Page 24 of Undercover Billionaire

"You seem surprised.” She met his gaze. "You must travel a lot for work."

He hesitated. "That's true. My acting takes me all over the country, but not usually to places like this."

Why not?She bit back the question he was unlikely to answer, at least in a way that would elucidate matters. It was like that with a lot of things Drake said and did. He was like a puzzle, in which the pieces almost, but did not quite, fit.

Perhaps it was time to do a little investigating into Drake Alexander.

They drove in silence for a few minutes, before they arrived at a brightly lit building. He brought the car to a halt in a nearly full parking lot, then they disembarked and walked to a large brick building covered in green vines and cerulean flowers. The heavy scent of roses drifted on a gentle breeze, set to the music of nightbirds’ song. Drake stopped at the small decorative sign hanging above the door. "You’re kidding. You guys even have an ice-skating rink?"

"Sure do," Kaitlyn replied, "and right over there is the Killer Whale Aquarium."

His surprise was palpable as he pivoted. As he read the sign toJane's Sewing and Fabric, he gave her a playful tickle. "You’re kidding about that one."

"I admit it. But I got you." She dashed back from his touch, prouder than she ought to be. No doubt few people "got" Drake Alexander.

He laughed. "I’m not a very gullible person. Fooling me, if only for an instant, places you in rare company."

"Really?" She kept her voice light. "Do people often try to trick you?"

"Quite frequently."

Stranger and stranger."But why? I would think it would be the other way around, with you being an actor and all."

He visibly stiffened, paused before answering, "I just find people are always trying to deceive you. That you must always be on guard."

"That’s a shame."

"What?" He stopped walking. "Why would you say a thing like that?"

Kaitlyn stopped and turned around. "I would hate to face life believing most people were dishonest. I start by assuming the best in people, and they usually show it to me." She gestured to the town. "You seem surprised by all the amenities here. Is it because you didn’t think a small town could afford all this business?"

"Actually yes." Drake nodded to a smiling couple walking out of the ice-skating center. "I’ve seen larger cities that couldn’t carry half the business this place manages."

"Businesses survive here because everyone supports them.” She plucked an old branch off a blooming rosebush. “When a tropical storm ravaged the general store, half the town came to pick up debris. When the movie complex almost closed due to tax increases, the local bank loaned them money on no collateral, and the landlord gave the owners extra time to pay. Things turned around, and they paid it all back. That’s the way it is here. Good people, good business."

He stepped closer, grazing her arm. "Sounds like a pretty amazing place. In fact, there are quite a few amazing things here."

Her side tingled where he touched it, amidst the nearly irresistible urge to delve closer. She forced herself away from his touch. She couldn't afford to succumb to him or the impossible feelings he inspired. "Ready for our date?"

“Absolutely.”

They paid the entrance fee and entered the ice-skating rink. The large facility was decorated in white and silver, featuring sparkly Styrofoam snowflakes and whimsical murals of winter scenes. Laughing children and adults in warm woolen sweaters careened this way and that, some graceful and some tumbling accidents on skates. Delighted shrieks filled the icy air.

They donned rental shoes and high stepped to the rink. Both were decent skaters, and they easily took to the ice, gliding in tune. They asked spectators along the sides to snap pictures, and within ten minutes had the necessary photographs. Drake slid to the carpet and reached down to unlace his shoes.

"Hold on a minute." Kaitlyn stopped him with a hand on his arm. A slightly naughty idea formed, somewhat devious, all fun. "Are you in the mood for a little friendly competition?"

“Friendly competition?” Drake raised an eyebrow. "Does this involve more practice?"

He was trying to get a rise out of her, but she wouldn't be affected. Well not that affected. All right, that affected, but she wouldn’t show it. "Of course not. I always winthatcompetition."

His grin widened. "I think webothwin that competition. What then?"

She pointed to a white vinyl sign hanging above the concession stand.

“Weekly Skating Competition,” he read. "A skating competition? You mean like figure skating?"

Kaitlyn laughed. "If I attempted a triple axel, out next date would be at the Greenfield Medical Center. No, they have a bunch of games, races, different things like that. You up for it?"

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