Page 7 of My Arrogant Millionaire

The dial tone sounded, and my grin grew wider as I watched Grace bustling about in the kitchen. Suddenly, she stared in surprise at the phone hanging on the wall next to the refrigerator. I would have given anything to hear her thoughts right now.

»Go on, pick up, honey,« I murmured, as if she could hear me.

She hesitated, but then slowly walked over to the phone and took it off the wall. »Hello?« I heard her uncertain voice as she had her back to me.

»I felt that our conversation this morning wasn’t quite finished.«

She took a deep breath and slowly turned towards me. Her face was a picture of surprise, and I waved the receiver before pressing it back to my ear.

»So that’s what you meant by persistent? Bothering me late at night after trying to get my attention with a striptease?« she asked, annoyed, but I definitely heard a smile in her voice. She loved this game between us. And so did I.

»So you noticed it, then?«

She snorted. »How could she not?«

»Your grandma certainly never noticed.«

She hesitated briefly, and I wondered if she had understood me. »Mrs. ... I mean, Grannie certainly isn’t interested in the crude, pubescent behavior of an early midlife crisis-stricken neighbor.«

»Midlife crisis?« I asked indignantly. »How old do you think I am?«

»That’s why I said early.«

»Even then, no! Come on, guess!« I leaned against the wall and stared at her. I was aware that I was still wearing only my towel, but it was too tempting to continue talking to her.

»Hmm...« she made a noise, as if she was seriously considering it. »Is this a trick question? You don’t really want to know how old I think you are, do you?«

I saw her wedge the cordless handset of the phone under her ear, just like she had done in the antique store with her cell phone. Then she grabbed an ice pack and a cup and went back to the sofa.

She slipped under the blanket and looked over at me. I recognized the slight smile on her beautiful lips.

»Will you finally admit that you enjoy our conversations?« I whispered.

»Why should I?«

»Because I admit it. I enjoy talking to you,« I replied honestly. She apparently hadn’t expected that, as she needed another moment. I walked through the living room, past my kitchen, into my bedroom, and reached the adjoining dressing room. Shielded from her gaze, I turned on the speaker, placed the receiver on a dresser, and pulled the towel off my body.

»You probably say that to everyone.«

»No, to be honest, I don’t have such extensive conversations with every woman.«

»You’re unbelievable.«

»Yeah, okay, that’s what most people say to me too.«

She laughed softly; at least I hadn’t angered her. I put on fresh boxers, gray sweatpants, and my favorite shirt and went back outside. She immediately pretended she hadn’t been looking for me.

»The Avengers?« she asked.

I wiggled my torso and presented the print on my shirt. »Don’t tell me you’re a DC fan.«

»Not that, but I wouldn’t have thought there was a nerd hiding in you.«

»There’s a lot hiding in me,« I replied, and lay down on my bed. From here, I could only see part of her apartment, but at least the part with her on the couch. I leaned my back against the headboard, crossed my ankles, and made myself comfortable. I actually felt a bit like a teenager talking on the phone with his crush. »Twenty-nine,« I said.

»Excuse me?«

»My age. ›Forbes 30 under 30‹.«

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