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The yacht was more of a sanctuary these days than his city apartment. As much as he longed to escape back to the serenity of his country retreat in the Valley, he needed to be in the city for a while, within easy access for both the police investigation that would be ongoing for some time, and the shit storm that had ensued at his announcement to step away from the company. His apartment was already on the market, and Temptation had become his temporary home until everything settled down.
It was proving a legal and financial nightmare, but things were finally starting to progress and he could see a glimmer of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. As tired as he was, Ry felt surprisingly upbeat about his decision to step down from the helm of Jaxx Corporation and branch out on his own. At eighteen he’d had a simple idea for an online game plus belief in his ability to succeed, but no resources to back it up. This time, at almost thirty-one, he had amassed a personal fortune quite separate from the Jaxx financial juggernaut. This time, he could do whatever he wanted and would be beholden to no one. Unless he wanted to be.
From the second he made the announcement at the initial press conference, it was as if an invisible weight lifted from his shoulders. One he hadn’t even known was there. I can breathe. I can finally breathe.
He stood on the foredeck of the yacht, leaning on the rail and staring out across the Yarra River docklands to the city skyline. A mug of coffee was in hand rather than his usual go-to stress-reliever of alcohol, and the fragrant scent wafted up, cancelling out the muddy smell of the river. It was peaceful at this time of day, a little early for the evening crowds along the promenade. There was a casual air that infused the late afternoon with a sense of laziness. Sun sparkled on the water, almost blinding in its intensity, and for the first time in years he felt a twinge of something approaching actual happiness. If only Kallie were here by my side. Her presence would make the moment perfect.
Seeing her again after all these years had got him thinking a lot more about the past. Memories flooded his mind of how happy he’d been in the early days. He’d forgotten what it felt like to sit at his old box-like computer in the corner of his bedroom, struggling with code, trying out one thing, then another. Even when he got it right, the work still needed a million bug fixes... It had been so long since he felt the joy and excitement of hands-on designing. Now he couldn’t wait to get back to it.
What was Kallie’s reaction to the anonymous donation that had come in to the Impact program? She was smart; surely she knew where it had come from. Would she accept it anyway? He needed so desperately to see her again, but had promised himself he wouldn’t be back in touch until his own train-wreck of a life was sorted. That was still a way off at this point.
At least he’d been able to do something to help out her cause. His private funds were completely separate from the company, so even if the donation was tracked back to him it should be okay. It would mean the company wasn’t associated with his donation in any way, and it would give her at least twelve months leeway to figure out a plan for a more sustainable future for Impact. I hope she accepts it. I hope it doesn’t make her hate me even more.
He took a sip of his coffee and realized it had grown cold. He grimaced at the taste and turned to head inside. Then stopped dead when he saw Kallie staring up at him from the jetty.
“Hey, how... um...” He glanced toward the secure wharf gate and back to Kallie, unable to articulate his words but with his heart suddenly pumping double-time in his chest.
Her smile was tentative, as if she weren’t quite sure of her welcome. “Tania gave me the security code. Hello again, Ryley. Long-time no see.”
***
He was staring down at her from the deck of Temptation, wide-eyed and mouth slightly open. The coffee mug in his hand tilted precariously, dripping liquid everywhere. She couldn’t tell from his reaction whether he was shocked in a good way, or the opposite. What if he really doesn’t want to see me again? Her mouth was dry and she had to swallow hard to force her saliva glands to work before she could attempt an explanation. “Don’t be annoyed with Tania. She said she hoped you wouldn’t mind... We both hoped...” Her teeth began worrying at her bottom lip and she folded her arms across her middle as her stomach began to churn. The defensive gesture appeared to galvanize him into action.
“Of course I don’t mind. Kallie! How could I possibly mind? You’re the one person in the world I want to see most.”
Did he really just say...
“Come on board, love.”
Her whole damn body began to shake. He’s happy to see me. He’s happy. Her smile earlier had been more nerve-driven than anything else, but the sudden impulse to grin widely was motivated by pure relief. When he flipped down the mini-stairs and held out his hand she reached eagerly for his assistance. “Here, steady now.” His other hand balanced against her waist as she climbed on board and the familiar zing whipped through her body. The connection was still there, even though they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. Her already pounding heart skipped a beat and resumed extra fast. “Ry, I’m so sorry—”
“Kallie, I—”
They both spoke at once, and then collapsed into laughter. It was the most wonderful sound she’d ever heard. He led her to an area on deck where they could both sit, and when she did he moved close on the bench seat until their thighs pressed together. His gaze, still full of laughter, challenged her. She didn’t move away.
“You first, Kallie.” As he spoke he shifted a lock of hair that had fallen across her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Ryley. I should have come to see you way before this. I’ve been thinking about you non-stop since we last spoke, and wondering how you’re doing.” She frowned. “It must have been horrific, the past couple of months.”
His shrug was dismissive. “Yes and no. It’s been a rollercoaster, that’s for sure. But Kal...” He paused a moment. “Meeting you again gave me clarity. Even through the drug thing...the investigation... I’m actually happy about stepping down. I get to start fresh. How many people can say that?” Strong fingers tipped her chin until she was staring directly into his eyes. She read sincerity, and desire, in that gaze. “Thing is, I don’t want to do it alone any longer. I don’t know what it is about you; why you came back into my life, or even why I feel this way. But I do. I’ve fallen for you, Kallie Smith. Hard. I can’t bear to think of going into this next stage of my life without you by my side. I...I love you.”
His voice broke on that last sentence, and beyond the simmering desire she could also read love. It lit up his features. She slid her fingers into his until they were fully entwined. “Hearing you say that makes me happy, Ry. So happy. I’ve fallen for you, too. Again.” Her grin was rueful. “I think I’ve always been in love with you, a little, even when we weren’t in each other’s lives. Only, it was never the right time for us, was it?” His shake of the head was brief. “But now is the right time. Isn’t it?”
He leaned in until his mouth was almost, but not quite, touching hers. “Now, and forever, Kallie. I hope?”
Her mouth curved into a smile and she whispered back against his lips. “Now with you will always be enough, but I do like the sound of forever so much more.”
His breathy laughter warmed her, and then they were kissing at last. It was everything she had ever wanted, and more. The future still held so many uncertainties, but she had never been surer that she and Ry could face those uncertainties together. They would build a life based on truth, and laughter, and love. Finally, she and her soul-mate had come home to one another.
The End
***
Did you enjoy Jen Katemi’s billionaire romance, TEMPT? If so, please consider leaving a review at your place of purchase.
If you enjoyed this steamy contemporary romance, you might also enjoy Jen’s RICH AND ROYAL series about the billionaire royals of Leonioro and their rocky road to love. The RICH AND ROYAL series is connected but each story is stand-alone and can be read in any order. Click here to read more.
