The Teacher's Billionaire

Really.”
    Jake scratched Lucky, who had collapsed on the grass between them panting hard. “I don’t buy it. He respects my...I mean our father too much to just fool around with you.”
    Callie shrugged but didn’t comment. What was she supposed to say? Dylan was trying to protect Warren by faking interest in me? She didn’t want Jake or anyone else to know how naive she’d been. She should have known from the beginning that something other than a true interest in her drove Dylan’s actions. But Callie had been too wrapped up in her feelings to stop and consider things from the analytical side.
    Not that I would’ve ever guessed the truth.
    As if knowing he wasn’t going to convince her otherwise, Jake got to his feet when she remained silent. “Why don’t we head back for breakfast?” Holding out his hand to help her up he continued, “I don’t know about you but I’m hungry and want some coffee.”
    “Coffee sounds like a great idea,” Callie answered accepting his hand and coming to her feet. Thanks to their conversation about Dylan her appetite was shot, but she was always up for a good cup of coffee. Especially if it meant Jake would finally end this talk about her and Dylan’s relationship.
    ***
    Dylan rubbed the back of his neck. The clock on his desk read ten, which meant he’d spent the last four hours hunched over his computer working. He was in the middle of acquiring another hotel chain. One that operated primarily along the East Coast. Acquisitions always meant additional hours. But this time it wasn’t business alone that kept him working eighteen plus hour days.
    Working kept his mind busy, kept it focused on something other than Callie. Every time he thought about her all he could picture was that night in her kitchen. She’d been so devastated. Powering off the computer, he decided it was time to call it a day before the outline of his chair was permanently etched in his ass and the pounding in his head got any worse. Thanks to a combination of long hours, stress, and little sleep he’d had a headache all week. Not quite a migraine but damn close.
    The cell phone in his pocket rang just as he closed his office door behind him. Jake’s number was on the screen.
    Jake didn’t bother with a hello when Dylan answered. “Just got to your place. Where are you? Tell me you’re not still at the office.”
    Great, he was getting a lecture from his baby brother. “Just leaving. And you could’ve called first.”
    “Tried. Your assistant said you were in a meeting.”
    He’d been in and out of meetings most of the day. “Ever heard of something called a message?”
    “Nope. Are you coming straight here?”
    Like I have the energy or the desire to go anywhere else tonight.
“That’s the plan. Why don’t you make yourself useful and order some pizza or something.” He’d eaten lunch hours ago and had nothing since. A pizza loaded with everything and a beer sounded perfect to him.
    The streets in the city were never empty but at least tonight traffic wasn’t to heavy. It didn’t take him long to reach his penthouse. Dylan pulled his Aston Martin into his spot and noticed his brother’s Lamborghini parked a few spaces down. Pushing open the car door, he wondered what Jake wanted. While it wasn’t unusual for him to just show up and stay a night or two, he never called looking for him if he wasn’t home. He had a key to the place, so he could come and go as he pleased. Obviously tonight’s visit was more than just a random event. Jake wanted or needed something. For the life of him, Dylan didn’t know what that could be. His younger half-brother wasn’t the type to ask for anything. He dealt with things himself. He always had, even has a kid.
    The rich aroma of pizza greeted Dylan when he walked in.
    “Sorry. Just couldn’t wait for you,” Jake said nodding toward an open pizza box and bottle of Sam Adams.
    Tossing his suit jacket and tie over the back of a chair, he walked into the kitchen. “Didn’t think you would,” he replied opening the refrigerator and getting a Sam Adams for himself.
    Dylan took a long swig of the beer before saying anything else. “What brings you here?”
    Jake finished chewing and reached for another slice of topping-heavy pizza. “Have you seen this?”
    Picking up the magazine Jake tossed his way he replied, “Since when do you read this trash?”
    “I don’t,” Jake said defensively. “Sara gave it to me.”
    Dylan glanced down