The Billionaire's Mistress Complete Series: Alpha Billionaire Romance by M. S. Parker Page A
Authors: M. S. Parker
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tried the potatoes and broccoli.
“It’s over-cooked,” she said with a shrug. “But overall, the food is pretty decent.”
I was about to call her on the broccoli – there was no way a place like this didn't serve perfection.
Except the broccoli was a little overcooked.
My mouth tightened, but she caught sight of me and laughed. “It’s just broccoli.”
I could have pointed out that I’d ordered a meal expecting it to be perfect, but it seemed a little idiotic to make a fuss when she was sitting there laughing about it. I didn't want her to think I was petty. It was already pretty clear that she didn't think much of the elaborate display.
“I suppose it could have been worse.” I scooped up a bite of the fish. It was succulent, cooked to perfection. That made me wonder just how good her mom's cooking was. “It could have been bad fish.”
“Oh, puh-leeze.” She nipped up the last bite of potatoes. “Don’t even joke about that.”
Leaning back in her chair, Allie studied me, and I found myself at a loss for words. Talking to women was easy for me. Or at least, it usually was, but I couldn't think of a thing to say to her. All of the usual smooth talk I used, the flattery and charm, none of it seemed right.
She leaned forward, one elbow braced on the table. “Can I ask you something, Mr. Lindstrom?”
I wished she'd call me Jal.
“Absolutely.” She was closer now, and I thought about reaching over, stroking my fingers down her arm. Her skin looked incredibly soft. Just like her hair. I wanted to see it spread out on my pillow, see her spread out under me–
“Why did you leave the engagement ring behind?”
“What?” The question caught me off-guard, especially considering I was wondering just how lush those curves were under her jeans and simple blouse.
“Your ring.” She propped her chin on her hand, her eyes dancing with something I couldn't name. “You left that ring in the salon, and I can’t help but think you did it on purpose.”
I tried to summon up some sort of argument, but my mind was blank.
She didn’t even seem to notice as she eased back and settled into her chair, that faint smile still curving her lips.
“See, you just strike me as the kind of man who has all his ducks lined up. I bet you packed for this trip of yours several days ago, and you knew exactly which shirt you’d wear today and with which pair of pants. You’ve already planned what you’ll wear for tomorrow and probably the next day too. Your drawers and your socks all matched up just so. There’s nothing extra in your suitcase.” She paused, shook her head, and then continued, “No. Not a suitcase. A carry-on. It’s just a quick trip, I’m thinking, and you don’t want to waste time with luggage, so the carry-on was enough. You have only what you need.” Allie’s eyebrow rose, and she asked, “How close am I?”
Damn. I stared at her. “Just about spot on.”
“Okay, then. Why’d you leave the ring?”
Now it was my turn to lean forward. “What makes you so sure I did? Just because I plan doesn't mean I'm not forgetful.”
“Because a man like you isn’t the kind of man who’d leave an expensive and hopefully important engagement ring behind. Especially when it was in a coat he'd have missed as soon as he stepped outside.” She gave me a hard look. “Unless, of course, he had some ulterior motive.”
She bent down and reached into her purse, pulling out the box that carried the ring. She placed it on the table. “So, what reason did you have for leaving it behind?”
Instead of answering her, I picked it up and flipped it open, studying it. I’d only looked at it twice, once when it had been shown to me by my assistant after she'd bought it, and once yesterday morning, right before I left the house. I almost asked her what she thought of it. But when I opened my mouth, the question that came out was something entirely different.
“Did you try it on?”
I expected another
“It’s over-cooked,” she said with a shrug. “But overall, the food is pretty decent.”
I was about to call her on the broccoli – there was no way a place like this didn't serve perfection.
Except the broccoli was a little overcooked.
My mouth tightened, but she caught sight of me and laughed. “It’s just broccoli.”
I could have pointed out that I’d ordered a meal expecting it to be perfect, but it seemed a little idiotic to make a fuss when she was sitting there laughing about it. I didn't want her to think I was petty. It was already pretty clear that she didn't think much of the elaborate display.
“I suppose it could have been worse.” I scooped up a bite of the fish. It was succulent, cooked to perfection. That made me wonder just how good her mom's cooking was. “It could have been bad fish.”
“Oh, puh-leeze.” She nipped up the last bite of potatoes. “Don’t even joke about that.”
Leaning back in her chair, Allie studied me, and I found myself at a loss for words. Talking to women was easy for me. Or at least, it usually was, but I couldn't think of a thing to say to her. All of the usual smooth talk I used, the flattery and charm, none of it seemed right.
She leaned forward, one elbow braced on the table. “Can I ask you something, Mr. Lindstrom?”
I wished she'd call me Jal.
“Absolutely.” She was closer now, and I thought about reaching over, stroking my fingers down her arm. Her skin looked incredibly soft. Just like her hair. I wanted to see it spread out on my pillow, see her spread out under me–
“Why did you leave the engagement ring behind?”
“What?” The question caught me off-guard, especially considering I was wondering just how lush those curves were under her jeans and simple blouse.
“Your ring.” She propped her chin on her hand, her eyes dancing with something I couldn't name. “You left that ring in the salon, and I can’t help but think you did it on purpose.”
I tried to summon up some sort of argument, but my mind was blank.
She didn’t even seem to notice as she eased back and settled into her chair, that faint smile still curving her lips.
“See, you just strike me as the kind of man who has all his ducks lined up. I bet you packed for this trip of yours several days ago, and you knew exactly which shirt you’d wear today and with which pair of pants. You’ve already planned what you’ll wear for tomorrow and probably the next day too. Your drawers and your socks all matched up just so. There’s nothing extra in your suitcase.” She paused, shook her head, and then continued, “No. Not a suitcase. A carry-on. It’s just a quick trip, I’m thinking, and you don’t want to waste time with luggage, so the carry-on was enough. You have only what you need.” Allie’s eyebrow rose, and she asked, “How close am I?”
Damn. I stared at her. “Just about spot on.”
“Okay, then. Why’d you leave the ring?”
Now it was my turn to lean forward. “What makes you so sure I did? Just because I plan doesn't mean I'm not forgetful.”
“Because a man like you isn’t the kind of man who’d leave an expensive and hopefully important engagement ring behind. Especially when it was in a coat he'd have missed as soon as he stepped outside.” She gave me a hard look. “Unless, of course, he had some ulterior motive.”
She bent down and reached into her purse, pulling out the box that carried the ring. She placed it on the table. “So, what reason did you have for leaving it behind?”
Instead of answering her, I picked it up and flipped it open, studying it. I’d only looked at it twice, once when it had been shown to me by my assistant after she'd bought it, and once yesterday morning, right before I left the house. I almost asked her what she thought of it. But when I opened my mouth, the question that came out was something entirely different.
“Did you try it on?”
I expected another
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