Read Online The Millionaire's Wish by Abigail Strom - Free Book Online Page A

go?”
    â€œYes,” she said quickly. “Sorry.” She rubbed her hand on her pants before placing it in the crook of his arm. “I told you I haven’t done this in a while, right?”
    â€œYou did. How long is a while?”
    He led her to the door, and she snagged her purse on the way. “It’s been almost ten years since I was in a relationship.”
    He stared at her. “How long since you were on a date?” he asked as she pulled the door closed behind them. She’d used that opportunity to drop his arm, but now he put a hand on her lower back to guide her toward the elevator.
    Such a casual gesture, for him—but his touch felt like an electric shock. Sensation flooded through her, lingering in odd corners of her body…the insides of her elbows and the beds of her fingernails and the soles of her feet.
    â€œMore than a year,” she said after a moment, praying her voice sounded normal.
    In the elevator he dropped his hand. “That’s hard to believe,” he said, his eyes finding hers in the reflective surface of the elevator doors. He held her gaze as they rode down, and even though they were side by side, not touching at all, looking at him this way felt strangely intimate.
    Then the elevator doors opened, and they stepped out into the foyer. Once outside she took a quick, deep breath, grateful for the spring chill in the night air.
    The “beep beep” of a car unlocking came from nearby. Rick led her to a sleek black Porsche, opening the passenger-side door and standing back to allow her to step inside the leather scented interior. She sank down into the low seat as Rick came around to the driver’s side. A moment later, the car purred to life. Rick glanced in the rearview mirror and pulled away from the curb.
    She tried not to be too obvious about studying his profile as they drove. Conversation was minimal—she was too nervous for chitchat.
    The restaurant wasn’t far away. They pulled up in front of a red awning before she knew it, and Rick turned his head to look at her. Her heart thumped as she looked quickly away. Did he know she’d been staring?
    â€œHave you been to Ambrosia before?”
    â€œNo,” she said as the valet opened her door and helped her out. Rick tossed him the keys and joined her, letting her precede him through the heavy oak doors held open by an employee. The interior of the restaurant was lovely, with dark wood paneling, red velvet chairs, and candlelit tables creating an atmosphere of quiet elegance.
    â€œThe food is wonderful,” he told her as they were led through the oak-paneled bar to a corner table in the dining room. “The wine list, too,” he added as the maître d’ pulled out Allison’s chair for her. She felt awkward as she sat, not sure how much weight to put on the chair as he pushed it forward.
    The silence that settled over the table felt awkward, too.
    â€œAllison?” Rick asked as she took a quick sip of her water and choked. She coughed for a few seconds, feeling like an idiot. After a minute she was breathing normally again.
    â€œWhat?” she asked, sounding as ungracious as she had at her apartment.
    He sat back in his chair, studying her. “You’re reneging on our deal.”
    She stared at him. “No, I’m not. I’m here, aren’t I?”
    â€œNo one’s going to believe you’re here on a date. You look like you’re next in line for the guillotine.”
    She bit her lip. What could she say to that? He was right.
    â€œWhat exactly are you worried about?” He leaned forward, and the tiny hairs on her forearms stood up. “Are you afraid I’ll make a move on you when I bring you home?”
    â€œNo.”
    Nervous or not, she was able to say that with complete confidence. She was one hundred percent certain that Rick Hunter would not be making a move on her tonight.
    He sat back again, slowly.