Page 31 of Billionaire Romantic
In my defense, I honestly don’t think I’ve everclickedwith someone so instantly before.
He asked the question into a perfect donut hole of inhibitions loosened by champagne and a spark-heavy atmosphere that, with him in it, inexplicably feels like one where dreams actuallycouldcome true. Noah Steel makes unicorns seem possible. I can’t explain it, but there it is.
“I don’t think you’re the only one,” he says. “Maybe it’s the start of a cultural shift. An instinctual backlash to the way society has at least doubled the workload of women in the past few decades. I read somewhere that women who work full-time still do ninety-percent of the household chores and eighty-seven percent of the child-rearing. And they’re working hours that are at least equal to men’s and sometimes more. That sounds exhausting.”
“Yeah. It does.” I’m a little surprised by his comments. He’s more evolved than the men I’m used to. All the nerd dinosaurs at my father’s company hate that I’m a womanandtheir CEO. I choose to ignore their outdated point of view, but I can read the vibes in the boardroom. They’re still visualizing that glass ceiling, wishing like hell I hadn’t put so many cracks in it.
“Plus,” he continues, “women are still paid less than men, on average. Do you find that in your workplace?”
Damn, his eyes are blue.“No.” I’m the CEO. I make sure I’m getting the same salary my father got. Unfortunately, it’s still not enough to keep my boat from taking on some serious water.
When I don’t elaborate, he says, “Tell me about your job.”
I watch as his thumb glides along my palm, scratching lightly like a cat’s tongue. This small roughness feeds little tendrils of warmth to that fluttery sensationinsideme.Yikes.“I’m not talking about work with you, Mr. Steel.”
His slow smile has a dark, playful edge. “All right. That would be giving me too much information and I haven’t earned your trust yet. I get it. You’ll be happy to know I have every intention of rising to your challenge.”
“Is that right?”God, my panties really are…wet.
“Yes, it is, Ms. Irish. And since you did already tell me you’re hoping to get knocked up at some point in the near future, I think my powers are working. My brothers always tell me I’ve got a knack for getting them to admit things that no one else can. We’re off to a good start.”
Heat rises to my face.And in the low pit of my belly, where warmth continues to pool.“I did not say I want to get ‘knocked up’.”
“Semantics, Irish.”
“Now I’m regretting telling you.”
“No, you’re not,” comes the smug drawl. “So, do you have a timeframe in mind? For the insemination?”
This makes me laugh. “Oh my god. I did not say it like that. I meant in the future—distantfuture, obviously.”
“It’s better not to wait too long if you want lots of them.”
“Sage advice from Mr. Steel.”
Noah blinks at me. There’s empathy swirled through his teasing, and the combination, along with dark eyelashes that are far too long for a man’s, makes me hate him a little. Because I already know he’s going to be impossible to resist. “What does the whole scenario look like in your mind? Describe it to me.”
And here he goes again with the gently coaxing questions that are asked with such interest and such care, you can’t help but answer them. “I don’t know. In my mind, it all just happensin a fairy tale of perfect timing, and then I’m surrounded by all these magical little beings who I get to take care of. And this time I get the whole happily ever after and not just the first part, which is all my mother ever got.”
Again, I’m amazed at what I’m admitting to Noah. With him, it just feels easy to let it out. Behind his over-the-top masculinity, he has this aura of kindness that makes my heart hurt.
Turns out kindness and hotness are one hell of a combination.
“Is there going to be a man involved in all of this baby-making?” Gently, but there’s a cockiness to it too, which I have no idea what to do with.
I don’t mention my earlier thoughts about the sperm bank or a spur-of-the-moment trip to Ireland. “Maybe.”Am I teasing him?“I mean, yes, of course, but I only need him for one tiny thing. There are options available these days.”
“Okay.” His low chuckle might almost offend me if it wasn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.
What the hell are you even telling him all this for? You’re losing your mind! Or at least your inhibitions. No more champagne for you, girlfriend.
I’m almost grateful for the interruption when the waiter arrives to tell us about the specials. Noah orders a steak and I order mushroom pasta. He orders another bottle of champagne, which is brought to us almost immediately.
I keep waiting for the red flags. My instincts are usually pretty good. But with Noah Steel, so far it’s a sea of green. Which is borderline unnerving. Especially when he’sthisfreaking gorgeous.
What’s he hiding? What secrets will emerge to bite me in the ass? There has to be a catch. No one’s this perfect.
“If I’m not allowed to ask you about work,” he says, “tell me something else about yourself. Where do you live? Generally speaking, I mean. I’m not asking for an exact address.”
