Waterfall Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story (Saltwater Kisses Book 8) Page 15

  “Thanks,” she whispered back, giving me one last squeeze before letting me go.

  I turned and headed out of Bastian's office, glancing back as I closed the door behind me to see the two of them looking deeply into one another's eyes. If love was a visible color, the room would have been saturated in it.

  I grinned, closing the door and heading to my own office. Today was a good day.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “You ready to go?” Bastian asked, popping his head into my office.

  I looked up in surprise. I had been so focused on my work that I had completely lost track of time.

  “Um...” I looked at my almost complete report. With the gala and auction, I was behind on keeping track of all the financials for Bastian. “I just need to finish this and hit save. You go on ahead. I'll be right there.”

  “Okay,” Bastian agreed. “See you in a bit.”

  I could hear him talking to Ava in the hall. Another male voice that I assumed was Mr. Fairchild asked him a question, but by then they were too far down the hall for me to make out what was said. The front door opened and closed as Bastian, Ava, and Ava's parents left for the restaurant.

  It only took me a couple of moments to finish entering the last bit of data and to press save. Somehow, these reports always seemed to get longer the more I had to do. I reached for the lid on my laptop just as a notification for an email came in. I thought about just ignoring it, but it was from the financial department and was probably important.

  With a sigh, I opened it. The content just made me sigh again.

  Apparently, money was missing from the CEO slush fund. The account was supposed to be for emergency business transactions, and it was closely monitored by the accountants. About one hundred thousand dollars was unaccounted for. I groaned, not wanting to deal with this right now. My stomach was rumbling for some food, so I just put an important label on the email for later.

  The accountants were always on me for this account, never the billionaires. It wasn't quite fair, but I dealt with it. I knew it was important to keep all our numbers accurate. It was probably just a forgotten private jet flight or some dinner expense that Gabe, Leo, or Bastian forgot to mark down. Since they were the only ones other than me with access to that account, I knew it was just a mistake somewhere.

  If it wasn't, there would be hell to pay.

  I closed my laptop and hurried upstairs to put on something more appropriate for a night out in the Caribbean with friends. I put on a light pink sundress with a pretty floral pattern that was breezy and comfortable while still chic and classy.

  Outside, it was humid and hot, especially after the cool of the air conditioner. A Porsche with a driver was waiting for me in front of the mansion, the air conditioning already going and the seats cool. I was glad I wasn't driving. Despite having access to cars that would make most people drool, I hated driving them. I really preferred my old beat up truck back home to these finicky little sports cars.

  The drive was short and pleasant. The driver pulled up to the main entrance and stopped the car, running out to open my door for me. The heat of the island hit me, somehow warmer here than it was back at the mansion.

  I thanked him and he drove off, heading back to the mansion and revving the engine slightly. I hoped he enjoyed driving the car. Someone should. I laughed quietly as I heard the engine again further up the road. It was the perfect day for driving a fast car. The skies were clear and the roads open. The driver was having a little fun and I was glad.

  I went to open the door when I saw Leo coming up from the beach walk with Robbie and Sam. My brow creased, thinking that he should be coming from the opposite direction than they were. Which meant that they were probably coming from the docks. Where that stupid speedboat was.

  I hoped Leo was keeping his promise not to drive it.

  “As much as I hate to say it, that racing boat of yours is a modern marvel,” Robbie's voice drifted up as they approached. My heart sunk a little bit, hearing his words. “Thanks for letting me look at it.”

  “Any time,” Leo replied. “I won't be taking it out any time soon. However, I just found a new driver who is interested. That boat could be going for the record.”

  I sighed a little in relief. He wasn't out on that death trap boat. I felt bad for even thinking he was.

  “Hey, Charlotte,” Leo greeted me, a smile filling his face as they came up on the deck. Robbie and Sam exchanged knowing looks and darted inside.

  He paused for a moment, glancing about before remembering that everyone already knew about us and kissed me. Kissed me good enough that if I had been wearing socks, they would have been knocked off.

