She had to force herself not to run away, all the while knowing that his gaze was following her down the block.
❖
Michael waltzed into Smithy’s office the next morning whistling a tune he’d picked up somewhere. Although most of the staff were out for the weekend, Smithy’s office light was on. He entered without announcing himself and settled into the leather chair.
“Dude, what’s with you?” Smithy wheeled around in his chair to regard him with a teasing smile. “You look like the cat who swallowed the canary.”
He ran his tongue over his teeth, attempting to dispel any hint of a smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.” Smithy dropped his elbows to the desk and rested his chin in his hands, widening his eyes like a child. “Spill. What’s her name? And more importantly, does she have a sister for me?”
He rolled his eyes. There were many people who couldn’t see past his rigid demeanor, but Smithy had a way of decoding his every move. It must’ve been the computer geek in him.
“If you’re talking about my first date with Sevenson Selective, her name is Emily. And she’s an only child.”
The date had been a surprising one. He’d enjoyed the casual dance in the park and Emily’s questions. She had a sense of humor that kept him chuckling. For some reason, he hadn’t been able to stomach the idea of letting go of her hand. He’d danced with her through several songs, more than what was probably proper.
However, it wasn’t until he grabbed her hand to kiss goodbye that he felt that first bolt of electricity pass between them. He didn’t know what that meant, but he was already looking forward to their next date.
“Well, I’m glad someone is getting something positive out of all this mess.” Smithy waved his hands over his chaotic desk and sighed. “I feel like I’m getting nowhere with all these changes. It just doesn’t seem to be clicking.”
“You’re going to figure it out,” Michael said, leaning forward, his game face back on. “I know you, Smithy. You’ve got the best work ethic anyone could ask for and the brains to match. You’ll hit a breakthrough soon.”
“And hopefully, before your father pulls the rug out from under us.” He ran a hand through his unruly curly hair.
“Let me worry about my father,” Michael said, his lips pressing into a frown. “You just keep working. We’ll get there.”
He stood up to leave. If he knew anything about Smithy, it was that during times of frustration like this, all he needed was a little quiet to work things through that maze of a mind of his. He’d figure out how to turn that app into a real winner. All he needed was time.
“Dude, don’t forget.” Smithy threw a crumpled piece of paper at his back and grinned. “If you like the girl, don’t be afraid to spoil her. Goodness knows you’ve got the cash. It sounds like she’s worth it.”
Michael paused in the doorway. He wasn’t one to show off his billions. His car was the only exception he made to that policy. Still, Emily Sevenson didn’t seem like the kind of girl who would take a fancy date like that for granted. Maybe he could bend the rules for her.
Their time together was limited. As much as it pained him, he couldn’t go on with this act forever. He was using her and that thought made his stomach churn with self-loathing. But he had to do what it took to help Smithy succeed. Even if that meant lying to Emily.
Eventually, she’d put the pieces together about his company and their newest dating app. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t treat her in the meantime. It could soften the blow when she found out the truth.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said with a grin. “Time to fire up the helicopter.”
“Rich boys have all the luck,” Smithy muttered under his breath. Humor twinkled in his eyes. “If I had a private helicopter instead of a van, I might be able to keep a girl around for a second date, too.”
“Feel free to borrow it anytime,” Michael called as he walked down the hall. He laughed when he heard Smithy cheer.
If only rich boys really did have all the luck. But when this app worked out, Smithy would learn for himself just how false that statement could be.
Chapter Six
“I should just call Michael and cancel tonight,” Emily said, combing a hand through her loose hair.
She stared down at the pile of paperwork in front of her and the bright pink eviction notice on top, her stomach filled with lead. Their landlord had always given them extra grace to make up on the rent, but this time was different. He’d told her that times were getting tough and he needed renters who could pay up every month.
The corners of Emily’s eyes stung with tears. It was yet another nail in the coffin for her mother’s business. The end of times.
“You can’t cancel on him now,” Lydia chirped from her desk. She fixed Emily with a fearsome glare. “You’ve been looking forward to this date all week. Don’t punish yourself for something you can’t control. You’ll figure out how to handle this bump in the road.”
Emily made a face and opened her mouth to argue. “But...”
“Think about the apartment,” Lydia said in a sing-songy voice. “And how lovely you’ll feel once it’s all yours.”
She sighed. The apartment did seem to be the last thread of hope in her life. All she needed was to go on three more dates with Michael Knight, and it was all hers. Plus, it wasn’t like Michael was terrible company.
He was a bit solemn for her taste and didn’t seem too keen to let his feelings show, but he was a good listener and certainly easy on the eyes. She could have fun for a bit and then call it quits when the bet was complete. No need to get invested in the relationship.
“Here’s Prince Charming now,” Lydia called.
Emily raced to the office door to look out. The sky churned with an ominous gray pallor. Rare weather for this time of year in San Jose. Another sign of doom.
Michael’s silver Bugatti had pulled up to the curb with its headlights on. He jumped out of the driver’s side door, a bundle of red roses in his hands. Emily felt a bolt of excitement run through her. She couldn’t help but stare at his tall, athletic figure, draped in what she could only guess was another expensive suit. Black, this time, with a silver tie.
