Page 77 of Billionaire's Matchmaker

When he returned with coffee, her head was resting on the back of the chair. “I go to events almost every evening.” She sat up. “When I am home, I feel the need to work or plan, even when I’m eating. So this is a real treat. You’re spoiling me.”

“I’m glad.” He went back inside for the dessert. “Cake?” he offered, sliding a piece in front of her.

“Yum. Yes.” She stuck in a fork. “I think I’m going to need some exercise later.”

“I can arrange for something.” He enjoyed watching her savor every bite.

“God. This is exquisite.”

“I’ll tell Sienna you said so.”

“Is she taking new clients?”

“No. She works for me and my future wife.”

“That was mean. How am I supposed to refuse you if you keep sweetening the deal?”

This time, he was the one with the triumphant grin. “I told you I intend to be the victor.”

“The rules should be fair. Equitable. You know, giving both sides a chance. The side with the chocolate cake has a decided advantage.”

“That sounds like extreme trickery.”

“It does, doesn’t it?”

Over coffee, he told her stories about his life that he’d kept secret. If she was going to marry him, she deserved to know the sordid details, or more of them than she’d already gleaned. He talked about his sister’s two divorces, and how the second one had devastated her to the point that she refused to leave her apartment for over a week. He and their mother had finally gone to her place, made her shower and get dressed. They took her to lunch, and while they were gone, Sienna and a small crew had moved into action, cleaning the place, catching up the laundry, stocking the kitchen. Even though Rafe’s back teeth had ached from grinding them to escape the mind-numbing boredom, they’d gone to the aquarium. He’d drawn the line at riding the Ferris wheel.

“I’ve always wanted to ride it at night. I think it would be a beautiful way to see the city.”

“With the right company, I might find myself much more agreeable. Especially if we snuck on a flask of our favorite libation.” He considered her. “And maybe a rose or two.”

She gave a delightful shudder before taking a sip of her coffee. “Are interventions common in your family?”

“When my dad started pulling away, the three of us drew closer.”

“Why else would you go to the aquarium?”

“Or not throw the lot of you out of my office when you show up uninvited at dawn?”

“If I remember, you did exactly that.” She pushed her plate away, and they spent a few minutes chatting before clearing the dessert dishes and straightening the kitchen.

With a quick giggle, she swiped some bubbles across his nose, and that led to a slow, deep kiss. Once again, he wondered why he’d fought against a relationship for so long.

“Would you like to sit inside or out?”

“I like it out here,” she admitted. “But I’m a little chilled.”

He lit the outdoor heater, then arranged two of the oversize chairs near it. Then he went into his closet to fetch her one of his long-sleeved shirts. When he returned to the patio, she was curled in one of the chairs. Her shoes were crossed on the tile in a haphazard pile. He tucked the shirt around her.

Nature treated them to a cloudless night, allowing them to see twinkling stars.

He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees. “I’m still hoping you’ll go to Louisiana with me tomorrow.”

“I haven’t decided.” She twisted her fingers together. “I did speak with Sara, the woman you scened with.”

“She must not have said anything awful.”

“No. You know she didn’t.” She stood and paced, drawing his shirt tighter around her. “The idea of going any further with you scares me.”

He wanted to go to her, reassure her. Instead, he remained where he was, giving her the freedom to sort through her doubts.

Barefoot, she returned to stand beneath the heater, keeping her distance. “I’ve told you about my mom, how she wasn’t able to move on after my dad’s death.” Though he remained silent, she went on. “I don’t want to be like that. I can’t be obsessed about a man, that vulnerable.”

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