Page 6 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

"But don't you want to—"

"No," he interrupted as he determinedly headed toward the exit.

As they left the hall, he didn’t mention his purchase or their wager, and she didn’t admit to losing a bet. If a few hours in his company made her breathless, Violet couldn’t imagine what doing his bidding would cost her.

The first signs of rain echoed in the corridor as they exited. The suburban neighborhood was already quiet, and the sound of fat droplets hitting the concrete steps only added to the stillness.

The valet from earlier hurried toward them with an umbrella. “I’ll bring your car, sir.”

“I’ll come with you,“ Dimitri said. “Return with the umbrella for the lady.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait here.” Dimitri stroked her chin. “It would be a shame to have to dry you in addition to taking you home,” he said playfully.

Violet inhaled sharply as she watched him hurry towards his car. Dimitri was a threat to her simple, orderly life. For a second, she considered doing as he asked, but there was no point prolonging their time together. If she was honest, Violet knew that he made her thirst for things she’d given up hope of finding.

He wouldn’t remember her tomorrow, she told herself as she stepped into the rain. The area was safe. The bus stop was a two-minute walk, and she wasn’t afraid of a little water. Peering at the retreating figures through the rain, she hurried down the stairs. The late June showers were heavier than they appeared.The rain quickly turned her updo into heavy curls and the wind added a chilly bite to her soaked dress.

Standing behind the glass wall, Violet shivered. While she didn’t mind being wet, hanging out in wet clothing was not her thing. She googled the bus schedule on her phone before texting her roommate.

Guess who got the job?

Juelle: That’s what’s up.

Are you feeling any better?

Juelle: My head aches like my first graders took a hammer to it. Enough about me. How was Mr. Fine?

Violet hesitated. Just the reminder of Dimitri made her shiver again. But she would not give Juelle that info. At least, not until she forgot his touch and the sinful way he smelled.

Turns out the date was his sister’s idea.

Juelle: Blind dates are the worst.

Violet imagined her friend’s shudder. Juelle had gone on many blind dates set up by well-meaning friends. Most of which turned out horribly.

He wasn’t overly obnoxious… he was just…

Even when he wasn’t standing beside her, she had felt the weight of his presence. His eyes had followed her as she moved about the room. His touch, infused with purpose, had an air of confidence—perhaps that’s what drew her. Not to Dimitri, but to the qualities her past dates lacked. The lie slipped into her mind and she closed her eyes, wishing it were true.

He hadn’t wanted tonight; she reminded herself.

Yet, he’d watched over her. And Dimitri’s reputation had put Mrs. Townson at ease. Violet couldn’t deny that his presence had secured her job.

Juelle: It’s always the good-looking ones.

She smiled at Juelle coming to her defense even while the flu kicked her ass. Violet was about to end the text when a sleekblack car stopped in front of her. She clutched the phone, ready to send her friend a 911 text when the front passenger window rolled down.

It was Mr. Fine, and he didn’t look happy.

“Get in.”

Violet hesitated. She was wet and a little chilly, but…

“Get in or I’m coming out to get you.” He didn’t wait for a response before rolling up the window.

The man had nerve. She didn’t doubt he’d do exactly what he promised. There was no use in them both being wet—although it would serve him right for being heavy-handed.

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