Billionaire at Sea (A Romantic Adventure) Read online

  For the first time since I’d heard the name Damian Stryker, I had to admit, I couldn’t wait to meet him either.

  3

  Mia

  We drove separately and met Ridley’s brother, Michael, at Café Bianca, a ritzy, five-star restaurant where it was usually impossible to get a reservation, unless you had connections.

  “How did you pull this off?” Ridley asked, after we were seated. “Was it Damian?”

  “Excuse me?” he asked, smiling wryly. “I’ll have you know that I’m a reputable agent now. Don’t you think I have some pull in this city?”

  “It’s Miami, not one of those hick towns you frequent, where anyone driving a BMW is considered a ‘big deal’,” she teased. “No offense, Jerry Maguire.”

  He pretended to look hurt. “Obviously, you missed the memo, little sister. I am a big deal now and if you play your cards right with Stryker, you just might get an invitation to the club.”

  “It’s one of the reasons why we’ve agreed to catering a stag party,” she replied with a look of distaste. “And, of course, the money. Which reminds me… is Damian showing up tonight?”

  “He’s going to try,” replied Michael, sitting back in his chair.

  “Good,” she replied. “I’m dying to meet him. So is Mia.”

  Michael looked at me. “Speaking of Mia… how are you doing tonight, gorgeous? That color looks amazing on you, by the way.”

  I blushed. I was wearing a coral and white sundress that even I had to admit, showed off my tan. “I’m doing very well, thank you. What about you? Where’s your husband this evening?”

  Michael had recently gotten married to a golf pro from Palm Beach. A man named Alex Torensen. Ridley and I had actually catered their reception, which had been relatively easy, since they’d kept the wedding small.

  “He’s working again. I swear, I see him less and less now that we’re married,” said Michael, twirling his wedding ring around his finger. “But, in all fairness, he has his hands full with the clubhouse, especially now that he bought out the other owner and is running it all on his own.”

  “Really? That’s wonderful news. Tell him congratulations for me, will you?” said Ridley. “I know he was talking about doing it for the past few months.”

  “He finally bit the bullet,” said Michael. “And, although he’s busy, he’s a lot happier. Hell, we both are.”

  “Alex must be relieved to be away from that asshole,” said Ridley.

  “God, yes. The guy wasn’t willing to change with the times, which was definitely hurting business. Not to mention the fact that when the prick found out Alex was gay, he showed his true colors.” He glanced at me, his smile grim. “A complete homophobe. He didn’t even have the decency to try and hide it.”

  “Good riddance then. Alex is a wonderful man and shouldn’t have to deal with that on top of everything else,” I replied. “By the way, tell him I said ‘hello’ and wish him the best.”

  “I’ll do that,” said Michael. “His offer still stands if you’re ever interested in getting into the sport. Free lessons from the master himself. If he can teach me, he can teach anyone.”

  I chuckled. “That’s very kind of him. Let him know that I might take him up on it one day.”

  “Will do,” he answered.

  “Not to change the subject, but did you find out who Damian’s friend is that’s getting married?” asked Ridley.

  “No. He’s being really tight-lipped about the bachelor party,” he replied, examining the cocktail menu.

  I took a sip of my water and asked if it could be someone on his baseball team.

  Michael shook his head. “I doubt it. It’s in the middle of the season and the only reason Damian is able to throw this party is because he retired last year.”

  “Really? Wow. I hadn’t heard,” said Ridley, surprised.

  “Since when have you followed baseball?” he asked, looking amused. “Growing up, you couldn’t stand it.”

  “It wasn’t that I hated baseball. I just got tired of you and dad always hogging the television to watch sports. If it wasn’t baseball, it was football. If it wasn’t football, it was basketball or hockey,” she said.

  “Oh, whatever. You never had time for television,” said Michael. “If I remember anything, it was that you were always off gallivanting with your friends and never home anyway.”

  “Technicalities,” she answered, smiling. “Anyway, Adam watches baseball religiously and has educated me on the sport. I’m actually starting to like it.”