“The man brought flowers.” Lydia came up beside her, bringing with her a cloud of Chanel perfume. She sighed and tilted her head. “Could he be more perfect?”
Emily gave her an incredulous smile. “Do you want to go on this date, instead?”
“Absolutely not.” She shook her head. “Edward is making a fabulous pâté for me tonight. I’ve already got my perfect man.”
“Hmm.” Emily narrowed her eyes at her friend.
She was so happy for them both, but they’d only been together for two months. A niggling part of her wondered if Lydia was rushing into something. Surely, you couldn’t really know if you loved a man in that short of a time.
Then again, maybe it was her inner cynic talking. A voice bred from a childhood without the father who’d abandoned his family and a mother who vowed never to marry again. It was hard to silence that pessimistic side of herself.
“Evening, ladies.” Michael came through the door in a rush of wind, his dark hair tousled and looking just as perfect as ever. He handed Emily the bouquet of flowers and kissed her sweetly on the cheek, causing her stomach to do a somersault. Her skin tingled where his lips had briefly touched.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful,” she said, sticking her nose within the bunch to sniff deeply.
She adored the scent of fresh flowers. They used to be able to afford fresh flowers every week at the office. It had been one of the first luxuries to go.
She looked up to see Michael watching her closely, his emotions unreadable. He really was such a tight-lipped man. She was sure that if he ever played poker, he would clear the house. It was hard to know what he was thinking at times, but she kind of liked the mystery.
Flashing him a smile, she handed the flowers over to Lydia. “P
ut these in a vase, for me, will you?”
“Shall we?” Michael held open the door for her. “I’ve got this evening all planned out.”
She regarded him with a teasing smile. “I don’t suppose you want to clue me in on what we’re doing?”
“It’s a surprise.” His eyes twinkled, his lips curling into a small smile.
He led her to his car and opened the door for her. She slid into the leather interior that still had that new car smell. As he rounded the other side, she plucked nervously at the soft pink floral skirt she’d paired with gladiator sandals and a creamy white top.
“Can you at least tell me where we’re headed?” she asked as he slid into his seat and started up the car.
The engine purred beneath the hood, reminding her once again of the expensive piece of machinery under her rear end. It was probably worth more than three of her mother’s homes combined.
“My parents’ house,” he said, pulling out onto the street.
The blood drained from Emily’s face. She gripped her skirt in her hands and willed herself to breathe. Surely, he wasn’t taking her to meet the parents already. It was much too soon for any of that.
Michael glanced at her face and then down to her white-knuckled grip on her skirt. He laughed and shook his head. “Relax, my parents won’t be there. They’re in Europe at the moment. But there’s something there we need.”
She exhaled slowly, her heartbeat returning to normal. “I don’t suppose you can tell I’m a bit nervous?”
“No, not at all.” His lips twitched with the hint of a smile.
“I’m not really a fan of surprises,” she said with a forced laugh. “In ninth grade, my mom threw me a surprise birthday party with friends and family. It just so happened that my very first boyfriend dumped me right before I was supposed to show up. I arrived home in a flood of tears to a barrage of confetti.”
“That’s tragic.” He glanced sideways at her. “I’m sorry your boyfriend was a jerk.”
“Story of my life.” She gave him a small smile. “And a good reason why I haven’t dated for a while. I seem to attract those kinds of guys. The ones that’ll use you and discard you. Makes me wonder if there are any good ones left. I know, pretty bad for someone who runs a dating service.”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
He frowned at the road ahead, severe lines appearing in his forehead. Emily had the sudden urge to reach across and smooth them out, to feel his skin beneath hers. Instead, she clasped her hands together and focused her gaze on the road ahead of them as they sped through town and eventually turned off into a gated community.
“We’re here.”
Michael pulled up to a wrought-iron gate. Emily gaped out the window at his parent’s house, if you could even call it a house. The gorgeous white limestone building stretched out the length of a city block and dozens of windows with iron work blinked at them through the darkening, stormy evening.
The home was two stories high with an annex on one side that towered above the rest with a glass roof. An immaculate green lawn greeted them, along with a giant stone fountain spurting water at least ten feet high. Michael typed in a code on the pad outside his window and the gate opened, revealing a limestone drive lined with purple flowers.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered.
Michael chuckled and drove them forward, the gate closing behind. “Welcome to Knight Manor.”
❖
As Michael parked the car and helped Emily out of her side, he tried to brush off the heavy sense of guilt that had settled on him during the drive over. He’d been looking forward to this date all week, planning every little move. First, a private helicopter tour of the city, then a rooftop landing and supper at La Forêt, his favorite French restaurant. He wanted to see Emily’s enchanting blue eyes light up as she gazed down upon the city. He wanted to show her something she’d never seen before.
But their conversation had dampened that excitement. She’d mentioned her disappointing history of boyfriends. As much as he tried to deny it, he was in the same camp as those jerks. He really was just using her to get information on her business. Even if he showered her with diamonds and luxurious dates, he wouldn’t be able to deny it. This was a business transaction after all. And Emily was merely a beautiful pawn.
