Page 246 of In Love with a Cruel Billionaire

The words made him frown. He didn’t like hearing the professor blame herself. “It’s not your fault. You’re right. I was wrong. I’m sorry I took advantage.”

Silence.

He looked up.

“Sorry,” Mairi said quickly. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I made you apologize.”

He grunted. “Don’t expect it to happen often.”

She nodded. “Yup.”

Leon finally realized what was wrong. “You’re no longer nervous,” he said. “Why?”

“Tell me first. Why are you after me?”

“You’re sexy and beautiful and cute all rolled into one.” He laughed when she turned red.

“Just so you know,” she said severely, “I’m blushing because I don’t handle compliments well. It’s not because I’m attracted to you or something.”

“Or something.”

She shook her head, unable to stop herself from grinning at the suggestive look the younger man sent her way. “You’re helpless.” Before he could answer, she went for the kill. “But I know it’s not the truth.”

Leon stilled.

“There’s nothingthatremarkable about how I look or act, Leon. So why don’t we both quit beating around the bush. It wasn’t that at all.”

They didn’t speak for a while, both of them concentrating on finishing the first course. Only when the plates were taken away did Leon finally speak. “Why does it matter? We both know now that I don’t stand a chance.” His lips twisted. “Probably never did.”

The way he pointedly looked around him made her say quietly, “I know you know about my past. Everyone probably does. If you also think I was – am – a gold-digger, I would really appreciate it if you say it to my face.”

The ever-so-polite rebuke shamed him. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

Mairi inclined her head, but she said evenly, “I’ll only forgive you if you tell me the truth.Whydid you choose to target me?”

He winced. “You make me sound like a serial killer.”

She shrugged.

“Now who’s calling names?”

“You said it, Mr. Arlotta, not me.”

Somehow, the lighthearted banner cut him to the quick. He didn’t deserve her to be so damn nice about everything when they both knew what he had done could have ruined her marriage.

“You remind me of my mother,” he heard himself say.

“Umm...” Mairi bit her lip very hard. This was like a scene straight out of Fifty Shades. She only realized she had said the words out loud when Leon started to laugh.

“The fuck did you say?”

She turned red. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help thinking it—-”

He shook his head, amusement still underlining his voice as he said, “It’s definitely not that, trust me.” He winced at the thought. “I know about the books. My sister told me about it. And it’s not that.”

“Umm, sorry?” she said weakly.

“My mother is more like...Esther Leventis.”

---