Page 25 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘Thank you so much, Edward.’

We clink glasses then drink. I notice that she’s fidgeting a bit, so I ask, ‘You OK?’

She leans towards me and whispers, ‘It’s these shoes. They’re gorgeous but my feet aren’t used to heels.’

‘Hold on.’ I get up and kneel down then take her feet on my lap. Gently, I undo the buckles and slide her dainty feet out of the heels. I place the shoes under the table then massage her feet for a moment where I can see that the shoes have dug in. However expensive shoes are, there’s no guarantee that they won’t cause discomfort. ‘Better?’

I meet Ava’s gaze and there’s something in her eyes that makes me want to lift her feet and kiss them, to suck on her tiny toes and worship her in the way she should be worshipped. Fuck, this woman is doing things to me that could cause my downfall. My hand strays from her foot, slides slowly up to her knee and her eyes darken, her lips part. It would be so easy to keep going until I part her shapely thighs and move her lacy underwear aside. To stroke the most sensitive parts of her then follow the path of my fingers with my mouth. To taste her right here, right now then drink her as she comes against my tongue.

But I don’t. I can’t cross that line with her, especially not when she’s tipsy and looking at me like that. I don’t want to hurt her and ruin things for us and for Joe. And I know I would hurt her because my heart isn’t how it used to be. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love again.

Reluctantly, I slide my hand back down and gently place her feet on the floor then I sit back in my seat and drain my glass. When I look at Ava again, I’m glad I held back. The last thing I want is to take advantage of her in any way. Especially in light of the business proposition I have for her because fucking her now could really mess with her head.

And she’s far too special for that.

Chapter27

Ava

After we have eaten, Edward asks if I want to see the roof terrace. Giddy with everything that’s happened this evening, I agree. He pours what’s left of the champagne into our glasses and we go outside.

The view is spectacular. We stand at the protective glass barrier and gaze out at London. The perspective is dizzying and adds to my giddy feeling.

‘This has been my best birthday ever,’ I say.

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’ve had twenty-five birthdays before this one and not one of them has matched up to this?’

‘Mum always does what she can but this is very different.’ I glance at him. ‘I’ve never been so pampered. It’s like I’ve stepped into someone else’s shoes. Someone else’s life.’

‘What if this could be your life?’ he says.

‘That’s impossible.’ I laugh. ‘The money you’re paying me will make a big difference, but it won’t buy this.’

‘No, I know. But you could have this life.’ He places a hand on my shoulder and turns me gently. ‘Ava, I… I have a proposition for you. It’s a tough one to put to you but seeing you here this evening, you fit. You might not think you do but this lifestyle suits you.’

‘I don’t understand what you’re saying.’ I look at the glass in my hand. How much have I had to drink? Am I hallucinating now? Will Mr Darcy from the portrait pop up next to Edward any moment and I’ll have two of them to deal with? If I drink much more, I probably will start seeing double.

‘You’re trembling,’ he says, frowning. And I realise I am. It might be beautiful up here but it’s October and I’m wearing a thin dress. He removes his jacket then wraps it around my shoulders. It carries his body heat and his scent, and I instinctively nestle into it, hold it in front of me with one hand. ‘Better?’

‘Yes.’

‘So… my proposition. And there’s no pressure at all to agree. It will not affect your current position or salary or how I see you. I have to clarify that first.’

‘OK.’ Now I’m really confused.

‘Ava… to inherit what is rightfully mine, I have to meet a clause in my grandfather’s will. The clause states that I need to be married on my thirty-fifth birthday.’

I scan his face. I don’t understand what this has to do with me.

‘Fuck this is so embarrassing.’ He rubs at his brow.

‘Wait a moment… so if you’re not married, you lose your business?’

He nods. ‘It’s not mine yet because Grandpa only passed away six months ago and he had no intention of handing anything over while he was still alive. He put a clause in his will that states I have to be married to a woman on and for a year after my thirty-fifth birthday in order to inherit his shares and be CEO. Following my birthday, the board will meet and vote on the next CEO and I want that to be me.’

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