The Billionaire’s Betrothed(27)

A voice, deep and husky, gruffly tugged my attention backwards. I turned slowly, meeting the startling green eyed stare of the man who would change my life forever.





Chapter Two





“That’s me.” I managed to stammer back, doing my best to work up a smile.

I wasn’t sure what my face looked like, but I was sure it was not an inviting smile. His slowly arching eyebrow only validated that thought.

Dressed in an all black suit that clung to his muscled frame, the man towered before me. His honey colored hair hung in brilliant green eyes, soft stubble of a beard on his strong, square chin. Even though he was fully dressed, I could already imagine the muscled lines of his abs and broad shoulders.

I shook my head, urgently trying to clear those thoughts away. This man was definitely fabulously wealthy and fabulously sexy, he didn’t need a widow fawning over him.

He glanced down at the paper held between large, tan hands, jade eyes sweeping over the words.

“You’re a music major?” He asked, incredulousness dipping his tone, “Do people really still go to college for that?”

“Ah. Yes.” I mumbled, trying not to grimace. How many times had I heard someone say something like that?

“This office has no music department.” The man continued, frowning at me, “I suppose you couldn’t find work in the field?”

“You could say that.” I replied uncomfortably. No, I’ve just been unable to play since the tragic death of my husband – that would make me a real star candidate for employment.

“My name is Jake Roma, Mrs. Davie, if you would follow me to my office.” The man sighed, and when he whipped around on his fine French shoed foot, I could practically feel his eyes rolling in his beautiful sockets.

My lips parted to correct him. I was no longer a ‘Mrs.’ after all. My throat clenched dry though, and I couldn’t get the words out. It proved too difficult to deny Lucas’s existence.

Was this the boss Eric had mentioned? Eric had seemed almost afraid of the guy. He was stern, that was for sure, but hardly a tyrant.

Jake paused down the hall, opening a thick mahogany door and ushering me inside. The staff running up and down the halls didn’t even peek over the edges of their cubicle at me. Women coming and going from this office must be common.

Hiding a smirk, I sank into the rich leather of the chair as he settled into his desk. He placed my resume down on another clutter of paper work, leaning back in his chair as he watched me.

“You know, we get lots of applicants here at my company.” The billionaire began, “And we do not hire all of them. We don’t even hire a tiny fraction of them.”

I nodded slowly, completely aware I was getting the ‘we regret to inform you’ speech. What would they do with a lowly music major anyways?

“However, not all of our applicants have Eric in their corner.” Jake’s blazing emerald eyes once again shifted back to me, “Mrs. Davie, we’re pleased to offer you a spot at our company.” He sighed, not at all enthused about it.

I was going to have to buy Eric a huge beer for getting me this position.

“Now, we expect many things here at Roma Industry.” Jake continued, “You’ll start out as just a glorified receptionist with a binder of information. Prove yourself useful and dedicated and you’ll make it far. Will Mr. Davie understand if you’re not home to cook dinner every night?” He asked, full lips pursed.

I wanted to point out that it wasn’t my duty to put dinner on the table every day, but I bit my tongue. I’d only just barely managed to get this job that I desperately needed.

This was my chance, I realized. To tell him that there was no Mr. Davie. Not anymore.

“Yes.” I whispered instead, still unable to bring up my husband.

I just couldn’t let go of him. Not yet.

“Wonderful.” Jake shrugged, gesturing to the door, “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Bright and early.”

“Thank you.” I said, climbing to my feet as I reached out to shake his hand a bit too vigorously, “Thank you so much.” For the first time in weeks, a real smile managed to part my lips.

“Thank you for your time today.” He responded, shifting his eyes away as he tugged his hand away from me quickly. Even though I had welcomed my first smile, Jake looked as though he too had difficulty finding joy.

His eyes were cold, his lips pressed, his shoulders too tense.

It would seem as though I was not the only one carrying a burden on my tired shoulders.

I slid out of the office, closing the door after me as I sank back against the wood. My gaze swept up and down the corridor, watching as people bustled about. These would be my coworkers soon, one of these cubicles would be my very own.