The Billionaire Benefactor: The Billionaire Surprise, #2

By Emma St. Clair

Love stories don't usually start like this…

Pro football player Roman Bennett is Jenny's celebrity crush. But when he shows up on the widowed mother's porch with a giant check, she slams the door in his face.

Too bad Roman loves a good challenge, whether that's finding a way to serve Jenny or staking his claim to her heart.

Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. After a rocky start, an accident on the field changes everything.

Can Roman and Jenny find their way to a happy ending?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kirsten Oliphant
• Release date: Aug 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223678458

Book preview

Chapter One

Roman Bennett checked the time again on the dashboard as he turned down a tree-lined subdivision street. These neighborhoods usually made him feel claustrophobic with their cookie cutter houses right on top of each other. You could practically reach out a window and high-five your neighbor.

He knew he was spoiled, growing up in a massive house in West University with mature live oaks, and the protection of a massive brick wall to keep their privacy. His family had money, even before Roman signed the multimillion-dollar contract to play for the Roughnecks, Houston’s newest pro-football franchise. His contract was actually laughable compared to his father’s net worth. The number had shocked him when they read the will a few months ago. But he would have taken the man over the inheritance anyway.

Not now. Roman blinked back tears and swallowed through the emotion in his throat. He tried to push away the thought of his mother, tucked under his arm while the lawyer read through the will. It had been six months since his father died of a heart attack and Roman still couldn’t think of it without his chest tightening and his mouth going dry. The last thing he needed right now was to start crying.

Roman pulled up in the last driveway on the left, behind a silver minivan that had seen better days. The whole house looked a little overgrown and uncared for: tall weeds shooting up in the grass, the stones around the flowerbeds crooked and missing, paint peeling on the trim.

Roman grimaced. He could understand letting things go a little. The woman’s husband had only died three weeks ago. But everything about the house indicated a more long-term lack of care. The peeling paint and the screen hanging off a front window weren’t new issues.

Roman pulled the giant cardboard check out of the backseat of his Ram 3500. These stupid fake checks were ridiculous, but his mother insisted on them, even when there weren’t photographers around to capture the moment. His mom served on a number of committees for various charitable organizations and helped run Roman’s Rescue, his own charitable giving foundation. With his parents heavily entrenched in Houston’s social elite, Roman grew up in the public eye, even before he went pro. But for smaller moments like this, he kept things private. A woman who had just lost her husband didn’t need her photo flashed everywhere.

Jenny. Or was it Jennifer? He couldn’t remember now and wished he had paid more attention this morning when his mom gave him the details. He only knew she was a friend of a friend of a neighbor of a cousin or something. Based on the home’s exterior, it definitely looked like she could use the money.

Pausing on the porch, he wiped his palms on his khaki pants. While he was used to being in the public eye, it was often at a distance, like at a red-carpet event, speaking to trained interviewers. Real, everyday people up close made him nervous. He was used to a variety of reactions: from tears to screaming to women actually grabbing at him. He didn’t need to worry about that today, but Roman wasn’t sure if he could emotionally handle seeing her grief. Not when he had already been thinking too much about his dad this morning.

Sighing, Roman rang the doorbell and then knocked three times.

From inside he heard a large dog barking. There was a shuffling behind the door as the locks were pulled back. The door opened a crack and a woman looked out at him. Her blue eyes widened. Roman smiled and started to speak.

Before he could, she slammed the door in his face.

The dog continued to bark behind the door as Roman stood staring. Did that just happen? Everything in him wanted to drive away. Forget the check, forget charity. He pressed the bell again.

After a moment, the door opened again. The woman looked just as startled, though now a blush colored both of her cheeks. She had light brown hair pulled up into a messy ponytail and a swipe of paint across one cheek. Despite his annoyance, Roman couldn’t help but think that it suited her. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but she had big eyes and full lips—a natural beauty.

Focus, Roman. He cleared his throat.

Suddenly the door flew open and a giant black dog filled the doorway. The woman held onto the dog’s collar, but just barely. Roman took a step back just as the woman lost her grip on its collar.

Roman dropped the check, holding up his hands to ward off an attack as the dog flung itself at him. Instead of biting, the dog wiggled around him, licking his hands and face. Roman was 6’3, but this dog could lick his face. A Great Dane? His pants leg suddenly felt wet. Was it … peeing on him?

The woman clapped her hands and grabbed at the dog. Oh! No—Tiny, no! Get back inside! Tiny! Bad dog! NO!

Finally getting a good grip on his collar, she dragged him back into the house. The dog seemed bigger than she was, and it almost knocked her down as she closed the door on it. She leaned against the door, out of breath.

Roman couldn’t stop staring. Was this the widow? She didn’t look the part. He had been picturing his mother as she’d waded through grief the past six months: tear-streaked face, eyes heavy with sadness, dressed in black. This woman wore a pink T-shirt that hung off one shoulder and black yoga pants. She was barefoot. She didn’t look sad, only embarrassed. And beautiful. His mind kept circling back to that.

