Page 84 of Riches and Romance

“Can’t imagine.” She yawns and stretches.

“Are you tired?”

“A little. I think it’s that huge breakfast because I slept so well.”

“Me, too.” I forgot how comfortable my bed in this house is. “Okay, this is theirs.” I nod at a driveway right after the stop sign. We turn into a long, circular driveway.

“Shit, who is that?” Jules mutters and points at a baldheaded, bearded man in all black standing at the front. I instinctively pump my brakes and slow down.

The plan was that we’d ring the bell, and while whoever answered it went to inform Mr. Royale I was here, Jules would sneak up the stairs to Mrs. Royale’s private suite of rooms.

As we get closer, I realize who the man standing at the front door of the enormous house looking like a fucking assassin in his all-black garb, black Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a completely bald head, and full beard is.

“That’s Noah.”

“Wow, he’s…reallybig.”Jules’ voice is full of awe.

I scowl at her. “Put your tongue back in your mouth. He’s married.”

“I remember, and I was just saying…”

“Yeah, I know what you were saying.”

“You know that clean shaven jaw of yours is my catnip.” She runs her hand along it.

“And now I also know you get thirsty when you see a big man with a beard.”

She glares at me. “I amnotthirsty.And why are you teasing me when you should be panicking?”

“Panicking about what?”

She looks at me like I just told her I’m an alien. “What?”

“Omar! He wasn’t supposed to be outside. How am I going to get into the house with him standing there?” Her voice pitches higher on that last sentence.

I put a hand on her leg. “Don’t worry. Whatever is happening right now, we’re not leaving here without what we came for. He and I are scheduled to go see this structure and meet with his dad. If he tries to change things up, I’ll insist that I won’t do anything until we drive over. We’ll leave. You just wait for your chance. There’s also a back entrance. We’ll make it happen.”

She draws in a big breath and lets it out. “Okay. Trust the plan. Got it.”

We roll to a stop right in front of the man we’re discussing, and he bends down to peer into the window and wave. I hold up my hand to let him know we need a minute.

I take Jules’ hand and squeeze it.

She squeezes mine back. “Let’s go.” The brave smile on her face makes me fall in love with her all over again.

I lean over and kiss her quickly. “It’s show time.”

When I open the door, Noah walks around the car to my side.

I don’t blame Jules. Noah Royale cuts an impressive figure. He’s tall, a few inches taller than my six foot two, and built like a tank. His bald head glints in the sun, but there’s not a drop of sweat on him, like even it knows better than to annoy him.

I stick out my hand in greeting. “Nice of you to roll out the red carpet and meet us yourself.”

He rolls his eyes and pulls me into a bear hug that takes me by surprise but that I return. “It’s really fucking nice to see you. It’s been too long,” he says and pats my back before he lets me go.

“This is my girlfriend, Jules. She’s dropping me off before she heads into town to shop.” I don’t know why I’m giving him the details, but it doesn’t matter because he’s not looking at me anyway.

“Nice to meet you,” she says and then adds, “I’m a hugger, too.” He laughs but wraps her in his arms and lifts her off her feet. When he sets her down, I nudge her. She grins at me, and I scowl. Noah takes off his sunglasses and leans forward, peering at her. “Do I know you?” He runs his eyes over her from head to toe. Not in a lascivious way but like he’s trying to recall where he’s seen her before.

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