All Or Nothing: A Billionaire BWAM Single Parent Romance Read online

  *****

  Peter hung up his jacket on the pole just inside the parlor and flexed his shoulder muscles wearily. He had just left the office and it was now almost nine thirty and all he wanted to do was take a shower and go straight to bed.

  “You could have called,” Mitsui said accusingly, turning on the light in the living room as he came in.

  “Hello mother,” he said, in the way of greeting, not in the least bit in the mood for reprimands. He should have taken the staircase around his side of the residence but she always wants to know that he was home safely so he humored her. “I did not get a chance to do so. Why are you still up?”

  Mitsui shook her head slightly. Her son was going to be the death of her. “I was waiting up for you Peter, and despite being the adult big shot you are, the fact remains that you are still my son and I get concerned.”

  “No need to be concerned mother, you know where I am.” Peter made as if to leave.

  “The work on the kitchen started today, don’t you want to see what’s being done?” Mitsui asked him.

  He closed his eyes and stifled his impatience. “Of course.” He followed her into the kitchen. All he saw was the dust in the corner and the gutted out walls.

  “They have not done much have they?” he observed, his piercing dark eyes taking in the tools left in the corner of the room. “Have they come highly qualified? Did you check them out to see if they are legitimate?”

  Mitsui let out a peal of laughter that had him turning to face her. “My son the businessman. Her name is Elise Faulkner, and she is the owner of Faulkner’s Remodeling, so you can go ahead and see if she is legit.”

  “A woman is doing this?” he turned back to look at the place with a frown.

  “Yes darling, a woman and two men, but she is in charge.” Mitsui said in amusement.

  “Mother, I am sure there are highly qualified people you could have hired. Does this woman know what she is doing?”

  “Why, because she is a woman?” Mitsui asked him, her eyes so much like his own looking at him. “Careful darling, your prejudice is showing.”

  “I am not-” he stopped before he uttered the word. What the hell. It was her project and he had no intention of getting involved. “It’s your thing mother, so I won’t interfere.”

  “Thanks darling for your support as usual,” she told him dryly as he left the room.

  He did not answer but continued on his way until he entered his suite of rooms. He closed the door behind him with a sigh and went into the master bedroom. The suite had three bedrooms, a living room, a den, two bathrooms and a kitchen and dining room, not that he ever used the kitchen. When he was entertaining guests from overseas, he used the main dining room. He had a back and front balcony that overlooked the gardens and sometimes he would go sit out on one of them and have himself a glass of wine and just meditate. He was not into a serious relationship, not having the time and patience to put in the effort of building one, but he enjoyed the company of women when he felt the need. He never took them to where he lived, preferring to take them to a lovely little cottage on the other side of town. He did not want them to get the wrong idea of it being something permanent. He knew his mother despaired of him settling down and giving her grandchildren, but he had no intention of granting her wish just because she wanted to be a grandmother. There was still time for him to settle down; after all he was only twenty seven.

  He poured the wine that had been left in the wine cooler into a glass and went out on the balcony at the back. It was a bit cold but he had put on his thick robe. Taking a seat, he settled down to enjoy the night.

  Chapter 3

  Elise was sitting Indian style on the floor, looking at the drawing she had done, a little furrow on her usually smooth brow. It was Tuesday and the job was slated to be finished by tomorrow. Both Michael and Jack had gone on to add the finishing touch to a small bathroom they had been assigned to do. The breakfast nook was almost finished and the marble counter top shone brightly in the light coming from outside. It was almost six o’clock but she wanted to finish to a certain point before tomorrow. The two helpers had retired for the evening but had told her to just ring the bell when she was ready to leave. Mitsui had gone out to a charity function and had told her that she would see her tomorrow.

  That was how Peter saw her, sitting there on his kitchen floor with her head bent over something. She was so intent on whatever it was she was reading or studying that she did not hear him come in.

  “Ms. Faulkner I take it?”

  Her head snapped up and Peter was stunned by the natural raw beauty of her face. Her large dark brown eyes looked at him directly, and even though she was not wearing make-up, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Her hair was messy, he thought objectively, and she was wearing an army green shirt that was too big for her small frame.

  “Mr. Hamasaki I take it?” her soft fluid voice was tinged with amusement and he realized that she did not jump to her feet even though she realized who he was.

  “Yes,” he told her briefly, coming into the room. She still had not gotten up and he wondered if she was always this rude. “Isn’t it a bit late to be doing this?” he gestured with his hands at the work that was done. He realized with grudging admiration that the kitchen looked far better than it had before.

  “You mean remodeling?” she asked him. He was far better looking than his pictures in the papers and he looked taller but he needed to lose the frown on his brow. “Your mother said I could go ahead. I want to finish with the breakfast nook before I leave.” She finally stood up in one graceful movement and went over to run her hand over the marble counter top. “So what do you think?” she asked him, carelessly reaching up to secure her curls back into a ponytail. Her lips were devoid of artifice and they looked very inviting.

  He shook his head as if to clear it and looked around the room. “It’s pretty impressive.” He told her.

  “You sound as if you did not expect it to be,” her voice was amused as she looked at him.

