Page 38 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

“I’ve learned that your father purchased a hotel after the Laurier account but there was no record of the transaction. I learned that it was in your name, and that you signed all the paperwork, so I’d like to know if there’s something you’re not telling me.”

“The money is missing? The money from Kingsman Enterprises after the Laurier account is missing and you think it’s tied up in some hotel?” I asked, and she nodded.

“It is, Preston. I want to believe that there’s an explanation for it, but there isn’t. There’s a missing document in the files I have, and if you have it, I’d like to see it,” she said.

She could barely make eye contact with me and I couldn’t believe it. I shook my head, reaching across the table to grab a hold of her hand, brushing my fingertips against her skin lightly.

“I promise you, Kat, you’ve got it wrong. I never signed any paperwork for a hotel. I wasn’t even aware we owned one. My father always joked about buying the Newmont, but I never thought he was serious. I never signed any documents. I promise you that,” I said.

She nodded her head and I wasn’t sure she believed that I was telling the truth, but it ignited something inside of me now. Now I knew that someone was feeding her information and possibly on their way to fucking up my entire life. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let that happen.

I watched as she studied my expression and the blank look on her face eventually softened as if she finally believed me.

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Preston?”

“I’d never dream of it, Kat. You can trust me.”

“Then I definitely do,” she said, cracking a smile.

We finished up our meal and I held onto Katherine’s hand, leading her through each beautiful exhibit while we chatted. It was the first time we really got to talk about all the little things, and the stuff that we only ever brushed over before everything happened. It was one of the most refreshing nights I’d had in a long time, and being so close to her made me feel incredible. It took away all of the frustration that was slowly building inside of me, reminding me that I got just as caught up as she did in our little romance.

I didn’t want to think about the fate of Kingsman Enterprises. I didn’t want to think about how one little mistake could ruin everything I’ve spent my entire life building, especially if I wasn’t even involved to begin with. If this hotel deal does exist and my name is somehow on it, I need to find out. How the hell could something like this even happen? I’ll deal with it first thing tomorrow. I thought.

“What are you thinking about?” asked Kat, and I smiled.

“Thinking about doing this,” I said, pulling her in close, kissing her hard.

She tasted sweet, reminding me of just how sweet other parts of her had been. I wanted to feel that again, to whisk her off somewhere and relive all of that pleasure, but despite how happy she seemed, I knew she wasn’t ready. She’s still got a lot on her mind right now. The last thing I want is for her to regret another night together. Granted, I won’t be screening her calls this time. No, I’ll be looking out for them.

We sauntered outside and I took my jacket off, tossing it over Katherine’s shoulders. She held onto it, smiling as we made our way down the steps. We took a stroll to enjoy the quiet evening because it was rare that a place like this was ever so peaceful. We approached the fountain, and suddenly, Katherine’s heel caught in the grout and she tumbled headfirst into the fountain with me following closely behind.

We were both soaked, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I pulled her close to me, caressing her cheek as I kissed her. It felt like forever before we finally got out.

“What a spectacle that was. It’s a good thing there’s no one here to witness it huh?” she asked, teasingly.

“It sure is. It’ll be our little secret.”

She rubbed her shoulders as she shivered and I helped her as we walked back to the town car. I tapped on the front window and the chauffeur rolled it down.

“Yes, sir?”

“Will you be able to turn on the heat? It seems that there was a little accident and now we’re both freezing,” I said.

“Of course. Right away, Mr. Clarke.”

“Thank you.”

I held the back door open and Katherine slid inside, having a hard time because the friction of her dress just wouldn’t give way. We both laughed and she lay her head on my chest for a moment while we warmed up, but I couldn’t help but kiss her again.

“I had a wonderful time, Preston. Thank you for being honest with me,” she murmured, softly.

“Of course, Kat. I want you to trust me as much as I trust you.”

Something turned inside of me when I said these words, but I subdued the feeling. This was not the time to battle ghosts of the past. I wanted to dissolve in my woman with no distractions.

I made sure she was home safe before I made my way back to my penthouse apartment, slipping out of my soaking wet Armani to take a hot shower before I crawled into bed.

The sun poured in through the sheer curtains, waking me up. It was the first time in a while that I genuinely felt well-rested and I took my time getting to my morning emails or answering the dozen missed calls I already had. Last night had changed something in me. It made me forget all about the chaos I had to deal with and the mere fact that my life could be completely uprooted at any moment. All I wanted was Katherine. All I wanted to do was be near her, feel her, kiss her, but when we weren’t hidden away, none of that could happen anymore.

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