Page 29 of Billionaire in Disguise

That he looked at her like she was the most precious treasure in the world.

That his smile made everything perfect.

Yet as they sat under endless stars in a velvet sky, somehow it all mattered.

“This is breathtaking.”

“Yes, it is.” Blue waters sparkled like diamonds under the brilliant moonlight, their lapping waves accompanying the nightbirds’ melody. Lilies scented the cool night air, from the luscious blooms that grew along the bank of the large lake. It was lovely and it was enchanting, most of all because of the man sitting next to her. “I can’t think of anything more beautiful.”

“I can.” He gazed at her.

She blushed across her entire body.

He scooted just a little closer to her on the pier, brushing against her side and eliciting streaks of sensation. The night was perfection defined, and so was the man. She never wanted to leave.

His gaze wandered to the cozy cottage behind them. Emerald vines sprinkled with violet flowers covered whitewashed walls, with matching wildflowers overflowing from flower boxes in large picture windows. “Is that where Joshua will stay?”

She nodded. “I’ll show you the cottage a little later, if you’d like.”

He nodded and relaxed back, yet a furrow appeared in his brow. Was he finally going to share his secret? She held her breath, waiting as he took his own. He opened his mouth…

“Tell me about your brother.”

Clearly, that was not the elucidation he wanted to share. She bit back a thousand questions. “Like me, Joshua loves computers. It’s ironic since our parents have no background in technology.” She smiled softly. “It didn’t matter. They were happy with everything we did. No matter our interests, they always supported us. It’s what inspired me to pursue my own business.”

She pursed her lips. She hadn’t meant to reveal that, yet the expected discomfort was absent. “I’d ask you not to share that, but I don’t think it’s necessary. For some reason, I trust you.”

Something flashed in his eyes. “Adrianna, I– I–” He halted. “I think it’s great your parents were so supportive. Mine weren’t at first,” he admitted. “My entire family is in the medical field. Both my parents are doctors, and they assumed I would also be a doctor.”

“Dr. Nick.” She smiled. “Did you ever consider it?”

“I did, but there was one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“I get positively nauseous every time I see a drop of blood.”

She laughed. “That’s a pretty big obstacle for a physician.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered. Computers have been my passion ever since I was a little kid. My parents became more supportive when I did well.”

She hid her frown. He worked for a cutting-edge company, yet only as a temporary employee. It seemed unlikely to delight demanding parents. Of course, with his skills, he should be running the company. She frowned…

“Have you ever considered working with Joshua?” His question snagged her attention. “Perhaps forming a company together?”

She shook her head. “I considered it, but logistically it would be too difficult. He doesn’t live close enough to me. Plus, he likes working in big companies.”

“So you are considering a partner?”

A negative danced on her tongue, yet the word wouldn’t form. It was strange, since she hadn’t considered anyone except Joshua. Yet maybe…

Was she seriously considering asking a man she’d only known for weeks to join her business venture? It was far riskier than pretending he was her fake date. That had an ending date, but any partnership would be continuous. Of course, it meant something else could continue.

Them.

Yet before she even considered working together, she had to discover the secrets he hid. “You said you had something to tell me.”

He visibly tightened, then nodded ever-so-perceptibly. “Adrianna, I–”

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