  “I didn’t,” he admitted truthfully, his piercing dark eyes holding hers.

  “Why? Because I am female?” she asked her brows arched.

  “Because I am not familiar with your work, Ms. Faulkner,” he said coolly.

  “Ah,” she bit back a smile. “I am not some big name with multimillion dollar contracts and a boat load of men to command, is that it?”

  He gave her a fulminating stare. She was impudent, and he was not used to women being that way. He usually called all the shots and he was always in command. “I am impressed Ms. Faulkner, take it in the spirit it was said.” He told her coolly.

  “Now I can sleep in my bed tonight knowing you are impressed.” She started to unbutton the shirt, and for one startled moment Peter thought she was undressing in front of him. “Relax Mr. Hamasaki,” she said, seeing his expression. “I am just changing out of my work shirt and putting on my street clothes.” She shrugged out of the shirt and stood before him, wearing a thin camisole and denims that hugged her curvaceous figure like a glove. He got a glimpse of her generous breast before she pulled a T-shirt over her head. “Tell your mother I will see her tomorrow.” She told him briefly before taking up her tool belt and heading out.

  He stood there like an idiot and watched her as she walked out, her strides long and confident for such a small person. He had never met anyone like her. He found himself going to the window and peering out like a schoolboy with his first crush and watched as she climbed into the old Chevrolet van and drove away.

  His expression was thoughtful as he went back inside the kitchen. He was impressed by her work, but more so by her.

  *****

  “Mommy can you help me make a house?” Daniel asked, jumping on the living room sofa where she was sitting and reading a proposal. She wanted to do the other two kitchens different from the main kitchen and she was brainstorming.

  “I thought you already knew how to,” she put away the do
cument and gave him her full attention. He was already bathed and in his adorable pajamas with colorful pictures of Winnie the Pooh all over it.

  “I can, but you make it gooder,” he told her hopping into her lap.

  “Better,” she corrected him. “Why do you want to make a house?”

  “Because I want to be like you and grandpa, so I want to learn.” He told her solemnly.

  “Okay buddy, how about this weekend we make it an assignment?” she sat him on her lap and looked at him fondly.

  “What’s an ‘signment?” he asked with a frown.

  “Assignment,” she told him with a smile. “It’s kind of like homework.”

  “Oh, like what we get to do from Ms. Blake?” he asked her.

  “Exactly.” She said hugging him.

  “Okay, but what about the things we need to make the house?” he asked a little worried.

  “I think I might have some stuff in the garage.” She assured him.

  “Good!” he said clapping his hands in delight.

  *****

  Peter left the office early telling himself that it was not because he wanted to see her again, it was due to the fact that he wanted go over some contracts and he needed the quietness of his own suite of rooms. It was a little past five; he was not known to be home so early.

  “Darling why are you home so early? Are you ill?” was the first thing his mother greeted him with. It did not help that Elise was standing inside the kitchen as well.

  “No mother, I don’t have to be ill to be home early,” he felt like he was under a damn microscope.

  “Have you met Elise?” she asked him.

  “Yes, we met last evening,” he said, surprised that she had not told his mother that she had seen him.

  “Oh, so what do you think?” she did not wait for him to say anything. “I was telling Elise that if she does not watch out, I will be hiring her full time.”

  “I have no problem with that.” Elise was looking at him curiously and he realized that he had come straight into the kitchen with his cashmere coat on.

  “It looks well done mother,” he told her and was rewarded with a big smile.

  “They are finished up in here now and will be tackling your kitchen and the kitchen in the east wing next.”

  He opened his mouth to tell her that he never used his kitchen so what was the sense, but for some reason he kept it closed. “Do you want to have a look at it?” he heard himself asking.

  Both women turned to look at him in surprise and he could have kicked himself.

  “Of course,” Elise nodded.

  “Okay, you two go ahead and I will head on upstairs to get ready. I have that dinner with the ladies of the book club to go to. We are celebrating our tenth book.” Mitsui said with a smile.

  “My mother is the member of a book club,” he told her with a lack of something to say.

  “So I gathered,” her voice was tinged with amusement.

  He led the rest of the way in complete silence, afraid that he was going to put his foot in his mouth again.

  Elise found herself admiring the architecture and finish of the place. His suite was entirely masculine and as she passed through the living room she found herself drawn to the intricately designed fireplace. “This is beautiful,” she said running a hand over the beautifully carved wood of the mantel.

  “It came with the house,” he told her, watching as she ran a hand slowly over the piece of wood, her face animated.

  “The whole place was well built,” she said looking around at the beautiful wood paneling as she continued on into the kitchen. It was plain and utilitarian and the only saving grace was the beautiful counter top that looked curved around the room. The place looked as if it had never been used for years. “Do you actually use this kitchen?” she turned and gave him a direct look. He was close behind her and he could smell her scent of wood and something strawberry-like.

  “I don’t cook,” he told her honestly stepping back from her. The closeness was starting to make him feel uncomfortable.

  “So why do you want to remodel?” she had to tilt her head to look up at him and the fact that she was wearing sneakers made it worse.

