Billionaire to Billionaire

Chapter 5.

*Andi's point of view*

The hell!? One moment we're looking for my freaking keys and the next I’m being held onto by his gorgeous arms with his face close to mine. I so badly wanted to kiss him. It almost seemed like he wanted it too. But the next thing I know, I’m pulling back like a damn school girl and running out all flustered. Why!?

We head out to my jeep and crawl in. Thankfully he takes the initiative to change the subject and notices my jeep is a manual. He chuckles and says "Impressive. Not only beautiful but capable of driving a stick. I have never met a woman able to do that". I laugh and say "Well, maybe you're not hanging out with the right women". Smooth, Andi. Real smooth. Geezus. He chuckles and says "Maybe not."

I pull out of the drive and we take off for town. I pull into a small hardware store first. Better get Dad's stuff before they close at 2:00. I grab a basket and Anthony and I start picking off that portion of the list. I’m grateful for his help. We check out and head out the door. I hand him the bags and keys to the jeep and tell him I'll be right back. I take a moment to dodge in to the Auto store while I'm here. Mac comes up to front after hearing the door chime and greats me with a smile. "Hi Andi! How ya doin?" "Hi! Good, Mac! Hope you're doing well! I just came in so I could put money on Dad's account. What's he waiting to order?" "Well, there isn't much more he should have to order for the Chevelle. We're getting down to the fun stuff now." "Mac, can you get me a grand total, order it, and start sending it to him?" "Sure, Andi! Same rule? They're 'extra'?" "Exactly!" If my Dad knew I've been paying for his Chevelle parts these last few years, he'd have a fit! He's always told me to "save it for a rainy day!". I don't need to worry about that so he's my 'rainy day' beneficiary! Mac gets me a total and I pull out my black card and hand it to him. I thank him as he hands me my card back. "Andi, you're Dad sure is lucky! I can't wait to see that Chevelle struttin around town!" "Me too! Bye Mac! Take care of yourself!". I head back out to the jeep and climb in. Anthony gives me a weird look. I can only assume it's because I came out with nothing but a smile. We head over to the grocery store to grab the rest of the supplies. Anthony grabs a cart and we head in. I instantly feel the hot, burning gazes of the gossipy woman in this neighborhood. I don't know if it's because I'm with a guy or because the guy is basically a God and standing next to me, that's intensified! I try to ignore them as we move through the store. He's a great help even though neither of us are familiar with the store layout. I find myself laughing as he holds up weird items we come across, like canned pigs’ feet.

We round a corner to head towards meats and bump into another cart. I go to apologize and realize that it's Mandy, the worse town gossip around here. And an ex friend of mine. When Mom and Dad first moved up here, she was sweet and kind. I started dating a guy who was really sweet. The next thing I know, she's sleeping with him. I haven't spoken to her since. She puts on a huge fake smile and in what I can only describe as chalk board annoying, says my name like we're still friends.

"ANDI! How are you? I haven't seen you in forever! Tell me, what are you up to these days? Are you still with David? This can't be him! He's too handsome for you!" Every nerve in my body was just sinched. I feel myself tense up and blurt out under my breath "Why? Did you sleep with him too?" I don't know if she heard me, but Anthony suddenly chimes in. "No, I'm not David. I'm Anthony. And you have it wrong, Miss...?" "Mandy Higgins!" She exclaims as she tries to push her chest out making it look bigger. Gross. “...yeah, Miss Higgins, you have it wrong. It's Andi who is far too pretty for I! But she seems to have taken a liking to me so I’m not going to argue with it!" As he slips his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. Trying to recover from shock quickly, I smile and say "Well, Mandy, as much as I've enjoyed our little run in, I hope to not do it again. Have a good day" and start to walk us away.

We round another corner and come in front of the meat department. I look back to see if Mandy is following us. She's not. I tell Anthony 'thank you' and he didn't have to do that. He says "Not at all! It was my pleasure to watch her squirm! I hate people like that." I suddenly realize his arm is still around my waist and go to move away. He leans down and whispers into my ear "We better not, she might still be watching." I blush instantly as the butterflies in my stomach flood into my core making me weak in the knees. I could fall into those arms at any time and here we are in the middle of a freakin grocery store! Ugh!

I breath out an 'ok' finally and we continue on. He is now grabbing things from the shelves as I read the list and push the cart. His arm never leaving my waist. We go to head to the checkouts and sure enough, there's Mandy. Watching like she just lost the lotto to her evil stepsister. Anthony notices this as well but leans down and kisses me on the forehead, just above my brows. I feel my face flush instantly as his warm, plush lips touch my skin. His beard tickles my nose and my insides turn to jelly again. I'm sure I look like a freaking melting tomato in the store! She sees it and storms off out of the store with her bags barely in tote.

We exit the store and I notice Mandy sitting in her car. She notices us so I lean into Anthony. Hey, he started this! I’m totally taking advantage of it. He heads over to my jeep and starts loading everything into the back of it. He turns to me and asks if he can drive. I say "sure!" And hand him the keys. He goes up to my door and holds it open for me and helps me in. Not that I need it...but I see where this is going. He runs back around to other side and we head off. Leaving Mandy to wallow in her own demise.

