Page 5 of The Billionaire's Cinderella

I wince.

“Isn’t that one of the hallmark signs of a psychopath? Cruelty to animals, starting fires and excessive library fines? I’m not sure I feel safe around you.”

“Not to worry,” she says, laughing. “I come with a reference. You and I have people in common. We’re practically family.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about that information. If you tell me you’re my long-lost sister, I have to tell you I’m not sure I care.”

“Nothing like that. My best friend Bellamy works for your brother Griffin.”

“Hang on,” I say. I snap my fingers, the dots beginning to connect in my brain. “So you made the cake for Bellamy’s birthday. And you were supposed to meet her here after she dropped off some documents for my brother. But she left a little while ago. Right before you got here. Matter of fact, she left, then my brother left. And before they both left, there was a lot of energy crackling between them. If you know what I mean.”

“Indeed,” she murmurs, then looks away as she takes a hasty sip of her drink.

A couple more dots connect in my head, making me suspicious.

“So when I walked up, and you were on the phone with the friend who’s getting lucky tonight… That was Bellamy. Am I right?”

“No comment. So. How about those Yankees?”

“Don’t even try it,” I say. “I hope those two know what they’re doing. Because she’s the best assistant he’s ever had, and he’s tough enough to deal with when she’s around. I don’t want to think about what would happen if things blew up between them.”

“You know what? You’re right.” She snaps her fingers. “I think you should call Griffin right now and tell him he should stop whatever he may or may not be doing with Bellamy. Talk some sense into him. I’m sure he’d be very receptive.”

“That’s the most ridiculous suggestion I’ve ever heard,” I say with a bark of laughter. Judging from the way Griffin was looking at Bellamy a little while ago, he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. If he’s succeeded by now, he won’t take kindly to any interruptions. “My reservations about marrying you keep growing and growing.”

“Alas!”

“The good news is, I now have a reference for you,” I tell her. “You’ve been vetted and cleared. So I have no reservations about being alone with you in, say, my apartment tonight. I’ll be perfectly safe in case we decide we want to get to know each other better.”

She shoots me a narrow look. “Call me crazy, but I thought we were getting to know each other right now. Right here.”

“True, but, you know, crowds. Noise. My apartment is another option. Just a suggestion.”

“I already told you,” she says, scowling. “I’m not in the market for a hookup.”

“Who said anything about hooking up?” I say, doing my best to channel the innocence of a kitten opening his eyes and getting his first glimpse of the world. “We can watch a movie and order pizza. You can’t expect me to eat my giant slice of cake on an empty stomach.”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “Like anyone believes that all you want to do with me in your apartment is watch a movie.”

“I never said that was all I wanted to do. I’m suggesting a movie and pizza, but don’t get me wrong. If you come over for a movie and pizza and discover you can’t keep your hands to yourself, I won’t be mad at you. I’ll make my peace with it.”

“Wow. Big of you.”

“Anything for you, sunshine,” I say, bowing my head and pressing a hand to my heart.

“You’re so full of it,” she says, laughing.

“I want you. A lot.” I shrug. “Seems like the kind of thing you should know.”

She blinks. Hesitates, her smile fading. “There’s that honesty again,” she says.

“I don’t have much choice. I’m having a tough time hiding it. But you should know I’d consider the evening a complete success if I got to kiss you goodnight.”

Another hesitation. She’s wavering. I can feel it. I work harder to keep my eagerness on lockdown.

“If that’s the case, then what would you consider it if I changed my mind about spending the night?” she asks.

That’s easy. “A gift,” I say, staring her in the face. “The best possible gift.”

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