Page 9 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

They walked hand in hand out to the car, where he opened her door for her and waited for her to get in and buckle up before he closed the door. Then he went around the car and climbed into the driver’s side.

After putting on his seat belt, Roark pressed the ignition button, and the car came to life. “Where to now?”

“Home please. I have appointments to go to before tomorrow night, beginning tonight.” She gave him her address.

“I would protest, but I know I’m seeing you for the gala tomorrow, so I’ll be patient.” He pulled out of the parking lot, headed south to Sixth Avenue, and then drove east back into Denver.

She chuckled. “You’re certainly easily entertained. One dinner and a promise to go with you to the gala and you’re happy.”

Roark gazed at her. “Not happy, but content to wait while you decide you like me.”

“I’m going to the gala. Beyond that, I can’t say.”

He looked over at her and grinned, then returned his gaze toward the street. “But you’ve not ruled anything out.”

“Not yet.”

He pulled up in front of her building and turned off the ignition. Then he angled his body toward her. “May I walk you to your door?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Roark got out of the Mustang and came around to her side. He opened her door and extended his hand to her.

She grasped it and stepped out of the car. Holding her clutch with one hand, she dug into it for her keys. When they reached the door, she put in the code and then walked down the hall to her loft. She unlocked the door and opened it.

“Would you like to come in for a nightcap?”

He wanted to, very much, but he also wanted her to want him. “I think I’ll call it a night. I’ve got some things to do tomorrow, as well. I’ll pick you up at seven, if that meets with your approval.”

“Oh, all right. Yes, seven would be good. I’ll see you tomorrow night, then.”

“Yes, goodnight.”

She went into the loft.

Roark waited until he heard the door’s deadbolt engage before he returned to the car. He started it and pulled away from the curb.

He pressed a button on the video screen. “Call Veronica.”

An image appeared of a beautiful woman with flaming red hair, straight and cut in a razor-sharp chin-length bob. “Roark. Darling. How are you?”

“Hello, Veronica. I need you to do something for me. I need a dress, specifically the red gown I saw in your showroom on Monday.”

She continued. “Darling, you’ve always had such exquisite taste. What size is the woman this time? Zero or a three maybe?”

He smiled. “You sound tired of those women.” He certainly was.

“Oh, dearest, I wish you’d tire of them and find a real woman. Those models are skin and bones, literally. I could see her spine and her ribs on that last one you sent over. I want to dress a real woman, with curves, hips and breasts.”

He looked behind him for traffic and then smoothly blended in with the southbound traffic on I-25. “Well, you’ll have your chance. I want that red gown in your size, sent to this address tonight, along with a suitable coat.”

She tsked. “You don’t cover a dress like that with a coat. A fur stole or lace shawl would be perfect.”

Roark shook his head. “No fur, but the lace will work. The address is 1801 Market Street, Loft 1B. Miss Jessica Kirby.”

“All right, I’ll send it. This one will set you back some. It’s the most beautiful creation I’ve ever made. It’s fifty-thousand dollars. I never actually expected it to sell. It was more artwork than clothing. The gems on the bodice are worth forty-thousand on their own.”

“I don’t care what the cost is. I want her to have that dress, but you are never to tell her or anyone else its cost. Ever.”

“Whatever you say, my darling, Roark.”

“I mean it, Veronica. For her safety, no one can know the dress’s value.”Jessica would be embarrassed and uncomfortable if she knew the value of the dress and I won’t do that to her.

She nodded with her eyebrows raised. “I understand. No one here knows the value of the dress. Only you and I do. I promise I will tell no one.”

“Good. Thank you. I’ll talk to you soon. End call.” His screen went back to showing the map of the direction home.

He smiled, remembering how funny she was as well as beautiful. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow night.