The Protective Billionaire Read online

  He set his fork down, then rested his forearms on the table as he leaned forward a few inches. “Aubree, we hardly know each other and you don’t owe me any explanations, but it’s obvious to me that you’re afraid. Of what or of who, I have no idea.” He gazed at her a moment. “But if I can help you in any way, any way at all, tell me how and I’ll do it.” His tone broadcast total and complete commitment to his offer.

  Aubree was taken aback. But what could a random software guy who lived in the woods possibly do to help her? Nothing, that’s what. No. She had to leave this in the hands of the police. She didn’t know if they were doing all that much, but she had no other options. She couldn’t afford to hire security—she couldn’t even afford to continue paying her rent much longer. All she could do was stay out of the spotlight and hope her stalker disappeared.

  The unlikelihood of that happening, of ever getting her life back, sent waves of despair crashing over her. Trying to keep the frown from dragging the corners of her mouth down, she used her best acting skills to pretend all was well.

  “I don’t know what gave you that impression,” she said, thinking it was too bad the Oscar nominations committee wasn’t watching just then. “I have nothing to be afraid of. Nothing at all.” The lie tasted bitter in her mouth, but she held on to her performance with all she had.

  Cameron stared at her, his blue eyes darkening. “Hmm.”

  Undoubtedly, he didn’t believe her. Pressing her lips into a straight line, she stared right back, daring him to tell her she was lying.

  He looked away first and she felt a burst of triumph. It was dumb, but in some bizarre way it was almost as if making him believe her would make her lies true.

  “If you’re done with your dinner,” she said, desperate to change the thread of the conversation, “we can try those brownies you made.”

  He stared at her and she knew he knew she was lying. She hardly knew the man, but the look on his face—disappointment, sadness, resignation—made guilt pierce her over and over. Fidgeting in her seat, she battled the urge to flee.

  She was lying. Right to his face. Why? Frustrated that she wouldn’t confide in him, Cameron held back a sigh as he stood. “I’ll get them.”

  He took the few steps to the kitchen counter to retrieve the plate of brownies, then brought them back to the table, setting them in the middle.

  “Do you want milk with those?” Aubree said, standing abruptly. “Or maybe I can heat them up.” Before he had a chance to answer, she scooped up the plate of brownies and turned her back on him, striding to the microwave. He watched her take the plastic wrap off of the plate before placing the plate inside the microwave.

  Admiring the view from behind, after a moment he mentally scolded himself for thinking about how beautiful she was when she so obviously had something big hanging over her. Something she wasn’t willing to share.

  Needing to do something to help, he gathered their dinner dishes and carried them to the sink. The kitchen was tiny and he nearly brushed up against her, but he ignored that and instead focused on rinsing the dishes off before loading them into the dishwasher.

  “You don’t have to do that,” she said.

  He turned around to see her watching him from two feet away.

  “I don’t mind,” he said. He had to make it clear that he could help her. Whatever it was that was going on. “I like to help out.” That was a dumb thing to say. She doesn’t want your help.

  Her delicate jaw tightened as she stared at him. “I like to do things on my own.”

  He set down the bowl he’d been about to rinse out. “Right.”

  “The brownies are ready,” she said as she turned her back on him and opened the microwave. “Have a seat and I’ll bring them to the table.” Her back was still to him and he had the unexpected urge to wrap his arms around her and whisper that he could make everything okay.

  Briefly closing his eyes, he got himself under control, then he walked back to the table and took his seat. A moment later she was walking toward him, the plate balanced in one hand, a jug of milk held in the other.

  “Here you go,” she said as she set both items on the table. “Help yourself.” Then she chuckled. “Well, you brought them, so of course you can help yourself.”

  Deciding to lay off the hints of help, he smiled. “I brought them for you.”

  She slid into her chair with a smile as she took a warm brownie from the plate. She held it in her hand and looked around helplessly. “Uh, I forgot the dessert plates.”

  Before she had a chance to get them, he leapt to his feet. “I’ll get them.” Why was he Harry Helpful all of sudden? Annoyed with himself—she was never going to accept anything from him, so why bother?—he began opening cupboards until he found the right one, then he carried two small plates to the table, setting one in front of her and one at his place.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice soft as she set her brownie on the plate.

  “Uh-huh.” He didn’t want to make a big deal out of anything he did. Not when it wouldn’t break through her facade.

  The more time she spent with Cameron, the more she believed he was a genuinely nice man. He’d offered to help her get the cereal down, he’d dropped everything to look for Maya, he’d forgiven her for her awful behavior, he’d brought a plate of home-baked brownies, and he’d actually started cleaning up her kitchen without her asking him to.

  Wait. What was wrong with him? Could this all be for show? No one was that nice, right?

  Not trusting herself—after all, she’d gone on two dates with Tyler before she’d caught on to his real personality—she toned down any belief that Cameron was as nice as he seemed. He had to have an ulterior motive.

  They ate their brownies in silence—an awkward silence since Aubree was too busy debating with herself to engage in conversation.

  “I should get going,” Cameron said a few minutes later.