  Adam, Ridley’s boyfriend, was definitely a huge sports fan. It seemed like it was all he usually talked about when I was around.

  “Really? That man is definitely a keeper.” Michael looked at me. “What about you? Do you like baseball?”

  “I have nothing against it. It’s just a little boring to watch,” I admitted.

  “Did you just say that baseball is boring to watch?” exclaimed Michael, feigning a look of complete shock. “That’s blasphemy.”

  I laughed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know. I guess I’d rather play than watch.”

  “Which is why you should get back into the game,” said Ridley, grinning wickedly. “Get yourself some homeruns before you forget how to score.”

  “Get back into the game? Were you on a team?” Michael asked, missing Ridley’s jab.

  “When I was in grade school I played softball,” I replied, giving Ridley a warning look.

  “So, you lost interest?” Michael asked.

  “Not really. I just stopped playing,” I said.

  “You have a habit of doing that,” said Ridley with a glint in her eye. “I bet Damian Stryker knows his way around the field and plays a mean game of baseball.”

  I groaned. “Would you please stop?”

  “At least check out the size of his bat,” she said.

  Michael laughed. “Is my little sister trying to play matchmaker?”

  “Yes,” I said. “And it’s very annoying.”

  “As you can see, she’s uptight because she hasn’t been laid in months,” Ridley told him.

  I gasped. “Ridley!”

  “What? I’m only trying to help,” she replied, reaching for her glass of water.

  “I don’t need your help,” I replied, even though she was right. I hadn’t had sex since John. I wasn’t uptight, however. At least, I didn’t think I was. I just didn’t like discussing my sex life over dinner and with her brother, who was now looking at me with pity.

  “Obviously. You’re a beautiful woman and if you wanted a romp in the hay, I’m sure guys would jump in line for a chance. Don’t waste your time with Damian, however. His ex messed him up, big time. He’s now going through women like you go through shoes, Ridley. Mia doesn’t need that in her life.”

  “Believe me,” I said. “I don’t care what Damian looks like or how big his bat is. I’m not looking to hook up with anyone. Especially a guy who’s obviously a big player off of the field, too. Understand, Ridley?”

  She sighed. “Fine. I’ll let it rest.”

  I’d believe it when I saw it.

  “Changing the subject, did you happen to get those shoes you were talking about earlier?” I asked her.

  She gave me a pouty look. “No. They were out. I bought another pair, however. What do you think?” Ridley stuck her shoe out. It was a white sparkly pump, which went great with the lace cap-sleeve dress she wore in the same color.

  “Very pretty. Jimmy Choo?” I asked.

  “No, Valentino,” she replied. “More expensive but I couldn’t resist.”

  “You can never resist, which is why you’re always broke,” said her brother.

  She stuck her tongue out at him.

  He smiled and then looked past me. “Good. Our waiter must have punched in. I was beginning to think we were invisible.”

  “I was wondering what was taking so long myself,” said Ridley.

  The server approached our table. He was in his twenties and rem
inded me a bit of a younger Leonardo DiCaprio. “Good evening, my name is Ben. I’m sorry to make you wait so long. Welcome to Café Bianca. Is this your first time here?”

  “Oh, heavens no,” said Ridley, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because I would have remembered someone as beautiful as you,” he replied, winking at her.

  Ridley blushed. “Nice return. You know, you should be flirting with my brother. He’s the one tipping tonight.”

  He turned to Michael and chuckled. “Well, good looks obviously run in the family. I hope you’re not offended if I just keep it at that.”

  “Not at all,” he replied, smiling up at him. “But, I might be offended if you’ve run out of prime rib. It seems like everywhere I go, there’s a shortage.”

  “I’m almost one-hundred percent sure that it’s still available,” the waiter replied. “But, I’ll check for you.”

  “Thank you,” he answered.

  “No problem.” He then went over the specials for the evening.

  “The salmon sounds fabulous,” said Ridley. “I’m probably going to have that.”