I am so sorry! she said, brushing hair back from her face. Tiny has no manners at all. Are you—oh, no. Her eyes fell to his damp pants. The blush in her cheeks deepened, and she covered her face with her hands. This has to be the most embarrassing moment of my life.

Roman brushed himself off and picked up the check from the ground. It now had pawprints across the front of it. He didn’t want to think about why it was a little wet. She seemed to notice the check for the first time.

What are you—why are you here? She crossed both arms across her chest, as though trying to make herself smaller.

He tried to pull himself together and put on his public smile. I’m Roman Bennett from the Houston Roughnecks. I’m here on behalf of my foundation, Roman’s Rescue, and wanted to present you with a check. Are you…Jennifer?

Jenny. She took a step back, her eyes narrowing. I don’t want your check. But thanks.

Roman looked at the soiled check. You don’t actually have to take this one. I mean, it’s just for show. I have a real check—

No, she said, her voice sharp. Let me be clear: I don’t want your pity money. I’m doing just fine on my own. Goodbye.

Jenny opened the door, pushing the black dog aside with her body. Before Roman could say another word, she slammed the door. Again.

Roman stood there, staring at the door for a moment before he could collect himself. He closed his eyes. At first, he hadn’t seen the pain he expected in Jenny’s face. It was only in her stubborn refusal for help that he got a glimpse of her vulnerability. She might not want charity, but he made a good guess that she needed more support than she had. And he had screwed it all up.

He wanted to fix it, even as irritation rose at having the door slammed in his face. Twice. And now he needed to change his clothes. This whole morning had been a disaster.

As Roman walked back to his car, he noticed that Jenny’s trash can was by the garage even though all the neighbors had theirs lined up by the street. Even as he looked, he heard the rumble of the garbage truck making its way down the street.

Roman dragged Jenny’s trash can to the street, stuffing the ruined check inside before closing the lid. Moving her trash can was small thing, but it was something. He wished that Jenny would let him do more. He tried.

Sometimes it felt like no matter how hard he pushed on the field or how much he gave, it was never enough.

Chapter Two

Jenny stared through the blinds at Roman, trying to make sure she didn’t jostle them. She didn’t want him to know she was watching. What was he doing out there?

Her cheeks were still flushed. Jenny’s mother had the kids for the morning, so she could work some on the house. She hadn’t been expecting company—definitely not Houston’s most eligible bachelor four years running. If she had, she would have put on something other than a too-big shirt and yoga pants. Maybe some makeup. Or at least showered.

No—her husband had just died. It was too soon to be worrying about makeup. Still, Jenny looked horrible. It was embarrassing enough to see the way her mom looked her up and down when she had picked up Matt and Lucy earlier that morning. Her mom’s eyes had flashed, not with judgment but concern. If her mom thought she looked terrible, Jenny couldn’t imagine what Roman saw.

Roman Bennett: her secret celebrity crush.

Jenny had just met him and slammed the door on him—twice. She laughed, the sound echoing through the empty house and making her feel crazy. Tiny whimpered at her and nudged her hand, obviously concerned.

Jenny admired Roman’s face every night when she tucked Matt into bed. Her son had two posters of Roman above his bed. One as he was about to make a tackle, his body in the air, powerful biceps reaching. The other featured him in the black and silver uniform and full gear but holding his helmet. She wouldn’t admit that she added the second poster because she liked looking up at his face.

It was harmless. Everyone had a celebrity crush. Roman was the center of thousands or hundreds of thousands of crushes. He was the son of a wealthy oil tycoon who was known for charitable giving. Roman followed in his footsteps, continuing even after he went pro. He was undeniably handsome: piercing gray-blue eyes, a full mouth and wide smile, strong jaw and the kind of body you’d expect of a pro football player. His muscles had muscles. She could see that even in his casual outfit today.

Jenny couldn’t believe it when she saw him on her front porch. Real-life Roman was even more handsome than the poster. Which led to her slamming the door on him the first time.

Her first thought had been that she was suffering from some sort of grief-and-stress-induced delusion. When she looked through the peephole and saw that Roman Bennett was indeed standing on the porch, she had to face him. Then Tiny had climbed all over him and peed on him …

Humiliating. Horrifying.

The only thing that made it better was the anger when she realized that Roman was trying to give her money. If she focused on her anger, maybe she could forget about the humiliation.

Roman was known for his charity. His father had been incredibly wealthy and had died earlier this year. Jenny didn’t really keep up with that kind of news, even news involving Roman.

Jenny’s focus for the past year had been trying to hold together her marriage. When that failed miserably, she did her best to shelter Matt and Lucy from the ugliness between her and Hank. Then Hank died. Now Jenny was trying to deal with her own complicated feelings of grief while navigating her kids through losing their daddy. All while trying to handle unexpected expenses and plan for a new future. One where she would be alone.

Jenny knew she should feel lucky to be included on whatever list sent Roman to her door, but surely there were people who needed help more than she did. Yes, she could use the money. But admitting she needed help had never been her strong suit.

Even now, she struggled to even let the church put her on the meals list. Having to see people’s faces, read the pity there as she accepted a covered casserole killed her. She’d rather go hungry or feed them all another boxed macaroni and cheese.

