Page 26 of Billion Dollar Revenge

She opens her mouth to say something else, but the server comes with our drinks and walks away. Picking up her drink, she holds it out, waiting to clink glasses. I can’t remember the last time I had fun just being out and about with someone.

I follow and pick up my glass and clink. “To a good night.”

Nodding, I bring the glass to my lips and welcome the burn down my throat. I watch her over the rim of my glass, expecting her to wince or splutter the drink, but she does neither. Her dark eyes hold mine and we sip while holding gazes. It makes a tingle spread over my skin. Lowering the glass, I clear my throat.

“What do you think?”

She licks her lips, and it's so distracting. I can see her lipstick is coming off, and the natural shade of pink is peeking through on her lips. “It’s delicious.”

Swallowing hard, I shift uncomfortably in my seat, reminding myself that I’m not looking for a relationship. Trust doesn’t come easily to me, and I’m not ready to open my heart.

“What were we saying before the drinks came?” she asks as she settles back into the reddish-brown velvet chair.

“You said people think I’m intimidating.”

She glances away uneasily.

“Is that how you feel about me?”

That has her eyes moving to meet mine. I don’t miss how wide they are.

“Yeah, but mine’s a little different,” she mumbles.

“Start then with why others do.”

The server quietly lowers our snacks down and walks away. I grab a piece of cheese and chew as I watch her do the same.

When she swallows, her eyes flicking up. “I think your quietness can make them unsure about how you feel, so it feels like a threat. People have a hard time reading you.”

“Which is probably why I have a problem with people not giving me their opinions or disagreeing with me. Unless it’s Bobby.”

She giggles at that. Adorably.

I take an olive and pop it into my mouth. “And why are you intimidated by me?”

Her eyes remain fixed on mine, but when her hand trembles to pick up her drink, I smile inside at her nervousness. I’m curious if she’ll be honest or hold back her thoughts.

“You’re successful, strong, intelligent, wise, and confident,” she replies, the flush on her nose spreading to her cheeks.

A slow smile breaks on my face.

“I’m so embarrassed. You probably think I’m envious of you. I promise I’m not. I just admire you.” She picks up her drink and takes a decent sip.

“Would it make you feel better if I told you that you intimidate me?”

“No way.” She shakes her head in total disbelief.

“I’m serious. The way you stood up to Bobby, your femininity, your health, your uniqueness, and your hobbies.”

She beams as I trail off the list. I know how damaging to your self-esteem getting cheated on can be. I could barely look at myself in the mirror some days. I wish I had someone there to remind me that I was enough.

“You’re honest, and I can’t tell you how unnerving that is to me.”

“Why?” she breathes, and I feel my own lungs burning with words I’m unsure if I want to speak.

I pick up my drink and take a sip before lowering it and cradling it between my fingers on the table. “I have a past too.”

“We all have one. You know mine.”

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