Page 418 of Billionaire Temptations

After pouring the hot water into the cups, I took them over with the teabags to the table.

“I don’t know, Mom. On one hand, he has a kind and gentle soul, and on the other, I sense a darkness about him.”

“You don’t think he’s dangerous, do you?”

“No. Of course not. I get the feeling something happened in his past that he’s hiding. I don’t know. He’s just very closed off personally.”

She reached her hand over and placed it on top of mine.

“Well, maybe you’re just the girl he needs to bring light into his life. Maybe he needs a spiritual cleansing. Why don’t you have him come to our apartment so I can help him with that?”

“Somehow, I don’t think he’d go for that. He doesn’t believe in that stuff. He gambled last night.”

She frowned. “Oh. We’re in a Venus retrograde. That wasn’t a good idea.”

“I warned him, but he didn’t listen and lost thousands.”

After a long conversation, we finished our tea, and she got up from her chair. “Larry, we need to get going.”

“Coming,” my dad said as he got up from the couch. “It’s nice to have you back home, pumpkin.” He kissed my cheek.

I walked them to the door and then went into the bathroom for a long, relaxing bath.

Sebastian

“How did it go?” Eli asked on our drive to the penthouse.

“It went well. We had a great time. She asked about my parents again.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her they’ve been dead for years, and I didn’t want to talk about it.”

“I hate to break the news to you, Sebastian, but if you’re going to continue seeing Chloe, you’ll have to tell her about your childhood.”

“Who says I’m going to continue to see her? I took her to Vegas on a whim. It meant nothing.”

He looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Okay, but I think?—”

“Drop it, Eli. I don’t want to talk about Chloe Kane anymore.”

Stepping inside the penthouse, I set my bag down, and Karina, my maid, immediately picked it up.

“Welcome home, Mr. Bennett.”

“Thank you. Did you pick up my dry cleaning?”

“Yes, sir. Your suits are hanging in your closet.”

“Good. I have an important meeting tomorrow. Also, make sure that you unpack my bag.”

“Yes, sir.”

Walking over to the bar, I poured myself a drink and took it out on the patio. I couldn’t shake the thoughts that were swimming around in my head about Chloe. This weekend was good, really good, and I enjoyed spending time with her. Feeling her naked body pressed against mine while we slept did wonders for me. I hadn’t slept that good in years, actually, not since London. I pulled my ringing phone from my pocket and noticed it was the Palazzo Hotel calling.

“Hello,” I answered.

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