As we're driving back home, I turn to him and Thank him again for it. Telling him it was really not necessary, but I did enjoy watching her squirm. He chuckles and says "it was my pleasure! Any guy would be lucky to have you by their side. I'm glad I got to experience it. I could get used to it". I'm stunned. I don't know whether to say 'thank you' or 'sure!'. I don't think he realized that came from his mouth either until I see his cheeks flush. I so badly want to run my fingers across them and through his beard hair. But still stunned...I don't. "Hey! I see an ice cream shop up ahead! Would you like to stop for some? My treat!!" He says almost like a little kid. It's enough to snap me out of my daydream and I say "yes!"

So we pull off into the ice cream shop and hop out. I order a banana split flurry and he just looks at me. "What?" I ask blushing. "Nothing" he says. "I didn't realize that was a thing! I'll have one of those, too, please!" We take a seat on a picnic table out front and wait for our flurries. I’m painfully aware of how close his legs are to mine under the table. The heat rises through my body. I’m so thankful the young girl walks up with our ice cream just then. I dive in, welcoming the cool off. Anthony starts to moan like he's just had the best thing in the world. I laugh and ask, "You've really never had a banana split flurry?" He grins and says "Nope. But I think I've been seriously deprived up until now!" I laugh and we continue eating our ice cream. Occasionally glancing up at one another and smiling. I can't remember the last time I felt this good. Even with as much as he makes my body flutter, and my face turn red, I feel at ease and comfortable. I really don't want this to end!

We get back to the B and B and unload everything for Momma. She's already offloaded the girls onto my brother who is heading home already. I ask Momma if she wants help in the kitchen as the new guests are do anytime soon. She says sure and hands things over to me. Anthony hops up on one of the counters and grabs an apple. He munches away as I start pulling things out for chicken fajitas. I’m chopping away and we're talking about each other's likes, dislikes, general get to know you stuff. We like a lot of the same things. My taste in music is all over the bored so I was excited when we both named off artist's we liked, and they were similar. We discuss movies and how we like the dopey comedies and even some of the animated ones.

He hops down and helps me prep the toppings for the fajitas as we continue to talk. It’s so easy to talk to him. And yet, even when we're silent with each other, it just feels natural. It's like we've known each other for years. As I'm finishing up the fajitas, Anthony starts setting the table. Mom comes in as I’m setting the last dish up with the family that will be staying. It’s a mom, dad, and three teenage kids. They excitedly look at the fajitas and sides and get comfortable quick. Anthony takes a seat next to me after Mom and Dad sit down. I notice Mom give Dad a quick nudge with a smile after he does. Again, not unnoted, Mother. After we finish eating, we sit at the table talking with the new family. Anthony drapes his arm across the back of my chair, his hand close to my shoulder. I swear he has one of my curls in it. We sit and joyously chat for about an hour afterwards. Mom and Dad clean up the kitchen and soon show Kyle, Molly, and kids to their rooms.

Anthony stands up and asks if I'd like to go for a short walk. I say "sure" and we head out the back door. I grab a blanket on the way out and stick it under my arm. I take him out behind the barn to a small clearing out there. I lay the blanket down and lay down on top of it. After a brief hesitation, he lays down beside me. With our hands behind our heads, we lay and watch the stars appear. Totally encompassing the sky above us.

I hear him let out a sigh and ask if he's OK. "Actually, I really am. This is the most relaxed I've been in so long. Thank you for this". "For what?" I ask. He rolls to his side and looks down at me. "For showing me around and taking me on adventures. For letting me just be. Thank you! I've really enjoyed it. I've really enjoyed you." Before I can digest that last bit, he leans down and kisses me softly on my lips. I’m stunned. And I crave more. Without thinking, I reach back up and continue the kiss. His tongue begins to explore my lips and I let out a small moan as it enters my mouth. He tastes so good. He slowly pulls away and leans his forehead on mine. "I've wanted to do that all day". "Really?" I ask. "Then why didn't you?" He smirks and kisses me again. Putting his hand on my cheek, he pulls me in closer to him. My hands slide up to his face and into his beard. Holding onto to his rugged jaw. I let him taste me like I've never let anyone before. My heart is beating so fast now. What is happening? I'm falling for this guy and I barely know him!

He slowly pulls back and drops his head to mine again. We quietly sit there for a moment. Just being. Enjoying the company of each other and the taste we left in each other's mouths. A cool breeze picks up and I feel myself shiver. A moment ago, my body was blazing with heat from the bottom of my core. It’s still there but the cool night air reminds me where we are. I smile at him. Happy to be in this moment with him. Happy to have his body so close. He snuggles into me and wraps his arms around me. We lay there for what felt like eternity...but not long enough...curled up in each other's arms. He pulls his mouth to my ear and softly says " Andi, I think I like you. I’d really like to get to know you more. If you're willing". I smile and say "I'd very much like that". He leans down and kisses me again. At this moment, I have no other cares in the world.