The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three by Jeannette Winters

himself. He was aloof. Reserved. She thought he was physically attracted to her, but could he feel more? He hadn’t said as much. Is the ball in my court? She couldn’t risk the success of the fundraiser on a fling with Ross. No, too much was at stake. If there is anything between us, it needs to wait.
    As they approached her apartment, she was hot from his touch on her thigh and the nuzzling at her neck; she knew what she had to do. When they arrived, she would thank him for a wonderful evening, let him know she would see him in Napa, and give him a kiss on the cheek. She could do this. But how I secretly wish I could throw caution to the wind. The man is hot. No, whatever this is between us, it needs to wait.
    She would make her way to her apartment alone. She could do this. And it was only a week. She had waited this long, what was another seven days? As they approached their destination, Ross placed his hand on her thigh. Oh yes, this is going to be seven days of hell.

Chapter Five
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    W alking the vineyard brought back many memories. Not all bad. His father had spent many hours explaining the various types of grapes, where each vine had come from, so on and so on. Even to this day, he wanted to care about it, to be passionate about it like his father, but he couldn’t. When he stood among the rows of vines that rolled smoothly over each hill up to the estate, all he smelled were grapes, and to him, they all tasted the same. As an only child it must have crushed his father to know the legacy ended with him. Guilt filled him no matter how he tried to deny it. If he stayed and learned the business, he would fail the family, as it never would be for him what it had been for his forefathers.
    “There you are, son. I didn’t expect to find you out here,” his father said from behind him.
    “I was looking for you.”
    “Hiding from your mother I take it?”
    He laughed. At least his father understood him. “This is going to be an interesting weekend. I saw her barking orders at the men putting up the tents. She does understand this is a casual affair, correct?”
    His father rested a hand on Ross’s shoulder. “You can tell her a million times what you want, but she is going to do it how she wants. I think you would know that by now.”
    “How do you do it?” He couldn’t believe the words actually came out of his mouth, but they were ones he’d wanted to ask for a long time and hoped his father would answer.
    “She wasn’t always like this. When we first married we worked together well. Over the years, her insecurities took over, and she became who she is now. I’ve learned when she is on a tangent, all you can do is stay clear and let it pass.”
    That explained why his father spent hours on end in the winery. “How did I let her get involved?”
    “You don’t let her anything. I was there when you called and asked about donating the wine. I don’t remember you asking for her assistance or even the use of the property. That’s your mother. Once she is fixated on something, she can’t let go. The good news is that in twenty-four hours this will be over with. Things can go back to normal.”
    Normal. That was not the way to describe their lives. But his father was right. Whatever happened, it was short-lived and soon forgotten. Jill would come, the event would be a hit, hopefully , and they would all return to New York. If only he believed it was going to be that easy. Nothing in Napa Valley ever had been; why should he expect it to be different now?
    “I thought I would let you know, the guests are allowed to bring their dogs.”
    A long silence lingered. His father removed his hat, ran his fingers through his hair. “Let’s not tell your mother about this. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”
    He’s right; it probably will be worse. All he could do was hope she didn’t make an issue of it until the guests left. The odds of that happening were slim to none. He meant to warn Jill about it,