An Heir For The Billionaire Read online

  "Thank you." Taking the tag, she pressed it onto the left side of her chest and entered the ballroom, through an archway made of red and white balloons.

  The lights in the ballroom were lowered and it was decorated similar to what the gym had looked like during their senior prom, in the school colours of red and white. A flood of memories came rushing back to her, most of which featured Damon. They'd been inseparable during high school, the couple voted most likely to be married and have children before they were twenty-five.

  Don't get your hopes up. Chances are he's married with a mistress and four children by now. Even if he doesn't, it's not like anything other than catching up would take place anyhow.

  She scanned the ballroom, eyeing each of the tall dark-haired men trying to find Damon. Some of the men looked slightly familiar, but many of them she didn't recognize. After taking time to scrutinize each of the men she found herself disappointed that unless his looks changed drastically over the years, he wasn't one of them. Letting out a loud sigh, Katrina made her way over to the bar and ordered a strawberry daiquiri.

  He's already checked in so he must be around here somewhere.

  "Here ya are, Katrina. On the house. You look beautiful by the way," the tall, sexy, mocha-skinned bartender said, passing her the daiquiri.

  "Thanks Jerome."

  Jerome leaned over the counter and gave her a smile that would normally have women swooning over him, which is why she always rejected him. She imagined he'd lost count of his conquests a long time ago. "So when we going out anyway?"

  "Oh, Jerome. My guess is never."

  "I'll keep asking," he warned.

  "I'll keep saying no," she retorted laughing as she turned to leave.

  "I'll have a scotch, on the rocks."

  Katrina froze; the man's voice behind her was deep and sexy, and so familiar that it sent a shiver down her spine. Slowly, she turned back to the bar and there he was, in the flesh, as sexy as he had been the last day she'd seen him, almost ten years ago. She gulped down the lump forming in her throat as she watched him pay for his drink.

  "Damon?" While asked as a question there was no doubt it was him. Six-foot-two, broad shoulders, dark hair and equally as dark eyes. Maybe it was the fine cut suit that fit him perfectly, or maybe it was the air of confidence and cockiness that he had about him now that made him heart-stopping sexy. She didn't know, but all the feelings she'd had for him a decade ago came crashing down on her, including the pain and hurt of their break-up.

  His eyes immediately lit up with recognition as they caught hers. "Katrina?"

  Katrina nodded.

  Placing his drink on the bar he closed the distance between them and pulled her into a brief hug. Keeping her drink out of the way, she wrapped her free arm around his neck and held tight to him. She buried her face against his neck and his aftershave drifted to her, smelling of woods and spices. It drew her in, and she longed to stay in his warm embrace. But to her dismay, he ended the hug way too quickly and stepped away picking his scotch back up and taking a long drink.

  "You look..." Damon took a moment to survey her, and she found herself grateful that she'd bought the new dress, including the fishnet thigh-high stockings. "I'm speechless. You look stunning Katrina. You've barely changed since I last saw you."

  Katrina felt her cheeks grow warm and she lowered her gaze, feeling like a teenager again. "Thank you." After a moment, she lifted her blue eyes and smiled. On impulse she reached out and fingered the lapels of his suit jacket. The material was unbelievably soft under her fingertips. "You're looking pretty good yourself. The years seem to have been equally as kind to you."

  His jaw clenched and she thought she saw a flash of sadness and regret in his eyes, but as quickly as it appeared, the look disappeared and a smile touched his lips. "I've done okay."

  "By the way you used to work I would imagine you must be the big honcho at some multi-million dollar company by now. Living the dream."

  His grin widened and he shrugged. "I've done okay."

  Katrina's eyes followed his left hand as he raised his glass to take a sip of his scotch. No wedding ring or indication that there had been one there recently. A rush of relief and satisfaction flowed through her.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the president of their graduating class - Kirk Miller.

  "Welcome everyone to the ten year reunion of South Haven High, class of 2003!"

