Page 2 of The Billionaire's Baby
“You are a breath of fresh air in this town. I’m happy I decided to get out and visit the store today,” he said.
Adira instantly felt bad. “I am so sorry I’m taking you away from your shopping.”
He laughed. “You’re not. I own this store and a few others on this street.”
“Well, then, I’m sorry for interrupting your business,” she said.
“The pleasure is all mine, Adira,” he said. “This way.”
His long strides were hard to keep up with and Adira found herself practically running. Favian noticed and slowed down and she gave a grateful sigh.
“Sorry. I still move like I did in the military,” he said apologetically.
“You were in the army?” she asked, curious.
“Marines, Devil Dogs, get some, get some,” he said with a grin. “I was a gunny for twenty three years.”
“How does one run a successful business and still manage to serve in the military?” Adira asked.
Favian Rivera seemed to be the most interesting man she’d met in a long time. Adira wasn’t the type to have flings. She’d dated some in London, but she was more of a bookworm and men didn’t seem to find her attractive. It was okay until the date when they found out she had a brain and wouldn’t fall for their usual tricks. So her love life was sorely lacking.
“The convenience of technology helped, especially when I was stationed overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Favian said. “Plus, my close friend stood in as CEO for me while I was away. Since I’m retired now there is no more of that.”
“That’s good. I’m glad you’re safe,” Adira said.
“You don’t even know me,” he murmured.
“I feel so sad for anyone who hasn’t come home,” Adira said. “What their families must go through. No one should ever have to feel that. I’m sure your family is happy you made it through.”
“I haven’t much of a family left, only my step sister Hillary. My mother died when I was ten and when I was sixteen my father remarried to Hillary’s mother. She’s thirty now, and only a few years ago our parents both died in a freak accident while on vacation. I take care of her because she was raised as my sister.”
“How very awful for you.” Adira felt sympathy rush through her. This was a complex man with layers of depth to him. She found herself attracted to him and not only because he was gorgeous as hell.
“It was a long time ago. I’ve made my peace.” He looked down at her and smiled. “And here you are. You were only two blocks away, of course.”
She looked up and saw the familiar sign of her hotel and then smiled at Favian. “Thank you, kind sir.”
He laughed. “May I kiss your hand?”
“It’s not required, but it’s a plus,” Adira teased and then shut her mouth quickly. She couldn’t believe she had said that and was openly flirting. He took her hand and she felt his warm lips graze her knuckles. Her heart sped up from the simple contact.
“Have dinner with me,” Favian said.
She looked up at him in surprise and then shook her head doubtfully. “Oh, I don’t know, love, why would you want to take me to dinner? I’m sure you have a cache full of elite socialites at your beck and call.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You’d be wrong in that respect. I’m very particular who I spend my time with. You intrigue me, Adira Potts. Have dinner with me right here in Times Square.”
Do it. You deserve to have an adventure, the naughty angel on her shoulder said. Be good. You’re just here to sightsee, the good angel on the other shoulder said. Oh, shut up, she said to both of them.
Though she had come to sightsee, she, like most women, found herself daydreaming that some prince charming would catch her eye and, like in chick flicks, they would fall madly in love. She was too much of a pragmatist to have such fanciful notions, but why couldn’t she dream and pretend just for once in her life?
“All right, dinner it is. I shall be standing right in this spot at eight o’clock. Don’t be late,” she said primly.
“Damn, I just want to hear you call me daddy with that voice.” His voice sent a shiver up her spine and he kissed her hand again. “Eight o’ clock, darling Adira.”
She watched him walk away and practically danced her way to the elevator. In her room, she looked through her simple clothing to find something to wear for dinner. A plain red sheath dress was all she had and her budget couldn’t afford her buying a new dress. “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” she said to herself as she held the dress up to her body in the mirror.
