Page 59 of Coffee Break with the Billionaire

“You’ve been groped here?”

Fenella rolls her eyes. “This would be the perfect place for a group of girls to go for a night out—”

“Without men?”

Fenella shakes off the idea. “Men could come but they’re not needed. Doesn’t that sound like a great idea?”

A place where men aren’t needed? Not really, no. “Would you invite men to your party?”

“Are you asking if I’d inviteyou?” She smiles. “Of course. I created a speakeasy in our basement for my brother’s surprise twenty-first birthday. I got permits and bought alcohol and created the drinks and ordered food and the keg and…” She lifts her hands. “And I got a great DJ.”

“Okay, but…” I shrug helplessly, not wanting to burst her bubble.

“I’ll clean it up myself and paint it,” Fenella continues. “Pink. I think that would be perfect.”

“Have you ever painted anything?” I ask.

Fenella lifts her chin. “I’ve painted ceramics. And many toenails. I can ask Sophie to help. She’s an artist. It’s not that big of a space. We can do it in a night.”

I turn in a circle, studying the space and trying to see it like Fenella does. She’s planned it out in her head, and I can only see dirt and dust and the pile of leaves that has blown in through the open window. But still… “Okay,” I say, like there was any doubt I’d agree.

“I can have a party?” Fenella gasps. “Oh, Silas, it’ll be so much fun!”

I see her coming as if it’s in slow motion—Fenella, dark hair flying, tiny sweater pulling up to show smooth skin and asweet belly button marred by a diamond ring, throws her arms around my neck and presses into me.

She’s hugging me. This isnotthe way to keep my distance. “You’re the best, Silas!”

Oh, Lord, she smells so good. Like cherries. Dark cherries that have been warmed on a barbeque, if that makes sense.

She smells delicious.

And she feels even better.

“You really think you can do this in a week?” I ask, my arms tightening around her. It’s just a hug—I don’t need to hold her like this, but I can’t let go.

Don’t want to. It’s been a while since I’ve held a woman like this.

And Fenella seems content like this, lying her head on my shoulder and breathing into my neck. Leaning against me, she’s taller than I thought. I would only need to lean down a bit to— “I know I can do it,” she says. “When is the meteor shower? The Draconids one?”

Being so close makes my head spin. “What? But—you remembered the name?”

“It sounds like dragons, so of course.”

Of course. “It’s… it’s just after Halloween. Why?”

Fenella’s arms squeeze my waist and then she pulls back with purple eyes sparkling. “I have another idea.”

“That sounds ominous.” The way this conversation has jumped around, I wouldn’t be surprised if she wanted to go out and collect a meteor and somehow use it for herbar.

And I would be just fine with that. I would probably help her.

“It’s not ominous. I have good ideas.”

“You want to open a bar. Forgive me if I’m a little afraid of your ideas.”

“You’ll like this one.” Her hands are still at my waist and she glances up under her lashes and for a moment I think—

“What did you want to show me?” I detangle from her grip reluctantly.

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