Page 48 of Billionaire Romance

4

Eric

Holy shit. The person in front of me is nothing like I expected. In my mind I had imagined one of Bianca's friends, polished and primped within an inch of her life, with so much make-up and hairspray on that she carried a cloud with her. And they're beautiful, but this woman is like a breath of fresh air. The way her dark hair falls around her shoulders is simple, and everything she's wearing is understated and elegant. There's an innocence to her that calls to me, and I immediately feel the urge to take her in my arms and protect her. Because she looks delicate, like she might blow away if a breeze blew through the room.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I'm still on the phone, and Edward is still making excuses in my ear. "Fix it by the time I call you back," I tell him, and hang up the phone. "I'm really sorry that you walked in on that. I swear that's not usually the way I handle business calls. There was an emergency at one of our storage facilities in Pennsylvania and the last shipment of Valentine's cards hasn't gone out yet. If it's not fixed soon there are going to be a lot fewer selections for the people who buy cards last minute." I walk around the desk and approach her. "I'm Eric."

She reaches out and takes my hand, smiling, though it's shy. "Sally," she says. "You look a lot like your sister."

I chuckle. "And you look nothing like my sister's usual friends. How did you meet?"

For a second, Sally's mouth drops open as I guide her into the office and shut the door. "You mean she didn't tell you?"

"Not a thing."

She hesitates. "I uh...kind of almost killed her and then also saved her life."

Sally outlines what happened, and I can't help but laugh. That's a great story, and also really explains why Bianca was late earlier today. "Well," I say, "I suppose it worked out for the best that she had a near death experience. Thank you for agreeing to do this."

"It's no problem," she says, blushing, "I didn't have any plans."

"I'm surprised by that."

Her blush deepens, and I think I could be a little bit addicted to that color. "Bianca said you would let me know all the details, dress code and stuff. I mean, I didn't know who you were, so I assumed I was just going to a party at someone's house. Now I'm not sure I have anything fancy enough for a party like this."

I wave a hand. "I'll take care of that. My mother just decided to tell me at the last minute that she was throwing a party, and my showing up to the party alone would...cause some tension in our family. Since this is our busiest time of year, I didn't exactly have time to find a date on my own. Bianca to the rescue."

"Yeah." The sun is setting and the lights in the cityscape are starting to show. "That's a really great view."

"You're welcome to look closer," I say.

Sally springs up immediately, pressing her palms and her nose to the glass. I can see her breath fog slightly on the cool surface and my gaze is drawn from her mouth to her neck down across her body to the way her ass is sticking out just a little. God, she's sexy, and I'm feeling far too warm, far too close to being hard and her thinking that I'm some sex-crazed CEO that only wants her for sex. Calm down, Eric.

Her wonder at the view is endearing, and I stand with her. "I honestly don't look out my window as often as I should. It is very beautiful."

"I don't think I could work in an office with this view," she says. "I'd get nothing done."

I'm looking down at her, and I can't help thinking that if I had an office with this kind of view, I'd get nothing down either. I have the sudden urge to get to know her better, to see what kind of person she is, other than beautiful and alluring. I hadn't planned on doing anything but giving her the time of the party and making arrangements to pick her up. But now I've promised to dress her, and I'm so intrigued that I can't resist. "Would you like to get a drink?"

She looks up at me, startled, and I love the blue color of her eyes, striking against her dark hair. "When?"

"I have some things to finish here. Unfortunately, I still need to make sure that that shipment goes out. But I can meet you later."

Sally stares at me for a moment, and I think that she's going to say no, but then she nods. "Yes. I'd like that."

“I’m glad,” I say, and I am. Damn Bianca and her scheming. She told me to have an open mind, knowing that she was sending me someone as far from my expectation as possible. And I’m not even angry about falling into that trap because it’s just as easy to fall into Sally’s eyes. “I’m looking forward to it. My secretary will give you the address. Is ten all right? I’m not sure how long this is going to take.”

“Ten is great,” she says.

I lean forward, and kiss her on the cheek. It’s an impulse, and I again love the color of her blush. “Then I’ll see you soon,” I say softly.

Sally bites her lip. “Okay.”

I wave as she rounds the corner from my office. Holy fuck. What just happened? I don't think I've ever been so...taken like that. She caught me by surprise, and for the first time in a long time, I think that I might have a good time on a date. I've tried. But between recovering from Susan and everything with Mom, dating has felt like an obligation weighing me down. Sally feels like the opposite of that. I think she could lift me up.

I dial out to my secretary and make sure she reserves a VIP booth at the club I've selected. I want to have some space to get to know Sally that's not crowded with people, but I like the atmosphere of the club because it's fun and less formal. That way we're not stuck over an expensive appetizer with nothing left to say. I don't get the feeling that would happen this time, but I won't take the chance. Not when I'm so looking forward to this.

I think about her pressing up against the window again and my body reacts instinctively, and suddenly my pants are tight. Not yet. I can't think about that yet, because I have to solve this shipping problem and deal with people like Edward for the next few hours. But having something to look forward suddenly takes the sting out of being stuck in this office for hours.

Picking up the phone, I force myself to ignore the state of my dick and the way Sally looked in that dress, and dial Edward again.

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