  It felt freeing to kiss him, knowing that everyone already knew and supported us.

  “Wow,” I said, breathless from his kiss. That man knew how to use his lips in the best possible way. The kiss was short and sweet, but it still made me swoon. We were officially a couple now, especially if we were kissing in front of restaurants.

  “Blech. Some of us would like to eat,” Gabe said, gently pushing past us to get to the door. “Seriously, get a room.”

  I laughed, scooting closer to Leo to let Gabe pass. Gabe held the door, giving me a wink as we passed. I knew he was happy for us, even if he had to tease.

  Inside, it was cool and dark. The hostess showed us to the back party room where Sam and Robbie had already joined Ava, Bastian, and Ava's father and girlfriend. Sam waved, pulling her chair up to the table and chastising Robbie for not using a napkin.

  It was a small room, but it had a large window that looked out over the ocean view. Flutes of champagne were already out on the table.

  “It looks like everyone's here,” Gabe remarked, picking up a glass of champagne from the table. He tapped on it to quiet the room. “Thank you all for coming. If you will join me, let us toast to Kindling Dating's newest mobile app.”

  Gabe raised his glass, his eyes going over all the happy couples. Watching him take in Bastian and Ava, then Robbie and Sam, Ava's father and his date, and then Leo and I, I realized that Gabe was the odd man out. He didn't have a date. As official fairy godmother to Ava and Bastian, I was eventually going to have to remedy this.

  Gabe cleared his throat, raising his glass a little higher. “Good things are coming. Cheers.”

  Everyone echoed the sentiment and took a sip of champagne.

  The room settled into quiet conversation. Ava and Bastian were talking animatedly with Robbie while Sam laughed at something said by Ava's father. I sipped on my champagne, leaning comfortably against Leo.

  Leo wrapped his arm around my waist and rested his head on mine as we stood there, just watching the people we cared most about in the world smile and laugh over the success of the business. The phone app was going to be huge for us. The business was booming and it was all because three knuckle-headed boys found a loan and gave their idea a go.

  A loud buzzing rumbled in Leo's pants pocket. He frowned, letting me go to check it. His face darkened as he hit the reject button and he stuffed it back into his pocket. He barely let it go before it began to go off again.

  “Damn it,” he whispered, smashing the buttons harder this time. Something that almost looked like fear shifted across his eyes, but was gone before I could really tell. He ran his fingers through his hair. It was an unconscious gesture he only did when he was nervous.

  “Everything okay?” I asked, noting the sudden tension in his shoulders.

  “It's fine,” he said sharply. He smiled, taking the sting out of his tone, even if it wasn't a real smile. “It's just Toby.” He pointed to his phone, the notification light going crazy. “I need to take this. You stay here and enjoy the party.”

  “Okay...” I cocked my head to the side, confused. Something wasn't right. After seeing them at the meeting together, I wondered if Toby was having trouble with gambling again. Leo kissed my cheek and hurried out the door to find a silent place to take his call.

  I watched him, only c
hecking out his ass a little, as he disappeared. His strides were long and hurried, and there was a tension in his shoulders I had never seen before. There was something wrong, something that he wasn't telling me, but I wasn't sure what.

  I bit my lip, wishing I could help him. He didn't have to keep things from me anymore. We were a couple now. I could help him if he would just let me.

  “I'm glad you two finally got together,” Gabe said, grabbing my attention. He moved to stand next to me, sipping on his champagne. “It's good to see you both so happy.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. “Now we just need to get you someone.”

  Gabe laughed. “No, thank you. Someone has to be the designated bachelor. We run a dating company after all. Can't have us all falling in love. Especially if it's not through our services.”

  “If you change your mind, let me know.” I grinned at him. “I love a good love story, especially when it involves billionaires.”

  “Don't we all,” he remarked, taking a sip of his drink. Something in the way he twisted his mouth and gulped at the liquid made me pause. There was far too much emotion in the movement.

