Page 6 of Oops Baby for the Billionaire
“Very,” he agrees without hesitation. There’s something about his bald acknowledgement that feels like I’ve been let in on a dark and dangerous secret. “That doesn’t intimidate you?”
“No,” I answer honestly. A faint shiver runs up my spine. But it’s not intimidation. It’s…anticipation. Nerves, yes, but welcome ones.
Whoever he is, he has no power over me. Nothing he can do will change the course of my life. After this secret moment together on this terrace, I’m never going to see this man again.
For the first time in a long time, I have complete and utter freedom.
“Good. I appreciate straightforwardness. Not enough people in this world give me that,” he says. “Not that I let it stop me. But something tells me you know all about that. You’re probably driven to succeed, too, aren’t you? I mean, look at you. Juggling work and life…”
“I try my best. It’s been hard, the last few weeks. I’m re-thinking some things.”
“Because of the merger?”
“What?” I blink. “No. No, it’s a family thing. But you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll figure it out.”
He frowns in concern. “Bad roommate?”
I exhale and shake my head.
“A husband?” Those two words have a harder edge. Less concern, more…Like, if your husband is a shithead, I’ll kill him for youenergy.
But I don’t have a husband. I don’t have a boyfriend, or anyone else to take care of me.
Another negative shake. “Sorry, I don’t really want to talk about it. Is that okay?”
“Of course. You set the rules, Willa.”
I take a deep breath and step closer. Close enough that I have to tip my head back to look him in the face.
He’s so tall. And up close, I can see that his dark hair is shot through with silver that glints in the glow from the strings of lights around the terrace. His beard is silvery, too, and it makes me shiver to think of it rasping against my skin.
Which is a very strange thing to think about.
He’s a stranger.
He sets the wine down and takes my hands. His fingers are warm and strong, and I like his touch too much. “If you need money?—”
“Oh God, I couldn’t?—”
“But that’s what I do. I invest in… Well, now I invest in people, I guess. You. I’m supposed to invest in you.”
“I think you’ve got me mistaken for—” I cut myself off. I’m still staring at his beard. At his lush, firm mouth and the flash of white teeth every time he talks.
He definitely thinks I’m someone I’m not.
I take a deep breath. “I really should go.”
“Don’t.” It’s a low, growly command. He leans in and lowers his voice. “Stay. Let me show you how nice it is to watch the city at night. It’s really something. Really very…beautiful.”
But he’s not watching the city. He’s looking at me as if I’m the only thing he can see.
I like this feeling more than I should.
“Show me the city,” I whisper back, hardly believing my own ears. “Because, to be honest, I’d like some company tonight. I won’t have that…”
He looks at my mouth when I trail off.
He frowns.
