Page 226 of The Billionaires

“Why not?” he asks. “We just need to do the necessary due diligence—learn all there is to know about each other and get the details of our ‘secret courtship’ sorted out.”

“About that,” I say, rubbing my temples. “Are you expecting me to lie to my family?”

Speaking of family… he may be insane enough to want to marry so far below his station, but his parents will probably have a fit.

He shrugs. “Do you think they’d buy it?”

“No way,” I say. “My mom is my best friend, and we tell each other everything, even if I wish we didn’t.”

“That must be nice.” His gaze turns distant. “We can tell her the truth then, but let me meet her first, see if she seems as trustworthy as you.”

“What about your folks?” I ask.

The usual roguish gleam disappears from his silver eyes. “They died in an accident.”

Oh, my God. How could I be so gauche? The signs were there, now that I think about it. What’s worse is that I feel momentary relief about not having to face the disapproval of his crème de la crème parents, and that relief is followed by a surge of guilt that would kill a race horse. “I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t make my parents get on that fucking yacht,” he says in a flat voice.

“Still, I’m so sorry that happened to you,” I say again and cover his hand with mine on autopilot.

“Stop apologizing,” he says firmly. “This is something you needed to know as part of learning about me. My parents have been gone for five years now. They had me pretty late in their lives, so I hypothetically knew that I’d lose them sooner than someone with younger parents, but I didn’t expect it to happen like that, or so soon.”

I gently stroke his hand. “You don’t have to keep explaining right now.”

He shakes his head. “I was an only child, same goes for my parents. Grandparents on both sides died of old age when I was too young to understand it. Piper is my only living relative.”

My heart squeezes painfully. He’s not just trying to be a good dad to Piper. He wants to have access to what remains of his family.

“I’m going to do whatever is necessary to help you get her,” I say solemnly. “Anything at all.”

CHAPTER 10

ADRIAN

It takes all my willpower not to do something stupid, like try to kiss Jane again. I blame the sadness I feel whenever I talk about my parents, and the softness of Jane’s small, reassuring hand. Not to mention her heartfelt words.

But I’m glad I have self-control. Kissing her—or doing anything else along those lines—would undo everything I’ve accomplished here today. Every time I’ve dated someone, we broke up once the woman in question got to know me—and so it would be with Jane, but a breakup in this case would be a disaster.

Not to mention, I’m being presumptuous in my fantasies. Jane probably wouldn’t even want me like that. The word “rake” wasn’t a compliment, after all. And even if she likes me now, she’d lose interest in me once she learns how unfocused I am when it comes to having a plan for my life. In contrast to me, she was laser-focused on wanting to work at that library—which means that is something she clearly values.

In any case, I’m in no headspace to date anyone until the successful end of the saga with Piper, and especially not a woman who wants a Grand Deflowering. I can’t be the guy for that. That honor belongs to someone she’ll fall in love with and who’ll love her back.

“Do you want to learn something about me?” Jane suggests, bringing me back to Earth.

“Please.” I gently free my hand. “Let’s talk about your family. So far you’ve mentioned your BFF mom and your much-younger sister.”

“Right,” she says. “I also have a grandmother, Mom’s mom, who lives in Florida. My dad isn’t in the picture at all, so I can’t really tell you anything about him or that side of the family.”

“I see.” Should I add that I think her father is a moron?

“On the bright side, less lying,” she says. “Mary, my sister, will believe we’ve been secretly dating, and so will Grandma. You can make my mom sign an NDA. She’s terrified of lawyers and therefore will keep her mouth shut.” She frowns. “I’m amazed you didn’t make me sign one before you told me the whole plan.”

“You seem trustworthy,” I say with a wink. “Besides, I didn’t think you would sign anything without an explanation. It was a miracle you didn’t bolt when you saw the empty restaurant.”

She grins. “It’s not like anyone would believe me if I told them you wanted to marry me.”

I sigh. “You keep not giving yourself enough credit.”

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