  “You met someone, didn't you?” I guessed.

  “What?” Gabe nearly spit out his drink.

  “You met someone, didn't you?” I repeated, wondering who could have captured Gabe's heart. He was always flirting with some sweet young thing or another, but they never seemed to last long. He loved his flavors of the month, but never had anyone that made him sad when they left.

  Gabe stared at his half-empty champagne flute for a moment, as if seeking the answer in the clear golden liquid. “Can't keep anything from you, can I, Miss Nosy-pants?” He sighed and shrugged. “I thought I did. She was... there was a connection that I haven't felt before.”

  “What happened?” I asked softly.

  He looked over, his face twisting into a sad grin that only made the loneliness in his usually joyful eyes even more obvious. “Apparently, she feels differently.” He tilted up his glass and finished the last of his drink in one long gulp.

  I put my hand on his arm. “I'm sorry, Gabe.” I hated to see him like this. Even though he was much more my brother's friend than mine, I had grown up with him and his little sister. I gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “Well, I hope you're not pining away for me.”

  If he had been drinking, he would have most certainly done a real spit take.

  “You?” Disgust dripped from his voice at the notion. “That's revolting!”

  “Wow,” I said, taking back my hand and holding it like he had hurt me. “Thank you for boosting my self esteem.”

  Gabe shook his head, trying to take back his harsh words. “No, it's just...” He paused as he realized I was grinning at him.

  “Don't worry, I find you revolting as well,” I assured him.

  “You're not revolting,” he amended. “It's just, when I look at you, I don't see a hot, sexy woman. I see a little girl in pigtails playing tea party with Chloe. I can't not see that.”

  I smiled, remembering hundreds of afternoons playing princess with Gabe's little sister while the two older boys ran around outside in the backyard. We'd try to get them to join in on our games, but they both thought we were just stupid girls.

  “I can't see you as anything but my sister,” he trailed off and made a face. “So, sorry, but blech.”

  I laughed. To be honest, the idea of kissing Gabe was about as disgusting as the idea of kissing Bastian. I'd rather eat dinner off my shoes after walking through a public park.

  “You're killing all my hopes and dreams of us, Gabey-poo,” I teased, pushing out my bottom lip in the biggest fake pout I could manage.

  Gabe rolled his eyes. “You're sooooooo funny.”

  I laughed, dropping the pout. “I am pretty hilarious, thanks.”

  “I'm happy for you and Leo, though,” Gabe said, smiling as he looked down at me. “It's been a long time coming.”

  “People keep saying that,” I replied, shaking my head. “Don't tell me- Murdoch owes you twenty bucks, too?”

  “Nope.” Gabe shook his head and grinned. “He owes me forty.”

  “Poor Murdoch's going to go broke!” I laughed. “He can't keep betting all you billionaires on a bodyguard salary.”

  “That's probably why he hasn't made any other bets with us,” Gabe observed. He looked around the room and then down at his watch. “Speaking of Leo's personal protection, where is Leo? Bastian looks like he might explode if he doesn't make a toast about his engagement soon.”

  Bastian and Ava were practically bouncing with excitement. Sam was oohing and ahhing over her ring.

  “I'll go find him,” I offered, handing Gabe my empty champagne flute. “Let Bastian make the announcement without me if necessary.”

  “Will do,” Gabe said. He grinned and I turned to hurry out of the restaurant to go find Leo.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of ocean, hot sand, growing trees, and the scent of Adele's amazing food. Other than Leo's cologne, it was possibly my favorite scent in the world. Outside the sun was just touching the horizon, turning the ocean into melted gold while the sky bruised purple in the distance. The crickets and frogs were already starting their nightly chorus, tuning their cries like an orchestra before a concert. I loved this place, this island so much.

  Leo wasn't on the porch, but I figured he had to be nearby. The bar to the right was slowly gaining patrons, so I knew he wasn't that direction. There was a small touristy gift shop to the left, but they were closed. I peeked inside, thinking of how I should get one of the conch shells and send it to Chloe.

