The Billionaire’s Betrothed(42)

How could I possibly forget my date with a billionaire as sexy and suave as Jake Roma?

"Good." He said, sliding out of the office and closing the door after him.

I walked the small perimeter of my office, admiring the now empty bookshelf and wiping dust from its panels. I noted the soft, whitened spaces were pictures of its last occupant had hung.

What kind of pictures would I hang in this space? What kind of memories would fill this small cubicle?

Suddenly, a soft buzzing rumbled out from my purse.

I stared at it, slowly approaching the black bag as I tugged it open.

My cellphone lay at the bottom, picture of my smiling mother's face ringing away. I'd taken that photo last year, just after finding out I was pregnant.

Biting my lip, I snatched at the phone, aiming for the 'deny' button for the call.

At the last second, however, I stopped myself, slowly lifting up the phone to my ear.

"Mom?" I whispered, "Hello."





Chapter Eleven





"Are you ready, Caroline?" Jake's head popped into the office, watching as I slowly turned to face him to give a slight wave.

"Alright," I laughed into my cellphone, wiping away a spattering of tears from cheek, "Of course, Mom...I love you too."

I lowered the phone, staring at the billionaire with wide eyes.

It was because of this handsome man that I had finally made amends with my family. Hearing my mother's voice was painful, just as painful as I'd expected it to be, but it also lit a certain warmth in my heart, a warmth that made it easier to make it through each hour.

We'd talked for almost an entire shift, and I would have apologized to Jake for it had I not been so sure he'd be happy for me.

"Did you do it?" he asked, coming closer, putting a hand on my cheek, "How do you feel?"

"I feel great." I said softly, "I feel so much better."

"I'm glad." He responded, pressing his lips to my forehead, "Now then, let's get out of here."

"We're leaving together?" I asked, surprised.

"You didn't already forget about our date, did you?" The honey haired young billionaire scoffed, "It's only been a few hours!"

I laughed, shaking my head and slinging my purse over my shoulder, "Of course not!" I cried, "I just didn't realize we'd be heading out together...I thought I would have time to change."

"You look marvelous just as you are, love." Jake said softly, putting a hand on my back.

I rolled my eyes, glancing nervously down the hall for Tessa or Eric, though they were nowhere to be found. Perhaps they were utilizing the closet office now.

A slight smirk played on my lips as we stepped out into the blustery night air of the city. The scent of waffles from the 24 hour diner hung thick in the air, making my stomach gurgle.

"Are you hungry?" Jake asked playfully, poking at me.

I blushed, giving a slight nod and allowing him to tug me down the street, "We're headed this way." He said lightly.

"Where are we going?” I asked suspiciously, breath catching as the billionaire's warm fingers laced in my own.

I felt so young again, so free.

With Eric, it had felt forced and strange...with Jake, this all felt exhilarating and new. Perhaps Eric was just too tied with my old life.

I would never be able to see him as just 'Eric' he would always be 'Lucas's best friend.'

"You'll see." Jake hummed, stopping as we stepped up to a gleaming white BMW, "But first, we need to take a joy ride."

"Is this yours?" I gasped, afraid to touch the shiny metal.

"Sure is." He replied, opening the door for me and allowing me to slide inside.

The interior still smelled as new as the day it was manufactured, which was probably pretty recently on second thought.

The LED lights in the display gleamed to life as his car roared, and we peeled quickly down the sidewalk.

Again, I wanted to ask where we were headed, but I knew that Jake wouldn't fill me in until he was totally ready.

It was only a matter of minutes before we turned onto a long, winding street. The sides of the road were well light street lamps, illuminating the spindly branches of large trees that must have flowered beautifully in the spring.

"It's usually much more elegant looking." Jake lamented.

I glanced at him, watching as the light flickered across his face, illuminating the strong shape of his nose, the square firmness of his jaw.

"Do you like what you see?" He asked, smirking, as I blushed again.

"I do." I replied, looking back to the front as a large manor slowly rolled into view.

The building was beautiful and huge, windows dotting the front, flickering with merry lights. The drive way was circular, large fountain right in the middle.

"This is my home." Jake said softly as he pulled the car to a stop.