Page 12 of Billionaire Temptations

I stood there with my heavy bags and watched the people pass by as I felt like I was in another world. A few moments passed, and the Rolls Royce pulled up. Darren got out, opened the door, and took my bags.

“Thank you, Darren. I didn’t want to call you, but I couldn’t get a cab to stop, and these bags are heavy.”

“No problem, Emma. I’m at your disposal whenever you need me.”

I slid in the back and then asked Darren if he’d seen Max today.

“Yes, I just dropped him and a lady friend of his off at a restaurant for an early dinner.”

My stomach instantly felt sick. “Oh, good for him. I’m going to go home and cook a nice meal for myself.”

He looked at me from the rearview mirror and smiled. Darren was a nice man. He was about mid to late forties with brown hair and hazel-colored eyes. Something about him clicked with me, and I felt comfortable around him, almost like a father figure. We reached my building, and Darren helped me carry my bags up to my apartment.

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.” I smiled.

“You’re welcome, Emma. Have a good night.” He walked toward the door, stopped, and turned to me. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing with Max?”

I was taken aback by his question. “Yeah, I know what I’m doing.”

He pursed his lips. “You’re a great girl, and I don’t want to see you get hurt. Sometimes, people must fall on their own before learning a valuable life lesson.” He walked out the door, shutting it behind him.

I stood there for a moment and pondered what he meant. I figured he was talking about Max. After setting up my new coffeemaker and putting my food away, I decided to cook myself a breaded chicken breast and a baked potato. As I was preparing dinner, I had the music playing on my phone, and “Uptown Funk” came on. I needed to distract my mind from Max. I began dancing around the small kitchen and using a wooden spoon as a microphone, moving my hips back and forth while I breaded the chicken. I threw it in the oven with the baked potato and shut the door while moving to the beat of the music and singing. I turned around and screamed when I saw Max smiling at me.

“What the FUCK! You scared the shit out of me, Max!” I turned off the music.

“Sorry, but I knocked. You didn’t hear me, and you didn’t lock the door, so I let myself in and watched your sexy dance moves. Damn, Emma. Rule number one when living in New York: always lock your door.”

“I forgot. I thought you were on a date.”

“How did you know that?” he asked as he arched his eyebrow.

“Darren told me. I had to have him pick me up from Whole Foods because I had a lot of bags and couldn’t catch a cab. I was surprised I didn’t hear from you today.”

“I was busy at work. Pretty much in meetings all day.”

A smart-ass remark was about to escape my lips, but I stopped it.

“I take it you’re cooking dinner,” he asked.

“Yep. I haven’t eaten since this morning. So, what are you doing here? And why is your date over already?”

“I only took her to dinner. Once we left the restaurant, I took her home and headed here.”

“Why?” I asked as I poured a glass of wine. “Would you like some?”

“Sure. Thanks. And why what?” He took a seat on the stool in front of the counter.

“Why would you cut your date short to come here? You didn’t want to have sex with her?”

“Of course I did, but she’s on her period, and I don’t do that shit. I don’t think you should be asking me questions like that.”

I handed him his glass. “Why not? We are engaged to be married, after all.”

A twinge of pain invaded my heart when he admitted he wanted to have sex with her. What the hell was going on with me? It had been too long since I’d had sex. The last time was with Justin, and that was right before we broke up six months ago. Speak of the devil. My phone rang, and his name popped up.

“Ah, shit.” I sighed.

“Hello.”

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