  The sound of Leo's voice caught my attention. I followed it around the corner to the side of the building. It was a quiet spot where no one would bother him, so it made sense for him to have gone there. I couldn't see him yet, just hear his voice.

  “I've done everything you've asked,” Leo growled into his phone. I paused before he could see me, not wanting to interrupt what was apparently a heated phone conversation. “It's time for you to hold up your end of the bargain.”

  I knew I should back up and not listen to what he was saying, that it was a private conversation, yet my feet didn't move.

  “I gave you the money, all one hundred fucking grand of it,” Leo roared. He quieted as the person on the other line spoke. “No, no... I don't want her to know that. I don't want anyone to know that. Why do you think I've been giving in to your demands?”

  My hand went to my mouth. I could only think of one 'her' he could be talking about. Me. What didn't he want me to know and who was he paying?

  “Fine. Another hundred grand.” Leo's voice was hard and unkind. “Then I'm done. This never gets out.”

  Blackmail. That's what was going on here. There was something that Leo didn't want me to know and he was willing to pay off whoever it was that knew. One hundred thousand dollars. Something about the figure stuck in my brain.

  The CEO slush fund.

  But that didn't make sense. Leo was a billionaire. There was no reason for him not to just pay it out of his own bank account. There was no reason to use the corporate slush fund that was tracked and followed by accountants, unless...

  Unless he was gambling again. Unless he didn't have access to his bank accounts. If he was gambling and needed quick cash, the CEO slush fund would look like the perfect place to get some money.

  Oh, Leo. What are you doing? I pressed my hand harder against my mouth. He said he hadn't gambled since college, but what if he was? What if that was why Toby was at the meeting last night? It explained so much, even though it left a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  Anger seared up and out of that dark pit in my stomach. How could he do this to us? Things were just getting to be perfect. We were finally together and happy. Our friends were happy and the business was due to make another few billion dollars with this new app. Why now?

  I stomped around the corner of the building, ang
er making me brave and stupid.

  “Leo!” I growled.

  He spun around startled, nearly dropping his phone in the process. “Charlotte! What are you doing here?”

  I stalked up to him, furious that I only came up to his chest. I wished I was tall enough to glare down at him like an angry parent. “I came to get you. There's a party inside. A party of your friends.”

  Friends you are lying to. Friends like me, I thought.

  “I'll be right in,” Leo replied, confused at the anger in my voice. “I just needed to make another call first.”

  I crossed my arms, not moving. I wasn't about to leave to let him to transfer more money out of the slush fund. “Did you take the slush fund money, Leo?”

  “Slush fund money?” Leo sounded genuinely confused, but I wasn't born yesterday. “What are you talking about?”

  “There's money missing from the slush fund. One hundred thousand dollars.” I pressed my lips together, trying to keep my voice even. “I didn't know where it went, until I find you back here talking about giving people hundred's of thousands of dollars. What are you doing Leo?”

  Leo's eyes flashed with darkness. “That's none of your business.”

  “Leo, if you're gambling...”I took a step forward, uncrossing my arms and holding out my hands to him. “Please let me help you.”

  “You think I'm gambling?” Hurt and betrayal filled Leo's face. He stepped back as if I had punched him in the gut.

  “Leo, it's okay.” I took another step forward.

  His face twisted and he shook his head, anger filling his eyes. “How dare you?”

  “I'm just trying to help. I love you, Leo, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you,” I said. Stealing money from the company slush fund was a big deal. I wasn't sure how forgiving Bastian and Gabe would be, but I was determined to help him.

  “I don't need your help, Charlotte.” He spat out my name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. “I've got everything under control.”

  He straightened to his full height and tugged his shirt smooth before pushing past me to get back to the restaurant. I took a step back, surprised at how uncaring his attitude was. I was just trying to help him, but here he was acting like I was the enemy.