  Clapping and cheers erupted from the several hundred people who were in attendance. Katrina's eyes left the stage and Kirk to check out Damon, while he was distracted. She stood just above his shoulder, her 5'7 little more than six inches shorter than him. Sensing her eyes on him, he looked down at her and gave her a wink. Her heart fluttered and pulse raced at the gesture. She immediately shifted her gaze back to the stage, but could still feel his eyes on her.

  Despite her eyes being on Kirk, whatever he was saying was lost on her. Her mind was focused on the tremors rushing through her at the feeling of him watching her. She wondered if he had a girlfriend or woman at home. And where was home? There was so much she wanted to know, she silently prayed Kirk would wind up his long-winded speech soon so she could get back to Damon. Apparently, Kirk liked to hear himself talk just as much now as he had when they were younger.

  "And now, I see that the prom king and queen are here tonight. So let's kick off the night with the king and queen dancing to the same song they danced to all those years ago."

  Here Without you, by 3 Doors Down began to play and with a little coaxing the former king and queen joined together in the center of the dance floor. Neither one seemed overly impressed to be forced to dance together, which made Katrina wonder what had transpired between them to cause such a rift.

  "He's gay."

  "Huh?" Katrina's brows furrowed as she tore her eyes from the couple to meet Damon's.

  "That's why they're slightly hostile towards each other. He left her for a man not to long after graduation. She took it hard."

  Katrina's blue eyes widened and her jaw went slack. "No way!"

  Damon grinned and nodded his confirmation. "Yes way."

  People began to pair up and join the king and queen on the dance floor.

  Turning towards her, Damon took her daiquiri from her hand and extended his hand to her. "Will you join me Kat?"

  Katrina looked down at his outstretched hand and hesitated. Looking back up into his dark eyes she saw the regret in them, a silent apology and request for forgiveness. He was extending an olive branch to her, so how could she not accept?

  "Please, Katrina."

  "I'd love to," she responded taking his hand. His hand closed around hers, eclipsing her small on into his larger one as he led her to the dance floor. He led her to the side of the dance floor, away from the other embracing couples and then pulled her into his arms.

  She twirled once, laughing softly, her blonde locks whipping around her head as she twirled and then slipped into his arms, sliding her hands up his chest and locking her fingers behind his neck. He immediately pulled her close, and she found herself amazed at how familiar it felt to be in his arms again. The years seemed to peel back and she was transported in time ten years to when life was simple and they were in love.

  *****

  Katrina buried her face against his neck, as Damon pulled her closer. Her body felt so good against him, it had been a while since he'd been with a woman and he'd forgotten how good it felt to hold someone he cared about so closely.

  He'd thought about her more times than he could count over the years. Whenever he'd feel the hint of loneliness she'd appear in his mind. She'd been so sweet and carefree. It didn't matter how crazy his ideas had been or how impossible his dreams were, she'd always supported him. Even when he got accepted to Stanford, she was the one to tell him to go, even though he knew it was the last thing she'd wanted him to do.

  A rush of guilt and regret came crashing over him, hitting him like a slug to the stomach. "I'm
sorry Kat."

  She tensed in his arms and pulled back to look him in the eye. Her brow furrowed. "For what?"

  "For leaving you behind."

  She smiled, but the smile was weak at best. "It was for the best." She looked down and fingered the lapel of his suit jacket. "We had different paths..."

  The song switched up to U Got It Bad, by Usher.

  "No, I was selfish. I was young and wanted to conquer the world. I didn't realize that I already had what was most important in life. I've never again found a love like what I had with you."

  She opened her mouth to comment and then snapped it shut. Damon cursed himself for coming on too strong. He'd been doing a lot of self-reflection over the past little while and despite the sense of accomplishment he got whenever he took over a new company; the truth of the matter was that he'd never been truly happy since he moved out of Bangor and away from her. When he considered his life, he had four years of pure happiness and they were all due to her.

