Billionaire At Sea

7

Damian

Mia pulled her hand away quickly, her cheeks turning red.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” I said, wondering what in the hell I’d been thinking anyway. Yeah, she was gorgeous and there was no question that I wouldn’t mind f*****g her. But, after the mistake with my ex-wife, Marissa, I’d vowed to never mix business and pleasure again. In my early twenties, I’d hired Marissa as my interior decorator, and we’d hit it off right away. Love followed, as did marriage and our son, Jake Unfortunately, she changed dramatically over the next few years. She started partying hard and then there’d been the one-night affairs. I’d even caught her cheating on me with one of my teammates, Pete White. Not only had it ended our marriage permanently, but my future in baseball. The night I confronted Pete, I injured my shoulder, destroying the only thing that really mattered to me, besides my son, my pitching career. Even worse, Pete ended up recovering fully from a couple of broken ribs and recently moved into my old house, with Marissa. My only consolation was that I was able to get full custody of Jake, without a fight, by agreeing to keep Pete’s name out of the media. As much as I hated him, I’d started the fist fight and knew they’d use it against me in court anyway. My lawyer had advised me into agreeing to their demands, along with a healthy divorce settlement for Marissa. She walked away with the house and ten million dollars. In turn, I had my son and she was only allowed monitored visits, at least until I agreed to give her more than that. It was a small price to pay, especially knowing that Jake would never have to walk in and see his mother snorting coke or in bed with the man who’d ruined his father’s career.

“It’s okay,” she said, still looking flushed. “It may sound weird, but I’m just not used to being touched.”

I had to bite my tongue from asking if she’d like me to help her get over it.

Enough, I told myself, blaming it on the beer and the fact that I hadn’t had s*x for two months.

“Don’t apologize. I should have warned you that I’m a toucher,” I lied, feeling the tension in the air. “It’s just my way. You should have seen Michael when I grabbed his hand the first time.” I chuckled. “He looked at me like I was making a move.”

Relaxing, she smiled. “I bet he almost wished you had been.”

“Maybe, but he knows I’m into women only.”

Just then, Ridley made it back to the table. She sat down, an irritated look on her face.

“Did you get ahold of Adam?” asked Mia.

“Yes.” She sighed. “He’s actually jealous. Can you believe it? I suppose it’s partly because we’re hanging out with you,” she replied, looking at me. “He loves baseball.”

“He can join us if he wants,” I replied. “The more the merrier and I’d love to meet him.”

“Oh, he would love that, but his friends are over. They’re playing poker,” she answered. “He did ask if I could get your autograph.”

I laughed. “Sure, if he really wants it. It’s probably not worth anything these days.”

“Nonsense,” said Ridley. “You’re a legend. You may have retired but you’ve had an impressive career, even I know that. Especially winning the World Series four years ago. That must have been so exciting.”

“It was,” I admitted, thinking back to that time. My life had been perfect. Marissa and I’d been happy. We’d had Jake. Winning the World Series had been icing on the cake.

Ridley looked at Mia. “You’re very quiet. I think it’s time to head out and get the party started before you change your mind.”

“I’m not going to change my mind,” she answered softly and then stood up. “I should probably use the bathroom before we leave.” Mia grabbed her purse. “I’ll be back.”

Ridley and I watched as she stepped away from the table. I could barely take my eyes off of her long legs. The woman was stunning in every way.

“So,” said Ridley, turning to look at me. “Are you dating anyone right now?”

Ridley no longer surprised me. I liked the fact that she was direct and to the point. “That depends on what you mean by ‘dating’.”

“As in ‘seeing anyone seriously’,” she replied.

“No.”

“What do you think of Mia?”

“She’s beautiful. Sexy,” I admitted. “But...”

“Not exactly what you’re looking for,” she said.

“I’m not looking for anything, to be honest.”

“I somehow knew that you were going to say that. It’s a pity, too, because you’re obviously a good guy.”

“Good guy? So, I do have most women fooled,” I joked.

“Apparently,” she said, smiling. “Anyway, I think I’m a pretty good judge of character and I just thought that you and Mia… Well, you know.”

I chuckled. “Don’t get me wrong… any man would be lucky to have Mia and I hope she finds herself a good one. I’m just not that guy.”

“Too soon?”

“No. I’m long over my divorce,” I admitted. “The truth is that I’m not looking to settle down and I enjoy being a bachelor. Honestly, I couldn’t offer a woman anything more than a one-night stand.”

“Right now, I think she’d even benefit from a quick roll in the hay,” said Ridley dryly. “She needs someone to bring her back.”

“What do you mean, ‘bring her back’?”

Ridley explained that Mia had been f****d over by her ex and how she was still struggling with it.

“She’s turned into a hermit and I’m worried about her.”

I smiled. “She did mention that she was a homebody.”

Ridley went on. “I don’t know. I guess I shouldn’t be telling you all of this. It’s just that I miss her laughter and that light that used to be in her eyes. I honestly think she’s still in mourning. That bastard doesn’t deserve her attention anymore,” Ridley said angrily.

“It takes time,” I said, now understanding Mia a little better. She and I actually had more in common than I’d thought.

“That’s what she keeps saying, but I don’t see her getting any better. She needs some help,” said Ridley.

“Right, but I don’t know if she’d appreciate you trying to set up a booty call for her, though.”

Ridley laughed. “What do you mean? That’s what best friends are for.”

My friends had pretty much done the same thing for me after Marissa and I split up. Introducing me to supermodels and actresses. For me, it had worked. At least to a point, and shamelessly, I’d used s*x to self-medicate during my lowest time. But something told me that Mia needed much more than a one-night stand, which really was the only thing I was capable of.

“Honestly, I’d like to help you out but since we’ll be working together, it can’t happen anyway. I’m sure you understand.”

“Help her out with what?” asked Michael, sitting back down.

“Nothing,” said Ridley, looking innocent.

“Uh, oh. If I know my sister, she’s up to something that could get one of us into trouble,” he said with a half-smile. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone with her.”

Ridley gave him a scalding look. “Very funny.”

I chuckled. “She means well and I do appreciate her tenacity,” I said, as the waiter walked back toward us with the bill.

“Say that now,” said Michael. “Wait until the trip. You might want to toss her into the ocean. Just make sure you’re deep enough out. She’s a pretty good swimmer.”

“Noted,” I said, winking at Ridley.

Ben set the bill down on the table and I grabbed it before Michael could. He gave me a dirty look.

“You can pay next time,” I told him.

“You said that last time.”

“Did I?” I replied, knowing that I had. I didn’t mind paying. I enjoyed treating my friends.

“Can I get you anything else before you leave?” the waiter asked.

“A muzzle,” said Michael. “For my sister. Something tells me her tongue is going to be the death of her in the next few days.”

Ridley slugged him in the shoulder playfully. “You’re so mean to me,” she pouted as the waiter walked away, smiling.

“Now, now. You know I love you, Ridley. Even with that trouble-making mouth of yours,” he answered and then looked at me. “I don’t know how you do it. Women are such complicated creatures. Men are no-nonsense and easy-peasy.”

“He’s definitely no-nonsense,” joked Ridley, nodding toward me. “Although, I have to admit that I respect you more because of it, Damian Stryker.”

“Thank you. The feeling is mutual.”

She grinned.

Michael rolled his eyes. “I don’t even want to know what you’re talking about, do I?”

“Probably not,” I told him.

Mia took that moment to return to the table. Staring at her again, I had to wonder what kind of fool would risk losing such beautiful woman for a one-night stand? Apparently, I would soon find out.