Page 425 of Billionaire Temptations

“What do you mean you can’t? Come on, baby.” She smiled as her lips brushed against mine.

“I can’t.” I pulled away and paced around the room.

“What the fuck is the matter with you?” she shouted rather loudly.

“I have to go.”

Grabbing my jacket, I left her apartment and climbed into the limo.

“That sure as hell didn’t take very long,” Eli spoke.

“That’s because nothing happened. Just drive.”

When I arrived home, I poured myself a drink and took it out on the patio. What the hell was happening to me? I needed to call her and make sure she was okay. Her phone rang and then went straight to voicemail. She ignored my call. Great. I sent her a text message.

“Chloe, I think we need to talk about tonight.”

I waited for a response, and nothing. Slamming my glass down on the table, I flew out the door and hailed a cab to her apartment. As I was walking up the steps, a couple came walking out. I ran, held the door open for them, and then headed up the stairs to Chloe’s apartment. I softly knocked and waited. No answer. I knocked again. No answer. Pulling out my phone, I sent her a text message.

“Damn it, Chloe! Answer the fucking door!”

I heard her voice down the hallway as I hit the send button.

“Sebastian? What are you doing here?” She cocked her head while holding a large brown bag in her hands.

“Doesn’t matter. What matters is I don’t appreciate my calls or text messages being ignored,” I spoke in an abrupt tone.

“Huh? I didn’t get any calls or text messages from you.” She handed me the large paper bag as she slid her key into the lock.

“Don’t lie to me, Chloe.” I followed her inside.

She pulled her phone from her purse. “It’s dead. That’s why I didn’t get anything from you. See for yourself.” She held up her phone.

She took it into the kitchen and plugged the charger into it. Then, she turned and narrowed her eyes at me.

“Just ignore that last text,” I said. “Why are you going to Whole Foods so late? Do you know how dangerous that is?”

She started removing the groceries from the bag and set them on the counter.

“I needed a few things, and on my way home, I stopped and talked to Willie. We had a nice conversation, and then I gave himsome apples. Actually, I gave him all the apples I bought, so I guess I’ll have to go back tomorrow and get some more.”

“Who the hell is Willie?” I stood there in confusion at the fact that she gave him apples.

“The nice homeless man that resides on the next block. During the day, he camps out in front of Barnes and Noble, and at night, he moves to the alley. But he was still at Barnes and Noble when I walked by.”

“May I ask why you talk to him?”

“Why wouldn’t I talk to him? He’s an interesting person. He served in the military for thirty years, fought in two wars, and received the Medal of Honor.”

“Then why is he homeless?”

“When his kids grew up, his wife left him. He started drinking heavily, lost his job, and couldn’t afford his house, so the bank took it, and now he’s on the street. It’s sad that he’s been living like that for five years.”

“It’s his own fault. He could do something, but he chooses not to. So he has no one to blame but himself.”

“Wow, Sebastian, that’s really cold-hearted.”

“It’s the truth, Chloe. You know it, and the fact that you even talk to him.”

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