Page 20 of His Cruel Billionaire Scorecard

“I hope whatever it is you are worrying about gets resolved quickly so you can make me more money,” he said with his snarky grin.

And Roman, despite himself, had to chuckle.

“Get yourself home, you old codger.”

And then Roman began to cut into a steak again, feeling ravenous. But it was not for the food. No, it was not for the plate of steak in front of him he felt hungry for.

It was for a certain brown-eyed pixie. He would just walk home today to clear his head. The Hudson River skatepark was his favorite secret route.

Chapter 8

Oliviasteppedonherskateboard, feeling a surge of excitement as she entered the park; it had been too long since she’d last done this.

The moon was out now and shone brightly overhead, casting a silver glow on the concrete ramps and rails. Skaters of all ages zoomed past, their boards whizzing and wheels clattering in motion.

With each push of her foot, Olivia gained speed, gracefully maneuvering through the park. Her skills had improved over time, and she loved the freedom and adrenaline that skateboarding provided.

Tonight, she’d chosen to ignore Avery’s warnings of drinking and skating. She felt great, and what other way to relieve the tension of being around a man that wound her up so much? As she approached a steep incline, an idea sparked in her mind.

Olivia sped toward the edge of a deep bowl, heart pounding with anticipation. She leaned back, her body lowering as she prepared for a daring dip into the depths of the bowl. In that exhilarating moment, she pushed her limits, embracing the thrill of the dangerous move.

However, the dip proved to be a miscalculation. As she sped down, her balance wavered, and panic gripped her. It seemed as though she might lose control and tumble headfirst. But just as her world turned upside down, an impossibly strong pair of arms reached out and caught her, bringing her back to stability, but not before she briefly lost consciousness.

***

Everything had happened so fast. Roman was taking a walk around his favorite part of town when he spotted a familiar figure. Olivia. Skating. Briefly fascinated but more concerned as she looked like she was about to keel over, he leaped into action and caught her in his arms just in the nick of time. She groaned as she twitched.

A small crowd had gathered. “She’s okay,” Roman said as they dispersed.

Olivia’s eyes fluttered slowly, widening in surprise as she realized that it was Roman who had come to her rescue.

Surprise mixed with a tinge of embarrassment for the mishap.

Roman’s grip was firm yet gentle as he steadied her, his blue eyes narrowing with concern. Olivia’s heart raced not only from the adrenaline of the near-fall but also from the proximity and unexpected touch.

“Are you alright?” Roman asked. He sounded exhausted for some reason.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Olivia replied, her voice slightly breathless. “Thank you for catching me,” then she laughed.

A smile played at the corners of Roman’s lips as he released his hold on her, his touch lingering a little too long. He watched as she regained her composure, her cheeks flushed, pulse slowing.

“Be careful out there,” Roman cautioned, his gaze lingering on her. “You’re quite the risk-taker.”

Olivia struggled to get up and stumbled again, but he caught her, this time, hands holding her by the waist delicately.

“Olivia, are you sure you’re alright?” he asked, his voice now laced with amusement and annoyance.

Olivia giggled, her words slurring together. “Romaan, I’m fine. More than fiiine, actually. I’m having a blast!”

Wait, was she actually… drunk?

He rolled his eyes, an exasperated smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn’t deny the allure of Olivia’s spontaneous and slightly tipsy state, but he also couldn’t help but be annoyed at the timing of it all.

“You’ve had a bit too much to drink, haven’t you?” Roman asked.

Olivia nodded vigorously, her curls bouncing with each movement. “Just a bit! But don’t worry. I can handle myself.”

Roman let out a sigh, his amusement warring with his annoyance. “Clearly, you’re not handling yourself very well. I can’t have you stumbling around the streets of New York in this state. I’ll call you a cab.”

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