Page 40 of Playboy Billionaire

“Penelope, this is Pierre. He and my mom knew each other back in the day, before they both moved to the States,” Griffin said.

“MademoiselleWinters, my pleasure,” he said, in a heavy French accent. He leaned over her hand, planting a kiss on the back of it.

“So nice to meet you Pierre.”

“When Griffin called to request a private dining experience, it was my profound pleasure to prepare a meal for such an honored guest.”

Eyes wide, she put a hand to her throat. “Private?”

“Oui, Mademoiselle, I must return to the kitchen to put the finishing touches to your brunch.” He bowed then backed away, leaving she and Griffin alone again.

“Griffin, this is way too much. You really shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble.”

He sat back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head, giving her a great view of his muscular arms. As if she needed to be reminded. A sudden flash of their on-set lovemaking flitted through her mind and she felt her face heat up.

“Well, have I impressed you yet?”

“Griffin, I don’t want to lead you on…friends remember?”

“I remember, but I don’t believe you. I think you want me as much as I want you…which by the way, is a hell of a lot.”

“Even if I were ready to start something, which I’m not, you’re too big a risk. You’re a player, Griffin.”

“I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve never been inclined to settle down. The grass has always been greener on the other side. Always chasing the next shiny object…always fighting an inner restlessness…but right now, from where I’m sitting, I’m right where I want to be. I’m in the greenest pasture I’ve ever seen.”

She raised a skeptical eyebrow. “It always feels that way in the beginning. People think of me in a certain way, they assume that they know me because they’ve seen me in a film or two. But I’m not that person, it’s a character I play. It’s a big letdown when they find out that I’m just a normal human being, with the same foibles as everyone else.”

“I understand that. And I am captivated, intrigued. But I want to get beyond that armor you’ve got up.”

“Griffin, I’m the shiny object right now…I’m something new and interesting. It’s a challenge and all that, I get it, but I just can’t allow myself to be the new toy in your toybox.”

“I could say the same about you. You’re around all the glitter and glam, handsome leading men, fans swooning over you, men lusting…fantasizing. I’d be taking a risk too…but how will we know if it could be more unless we try?”

Penelope crossed her arms, eyes narrowed. “I’ve been with two men in my entire life. Can you say the same?”

His eyes widened in shock. “Really?”

“Yes really.”

“Wow. Who’d have ever thought.”

“See, that’s my point. You see me in these torrid onscreen romances, then assume I’m the nymphomaniac of your dreams. Instead I’m just an ordinary person.”

His blue eyes were bottomless as he boldly met her gaze. “Hardly ordinary. I find you fascinatingly extraordinary.”

A waiter appeared with a pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice and two glass bowls of honeyed fruit salad. “Could I interest either of you in a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa?”

Griffin said, “I’m going to pass since I’ll be flying us back, but why don’t you indulge?”

“Yes, I’ll have a Mimosa please.”

“I’ll be right back with thatMademoiselle.”

A different waiter appeared with a tray of flaky, layered French pastries. Penelope’s mouth watered as she eyed them. She moaned audibly as he placed a plate in front of her. He’d barely retreated before she picked it up. She glanced up and caught Griffin staring.Busted.

“I love your enthusiasm,” he said, his voice warm and amused.

Embarrassed, she defended herself, “I haven’t had one bite to eat today.”

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