Page 98 of In Love with a Cruel Billionaire

The microwave sounded off behind her, and trying not to sound relieved at the chance to change the subject, she said cheerfully, “The pasta’s ready.”

The smell was delightful, and the taste even more so. After enjoying a forkful of the pasta, he was impressed enough to say, “It’s very good – enough for me to wonder if perhaps you’d like to start a restaurant?”

“A restaurant?”

He said smoothly, “It won’t mean you have to work every day. You’ll simply be in charge of creating a menu and setting the overall theme.”

A restaurant...

Only Greek billionaires like Damen Leventis would think that opening a restaurant and putting a schoolteacher in charge of it was an investment worth risking, Mairi thought dazedly. “I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of undertaking.” If she failed, it would mean causing him to lose thousands of euros – or even hundreds of thousands, and she wasn’t ready for that kind of failure just yet.

“Well, it was just a thought.” He paused. “In case you become bored with your life.”

“Oh, I’ll never be bored.” Her lips curved into another smile. “You’re with me, Damen. It’s all I ask for.”

He shook his head. “You never fail to surprise me, with how open you are about your feelings.”

Her smile almost faltered. She wasn’t as open as he thought she was. There were so many things she had yet to tell him, but her love for Damen made her scared to risk it.

After dinner, they went straight to the bedroom, Mairi waiting in bed while Damen took a shower. Her iPhone sounded a beep, indicating a new email.

Congratulations! You have successfully passed our test. We will start sending you writing assignments tomorrow at the rate of $.002 per word or $1 per 500-word article.

Hearing the door of the en-suite bathroom open, Mairi quickly deleted the message before looking up at Damen. “Feel more relaxed now?”

Deciding not to comment on how flustered she seemed, he answered casually, “Yes.” Joining her in bed, Damen wordlessly pulled her into his arms and took her lips for a kiss.

Her receipt of his kiss was as passionate as before, enough to assuage his doubts. For now.

They did not make love that night, but Mairi did not seem to mind, falling asleep in his arms almost right away. Even in her slumber, she appeared...uneasy, an unhappy frown furrowing her forehead. Quietly, Damen reached past Mairi for her iPhone.

He scanned her messages, but again there was nothing new from the past few minutes. His face became grim.

What are you hiding from me, matakia mou?

Chapter 8

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