  “People rave about it. By the way, could I start you out with something to drink?” he asked, this time looking at me. “Other than water?”

  I ordered a glass of white wine, while Ridley and Michael both ordered martinis.

  “Ben, just so you know - there might be another person joining us,” said Michael, looking at his watch. “A gentleman.”

  “Excellent. I’ll keep watch after I put your orders in for the cocktails while you peruse the menu. Did you want to order an appetizer?”

  “I’m sure we will. Give us a few minutes, if you could?” Michael replied.

  “Of course,” said Ben. He quickly refilled our water glasses. “I’ll return shortly with fresh bread.”

  “Thank you,” replied Michael.

  “I sure hope Damian can join us,” said Ridley, looking toward the entrance. “By the way, why isn’t he playing baseball anymore? He can’t be much older than thirty. Isn’t that a little young to retire?”

  “He injured his arm and it hasn’t been the same. I wouldn’t ask him about it, by the way,” said Michael, lowering his voice. “It’s a touchy subject.”

  “I bet,” I said. “So, how well do you really know this guy?” I asked, opening up the menu.

  “I met him at a party in Beverly Hills, about five years ago. Like me, he has an interest in classic cars and we’ve attended some auctions together. In fact, two months ago, when I acquired my ’67 GTO, Damian bought himself a ’65 Shelby Cobra. Talk about a gorgeous car.”

  “Are those expensive?” asked Ridley.

  “That one was. I believe he paid over five-hundred thousand,” replied Michael. “And that was just on a whim.”

  “A whim? Sounds like my kind of guy. Too bad I’m not single and hopelessly in love,” said Ridley.

  “I can’t even imagine having that kind of money to throw around. He must have made a lot playing professional baseball,” I said in a low voice.

  “He certainly did but that’s nothing compared to what he’s inherited from his grandfather, who passed away three years ago. Apparently, the man once owned a shipping company and after he sold it, made some solid investments.” Michael lowered his voice. “Rumor has it that he’s worth billions now.”

  “Damian is?” asked Ridley.

  “Yes. But, you didn’t hear it from me,” he replied.

  “Wow,” said Ridley, looking my way. “Maybe we should negotiate for more money.”

  “Don’t you dare,” I told her. “He’s already paying us more than enough.”

  “Of course I won’t. I was only joking,” she answered, but I could tell she wasn’t totally against the idea.

  I looked at Michael. “What about his parents? Are they gone?” I asked, wondering if he’d inherited the family fortune all by himself.

  He nodded. “They died in a plane crash, when Damian was very young. He lived with his grandparents afterward.”

  “How horrible! And there are no brothers or sisters?” I asked. “Or aunts and uncles?”

  “I know that he has two living cousins from his mother’s side,” he replied, staring over my head again. “One of them is a singer in a band.”

  “She is? Which one?” asked Ridley.

  “Why don’t you ask him? He just walked into the restaurant,” said Michael.

  4

  Mia

  “Damn, I need to start watching more baseball,” murmured Ridley, staring at Damian as he headed our way.

  “Close your mouth. You’re drooling,” Michael said in amusement.

  I couldn’t blame her. He was drop-dead gorgeous, even with his slightly crooked nose, which I learned afterward, was the result of a fly-ball.

  “Even you must admit… he’s hot,” she whispered to me.

  I nodded, noticing that we weren’t the only ones checking him out. As Damian moved toward us, he seemed draw the attention of almost everyone in the room. Tall, broad shoulders, wavy, dark brown hair, and eyes that were a vibrant shade of blue.

  Michael stood up. “Look at what the cat dragged in. How’s it going, Mr. Stryker?”

  “Very well, Mr. Blake,” he teased back. They shook hands, smiling at each other like long-time friends. “Sorry, I’m late. Did you already order?”

  “Just our drinks,” Michael replied. “I’m glad you could make it. By the way, this is my sister Ridley and our dear friend, Mia.”

