Page 10 of Adonis: The Cost of a Billionaire's Heart
“Fine,” I conceded. “But I draw the line at jewelry. I won’t be comfortable wearing anything too valuable.”
“No need to worry about that,” Kimberley replied with a cryptic smile. “Mr. Holland has already made arrangements.”
I parted my lips to ask what that meant when my phone buzzed with a text. It was from Adonis.
Adonis:
My meetings concluded early. Mason is asking for you.
The mention of my son grounded me amid the dreamlike shopping spree. I quickly texted back.
Me:
Okay.
“We need to wrap this up,” I told Kimberley, already reaching for the zipper of the blue dress. “I need to go check on my son.”
She dipped her chin in an efficient nod. “We’re done anyway.” She paused, eyeing me closely for a second, then added an unexpected compliment. “You have excellent bone structure. Some women would kill for your cheekbones. The hair and makeup team tomorrow will have a wonderful canvas to work with.”
I managed a smile, still uncomfortable with the compliment. “Thank you.”
“Mommy!” Mason’s excited voice broke through my awe as I drifted down the hall. He raced toward me from what appeared to be an entertainment room, his face lit with joy. I dropped to my knees, catching him in a tight hug.
“Hey, baby boy,” I murmured into his hair. “Have you been having fun? Are you feeling better?”
“All better!” he declared, pulling back to look at me with a smile. “Mr. H has so many cool things! He has a robot vacuum and a TV that comes out of the ceiling and a fridge that talks!”
Mr. H?I glanced up to see Adonis watching us from across the room, his expression unreadable. He’d changed from hisbusiness suit into dark jeans and a charcoal cashmere sweater that somehow made him look even more intimidating.
“Mason has been exploring,” he explained, approaching us slowly. “I hope that’s alright.”
“Of course,” I said, rising to my feet with Mason’s hand in mine. “Thank you for accommodating me . . . us.”
“That was primarily Maya’s job.” He nodded toward the young Black woman arranging art supplies on a table. “But he insisted on showing me his astronaut drawings.”
“They’re excellent,” Maya added with a warm smile. “Mason has quite the artistic talent.”
I smiled back at her. We’d had the chance to get acquainted with each other before the stylist arrived. She had a calm, fun vibe, which made me feel comfortable leaving Mason in her care, even though I was right down the hall.
Mason beamed at the praise. “Mr. H said I can draw more tomorrow. Can I, Mommy? Can I come back tomorrow?”
I exchanged a look with Adonis, unsure how to explain that we’d be living there for the next week.
“Actually,” Adonis chimed in while crouching to Mason’s level, “you and your mom are going to stay here for a little while. Would that be okay with you?”
Mason’s eyes popped wide as saucers. “In this whole big place? With the robot vacuum?”
“Yes,” Adonis confirmed, his lips twitching with what might’ve almost been a smile. “With the robot vacuum.”
“Cool!” Mason exclaimed, then turned to me. “Can we, Mommy? Please?”
I smoothed his curls. “Yes, we’re staying here for a while. For work.”
“Maybe Maya could entertain Mason with some more art or show him to his room?” Adonis suggested. “I need to discuss some things with you.”
Mason looked hesitant until Maya mentioned that his room had a special projector that could make the ceiling look like outer space. That sealed the deal. My space-obsessed son practically dragged her down the hallway by her hand.
Once they were gone, an awkward silence fell between Adonis and me. I was hyper-aware of being alone with him in his domain, surrounded by his expensive possessions.
