Page 8 of Daddy Billionaire Dragon

Chapter 4 - Nic

My day was going damn well until now. Although I was a little nervous, starting a new job, Rachel and the others made me feel right at home. It’s a temp job, but I’m in New York, working for one of the best names in business. But never in a million years had I imagined that my new boss was the same sexy, handsome stranger I’d met at The Sitting Duck on Friday night. My blood froze in my veins when I walked into the office of Alexander Hutchinson III and saw Lex. I’m sure I made a perfect fool of myself by staring at him with my jaw hanging open. It was only a small consolation that he seemed extremely surprised as well.

I wondered many, many times over the weekend if I’d been a fool running away from a supremely sexy man I’m strongly attracted to, but now I feel as if I dodged a bullet. It would have made everything too damn complicated. And the whole purpose of moving to New York was to avoid complications and have a fresh start.

I feel the warmth of his palm on my elbow as he leads me out of his office. Will it just be a business lunch or something more? Will he want to pick up where we left off on Friday? I let out a silent sigh, trying to get my erratic heartbeat under control as we walk down the corridor and take one of the private, glass-enclosed elevators. Only the five partners, their executive assistants, and the office secretaries have access to this floor.

The views from the top floor are breathtaking. I am constantly amazed every time I enter a new space and look at a different portion of the NYC skyline. LA was alright, but New York is something else.

Lex notices my wide-eyed appreciation as we move through the hallway with large, tinted glass windows that leads to the elevators.

“Spectacular, isn’t it?”

I nod.

“I know I’m gawking, but I’m so awed. I’ve only been to New York once before. Very briefly. To visit Penny. Penelope. You remember Penny from…” I leave the sentence unfinished, coloring slightly. I wonder when it’ll stop being awkward. But I can’t pretend that Friday night never happened. Just like I can’t pretend that I’m not extremely, madly attracted to my boss. He looks mouth-wateringly handsome in his charcoal gray suit and a matching tie. But once again, I sense that hint of danger under the veneer of polish. Just like the other night, there’s an alarm blaring in my head, urging me to run far and run fast.

“Yes, I remember Penelope,” he says with a lopsided smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

“Well, she’s my roommate now. She has always been a very good friend, so when I landed this job, she kindly offered to let me move in.” I know I’m babbling, but can’t help it.

“Are you nervous, Nic?” he asks, leaning in really close. So close that I smell the scent that is uniquely Lex. His scent is making me light-headed, and his smoky gray eyes have gone dark. My breath hitches in my throat. I have already forgotten what he asked.

“What?” I ask, rooted to the spot, unable to step away, to put some distance between us. On the contrary, I find myself leaning in closer, my gaze firmly fixed on his lips.

But the elevator comes to a halt just then, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I almost kissed my boss on the very first day of work. I need to get a better grip on my emotions, I tell myself as we walk through the busy lounge on to the equally busy sidewalk.

“Never mind,” he says with a grin as he puts an arm casually around my waist, walking me out of the building. “The place I have in mind is only a couple of blocks away. Shall we walk?”

“No. Yes. I mean I don’t mind walking.”

I groan when his grin gets wider. He does not let go of the arm around my waist, guiding me briskly through the throng of people on the sidewalk.

Soon, we are at a trendy Italian restaurant on the rooftop of a skyscraper. The maître d’ greets Lex by name and takes us to a corner table. Obviously, Lex is a regular here. Does he bring all his girls here, I wonder, feeling an unexpected stab of jealousy. I push it aside and look around. Once again, I am awed by my surroundings.

The rooftop restaurant is on the 70th floor. It is dizzying to be so high up, but the view is beyond amazing. The restaurant itself is charming, with natural stone floors, wrought iron tables and chairs, and the potted bonsai plants placed along the perimeter. From our corner table, we have an excellent view of the Hudson River and Central Park. Since it is early summer, the weather is mild with bright blue skies.

“Do you ever get used to the view?” I ask, doing a 360 degree turn and taking it all in.

“Well no, but you sometimes forget that it is there,” Lex says, and him and the maître d’ exchange a smile as he hands us the menus.

My eyes bug out when I look at the prices, almost choking on the sip of the water I have just taken.

“Are you alright?” Lex asks with concern etched upon his face.

“Yes. Are these prices for real?” I ask with wide eyes.

He grins and shakes his head.

“Don’t worry about the prices. Like I said, business lunch.”

I look at him suspiciously over the rim of the menu.

“Do all the other partners bring their assistants here?”

“Sometimes,” he replies nonchalantly as his eyes rove over the menu.

“Good thing I didn’t get my purse,” I murmur more to myself than him. But he laughs at my comment and probably the disgruntled look on my face.

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