“Now, are you going to tell me what we’re doing?” she asked.
Emily held down her skirt as a gust of wind suddenly came up. She looked awfully pretty tonight. Her cheeks had a rosy glow to them and she’d covered her lips in a pink gloss. She’d worn her curls loose with only a few of the front strands pulled back. Her floral skirt revealed toned and shapely calves that made it hard not to stare.
“Come around back,” he said, holding out his hand. “Then, you’ll know.”
She gave him a skeptical smile, but took his hand anyway. His skin thrilled where her hand touched his. He gave her an appreciative sideways glance, thankful that she was the kind of woman who seemed up for a challenge, despite her professed hatred of surprises. She seemed to trust him already, which was what made this all the more painful.
He led her around his parents’ home to the backyard where a tennis court, pristine swimming pool, marble gazebo, and grand patio stood. The yard was just as immaculately kept back here, but with a more extensive flower garden. Emily’s keen gaze took in her surroundings, her eyes widening until he thought she was going to go into shock.
He had to admit, it was all a bit much. His parents had purchased the property during his high school years. Before then, they’d lived in a beautiful home in the suburbs. Of course, that was when his father’s smart investments had taken him from a millionaire to a multi-billionaire and landed him squarely on the list of the richest men in America.
At the far corner of the property stood a large cement pad. Michael led Emily in that direction, never letting go of her hand. When her wide eyes finally looked in that direction, she gasped and pulled him to a stop.
“Is that...?”
“My family’s private helicopter,” Michael finished with a small grin.
The Bell 429 helicopter was the latest in air travel luxury. It was his father’s most recent purchase, a necessity in order for him to move to their satellite locations throughout the area and conduct business. Its blades turned slowly as the pilot waved at them. Michael tugged gently on Emily’s hand, pulling her once again in its direction.
“You have got to be kidding me.” She skipped to keep up with his long legs, her mouth open in shock. “When you said your treat, I figured a movie and dinner or something. Not this. This is too much.”
He chuckled quietly. He couldn’t remember the last time a date had told him anything was too much. “Aaron is going to give us an evening tour of the city. Have you ever seen San Jose lit up at night?”
“Not from the sky.” He could feel her pulse quicken when she tightened her grip on his hand. “But I’ll bet it’s beautiful.”
“I’m sure it will be.”
He gazed down at her, feeling his own pulse quicken as his gaze lingered on her face. A crack of lightning burst overhead, causing them both to jump. He looked up and gritted his teeth. The clouds were only getting darker. That wasn’t a good sign. Not when he had a whole night planned out, minute by minute.
If only money controlled the weather.
They got closer as the wind began to whip through the nearby hedge, tearing at their clothes. The pilot yelled something at them, his hands cupping his mouth. They couldn’t hear him until they got much closer, the rumble of thunder sounding in the distance.
“I hate to say it, but I think we’re going to have to postpone,” Aaron yelled. He grimaced at the sky. “This storm is looking to be a nasty one.”
Emily’s face fell. She tried to cover it with a smile, but it didn’t hide her disappointment. “Oh, that’s too bad. Another time then.”
Michael scowled. This wasn’t the way tonight was supposed to go. Storm or not, he wanted to gi
ve her the time of her life.
“Surely, we can still go up,” he yelled, clasping Emily’s hand in both of his. He looked up at the coming clouds. “It’s not going to hit us for a while longer. We’ve still got time.”
The moment he shut his mouth, another giant gust of air buffeted the grounds, nearly pushing him off his feet. A single raindrop landed on his nose, and then another on his forehead. Suddenly, the clouds let loose and a torrential rain fell from the sky. Emily gasped as the icy cold rain soaked through their clothes. Michael grunted in defeat and pulled her back toward the house, his mood souring.
“Let’s get inside,” he yelled.
She nodded her understanding, her curls sticking to her face.
They raced across the grounds, raindrops hitting them like tiny little pellets of ice. Emily shrieked and laughed, clasping tightly to Michael’s hand. Her reaction lifted his spirits the tiniest bit, despite the fact that his socks had become a sloshy wet mess inside his Berluti leather shoes. They ran up the patio steps to the back door and clamored inside the lit mudroom, leaving wet puddles everywhere they stepped.
“There go your plans,” Emily said with a laugh, shutting the door behind her. She rang out her wet shirt, adding to the puddles on the floor. “So, what’s plan B?”
Immediately the lights flickered and everything went dark.
Chapter Seven
“I know there’s a flashlight somewhere around here.”
Michael rummaged through a few drawers in the mudroom, using only the illuminated screen of his cell phone for light. The storm had blanketed the valley in such incredible darkness that not even natural light came through the large windows. Emily shivered in her wet clothes, her hair sticking to her face. Her phone had died, no doubt a victim of the waterfall they’d just sprinted through.
“Negative on the flashlight,” he said, turning toward her. “But I did find matches and two dozen of my mom’s candles. That should help.”
The Billionaire and the Matchmaker Page 4