Page 133 of Billionaire Romance

We finish dressing and stumble back out into his office to find that the sun has already set, and it’s well past our dinner reservation. Neither of us care.

Ankor grabs his things as I wait for him by the door, flushed with pleasure, smiling as I watch him. He pauses, glancing toward his chair and frowning. He swipes a finger along the edge of it, and it comes away stained a purplish color. Blackberry. He shakes off the bit of fruit into the garbage can and glances in my direction, curious.

“Well, the cleaning staff are definitely going to have their hands full tonight,” he murmurs, making sure to leave a wad of cash on the desk as he goes. He’s always considerate like that. Another thing I love about him.

He extends his hand to me, and I slip mine into his grip, loving how strong his hand feels wrapped around mine. How safe and protective.

For a while, I think I’ve gotten away with it. But then the elevators close behind us, on our way down through the now empty office toward the lobby. Once we’re alone in the lift, he turns to me.

“So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?”

“All what?” I ask, trying for an innocent smile.

All it gets me in return is an arched eyebrow. “So you just came into my office covered head to toe in pie for fun.”

“You weren’t complaining about the taste,” I pointed out.

“Would have tasted better if I could have eaten a slice—although I’m not complaining about getting to eat some off of my favorite dish.” The elevator reaches the ground floor, and he makes sure to take the opportunity to smack me on the ass firmly as we step out of it.

I roll my eyes over my shoulder at him, and then we both break off to wave to the doorman, who’s squinting at me suspiciously, as if wondering what I did with all the mess I had earlier. My cheeks flush. I wait until we’re out in the fresh air of the unusually warm autumn night.

We stroll another block before Ankor nudges me. “Well? What happened.”

“You know…” I hesitate, the story on the tip of my tongue. But then I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. Honestly, Ankor, the past, all of it… it doesn’t scare me anymore. It has no hold over me now. What happened in the past is over, and it can’t hurt either us.” I squeeze his hand. “What matters is what comes next. What matters is where we’re headed, you and me.”

He smiles and leans down to kiss the top of my head. “You realize I’ll get this story out of you someday, right?”

I chuckle softly. “I know. But trust me. Right now? It does not matter.”

“I do,” he murmurs. When I frown a little, confused, he adds, “Trust you.” Then he winks. “So, if you’d rather not talk about it now, we won’t. Let’s talk about where we’re headed instead, then.”

“Where are we headed?” I ask, because we’ve turned in the opposite direction of our apartment.

“I have an idea,” is all he’ll say in response. Even when I pester him.

But pretty soon, it becomes obvious. We’re steering toward Central Park. I’m not about to complain. It’s my favorite part of the city, especially at this hour, with dusk in the sky and the stars—what few you can see in Manhattan anyway—just starting to peek out between the clouds above.

It’s a warm night, even for this late in fall. It’s my favorite time of year—the leaves have started to change overhead, and closer to the park, instead of the usual city scents, there’s the scent of trees and dry leaves crunching under our feet. And the scent of hay, then the tangy smell of horses.

I glance at Ankor again, amused. “The carriages?”

“It was so much fun the first time we went.” He glances sideways at me. “Mostly watching your reactions.”

I can’t help it. Horses are my kryptonite. They’re so adorable. Especially these, all dressed up for rides through the park. We reach the row of them, and I hold out my hand to the nearest horse, a tall handsome black stallion, letting him sniff my palm.

Ankor pays for a whole hour and helps me into the back of the carriage. I lean into his side, nestling closer as we prance into the park, the carriage wheels rattling, the horse’s hooves clopping on the pavement. The driver flashes us both a broad smile and faces forward, giving us privacy.

Ankor runs a hand through my hair as we ride, holding me close. “I’ve loved having you here with me, these past few months.”

“I’ve loved being here,” I murmur. “I never in a million years would’ve guessed I’d end up in New York City of all places. And with someone like you.” I tilt my head back to watch him in the glow of the street lamps.

“Someone who makes you have to hide in your penthouse half the time for fear of paparazzi attacks?” he responds with a wry grin.

I nudge him with my elbow, grinning. “Someone who makes me feel strong. Not just safe and protected, but like I’m strong enough to protect myself, too.” I eye him. “Not to mention, someone who knows how to turn me on every single day, in the most inappropriate places…”

“You’re the one who barged into my office,” he reminds me with a smirk. “I was only making sure you got what you wanted.”

“Uh huh.” I grin.

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