Page 52 of My Small Town Silver Fox Billionaire

I want to close the gap, to kiss him. Robert has managed to make me feel better about everything like he really cares. He presses his lips to my forehead and smiles.

“If you need anything, just know I’m here for you.”

“I know I can count on you, Robert.”But inside I realize that the one thing I want right now is a deep and passionate kiss, and not on my forehead. He’s more reserved, but when he touches me, I feel my desire for him growing. I kick myself for not at least trying to kiss him. But I don’t know if he wants to go that route yet.

We stay in this warm embrace as the lights dim and nighttime falls over the sanctuary.

And right now, this is exactly where I want to be: In his arms and by his side. Even if his kiss didn’t reach my lips, my heart is thumping wildly, and I realize that my dream is changing. Robert is right in the middle of it.

I hope that’s a dream to come true.

Chapter eighteen

Robert

“What now?” I mutter.

I press the button on the intercom, dreading what the other line might say. Static follows, and then I hear my assistant Rebecca’s voice.

“Robert! There you are.”

“Good afternoon to you too, Rebecca. What do you need—”

“We have a problem.”

“With what? Is it one of our partners?”

“No, I’ve been trying to get hold of you for ten minutes! There’s someone here to see you,” she says.

“Who?” I ask, checking my calendar. I don’t have any appointments today. The current deals have gone through, and I don’t have contracts to discuss with anyone else for a little while.

The line falls silent. I take a deep breath, already frustrated by this.

“I don’t have all day, Rebecca. Spit it out or—”

“She won’t give me her name,” she almost whispers. “I’ll send her up to you, or maybe you two can meet in a meeting room. She insists that she has to see you. And she’s not taking no for an answer. She’s not very pleasant.”

Who in the world could possibly want to see me at a time like this? I know Mom and Dad haven’t tried to shove anyone down my throat recently, despite their apparent disdain for Sara, even if Mom originally told me she’d support me. I mull it over, trying to figure out who it is.

Lost, I sigh. “Fine. Send her to the fifth-floor meeting room. I’ll be down there in a moment.”

The line clicks, and I rub my temples. This had better not be some kind of prank. I head down to the fifth floor, expecting it to be one of my parents trying to mess with me, but when I open the door, a familiar head of blonde hair greets me.

No. This can’t be.

I stand there, frozen in place. I can’t move. I don’t know if I want to move. The hazel eyes look up, and a smile forms.

“Long time no see, Robert?”

“Maria, what the hell are you doing here?” I can barely hold back a sense of rage.

She gets out of her seat and approaches me. Her perfume reeks of roses. She smiles, grabbing my arm.

“It’s been a long time. I came to see you because I wanted to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about. You made your bed the second you left me at the altar seven years ago.”

She frowns, her red lips becoming a pout. “Robert, it’s complicated and—” I pull my arm away, telling her: “There’s nothing more to say, Maria.”

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