Redeeming The Billionaire (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 5) by Christina Tetreault
Authors: Christina Tetreault
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grace he used when he walked, Trent retook his seat, his attention once again focused on her. “So is he your only brother?” He asked, picking up their conversation right where they left off.
Addie cocked her head to the side and wondered if he asked all his business associates such questions. “If only,” she answered after deciding it didn’t matter how he treated his other associates. “I have four, all older than me.” Even she heard the hint of exasperation that crept into her voice. She adored her brothers, really she did, but having four older brothers was sometimes like having four additional fathers.
At her comment Trent laughed, a deep rich sound that soon had her smiling despite her best efforts to maintain a straight face.
“You sound like my sister. The two of you make it sound like having brothers is worse than death. I’ll have to introduce you to her, I think you’d get along well.”
Addie doubted that. She’d get along about as well with Allison Sherbrooke as she would with the Queen of England. In fact, she probably had as much in common with the Queen as she did Trent’s sister. “You try being not just the only girl in the family, but the youngest, too. Then get back to me.”
Trent raised his cup in a gesture of surrender, but amusement remained in his eyes. “Fair enough.”
With no idea where to take their conversation next, she looked down at her untouched snack and broke it in half. When nothing else came to mind she settled on talk of the projects he’d hired her for but had not yet asked about. “I’ve started on some preliminary designs for your house. I hope to have something rough for you by the end of next week. Depending on what you like or dislike, I can make changes.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.” On the table Trent laced his fingers together, the movement causing his shirt sleeve to inch up just enough to uncover a large expensive-looking watch on his wrist, another stark reminder of just who sat across from her. “I read that the city has WaterFire scheduled for this Saturday night. I’ve never been. Have you?”
Addie shook her head. “Almost made it once last summer, but then it rained and I decided not to go.”
“If you not busy, would you care to join me? We could have dinner first.”
A multitude of questions, ones she should never voice, popped up in her head all clamoring for answers, answers she couldn’t even begin to speculate on. “That sounds like fun.” Great choice of words.
Regardless of her exact choice of words, Trent smiled, pleased with her response. “Excellent. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock then?”
“I’ll be ready.”
***
Trent removed his suit pants and pulled on a pair of jeans. On his way out of his room he tossed the pants into his laundry basket with the rest of the dry cleaning. After grabbing a cold can of soda from the refrigerator, he retreated to his entertainment room for a night of mindless television. Long spans of solitude were not his thing. In fact, he’d spent more nights alone since his recent return to Providence than he had in the last five years combined. Yet if the small sacrifice now earned him a seat in the Senate, he’d manage. If only Jake or one of his brothers was around. Their presence would help the situation.
Not too much longer. This afternoon he’d taken one step closer to winning Addison over. Next week at this time their relationship status would be on the front of every society page and magazine cover. He had no doubt about that. And while Addie had questions regarding his intentions—he’d seen them in her expression that afternoon—she hadn’t hesitated to accept his invitation for that weekend. A weekend he was looking forward to with anticipation and not only because isolation didn’t suit him.
Unlike the numerous women he’d spent time with over the years, and there had been plenty, Addie made him laugh. She teased him and
Addie cocked her head to the side and wondered if he asked all his business associates such questions. “If only,” she answered after deciding it didn’t matter how he treated his other associates. “I have four, all older than me.” Even she heard the hint of exasperation that crept into her voice. She adored her brothers, really she did, but having four older brothers was sometimes like having four additional fathers.
At her comment Trent laughed, a deep rich sound that soon had her smiling despite her best efforts to maintain a straight face.
“You sound like my sister. The two of you make it sound like having brothers is worse than death. I’ll have to introduce you to her, I think you’d get along well.”
Addie doubted that. She’d get along about as well with Allison Sherbrooke as she would with the Queen of England. In fact, she probably had as much in common with the Queen as she did Trent’s sister. “You try being not just the only girl in the family, but the youngest, too. Then get back to me.”
Trent raised his cup in a gesture of surrender, but amusement remained in his eyes. “Fair enough.”
With no idea where to take their conversation next, she looked down at her untouched snack and broke it in half. When nothing else came to mind she settled on talk of the projects he’d hired her for but had not yet asked about. “I’ve started on some preliminary designs for your house. I hope to have something rough for you by the end of next week. Depending on what you like or dislike, I can make changes.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.” On the table Trent laced his fingers together, the movement causing his shirt sleeve to inch up just enough to uncover a large expensive-looking watch on his wrist, another stark reminder of just who sat across from her. “I read that the city has WaterFire scheduled for this Saturday night. I’ve never been. Have you?”
Addie shook her head. “Almost made it once last summer, but then it rained and I decided not to go.”
“If you not busy, would you care to join me? We could have dinner first.”
A multitude of questions, ones she should never voice, popped up in her head all clamoring for answers, answers she couldn’t even begin to speculate on. “That sounds like fun.” Great choice of words.
Regardless of her exact choice of words, Trent smiled, pleased with her response. “Excellent. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock then?”
“I’ll be ready.”
***
Trent removed his suit pants and pulled on a pair of jeans. On his way out of his room he tossed the pants into his laundry basket with the rest of the dry cleaning. After grabbing a cold can of soda from the refrigerator, he retreated to his entertainment room for a night of mindless television. Long spans of solitude were not his thing. In fact, he’d spent more nights alone since his recent return to Providence than he had in the last five years combined. Yet if the small sacrifice now earned him a seat in the Senate, he’d manage. If only Jake or one of his brothers was around. Their presence would help the situation.
Not too much longer. This afternoon he’d taken one step closer to winning Addison over. Next week at this time their relationship status would be on the front of every society page and magazine cover. He had no doubt about that. And while Addie had questions regarding his intentions—he’d seen them in her expression that afternoon—she hadn’t hesitated to accept his invitation for that weekend. A weekend he was looking forward to with anticipation and not only because isolation didn’t suit him.
Unlike the numerous women he’d spent time with over the years, and there had been plenty, Addie made him laugh. She teased him and
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