The Billionaire's Game

Chapter 6 | How to Lose A Girl in One Date-1

Chapter 6 How to Lose A Girl in One Date

While in the ladies' room, Ines checked her phone. There were no messages from Piper. Sighing, Ines dialed her boss's number. It went directly to voice mail.

“Piper, hi,” she said. “Just wanted to check if you were still coming. John says he can reschedule if you can't make it.”

Somehow she knew Piper wouldn't be coming tonight. But Ines did what she'd been asked, there was nothing more she could do. Thankfully, John was pleasant company. In the course of her work, she'd had to sit through countless meetings with people who were less than amicable.

She touched up her make-up. Seeing Kilborne tonight was a surprise, and after taking one look at his date, she'd become self-conscious of her appearance. It was silly, she knew. No amount of make-up could put her in the same league as the knockout sitting across him at the table. She was probably some actress or something: perfect hair, amazing skin, pretty face. And Ines was... well, she was pleasant enough to look at, she supposed.

But when Kilborne looked at her, she wished she could be more than that. His very presence in the room made her pulse race, and her skin flush. Disturbingly handsome. Those were the words that came to mind whenever she saw his face. If anyone ever deserved that description, it had to be him.

Earlier, she could feel his eyes on her as she walked away from the elevator. It made it hard for her to even just breathe. It made her fully aware of every step she made, every movement, every word she spoke to the receptionist. It made her wish she'd had time to put on contacts before leaving the house. Her eyeglasses didn't exactly add anything to her looks.

Now it would be disconcerting knowing he was just a few tables away while she was having dinner. Would he glance her way? He had absolutely no reason to give her any of his attention, especially when he had a bombshell right in front of him.

What if he did? Just once?

You want him to look at you.

She did. She could admit as much, at least to herself.

After a moment of indecision, she took out her lipstick and applied it to her lips a second time. She smiled at her reflection then laughed at how ridiculous she was behaving.

There, she thought, wrinkling her nose as she blotted her lips with some tissue. That's the best I can do. Mr. Kilborne, prepared to be underwhelmed.

That she was thinking of him could have been the reason she was completely unnerved when she saw him standing out in the hallway when she stepped out of the ladies' room.

It was as though her thoughts had conjured him out of thin air.

“Uhm...” she said, trying to figure out what to say. Of course, he was probably coming out of the bathroom too. Why else would he be there? She cleared her throat. “Mr. Kilborne,” she said, nodding. What was there to say, anyway?

He moved to block her path as she started to walk away.

“Ms. Andrada,” he said. “You and I have unfinished business. If you'll be so kind as to get rid of your date—”

Dear God, his English accent sent a burst of heat down her core. She could barely register what he was saying.

“W-w-what?” On instinct, she took a step backward. Something told her it was dangerous to be so close to this man. She breathed in the spicy, masculine scent of his cologne and her stomach did a few hundred flip-flops.

He closed the small space between them, sending her pulse racing. She took another step back and found herself flat against the wall. Her eyes grew wide in surprise. What was he doing?

“Your dinner companion — get rid of him. Be at my suite at nine o'clock sharp. The front desk will let you know where it is.”

His suite. He was asking — no, ordering her to ... what was it he wanted exactly? She frowned, confused. “I don't understand.”

“You said you had something to give me.” His eyes swept over her face as if studying her expression. “Let's have it then. Tonight.”

Of course! Her manuscript. Did Kilborne want to read it after all? Relief brought a smile to her face. "Really? I thought... last time "

“I changed my mind.”

“Right.” She nodded. “Uh ...” She glanced toward the restaurant entrance.

He caught her look. “You think it's strange I'd ask you to my suite when I have a date?”

“Oh I absolutely don't mind,” she assured him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“It's just that she might. I mean, you are on a date.” She knew she would be a little miffed if her boyfriend suddenly decided to have a work-related meeting during a romantic evening.

“Right.” The corner of his mouth twitched, as though he was trying not to laugh. “Don't worry about it.”

Did she say something funny? Ines thought as she stared up at him. His eyes were so blue. Like an ocean she would drown in. Happily. She blinked, trying to break the spell of his gaze. “Okay.” She smiled. “I'll see you at nine?”

“Yes.” After a beat, he stepped backward.

She nodded and turned to leave. Her heart was still beating furiously as she walked back to her table. It was hard, but she forced herself not to look back at him.

Relax, she kept telling herself. She needed to behave like a professional. She was not going to blow this opportunity by appearing like some lovesick schoolgirl. And anyway, she'd see him again after dinner.

She couldn't wait.

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