The Billionaire and the Bride Bet: Clean Billionaire Romance Reads, #3

By Ava Catori

It started with a bet and went downhill from there.

Scott Dean never loses. When a million-dollar bet is placed on the table with the odds stacked against him, he can't help but dive in head first. Scott needs to land a bride by the weekend, and his friends have the perfect girl in mind. They weren't going to make it easy on him with the stakes so high.

Kylie Reynolds has sworn off bad boyfriends, especially Scott Dean who burned her in the past—twice. Sure, he was handsome, funny, and rich, a winning combination, but he was also a player and had an ego the size of Wyoming.

Can Scott get Kylie to the altar by the weekend, or will Kylie block his every move causing him to lose a million-dollar bet?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Sep 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393671770

Book preview

Chapter 1

Scott sauntered into the exclusive clubhouse and flaunted the Maserati key fob in his hand. The smell of defeat only made his win sweeter.

Ross pouted and glanced away. The Maserati Quattroporte GTS was supposed to be his baby. He thought he had it too, but at the last-minute Scott pulled away for the win. He snarled at his friend. Yeah, I see it.

Their bets started small but grew over time, as did their wealth. Between Scott, Ross, and their buddy Tyler Hawk Smith, there was always something worth betting on. The competition never died out. The constant need to outdo one another started long ago. Each challenge grew more outrageous than the last.

It started simple enough with hundred-dollar bets. In college, it was a way to pass time. Only now that they had more cash to play with, and the bets stretched in size. From cash it went to assets. The first time they went big, it was over a Ducati Multistrada S Grandturismo—a $25,000 motorcycle.

Each wage pushed their previous limits. The BMW Z4 Roadster was listed at well over $50,000. The Maserati was the latest prize.

Scott was unbeatable. He’d won them all. Convinced that he couldn’t lose, he was ready for anything his buddies threw at him.

They’d spent years together, being both best friends and college roommates. On graduation, Scott's father gave them all jobs. There was plenty of room in the company to grow, and plenty of money to go around when you played your cards right.

Ross paced across the room. His brushed-leather Prada Oxfords tapped against the wooden floor with each step he took. He eyed up Scott with a calculated grin. We’ve got you this time. Hawk and I put our heads together and came up with a bet you won’t be able to win. You’re going down. That is, if you’re man enough to take the challenge.

Bring it on. I can’t lose, Scott chided arrogantly. Trash talk was one of their favorite aspects of the game.

Be patient. When Hawk gets here, he said. How’s your mom feeling?

Scott shrugged. Same.

Sorry, man.

Yep, thanks.

They had history. The trio pooled their earnings and invested in a small grocery chain. Over the years they rebranded the markets, targeted a new client, and expanded their business reach. Their Modern Markets took them to new levels. The money rolled in, the development continued, and before the age of thirty all three men were billionaires. The brotherhood ran deep.

Scott settled into one of the plush, leather armchairs. Rich, mahogany bookshelves lined the far wall and showcased leather-bound books along with intricate carvings and artwork. He lifted the Maserati fob and taunted his buddy. Man, the Maserati is something else. Shame you couldn’t pull it together and win. She’s a sweet ride.

Ross snubbed him with a guttural laugh. Just you wait. Your day is coming.

One of the club house waiters appeared with a glass of scotch. Scott nodded and thanked him. He held the crystal cut lowball glass in his hand and rattled the ice. The smoky fragrance of the single malt beverage was a welcome scent. The amber colored liquid swished over the cubes. Scott raised his glass and took a sip of the Lagavulin 16.

Hawk walked into the room with a confident swagger. Sorry I’m late, boys.

Scott nodded in acknowledgment. I hear you have another bet for me? I hope it's a good one. You know I’m unstoppable.

Hawk smirked and turned toward Ross. Oh, it’s a good one. Good thing you’re sitting down. Do you want to tell him or should I?

Go ahead, it was your idea. I can’t wait to see his reaction. Ross had a gleam in his eye.

The stakes are high on this bet. We’re each putting up $500,000. That's a million-dollar bet. Are you interested? Hawk waited patiently for an answer.

Scott’s eyes popped open wide. That's a pretty tidy sum. Are you sure about this?

"Oh, we’re sure. It won't be easy, but if you think you can handle it...Hawk played it smooth and steady, refusing to give away anything.

Scott took it in slowly, almost ready to answer. He was always up for a challenge, but with each bet growing bigger and bolder, he worried where to draw the line. He ran his hands through his hair and drew a deep breath in. I've got to be honest; I'm not sure how I feel about taking that much money from you.

Ross laughed. You’re convinced you're going to win. The funny part is that you don't even know what the wager is yet.

Are you going to tell me or am I going in blind? He knew it would have to be tough or for his buddies to risk that much money, but he’d do whatever it took to win. Perseverance was his strong point. Okay, let’s hear the details. Lay it on me.

Ross and Hawk exchanged glances. We've got you this time.

Get on with it. Give me the ins and outs. Scott stretched back in the leather chair and crossed his long legs in front of him. His weathered boots weren't proper club attire, but he was given a pass as one of the wealthiest members. Those boots had been with him for years. His grandmother had them custom-made and flown in from Italy. Make it quick, I told Grams that I’d take her to the store.

Why don't you just have a delivery service take care of it? Ross asked.

Nah, I like going with her to visit, and she likes my company. It's the least I can do for her. She's done so much for me over the years. Grams is awesome. Scott waited on the details of the bet.

Hawk started, Prepare yourself—it's a big one.

Come on, already, Scott griped, anxious to hear what he’d gotten himself into.

You claim to be a lady’s man, right? Well, we thought it would be a piece of cake for you to land a bride by the weekend. Hawk waited for his friend’s reaction.

Scott’s jaw dropped.

Yep, that was the reaction he wanted.  

Ross added, And not just any bride, we've picked one out for you.

They were plum crazy. "By the weekend? As in this weekend? You expect me to meet a girl, dazzle her in a few days, and spend the rest of my life with her? I'll give you this much, that’s an insane bet, but there's no way I'd let