Page 18 of Billionaire in Disguise

Her options disappeared like Aunt Mabel’s jelly-filled doughnuts on Sunday morning.

Nick looked as if he were considering the same options, yet instead of yelling a random predator, he grinned. “It looks delicious.”

His smile was warm and genuine, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. And suddenly, an altogether different type of discomfort rose.

Desire.

Right in the middle of her mother’s dining room, surrounded by dozens of relatives, the world melted away. The tangle of aromas faded into the distance, as did her family, and all other sights and sounds. Every sensation honed on a single man.

Nick.

He was beyond handsome, gorgeous even, with his dark hair, sensual features. She fought the urge to see if he was as gifted a kisser as she remembered. Yet far more than his handsome visage drew her – the intelligence burning in those sapphire eyes, the humor that quirked up the sides of his lips, the kindness he’d shown her family. With this man, the inside was just as sexy as the outside.

Mesmerized, she couldn’t even hear her family’s conversation. Or actually… She blinked as reality returned, as every single person silently stared at them. Her mother hadn’t smiled this widely since she won third place in the spelling bee. As if the mute button finally deactivated, conversation started once more, with a concoction of hushed whispers and tinkling laughter that concealed no secrets.

This was bad.

She managed to relax slightly as Nick accepted a plate from her mother. He took a small portion of every dish, building a hill and then a small mountain. Finally, he sat down, not seeming to mind that he played performer in a one-person play. Everyone watched eagerly as he took his first bite, then announced, “This is delicious.”

Her mother clapped. “If this isn’t enough, just wait for the anniversary party.”

Was it too late to yell, “Alligator?”

* * *

“I hope this will do.”Mrs. Lewis smiled widely at him. “We use it as an office, but it’s my son’s old bedroom.”

Dominick returned the grin, which made hers widen more. As a semi-celebrity and billionaire business owner, he was accustomed to attention, yet he’d never felt as celebrated as Adrianna’s boyfriend.

What would they do if they discovered the truth?

He pushed the uncomfortable thought aside as he stepped into the room. More childhood room than office, it contained an old homemade computer, posters of nineties sci-fi films and an entire wall of trophies from half a dozen little league teams.

Mrs. Lewis lingered at the old trophies. “Joshua always excelled in school and sports, as did Adrianna. A mother couldn’t be prouder.” She picked up a picture of a little boy and girl at the beach, next to a younger version of herself. Her gaze softened, as she peered twenty years into the past. “Don’t tell Adrianna, but a part of me still sees them as my babies.”

He gave a soft smile. “I won’t say a word.”

She replaced the picture on the dresser. “Joshua will be here at the end of the week, but you won’t have to worry about moving. He and his wife have five kids, so they use the guest house by the lake. Want to see a couple of pictures?” She didn’t wait for him to reply before whipping out a couple of picturealbums. Yet as she showed him numerous grandkids, sharing everything from science fair wins to second grade hobbies, it actually felt kind of nice. It reminded him of home.

Finally, she shut the book. “I’d better check on Adrianna to see if she’s done fixing my laptop. Tomorrow there will be a long line, so I always sneak mine in first.” She winked. “I’m so glad you found each other. The way you look at each other… I can tell it’s something special.”

Dominick said nothing as Mrs. Lewis walked out of the room, then sank on the springy bed. She was wrong, of course. He’d just met Adrianna a few days ago. She didn’t even know his real name, or that he was actually the billionaire CEO of Knight Technology. It was impossible.

Yet a voice whispered,Just perhaps…

“Are you feeling all right?”

Dominick stood as Adrianna slipped through the door of their adjoining bedrooms. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” She eyed him dubiously. “You didn’t have to eat everything.”

“I couldn’t let them down after they worked so hard. Plus, it truly was delicious.” If only there hadn’t been so much of it. “As an added benefit, I can now hibernate for the winter.”

She chuckled. “You really haven’t had a home-cooked meal in months?” Her face turned crimson. “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”

Even he had been surprised to realize how long it had been. He’d gifted his parents with an around-the-world cruise, but as soon as they returned, he would visit.“I don’t mind that you asked.” And strangely, he didn’t. As his life had delved further and further into the public realm, the desire to stay private had soared. Yet somehow with her, it didn’t matter. “I’ve been busy with work.”

Suspicion flashed in her eyes. Why had he mentioned work again? “As you know, a criminal enterprise takes a lot of time to run,” he added.

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