  “Ah… my two gourmet chefs,” he said, his eyes twinkling as he shook Ridley’s hand. “Ridley, I know we’ve spoken briefly on the phone. It’s wonderful to finally get to meet you in person.”

  “You as well. We’ve heard so much about you,” she said, her voice higher than usual.

  I bit back a smile. She’d always been nervous around handsome men, even as beautiful as she was. Not only that, this one was filthy rich and had an impeccable taste in clothing. The gray wool suit he currently wore was no exception. It was obviously a designer, and his tie clip had to cost more than the expensive two karat ring I’d thrown back in John’s face.

  “Oh, hell,” he replied, glancing at Michael in amusement. “And they’re still willing to cater for me?”

  “These two don’t scare easily,” said Michael, smirking.

  “That’s a relief. I can’t really cook and I doubt we’ll be able to order out when we’re in the middle of the ocean,” he replied, turning toward me with his hand extended. “Hi, I’m Damian.”

  “I’m Mia,” I replied, as I shook his hand.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Have we met before?” he asked, studying my face. “You look very familiar.”

  “No. I don’t believe so,” I replied.

  “Are you sure? I hardly ever forget a face. Do you live here in Miami?” he asked.

  “Yes. Born and raised here,” I said.

  “Interesting,” he replied, sitting down on the other side of Ridley. I could smell a hint of his cologne, a light woodsy scent that was very nice. “Maybe it will come to me. I know I’ve seen you somewhere.”

  The waiter took that moment to return with our drinks. Damian ordered a beer along with a slew of appetizers.

  “Sorry. I hope you don’t mind,” he said, loosening up his tie. “I haven’t eaten since this morning and I’m fading quickly.”

  “No problem,” said Michael, smiling. “You’re buying anyway, right? Go to town.”

  Damian smiled. “Of course I’m buying.”

  “I’m just giving you shit. You’re my guest this evening, Stryker. If you even think about paying for this food, I’ll take it as a personal insult,” said Michael.

  He laughed. “Fine. I’d hate to get on your bad side. Speaking of money, my assistant should have deposited your funds into the account number you gave me over the phone, Ridley. As far as the food goes, have the merchants bill me directly or save your receipts so that we can figure t
hat out as well.”

  “Oh. Gosh… thank you,” said Ridley. “I didn’t realize you’d pay us so quickly.”

  “I wanted to make sure everything went smoothly and you were locked in,” he replied, winking. “No backing out now.”

  “We wouldn’t dream of it,” she answered.

  “Famous last words,” snickered Michael.

  “No. Those will probably be – ‘What in the hell were we thinking by getting on board this nutcase’s ship’?” said Damian, chuckling.

  “Okay, now you two are scaring me,” said Ridley.

  “Don’t worry, little sister. You’re going to have the time of your life. Wait until you see his yacht. He took me out on it last summer. It’s breathtaking. Not to mention enjoyable, especially when the captain kicks it down.”

  “Thank you,” said Damian. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

  “Hell, yeah. It was a blast,” he answered.

  “Good. I’ll have to invite you back,” said Damian. “Maybe next month sometime?”

  “I’m there,” he replied, grinning. “Just say when and I’ll clear up my schedule.”

  “I’ll look at my calendar and give you a call tomorrow,” Damian said.

  Michael nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Ridley took a sip of her drink and then asked Damian if he captained the yacht himself or hired someone else to do it.

  “I have in the past, but not for this trip,” he answered. “There will be an entire crew on duty.”

  “Understandable,” she replied. “I’m sure you’d like to relax and enjoy yourself with the guests.”

  “Exactly. Speaking of our trip, have you come up with a menu yet?” he asked, eyeing a waiter carrying a tray of mouthwatering steak and lobster.

  I cleared my throat. “We’re working on it. Do you have any special recommendations or do you know if any of your guests have allergies?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. They’re all full grown men, however. If they’re allergic to something, I’ll leave it to them to avoid whatever it is that might not agree with them,” he replied. “I guess what I’d like to see is plenty of seafood along with food favorable to guys with big appetites.”