  “Okay.” As much as she enjoyed having him around, being alone was always the preferred option. No need to pretend all was well when she was alone. No need to battle the spark of attraction that seemed to grow brighter each time she saw Cameron. When she was alone—just her and Maya—she could relax and be herself. Fears and all. She could be on high alert without arousing anyone’s suspicions that she was hiding something. Yes, it was time for him to go. “Thanks for coming.”

  He stood. “Dinner was delicious.” He paused a beat. “Next time I’ll make you dinner.”

  Next time? Why was he saying ‘Next time’? There would be no next time. And no time after that. No. This was where it had to end.

  She didn’t respond to his invitation. Instead, she walked to the front door and opened it.

  Cameron walked to the open doorway, stopping beside her and looking down at her.

  She met his gaze, his beautiful blue-eyed gaze, and yearned for…something more. Something to take away the loneliness. Someone to hold her and comfort her. Someone to protect her.

  “Good night,” he said, his voice low and deep.

  “Good night,” she barely croaked out.

  With a final look at her—a look that slipped past her defenses and sank into her soul—he turned and walked out the door.

  Aubree closed the door behind him, but she immediately went to the front window. Well, the edge of the window where he wouldn’t see her. And there she stood, watching him until his Jeep was out of sight.

  Maya sat beside her. Aubree reached down and rested her hand on Maya’s head, the soft fur comforting her. Aubree looked at Maya, who gazed up at her as if to ask when they’d see Cameron again.

  “I’m not sure that would be a good idea, sweet girl. I just can’t take the chance.”

  Maya stared back as if to ask what chance she would be taking.

  Since Aubree didn’t know the answer, she didn’t speak as she looked away.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “You need to audition,” Stu, Aubree’s agent, said the next morning.

 
Sitting on the couch, Aubree held her phone to her ear as she stared at the wall across from her. She wanted to audition. If she got the part, it could be the breakout she needed. A film this time, not a small role in a daytime soap. But she was scared. Terrified, really. To come out of hiding and go to LA. “I know.”

  “I thought you’d say that,” he said, a smile in his voice. “Which is why I’ve arranged for you to attend the audition. It’s Friday afternoon.”

  That was in two days. Terror washed over her in waves. She felt safe in her little cocoon here. But she knew if she had any hope of getting on with her life, she needed to take chances now and again.

  “The principal actress had to drop out and they need to find a replacement ASAP. You’d be co-starring with Jason Evanson.”

  Aubree’s eyebrows shot up. Jason Evanson was a big star. If she got this part, it would be incredible.

  “That would be amazing.”

  “Yes, it would,” Stu said before telling her where the audition would be held. “You’ll be there, yeah?”

  Swallowing down her fear, she nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Good. Let me know how it goes.”

  “I will. Thanks, Stu.”

  They disconnected the call and Aubree’s gaze went to Maya. What would she do with her if she went out of town?

  Cameron. He’d offered to help. But was she really ready to ask anything of him?

  She pictured how sweet Cameron always was to Maya. If she didn’t ask Cameron, what would she do with Maya? Really, she had no choice.

  She would go over to his place in a bit and ask him if he would dog-sit. But first, she dialed Janie’s number.

  “You can stay at my place,” Janie said after Aubree had explained the reason she was returning to LA. “I mean, if you want to.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Though Aubree would prefer to stay at her own place, if she stayed at Janie’s, her appearance in town would go unnoticed by Tyler. “You’re such a good friend.”

  “Aw. You know I love you like a sister. And I know you’d do the same for me.”

  Warmth toward her old friend washed over her. “Yes. I absolutely would.”

  “There you go then. Give me your flight info and I’ll pick you up from the airport.”

  They disconnected a few moments later and then Aubree reserved her flight.

  Deep into programming, at first the knocking on Cameron’s front door barely registered. Then it sounded again. Annoyed to be interrupted, when he considered that it could be Aubree, all annoyance fled as he stood from his desk and hustled to the door. As he approached he saw a flash of white-blonde hair as Aubree climbed down the porch steps with Maya by her side.

  Using his long legs to propel himself to the door, a moment later he pulled it open and called out, “Hey there.”

  Aubree stopped and turned around, and the moment he saw her lovely face, Cameron’s heart did an unexpected little flip.

  What was it about this woman that burrowed so deep into his heart?

  “I thought you weren’t home,” she said as she walked toward him and up the steps, stopping on the porch. Maya raced past her, sat on her haunches, and looked up at him.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I was just…” He motioned toward the interior of the cabin. “…totally focused on…” He didn’t want her to feel bad for interrupting. “Never mind. What can I help you with?”

  “I’m interrupting, aren’t I? I’m sorry.”

  Good going, Cam. “No, it’s fine. Really.” He smiled to show he meant it. “It’s time for me to take a break.” He stepped onto the porch and gestured toward the chairs. “Have a seat.” He sat first and a moment later she sat in an adjacent chair. “What brings you over on this beautiful afternoon?”

  She smiled, which lit up her whole face. “I have to go out of town tonight and I was wondering if you’d dog-sit Maya. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

  Thrilled with the chance to prove that he would help her any way he could, he nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”

  “Thank you.”

