that. “No, you shouldn’t. What should you call him?”

Derek sat on the edge of the bed. “I don’t know. I already have a Daddy, so that wouldn’t be right.”

“You could just call me Colton.”

Derek shook his head, his brow furrowed. This was important to him. He was thinking very heavily for a little boy. Ellyn wanted to squeeze him, but she knew he had to work his way through this.

“I’m not supposed to call adults by their first name.”

“But I’m not just any adult, Derek. I’m your mother’s husband,” Colton said.

Derek looked at Ellyn then at Colton. “What do you think Mom?”

“I think that of Colton wants to be called by his first name, then you can call him that,” Ellyn said.

Derek’s face broke into a big smile. He clearly liked the idea. “Okay. Colton it is.”

“You want to snuggle?” Ellyn asked.             

Derek shook his head. “No, I’m hungry. Can we have pancakes?”

It was Ellyn’s turn to smile. “Okay. I’ll be out in a few minutes. You set a place for yourself at the kitchen table.”

He hopped off the bed then bounced out of the bedroom.

“Good call on putting some clothes on,” Colton said.

“Yep, he usually wakes up before I do,” Ellyn say throwing off the covers and putting her feet into slippers that weren’t there.  She laughed. “Guess my slippers are in my bedroom.”

“I wish you’d leave them in here.” He rubbed a hand down her back. “And hang your clothes in my closet.”

She glanced back at him, not sure what to say. “That would be okay?”

“That would be wonderful.”

She nodded. “I’ll do it today. Now let me go make him breakfast.”

“You want me to do it?”

“You got in late.”

He yawned. “I did, but neither of us got that much sleep.”

“It’s okay. Go back to sleep.” He nodded and closed his eyes. She watched him for a moment. He was sexy even rumpled from sleep. This was the most disheveled she’d ever seen him.

“You can come back to bed after you take Derek to school.”

That sounded like a great idea. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I might do that.”

With a spring in her step, she entered the kitchen. Derek was waiting patiently as the table. She yawned, then turned on the coffee pot. She need a little jolt to get her awake enough to walk Derek to school.