Chapter 71

THEY FLEW HOME IN SILENCE, the hot love-making session having been put on hold. Their relationship was a freakin’ yo-yo. It did feel like they were teenagers again. She didn’t have much to say as they sat in the back of the car, either, though Carl reached out and took her hand about halfway home. She didn’t push him away, but she didn’t give much thought to making things right either. His phone buzzed and accidentally connected to the car stereo as the message from his caller was recorded. “This is Carl Reid. I’m away from my phone. Leave your name and a short message and I’ll return the call when I can.”A loud beep sounded. “Carl,” the voice was sexy and a little too familiar. “It’s Annette. I need you to call me when you get this, baby. It’s really important okay? No ignoring me to make me jealous or sad. I need to talk with you. Its business-related and I know how much you love business.”The message ended and Mandy’s stomach tightened. He was worried about her and Mark? That

Chapter 72

Always guy troubles.” She fixed her coffee and let out a long sigh. “Let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you.”“Okay. Well, I wanted to see you to let you know that I’m filing for divorce. I’ll be getting a place in the city, and it has two bedrooms, so if you need a place to stay there is always room for you with me.” He smiled warmly. Mandy glanced up and really studied him, finding his complexion clearer and healthier than she had seen it in years. His time with her mother had been good for a long time, but the last five or six years, he’d starting looking worse and worse. “I’m glad. I’m sorry things aren’t working between you and mom, but to be honest, you look really good, Dad.”“I feel good.” He lifted his arms in the air and stretched. “I’m sick of being beaten down and kicked around. I’m going to spend the rest of my days with someone who really cherishes me, or alone. I’m happy going at life by myself.” “Me too, actually.” She admitted. “You’re too young to be cynic

Chapter 73

I’m getting over it.” She shrugged. “I need to run a few things by you.”“Go for it.” Dark circles sat under his beautiful blue eyes, much like his brother Mark seemed to be sporting every time they saw him. “Mark called and will be coming up on Saturday with all of the paperwork from the estate sale.”“Good.”“He wants to know if he can stay at your place. He’s having a few financial difficulties.”“No.” Carl kept his steely gaze on her. “Alright. He can stay with me.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Next topic is your notes for the meeting on Tuesday.”“Wait. What the fuck? My brother’s not staying with you. That’s not happening.” He sat up in his chair and leaned toward her. The aggressive look on his face would have been sexy if he didn’t mean it in a negative manner.“Then he’s staying with you. There’s plenty of room at your house. You’re being an ass about this.” She moved to the edge of her chair, ready to challenge him. Their ‘moving to the next level’ would definitel

Chapter 74

Mandy finished up her day and spent the evening waiting for Carl to finish. She gave up and headed back to her apartment after nine. A salad dinner and then a long swim left her bored and cranky. She’d eaten enough crap food and her body was starting to tell her. She threw a movie in the DVD player and sat on the couch, waiting for Carl to knock on her door. She dozed off, and around two in the morning she finally texted him, only to get a short reply that they would talk soon. Images of him and Annette wouldn’t leave her head, or her dreams. Why in the world hadn’t he just brought the pile of work home with him? Unless he was out with her. Something flared up inside of Mandy. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it made her irritable and possessive.Morning took forever to come and was there too soon. “Why are men such a pain in the ass?” She sat up on the couch and stretched, aching everywhere. She dressed in a simple green dress and flats, pulled her hair into a messy bun and put on

Chapter 75

Every woman I’ve dated is always mad. It’s a man’s job to make them happy.”She laughed. Was he being serious? She pressed her lips together when she realized he was. He had told her once that he didn’t know how to love, that he wasn’t meant for a relationship. She was beginning to understand why. “I’m here to help, but you’re pushing me away. I’m not mad, nor am I the bad guy.” She pressed her fingers into the tight muscles of his shoulders, and melted a little when he moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, pressing the side of his face to her center. “Me, too, but I think it’s only going to get worse. I have so much shit I’m dealing with. I would love help, but, honestly, I don’t even know where to start.” “You hired me to help with the business. I’ve proven I’m capable. Put more stuff on me. If you’re here late, I can be, too.”“I hate to do that to you. I’ve been trying not to.”“But I want to help.”He sighed. “I may take you up on that.”“Good, but first, let’s start wi

All Chapters of The Billionaire Romantic getaway: Chapter 71 - Chapter 75

Chapter 71

Chapter 72

Chapter 73

Chapter 74

Chapter 75