  Damon pulled her back into his arms. He lowered his nose to her hair and took in the scent of her shampoo - apple. "Your hair even smells the same."

  Katrina laughed and glanced up at him. "I'm not one for change. I can't believe you remember what shampoo I used to use."

  "I remember a lot of things, Kat."

  She lowered her gaze, a blush colouring her cheeks. "Me too. Every time I go to the park and wind up at the lookout and I remember the night you first told me..." Her voice trailed off and her blush deepened.

  "That I loved you," Damon finished off for her.

  She nodded.

  "I did Kat, but my ambition got in the way." He caught her chin in his hand and tilted her face up so her eyes caught him. "It was real. I don't doubt that for an instant."

  A look crossed her face that reminded him so much of the eighteen year old young woman he'd foolishly left that it left him winded. The music ended and neither of them noticed until the couples around them began to break up as the tempo increased.

  With great reluctance, Damon released his grip on Katrina and stepped back, however, he kept her hand securely in his. "Can I make a confession?" He asked as he led her from the dance floor.

  She looked unsure. He was overloading her, he knew this, but he needed to say what was on his mind and in his heart. He didn't have the luxury of time any longer.

  "I'm still trying process your apology," she admitted.

  "Come with me." He led her through the ballroom and out into the foyer.

  "Where are we going?"

  "A place a little quieter and less crowded. I rented a room here yesterday afternoon and did a little exploring last night. I found a beautiful little spot..."

  "Ahhh. The gardens. You're right. They're beautiful."

  Damon laughed. "Guess you've been doing some exploring here as well. Are you also staying here tonight?"

  Katrina paused, her eyes lowering and a faint blush touching her cheeks. "Not exactly."

  Damon cocked a brow at her and chuckled. "What do you mean by not exactly?"

  "Well, I sort of work here."

  "Oh?" Coming up to the doors leading to the gardens, he opened it up and stepped back, letting her enter before him.

  "Yeah."

  "What do you do?"

  Chapter 3

  Katrina's insides were turning to jelly as the memories continued to compound. Damon's confession only added to the turmoil brewing within her. She had no idea that seeing him would have such a powerful effect on her. If she'd known she may have reconsidered coming tonight.

  "Kat?" Damon prompted.

  "Not all of us were able to do well for ourselves out of high school and leave this place Damon," she snapped and then cringed at the look of surprise on his face at her reaction.

  "Did I say something that implied that working here was a bad thing? If I had it wasn't my intention."

  Sighing, Katrina raked a hand through her hair, embarrassed she'd gotten so touchy with him. "No. I'm sorry. I just..." Walking over to the seven foot tall marble fountain in the center of the gardens she sat down on the white marble bench, crossing one shapely leg over the other. The flow of the water trickling down the sculpture and into the base helped soothe her slightly frazzled state.

  With a frown creasing his brow Damon walked over to the fountain and sat next to her. "What's wrong? Maybe I can help?"

  Giving him a rueful smile, she shook her head. She began to finger the lace at the hem of her skirt trying to distract herself from the slew of mixed emotions flowing through her. "I'm being overly sensitive. I'm sorry. Just seeing you and seeing the others... Well, it makes me feel like I've wasted the last ten years."

  Damon covered her small delicate hands with one of his and hooked the index finger of his other hand under her chin tilting her eyes up to meet his. "Why? Why would you think such a thing?"

  Her heart rate accelerated and another wave of emotions flooded her as she looked deep into his dark brown eyes. It occurred to her that perhaps the problem was that she never really got the closure that she needed. On some level she'd hoped maybe they'd work it out at a later date. They'd made so many promises to each other all those years ago and none of them came to be.

  She fingered the expensive material of his jacket lapel a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "I'm a banquet server Damon. I can't pay my bills and haven't even come close to feeling for a man the way I..." She stopped herself from finishing the sentence, feeling foolish. Who held a touch for a high school crush for ten years? No one. Just her.

