Page 34 of Billionaire in Disguise

“Why did you do it?” Unlike Adrianna, his voice held no accusation, but instead curiosity, compassion. “I’m sure Adrianna told you how much I idolize you. I’ve read your book three times, and I’ve seen your lectures twice that. I can’t imagine you did this as some sort of prank. You must have a good reason.”

Dominick tightened. “I do.” His campaign for his business was as much a disaster as the scheme he’d concocted with Adrianna. Clearly, his organization possessed a massive problem, which had been progressing steadily before he even noticed. If only Carlyle hadn’t repeatedly reassured him all was well…

He froze. With all the problems, why hadn’t Carlyle noticed?

Change of plans.“Can you take me to the local Knight Technology office instead of the airport?” He couldn’t give up the woman he loved. Yet to win his case, he would have to do something massive.

The next moments blurred together, until Joshua pulled into the large, rounded driveway of Knight Technology’s sleek five-story Orlando office. Dominick grabbed his bag and disembarked, but before he could shut the door, Joshua leaned forward. “Do want me to pick you up?”

At any other time, Dominick would have smiled. He’d deceived his family, yet still the man was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and help him. Apparently, kindness ran in the family. He could use a man like that in the company.

If matters progressed as he believed, there would be an opening in upper management soon.

* * *

“You want to forgive him,don’t you?”

The sun-splashed lake sparkled like a sea of diamonds, its edges framed by colorful lilies, their brilliant violet, white and yellow blooms casting a rainbow on Earth. The air was cool and fresh, scented by the flowers and a million memories. It had been the glistening backdrop to their one magical night.

Adrianna never hated the wordoneso much.

“Would it be so wrong if I forgave him?” She shielded her eyes against the sun, watched the silvery fish threading playfully around green turtles. “He deceived me.”

Her mother sank down on the pier next to her, dangling her legs over the edge. “You deceived us, too.” The words were soft, yet they pierced an already acidic stomach.

“I’m so sorry about that,” Adrianna whispered.

Her mother rubbed her back. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I was angry at first, and hurt, but I understand why you did it. You were trying to protect us, but we’d rather you be honest.” Her mother pulled her into a hug. “I’m also partly to blame.”

“What?” Adrianna sat up. “That isn’t even a little true.”

“Isn’t it?” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “It didn’t bother you that I asked about a boyfriend fifteen times every conversation?”

“It wasn’t fifteen.” Despite the tumultuous situation, Adrianna couldn’t stop a small smile. “It couldn’t have been more than fourteen.”

“Exactly.” Her mother chuckled. “The point is, I shouldn’t have been so nosy, or made you feel like there was something wrong if you didn’t have a boyfriend. You are absolutely wonderful, all on your own. I love you so much, Adrianna.”

Her vision turned just a little blurrier, as her mother swept her into another hug. “I love you, too, Mom.” The world seemed a little less bleak as her mother held her, surrounding her in unconditional love, as she always had. Yet far too soon, the present returned, and she let out a shuddering breath. “I just can’t believe it was all pretend.”

“Oh, there was nothing pretend about Nick’s feelings.”

She looked up sharply.

“There wasn’t.” Her mother reached into her purse and rifled through an entire convenience store before taking out a miniature box of tissues. She handed her three. “He may have lied about his name and position, but he didn’t lie about his feelings. You can see it in his eyes. He’s crazy about you.”

Was it possible? She squeezed the tissues into a crumpled mass. “If that’s true, why did he hide who he really was?”

“I don’t know.” Her mother rubbed her arm. “Perhaps there’s more at stake than we realize. The only person who can explain is him.”

Yet she’d sent him away without allowing a word, while her own family not only listened but understood. What had she done? “I have to let him explain.” She swallowed. “How could I send away the man I lov–” She gasped.

And her mother beamed. “What is that, dear?”

“The man I love.” The last word was a mere whisper on the wind, its meaning far eclipsing its breathless utterance. “Do I love a man who doesn’t exist?”

“Not at all.” Her mother softened. “What do you love about him?”

A thousand memories swirled, amidst a thousand answers. “I love his kindness and his generosity. He’s so giving to everyone, even at his own expense. He’s funny, charming and so brilliant. What he did with those computers was unbelievable, but at the same time, he’s so modest about it. I love our conversations and the moments we spend with each other. I love… everything.”

---