Now what was he doing? Jenny’s cheeks flamed again as she watched Roman dragging her trash can up to the street. She had forgotten that it was Friday. Again. Hank had been the one who always took care of that kind of thing, though more and more this year he’d been letting things go.

She was embarrassed that Roman was seeing their house in such a state. He probably never had to take a trash can to a curb in his life.

His face looked tight. Maybe he was angry with her. Good. He needed to know that he couldn’t just show up on strange women’s doorsteps and drop off his money.

Though cash would really help keep them afloat until she could sell the house and get more freelance writing jobs lined up. Jenny sighed. No—she wasn’t going to take charity. There was some life insurance that could help her while she got the house ready to sell. Her parents had offered to help however she needed.

Hopefully, she could get a decent price for the house and find something a little smaller for her and the kids. Mom and Dad kept urging her to think about moving in with them, just for a transition time. Her mom planned to be around a lot for Matt, who would be in third grade, and Lucy, who would start Kindergarten in a few months.

Living with her parents would help, just like it would have helped to take Roman’s stupid check, but Jenny was determined to do it on her own. She needed to get used to carrying the weight of their finances, their home stuff, and the kids. She was strong. She was fine.

Lord, help me believe that. Let me rely on you. Please, let us be fine.

As Roman drove away, Jenny felt a flurry of regret. Yeah, it was presumptuous of him to show up waving a giant check. But he didn’t need to come at all. He was wealthy, famous, and way more handsome in person than he was in photos. Just the sight of him had gotten her heart thumping and her forehead sweating.

What was her problem?

She could have politely declined and thanked him for his time. Maybe just asked for a signed jersey for Matt or something. She could have been normal.

Jenny sank down to the floor. Normal was hard to figure out these days. Tiny ambled over and lay down with his big head in her lap. She rubbed his floppy ears and he sighed. It wasn’t much, but the big dog offered some comfort.

The loneliness and grief had been eating at her for almost a year, long before Hank died. Her marriage, though still in existence on paper, had been over some time ago thanks to Hank’s affair. Or affairs? She only knew about the one, but that didn’t mean it was the only one.

His death had been a sort of final note to what she already felt in her heart: alone.

The hardest part was that only her best friend Denise knew the truth. He moved in with his mistress almost six months ago. They’d been on the cusp of filing for divorce when he died.

This wasn’t the kind of thing you announce after someone dies. It would have felt like dishonoring the dead. Jenny had tried thinking through the conversations she might have, and there wasn’t one that worked.

I’m so sorry about your husband!

That’s okay! He was cheating, and we were about to get divorced.

She couldn’t say these things and didn’t want the kids to know, so she kept this close. It added another layer to her grief. The idea that her husband left her for another woman was humiliating. It also filled her with doubt. How had she missed this? When did Hank change?

They had met when they were just sophomores in college, got married the next year, and had a baby the year after. He had graduated on time while she took care of Matt, going through online courses until she got her college degree a few years later. People had warned them they were getting married young.

Was that all it was? Had Hank changed over the years? Had she? Jenny hated trying to mentally pick through the wreckage of their marriage.

Pride kept her from telling people the truth. That same pride made her long to prove that she could make it on her own. Even though she felt like a daily and constant failure.

Secretly, Jenny really wanted someone to take care of her. Not just financially. It felt cheesy, but she wanted someone to care for her heart. To sweep her up in a hug, to tell her she was cared for, treasured, and most of all, not all alone. It had been so long since she felt any of those things. She had been exhausted long before Hank died. But admitting she needed help made her feel like she had failed somehow.

She didn’t want to admit it even to herself, but long after Roman left, she kept imagining how good it would feel to be wrapped up in his big, strong arms.

Chapter Three

Roman opened the last box of pizza on the counter, finding only crusts. Who ate the last piece? he bellowed.

Not it!

Wasn’t me!

A chorus of voices from his teammates came from the couch where they were watching the baseball game. Tony, Blake, and L’Trel were almost permanent fixtures in his mother’s house, especially during the off-season. Other than L’Trel, who had just gotten engaged, none of them had family in Texas, so when they were in town, Roman’s house became like their second home.

He knew his mom loved it, especially after the house seemed so big and quiet when his dad died. Roman had sold his condo and moved back home, but he hoped to get his own house soon. He wanted to make sure his mom was okay first. She was starting to really drive him crazy, which probably meant it was time.

Roman stacked the empty boxes, sighing, and checked the fridge. He knew he should have ordered more pizzas. Like him, they all needed way more calories than the average guy to keep up with their workouts on and off the field, even in the off-season. He’d ordered the same number as he had a few days before when the guys forced him to watch that dating reality show. But they had done a team training that afternoon, so everyone’s appetites were up.

I think I ate the last piece, sweetheart, his mother said. Can I make you something else?

Mom, Roman said. You don’t need to make me anything! It’s fine. I had enough. Really.

Are you sure? I don’t mind.

Roman put an arm around her shoulders. Stop. I’m glad you ate something. You were starting to get a little too thin. I’m not that hungry. Really.

She leaned her shoulder against him. They’d always been close, but more so in the six