  "There's nothing wrong with being a banquet server Kat. Nothing at all."

  She huffed and gave him a forced smile. "Things just seemed so much easier back then. And I guess I didn't realize how much I've resented the life that I've made for myself until the past few days when I did a full autopsy of it."

  "You know, I've done a similar autopsy recently."

  "Oh."

  "Yeah. You wanna know how many women I've had relationships with since high school?"

  Katrina couldn't even harbour a guess if she wanted to. He was educated, sexy-as-sin, successful, she guessed too many to count. She shook her head.

  "None."

  Katrina laughed and gave him a swat on the shoulder. "Oh, come on. A guy like you."

  He grinned cocking a brow up at her. "A guy like me?"

  "Yeah. Good looking. Too smart for his own good and it's blatantly apparent you've done well for yourself. How could you not?"

  Damon shrugged. "When at Stanford, my studies were number one. When I graduated, work and building my company was my focus. I always thought I'd have time later on in life to find someone and have a family."

  Katrina rolled her eyes at him, laughing lightly at the gloomy nature of his comment. "Oh come on, you have lots of time for that. Women have a shorter expiration date on having children than men."

  He grinned, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "I'm not even going to comment on that statement."

  "Such a smart guy." Her mood lifted. "So guess that means no children, huh?"

  The amusement in his eyes dimmed and the sadness she thought she'd seen earlier flashed in his eyes, but only for a moment and then amusement reappeared. "None. You?"

  She shook her head. "None."

  "And do you want kids?"

  "I always did. I just have to.... ya know. Find a man. Get married. And all that before I can get to the children part."

  "At least the man part anyhow."

  Katrina grinned. "Well, a man isn't necessity needed."

  Damon laughed. "We do carry an essential ingredient to the baby making formula."

  "You know what I mean silly." Leaning into him, Katrina gave him a little nudge to his right side. To her surprise his breath hitched and he flinched, his smile fading.

  Her eyes widened in surprise at his reaction. "Oh-my-God, I didn't think I nudged you that hard. I'm sorry Damon!"

  His jaw clenched and a smile returned to his lips. "Nah, you just took me by surprise
. I'm fine."

  Not convinced she reached to pull at his shirt to get a look at his side and he jerked backwards away from her, taking her hands in his. "I'm fine Kat..." he gave her a stern look, a look he used to give her when they were younger when he had no intention of discussing something further. "Really."

  He's lying, a voice in the back of her head told her. Despite the years that had passed, she could still tell when he was lying, but she didn't press the topic. If there was something going on that he wanted to share with her, he would, in his own time.

  "Okay."

  He gave her hands a light squeeze. "I'm fine," he repeated.

  ****

  Damon's side was hurting like a bitch, and he had to force himself to keep from wincing. It had been healing well, but she'd nailed him right on the incision. He could tell she suspected he was keeping something from her, but the last thing he wanted was to reconnect with her and within the first hour of being with her toss out the "Big C" news. If she was anything like she was when they were younger - and from their brief discussion so far he suspected she was - then she'd become sick with worry. He wanted to enjoy being with her, not suddenly be a target of pity. No, he'd keep that information tightly guarded unless he had to fess up.

  He glanced down at her hands in his. They were so petite, his large ones eclipsing them completely. He unconsciously stroked the palms of her hands with his thumbs.

  Katrina inhaled sharply, drawing his eyes back to hers. There was a tint of desire in her sapphire blue eyes. His eyes lowered to her lips, painted pink and glossed. The ache in his side was forgotten as his mind became distracted with a different kind of ache.

  Her lips beckoned to him. He wondered if she'd kiss him in the way she had years ago, with such passion. He could still remember the way she'd sigh against his mouth as she pressed herself against him.

  "So no husband, fiancé, boyfriend?"

  She shook her head, running her tongue along her lower lip - enticing him.