  Maybe this would give him an opportunity to learn more. “Where are you going? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “I, uh, I have some business to attend to in Los Angeles.”

  He nodded, not about to ask her what kind of business. If she wanted him to know, she would have said. “Okay.”

  “I’ll drop Maya off in a few hours on my way to the airport.”

  “Sure. Okay.”

  She stood. “Thank you, Cameron. I really appreciate you doing this at the last minute.”

  He stroked Maya’s head. “It’s my pleasure.” Then he stood as well.

  “See you later.”

  He nodded, and a moment later she was climbing into her car and driving away.

  “Do you want to stay with Cameron?” Aubree said to Maya as she turned down Cameron’s driveway that afternoon.

  Maya stood on the backseat and seemed to get more excited.

  “You know where we’re going, don’t you, sweet girl?”

  A few moments later she parked in front of his house, and after opening the rear door for Maya, she walked to his front door and knocked. As she waited for him to answer, she had a moment of doubt. Did she really trust him enough to leave her beloved dog with him?

  When Cameron pulled the door open, a welcoming smile on his face, all doubts fled. Maya would be fine with him. She knew it.

  “Hello,” Cameron said to her, but then he turned his attention to Maya, kneeling in front of her and stroking her back. “Hi, Maya. Are you going to stay with me?”

  Maya’s tail wagged so hard that her entire back end swung from side to side.

  “I think that’s a yes,” Aubree said with a smile.

  Cameron stood and faced her. “Do you have time to come in?”

  “Just for a minute.” She needed to give him instructions, after all. She followed him into the living room and realized this was the first time she’d been inside his place.

  From the outside it didn’t look all that special, but the inside was another story. Beautiful and spacious with hardwood floors and soaring ceilings, it was the floor to ceiling windows that drew Aubree’s gaze. Trees as far as the eye could see. It was like being in a treehouse.

  “Your home is beautiful,” she said as she turned to face him.

  “Thanks.” He glanced around the room. “It’s a nice place to spend my days.”

  A terrible thought occurred to Aubree. What if Maya damaged something? But she was a good dog. She didn’t chew on things, and she was housebroken. It would be fine.

  Aubree took the bag off of her shoulder and set it on the floor. “There’s a container in there with enough food for a few days. Just give her two scoops in the morning and two scoops in the evening. I also packed her favorite toy and a ball she likes to chase.” Was she asking too much of him? Taking too much of his time? “If you have time to play, that is.” She nearly grimaced.

  “Don’t worry, Aubree. Maya and I will have a great time. And I’ll make sure she stays nearby.” He bent over and touched the GPS collar on Maya’s neck. “But I’m glad she’s wearing her new GPS device.”

  Remembering how devastated she’d been when she hadn’t been able to find Maya the week before, Aubree felt tears push against her eyes. Blinking a few times to clear them away, she knelt on the floor and called Maya over. When Maya came to her side, Aubree gave her a long hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she kissed Maya’s soft head.

  Hating to leave her sweet dog, she was confident Cameron would take good care of her. She stood and faced Cameron. “You have my number. If you have any questions or concerns about Maya, don’t hesitate to call.”

  Cameron nodded. “All right. Have a good flight and I hope your…business…goes well.”

  She felt slightly foolish for making him think she had some big business meeting when it was simply an audition. But it was a very important audition. And she wasn’t quite ready to tell
him what she did for a living. That brought out the crazy in some people. As she knew from her experience with Tyler.

  With a final look at Maya, she turned and walked to the door. Maya followed her like she was going to go with her, so when Aubree reached the door, she gave Maya one last hug before slipping out the door.

  Chapter Seventeen

  As her plane flew over Los Angeles, Aubree’s gaze swept over the city beneath. She missed the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, and seeing the city spread out below felt like coming home. The thought of working again—and on such a major film!—sent waves of excitement cascading over her. She wanted this part. Desperately.

  Thirty minutes later she was seated in Janie’s car as they pulled away from the curb.

  “You look good,” Janie said. “Rested.”

  Aubree laughed. “I’ve done nothing but rest.” She turned to her friend. “Thanks to you and your generosity.”

  Janie waved a hand. “It’s no problem. That old cabin’s been in the family for years. I’m just glad it’s getting some use.”

  “It’s been a lifesaver.” An image of Cameron flashed into her mind. “I met your neighbor.”

  Janie glanced her way, her head tilted. “My neighbor? You mean Mr. Hobbs?”

  She couldn’t help herself as a smile slowly tugged her lips upward. “No. A new neighbor. He bought the place recently.”

  Janie’s eyebrows rose. “By the look on your face, I’m guessing he’s a bit more attractive than old Mr. Hobbs.”

  Cameron’s striking blue eyes, chiseled jaw, impressive biceps and friendly personality filled Aubree’s mind. “I never met Mr. Hobbs so I couldn’t say for sure.”

  Laughter burst from Janie’s lips. “Oh, Aubree. You are so transparent sometimes.” Her laughter subsided. “Tell me about this guy.”

  “His name’s Cameron and he’s a software developer. And he looks pretty good wielding a chainsaw.”