Page 72 of Owned By a Billionaire

“Coming right up, ma’am.”

“Hey.” Her brow creased. “We’re equals.”

“Just playing, Carol.”

I held her eyes. I knew she had something against that diminutive, but this time, I was standing my ground.

As I made the tea, I noticed Caroline readjusting her position. “Sorry about the poking springs on that couch.”

Her eyes followed me as I stirred the sugar in her cup.

“If I tell you, will you move to Mayfair? Or let me buy you an apartment, something more to your liking?” She sounded tentative, like me taking her money would be a favor. I almost laughed at how ridiculous that seemed. Anyone would jump at that offer, and here she was, walking on eggshells so as not to offend me.

“I’ll agree to Mayfair. But I am still returning to Australia to face Elise and my past.”

She nodded pensively. “You will allow me to hire you the best legal team?”

I took her hand and kissed it. “If I must go to prison, then I will. You probably won’t like me after that.”

“I’d love you if you were digging trenches, Mark.”

I smiled. “It’s nice hearing you call me by my real name.”

“It suits you.” She stroked my face, and I lowered my cheek to meet her soft hand.

Then she rose.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure if I can do this here,” she said, looking suddenly disturbed.

“And the cup of tea?”

She fell down onto the sofa and buried her head in her hands.

I knelt beside her and spoke softly. “I’m sorry if I’m being too challenging, Caroline.”

“You’re not. It’s everything else.” She huffed. “Oh, I’ve made a mess of things. Like you, I’ve been running for over thirty years, and I’m tired.”

I joined her on the sofa, drew her close, and waited for her body to soften in my arms. With a start, I realized it was early evening. “Why don’t we go somewhere for dinner?”

“Let’s go to Mayfair, then. Just for the night. I will have a driver drop you off at work tomorrow.”

Caroline’s pleading smile was impossible to deny.

“Okay. But only if after dinner, you tell me everything. Yes?”

She exhaled a faltering breath and nodded warily.

I kissed her on the cheek. “There’s nothing to worry about, Caroline. Nothing you do or say is going to make me stop loving you.”

She smiled gently and kissed me on the lips. “Thanks.”

“For what?” I had to ask.

“For letting me in.”

We remained on that lumpy couch for a while longer, hands entwined, basking in the warmth of each other.

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