The Billionaire’s Temptation

A Blooming Connection

Julian stared at Ava like she was a meal he was earnestly trying to devour. She was everything he could ever imagine. Her colorful floral dress that stopped a few inches to her knees did something to him. She was so simple with her skin that looked extremely soft. He let his mind wander… he let himself imagine how it would feel like to touch her, to feel her body against his.

He eventually broke the silence.

“Remember me?” he said again, hoping she hadn’t forgotten him already.

“Good morning stranger,” she replied with a smile. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you’re stalking me”

Julian grinned, “Stalking you? Nah… I’m looking for… I think I might have left something here,”

Ava raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What did you leave?”

Julian hesitated, looking around the shop, “I’m not sure. I just had a feeling I had to come back here.”

Ava smiled, charmed by his awkwardness. “Well let me check if anything’s been left behind.” She pretended to bend. “Oops! I just remembered. You have never been here mister. I would never forget such a distinct face.” She chuckled.

As she laughed, Julian couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked.

“Why are you looking for an excuse to talk to me, Mister?” She asked.

Julian laughed, feeling a sense of relief. “Guilty as charged.”

“I’m Ava by the way”

“I’m Julian,” he replied. His voice a little softer now.

They began to chat away. Ava learned more about Julian's life. But it wasn't until he mentioned his father's passing that Ava's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait, your father...?" Ava's voice trailed off as she pieced together the information. "The funeral... your father is Reginald St. Clair?"

Julian nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, that was my father."

Ava's eyes widened further, and she felt like she had been punched in the gut. Mr Reginald, the billionaire, was Julian's father? She couldn't believe it. She had delivered flowers to his mansion for years and now she was sitting in front of his son, feeling like she was in a different world.

"I'm so sorry," Ava said, trying to compose herself. "I had no idea."

Julian smiled weakly. "It's okay. You didn't know."

As they talked, Ava learned more about Julian's life, including his time abroad. "I was in Europe for five years, overseeing my father’s businesses there," Julian explained. "But I’m back now. I have to take hold of the reins of his entire empire. The whole town has changed a lot. It’s so beautiful now”

As they chatted, Julian and Ava found themselves gravitating towards each other. Their arms would brush against each other, sending sparks of electricity through their bodies. They would laugh together, and their eyes would meet, holding a gaze that seemed to last forever.

Every time a customer walked in, the air became tense as they quickly created space between them like little children. Mr Miles burned stares at Julian when he came in to buy a bouquet of flowers for his wife. After she handed it to him, he leaned against the counter and whispered “I hope this young man isn’t bothering you?”

Ava shook her head with a smile, “Not at all Mr Miles”.

He still stared intently at Julian as he left.

They both laughed out loud after that. Atherton was a place where everyone had each other’s backs. It was so assuring.

Julian’s phone vibrated a number of times and he let every call go into voicemail. He knew it was his mother calling but he didn’t want anything to spoil the ecstatic moment he was having with Ava. He needed everything concerning his family business put on hold while he was with her.

The hours flew by, and before they knew it, the sun was high in the sky. Julian glanced at his watch, realizing that he had really lost track of time.

"I should probably get going," Julian said, reluctantly.

Ava nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I have to get back to tending to my flowers”

“You’re so beautiful Ava,” he said out of the blue.

Ava blushed hard but didn’t say a word. No word came to her at that moment. She was just absolutely stunned.

As they walked out of the coffee shop, Julian turned to Ava. "Would you like to grab dinner with me sometime this week?"

Ava's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'd love to."

Julian grinned, feeling elated. "Great. I'll pick you up at 7?"

Ava nodded, and Julian leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you then," he whispered.

Just then, a black sedan pulled up just right in front of them and Freddie got out the car.

“Julian, you mother would like to speak with you,” he said, handling Julian the phone.

Julian sighed, feeling a sense of resignation as he took the phone.

“Hello Mother.”

Ava quietly walked into her shop. As she got behind the counter, she watched as Julian’s lips moved slowly as her spoke with her. He didn’t get into the car but rested on it with his left hand. It didn’t seem like the conversation was going well at all. The call lasted for another few seconds before he casually gave Freddie back the phone and got in the car.

The ride back to the estate was a long one. Julian was upset. Victoria had moved into the house to ‘help him get through this tough time’ according to his mother. He couldn’t believe it. Just when he had begun to find a little happiness, Victoria was of course there to make him feel completely shitty about it. He couldn’t understand why she loved him. He had half expected that she would resent him ultimately because of the fact that she was also thrown at him without a say in the matter.

But to his surprise, she adored him and followed him everywhere he went.

He decided to distract himself with the beautiful sight of nature the rest of the drive home.