Page 5 of The Billionaire's Baby
He looked down at his files and for a moment didn’t even see the words. His focus was on Adira and he had to pull himself out of it, firm his shoulders and get down to work. The hours would fly by between conference calls and business and then at eight he’d pick up Adira and make sure the night was magical.
* * * *
Adira looked into the full-length mirror and ran her hands down the red dress again. She pinned her hair up, leaving a few tendrils loose to frame her face. She wore very little make up, just some eyeliner to accent her eyes and a light coral lipstick to give her lips a shimmery look. The string of pearls that belonged to her mother lay against her bosom and the matching earrings she put in her ears. They were the only things she had left from her mother, the only things that hadn’t been stolen from her. Adira frowned at her mirror image and refused to let past memories infect her night. She was going out to dinner with a sexy man whose gaze made her heart jump in her chest. Adira shrugged into the little red satin bolero jacket that matched her dress.
She picked up her small purse that carried her passport and money just in case she needed to get a cab and headed downstairs to wait for Favian. She didn’t have to wait long; the time on her watch read ten to eight when a sleek black limo pulled up. A driver stepped out and opened the rear door. Favian stepped out and Adira noticed that both men and women rushing along the sidewalk actually stopped to stare. The suit he wore looked like it was worth the amount she paid for the rent on her flat for a year. He looked scrumptious from head to toe and her mouth went dry when he directed his million-dollar smile her way.
“You look simply magnificent,” he said. “Exquisito.”
“Does that mean exquisite?” Adira asked.
He inclined his head. “Yes, very good. Shall we go? We have reservations for eight thirty. Michael will frown on us if we’re late.”
“Michael as in Michelangelo’s, one of the most exclusive restaurants around the world?” Adira asked as he led her to the limo.
“Yes, he’s an old friend, so I have a table whenever I want,” Favian said casually.
Adira wondered what it was like to just have money to casually throw around as she slipped into the warm leather seats of the limo. Favian got in beside her and the driver closed the door. The driver then got in and drove off and she watched the city and its spectacular lights fly by.
On a few occasions she’d passed the exclusive restaurants in London, but she could never walk by without the people looking down their noses at her. It made her angry to some degree, but she felt sorry for them. They’d never look past their title and wallets to see how true people lived and loved. She hoped Favian wasn’t one of those people. But she doubted he was like that since he was a Marine and served in the military. Someone like that surely couldn’t look down on others for being lower class, something most of them couldn’t help being.
“You’re very quiet.” Favian trailed his finger down her hand that lay against the seat. “Second thoughts or are you scared of me?”
“A little of both, actually,” Adira admitted. “I never thought I’d be in a limousine with a man such as yourself.”
“What kind of man would that be?” he asked.
“The kind that seems to own everything, and I’m just a simple shop girl from England,” Adira replied. She cast a sidelong glance at him. “I’m curious as to why you wanted to take me out.”
“Because I looked into those warm chocolate eyes and I was lost.” Favian picked up her hand and kissed her fingers.
Adira pulled her hand away. “Does that line work?”
Favian turned to her and met her gaze and in a serious tone said, “Adira, I don’t use lines. I don’t have time for them or see the use of trying to con a woman. There’s either a connection or there’s not. I feel one with you. I hope I’m not mistaken.”
His blunt answer stunned her, but it was pleasantly refreshing. She smiled at him. “No, sir, you are not mistaken. I’ve taken a fancy to you as well.”
Favian gave a soft laugh. “I love how you talk so very prim and proper. It makes me wonder.”
“Wonder what?” Adira asked.
“If when I kiss you will your voice get soft and breathless with desire, will it lose some of its snap and crack,” he said huskily.
Adira cleared her throat. What does one say when a man makes you flustered? She said the first thing that came to her. “I hope they have chocolate cake. I’ve been craving a piece.”
“Then chocolate cake it shall be.” Favian gave her a boyish grin. “Just so I can hear you say chocolate again.”
