Read Online To Catch a Billionaire by Dana Stone - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Dana Stone
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being used was unacceptable.
“Is everything all right out here?” Erin asked as she crossed the room and prepared to leave.
Giorgio joined her at the exit. “We’re fine. Jeremy insists he can’t attend the Met Gala. As disappointing as that is, we’ll have a good time. Don’t you worry about the man who’s trying to take your business, we’ll make short work of him, Erin,” Giorgio said with a smile as he walked the distance with her to her car. He kissed her cheek.
Erin slid into the driver’s seat of the Porsche. “I’ll see you then. We’ll meet outside the entrance at seven, if that’s all right?”
“Perfect. I’ll be there on time,” Giorgio promised as he closed the car door.
Chapter 6
M ONDAY DAWNED TO a heavy downpour of rain. Her feet were dry and unattractive in yellow Wellington boots, that clomped instead of tapped like her regular shoes. Erin shook raindrops from her umbrella and closed it. She’d slipped into the Jetta and was headed down the driveway when Tristan entered the grounds in his Jaguar. Now what?
Stopped side by side, Cam slid the window down. “Erin’s not here. She’s on her way to New York. Can I help you with something, Mr. Forsyth?” Rain spattered in through her open window as she waited for his answer.
“Never mind, it can wait. You must be on your way to Starbucks?” Tristan asked with a smile.
She nodded, slid the window up and drove away without a word. Certain that he’d follow, Cam dreaded their upcoming conversation. She’d seen nothing of Tristan since he’d laid that heavenly smacker on her lips. The memory of his deep, luscious kiss inflamed her overwhelming desire for him. With a head shake, Cam grimaced and picked up speed.
The café was filled to the brim by those seeking their morning allotment of caffeine. Cam joined the queue. She grinned over the fact that she numbered among the many who made a daily trip, or more, to the shop with the best-tasting coffee imaginable.
“You’re addicted to this coffee, Cam. It’s really not good for you,” Tristan said close to her ear.
How had he gotten here so quickly? And right behind her in line? She’d happily left him in a spray of water from her tires, several miles back. “It’s a bad habit, but one I’m not willing to break. Erin got me hooked on the stuff. Mrs. Hardy brews it for Erin at their home.”
“Can we sit and chat, or must you get to the office right away?” Tristan asked gently.
With an exaggerated sigh, she made a show of checking her watch. “A brief chat, if we must. I have tons to attend to today, especially with Erin away.”
“Thank you,” he said.
They ordered, found an empty table for two, and set about measuring one another. When they’d both reached their own satisfaction level, they laughed in unison.
“This isn’t what I expected from you, Cam. I thought for sure Erin would handle the most important issues at the gallery, but instead, you manage it all. Why?”
Wary, she replied, “When I took the job, Mr. Cameron was still alive. A charming man to work for, he trained me in all aspects of the business. After he passed away, I took the reins and led the team until Erin could get her head together. It’s as simple as that. Erin does her fair share, Mr. Forsyth, she really does. There are those who think she’s a slacker, but they’re wrong.”
His stare had intensified as he listened. She fidgeted with her napkin and sipped the strong brew. What did he want from her? Wasn’t he supposedly interested in Erin? And if so, why had he confused the issue and kissed her, Cam?
He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “You’re protective... I like that in an employee. Erin’s lucky to have such a dedicated manager to operate the gallery and stay tuned to the staff’s needs the way you do.”
“Please, you’ll make me blush if you keep this up. I do my job, Mr. Forsyth. Nothing more and nothing less.”
“No, you do more than anyone else at
“Is everything all right out here?” Erin asked as she crossed the room and prepared to leave.
Giorgio joined her at the exit. “We’re fine. Jeremy insists he can’t attend the Met Gala. As disappointing as that is, we’ll have a good time. Don’t you worry about the man who’s trying to take your business, we’ll make short work of him, Erin,” Giorgio said with a smile as he walked the distance with her to her car. He kissed her cheek.
Erin slid into the driver’s seat of the Porsche. “I’ll see you then. We’ll meet outside the entrance at seven, if that’s all right?”
“Perfect. I’ll be there on time,” Giorgio promised as he closed the car door.
Chapter 6
M ONDAY DAWNED TO a heavy downpour of rain. Her feet were dry and unattractive in yellow Wellington boots, that clomped instead of tapped like her regular shoes. Erin shook raindrops from her umbrella and closed it. She’d slipped into the Jetta and was headed down the driveway when Tristan entered the grounds in his Jaguar. Now what?
Stopped side by side, Cam slid the window down. “Erin’s not here. She’s on her way to New York. Can I help you with something, Mr. Forsyth?” Rain spattered in through her open window as she waited for his answer.
“Never mind, it can wait. You must be on your way to Starbucks?” Tristan asked with a smile.
She nodded, slid the window up and drove away without a word. Certain that he’d follow, Cam dreaded their upcoming conversation. She’d seen nothing of Tristan since he’d laid that heavenly smacker on her lips. The memory of his deep, luscious kiss inflamed her overwhelming desire for him. With a head shake, Cam grimaced and picked up speed.
The café was filled to the brim by those seeking their morning allotment of caffeine. Cam joined the queue. She grinned over the fact that she numbered among the many who made a daily trip, or more, to the shop with the best-tasting coffee imaginable.
“You’re addicted to this coffee, Cam. It’s really not good for you,” Tristan said close to her ear.
How had he gotten here so quickly? And right behind her in line? She’d happily left him in a spray of water from her tires, several miles back. “It’s a bad habit, but one I’m not willing to break. Erin got me hooked on the stuff. Mrs. Hardy brews it for Erin at their home.”
“Can we sit and chat, or must you get to the office right away?” Tristan asked gently.
With an exaggerated sigh, she made a show of checking her watch. “A brief chat, if we must. I have tons to attend to today, especially with Erin away.”
“Thank you,” he said.
They ordered, found an empty table for two, and set about measuring one another. When they’d both reached their own satisfaction level, they laughed in unison.
“This isn’t what I expected from you, Cam. I thought for sure Erin would handle the most important issues at the gallery, but instead, you manage it all. Why?”
Wary, she replied, “When I took the job, Mr. Cameron was still alive. A charming man to work for, he trained me in all aspects of the business. After he passed away, I took the reins and led the team until Erin could get her head together. It’s as simple as that. Erin does her fair share, Mr. Forsyth, she really does. There are those who think she’s a slacker, but they’re wrong.”
His stare had intensified as he listened. She fidgeted with her napkin and sipped the strong brew. What did he want from her? Wasn’t he supposedly interested in Erin? And if so, why had he confused the issue and kissed her, Cam?
He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “You’re protective... I like that in an employee. Erin’s lucky to have such a dedicated manager to operate the gallery and stay tuned to the staff’s needs the way you do.”
“Please, you’ll make me blush if you keep this up. I do my job, Mr. Forsyth. Nothing more and nothing less.”
“No, you do more than anyone else at
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