  “You never know, I might decide to start cooking one day,” he said with a shrug.

  “I see,” she turned back to look at the room. “Any ideas?’

  “No, I am leaving it entirely up to you.”

  “Good idea” she said in amusement. “So I am given carte blanche with this project?”

  “Absolutely.” He told her. She was not wearing the work shirt but had on a black T-shirt that looked startling against her coffee and cream complexion, her hair in its usual ponytail.

  She fished a notepad and pencil from her back pocket and started taking notes, forgetting that he was in the room. He used the opportunity to look at her closely. She had long lashes and her lips moved as she muttered something to herself. She had long fingers that moved swiftly over the paper.

  She looked up suddenly and caught his eyes, her expression quizzical as she noticed him staring at her.

  “Do you always talk to yourself when you are working?” he asked quickly, trying to make it seem like he was fascinated by her habit instead of by her.

  “It’s a dreadful fault of mine,” she laughed and his breath caught. Her eyes brightened and the laughter lit up her beautiful face. “I have to be going now, my son awaits.”

  “You have a son?” he asked frowning a little and taken off guard. Did it mean she was married?

  “Yes I have a four year old who is the love of my life.” She admitted.

  “So, does your husband approve of the job you do?” he asked her casually in an attempt to find out.

  “I am not married Mr. Hamasaki. I am a single mom.” She told him with a lift of her shoulders.

  He felt his spirits soar! What the hell was he doing? She was not his type and she had a kid, definitely not for him.

  “Call me Peter, please,” he heard himself telling her.

  “The name is Elise,” she said briefly, turning to leave.

  “So we will be seeing you tomorrow?” he asked following behind her; loathe to see her leave.

  “You are usually at the office when I am here. Your mother says you work non-stop.” She told him in amusement.

  Damn mother and her loose mouth! He thought in frustration.

  “I want to see what you are doing with the place.” He said.

  “Okay see you tomorrow,” she told him with a little wave heading out the door.

  He found himself peering at her through the drapes and cursing himself for being so foolish!

  *****

  Elise had written up some ideas on how she wanted to do his kitchen. He was male, and she had caught glimpses of the bedrooms and the totally male bathroom with their glossy black and white tiles, and decided to do it up in tan and burgundy. Male domain or not, a kitchen was supposed to be cheerful. She got there at seven thirty and Mitsui told her that Peter was still around. Michael and Jack were coming by later.

  “I thought he would have left by now,” Elise said with a slight frown.

  “I thought so too, my dear,” she looked at the girl considering for a little bit. Ever since the meeting with Elise, her son had been behaving strangely. He had come home early yesterday and usually she would wake up and find him already gone to work, but he was still at home. “Go on up, I guess he is waiting for you to show him what you have so far.”

  “Okay, I will see you in a little bit.” She said striding quickly in the direction of Peter’s suite.

  She was beautiful, Mitsui thought, staring after her. She was unusual, and she was not in the least bit impressed by their wealth. A little smile played around her mouth as she went back to her suite to get ready to go out; maybe Peter had finally met his match.

  *****

  He had on his lavender dress shirt and purple and white tie and was standing in the kitchen as if he was waiting on her. “Hi I did not e
xpect to see you.” He had watched her walk towards him. What was it about her? She had no make-up on and was wearing a powder blue T-shirt; she had obviously left her jacket downstairs, and was wearing the usual faded denims.

  “I wanted to see what you came up with,” he told her swiftly.

  “Afraid I am going to come up with a pink and white color scheme?” she asked him in amusement, coming to stand next to him and opening her notebook.

  “Something like that,” he told her lightly, her nearness having a profound effect on him.

  “Don’t worry, I hate pink myself and don’t impose it on anyone unless they specifically ask for it.” She showed him samples of the color. “I notice the color scheme in here but I figured you would want something more cheerful for the kitchen.”

  He was not listening to her and he realized that he wanted to kiss her. What the hell was wrong with him?

  “That’s fine,” he told her briefly, moving back a little. She was too near. “I just remembered I have an early meeting, so I have to go.”

  “Will I be seeing you later?” she asked him, not having a clue to what was happening with him.

  “What?” he looked at her, startled.

  “I figured you would like to see what I have done so far, because I am thinking of adding tiles all around the area where the sink is.” She told him.

  “I am not sure what my day will be like.” He told her briefly. He needed to get out of there, and fast.

  “Okay, see you then.” She waved her hand a little and turned to look at the notes she had in her hand. He stood there looking at her for a brief moment without her being aware that he was doing so. Her head was bent and he saw the curls at the back of her neck and the way the denim cupped her butt lovingly. He went into his room and grabbed his jacket and headed out.

  “So, did everything meet your approval?” his mother’s voice brought him up short just as he reached the foyer.

  “Mother, I thought you had already left.” He said, looking and feeling a little guilty.

  “I am on my way out but I am curious as to why you are still here. You have no interest in the remodeling and even though she is doing your kitchen, you have never used it so I asked myself: why is he so interested in what color tiles are placed on the walls?” she asked him, one eyebrow arched curiously.