Yours Completely: A Cinderella Love Story (Billionaires and Brides #1) (35 page)

“'A Corner of the Rose Garden,'” he answered. A full smile filled my face. It was one of my favorites as well. It had always reminded me of mornings in my mother's garden when I was little.

“I can't believe you actually looked her up,” I said, tucking the strand of hair behind my ear.

“What?” He grinned. “A billionaire can't use Google?”

I laughed. “I don't know, is there a gold plated version?”

“Platinum.” He put on a straight face, but his eyes twinkled as he teased me. “Gold is for mere millionaires.”

I giggled and he grinned. His smile had the same warmth as it did at sunrise and the beauty of it made my heart flutter. When he smiled, the world lit up.

I wanted to ask him so many questions. I wanted to know why he was in foster care with Charlotte, and how he had found the way to turn a dating company into a billion dollar empire from that background. Where did he go to school? Did he have any hobbies other than paddle-boarding? What was his favorite color? I wanted to know everything about him.

“Hey, you ready, Ava?” Charlotte called, stomping into the doorway. She stopped as she saw the two of us standing remarkably close and looking at one another. “Damn, I need to work on my timing.”

“Are you two going out?” Bastian asked, a frown crossing his handsome features. It tugged at the scar on his cheek and eyebrow, making him look more serious than necessary. I liked the smile so much better.

“Yes,” Charlotte replied, coming to my other side. “Just to Surf Shack for some girl time.”

“Charlotte,” he began, the scar darkening, “I-”

“Think it's a great idea,” Charlotte finished for him. “Thank you, Bastian, for your opinion. We'll be fine.”

Bastian's lips tightened and he glared at her. Charlotte rolled her eyes at him and sighed.

“Do you want Elijah to come with us?” she asked, pointedly raising her eyebrows at him.

“Yes.” He nodded and the frown faded slightly. “It would make me feel better.”

“You hear that, Elijah?” Charlotte yelled out toward the hall. I winced slightly at the increase in volume so close to my ear. “You get to come to girl's night!”

Elijah's head popped into the doorway. “I'm not drinking one of those frou-frou drinks again with you, Charlotte.”

What had felt like a comfy, cozy, and possibly romantic location two seconds ago suddenly felt very public. I knew Elijah followed Bastian around everywhere, but the fact that he had been just outside the doorway listening to us flirt was a little daunting.

“Aw, you're no fun, Elijah.” Charlotte grinned wickedly at the bodyguard. “I was going to get you the one with whipped cream and the flower on the glass. I know how much you loved it last time.”

Elijah didn't say anything back and the room went silent for a beat.

“I guess we should be going then,” I said finally, feeling awkward. I wanted the moment before Charlotte arrived back. I wanted it to be just me and Bastian, giggling over art and flirting. I wondered for a moment if I canceled with Charlotte, if Bastian would stay and look at the painting with me.

“I should be getting back to work,” Bastian said, as if hearing my thoughts. I tried not to look disappointed. “You two have fun. And be careful.”

“Don't be such a worrywart,” Charlotte chastised, sticking out her tongue at him. He glared at her as only a protective older brother could before walking over to Elijah. He looked back, his eyes meeting mine for a moment before he focused on Elijah. Bastian said something to the big man that only the two of them could hear but that had Charlotte rolling her eyes.

“You should have seen how protective he was on my first date,” she said, looping her arm through mine and guiding me toward the door. “I'm surprised he isn't calling in more bodyguards since it's the two of us. Perhaps an armored car.”

“I heard that,” Bastian said loudly, still talking to Elijah. I giggled and he glanced over, his brow dark above his beautiful eyes. He looked quickly away and back to Elijah.

“I thought the island was a safe place,” I said, frowning slightly. If Bastian was making this big a deal out of going out, maybe it wasn't the best idea.

“It is,” Charlotte assured me. “The island is so safe that the police boast a less than two minute response time anywhere on the island. Not that they even need to respond half the time, There's enough private security on this island to win a small war. He's just over-protective. Though, he usually doesn't insist Elijah come when it's just me...”

She pulled me past the two men and out into the hall before turning back to face her brother. “You have our itinerary all planned out? We're going to miss happy hour if you don't hurry your secret service plans. I want my girl night even if you would rather Ava stay all safe and cozy here.”

“I worry because I care,” he informed her, but didn't correct her to say he wanted her safe too. His eyes briefly flashed up to me and I suddenly felt a little warm. He cared for me too.

“I know.” She grinned up at him and pulled on my arm. “We'll see you later. Come on Elijah- we'll even let you ride in the car with us.”

“Bye, Charlotte,” Bastian called out as Elijah shook his head and followed us. Bastian looked right at me and his voice softened. “Good bye, Ava.”

I looked back, losing myself in his eyes for a second. “Good bye, Bastian.” He smiled at how I said his name and it made me blush.

Charlotte looked back and forth between the two of us, noting the sappy smiles and rolled her eyes. She pulled harder on my arm. “I'll have her back by midnight, Prince Charming!” she called.

I blushed even harder, but followed her down the stairs and out to our waiting pumpkin.

W
aiting outside in the giant driveway was a very expensive-looking, electric blue sports car. Charlotte jumped in the front seat and immediately stalled it.

“Would you like me to drive?” Elijah asked, managing to keep a straight face as he stood at the door.

“I hate this car.” Charlotte made an exasperated sound and got out of the driver's seat. “Yes, you can drive.”

I covered my mouth with my hand so she wouldn't see my smirk as the two of us got into the leather-encased backseat. Elijah waited to start the car until we were both buckled, but when he turned the ignition key, it purred like a content kitten. I didn't know that cars could actually sound like music and it drove smoother than any car I had ever been in.

“What kind of car is this anyway?” I asked, feeling the leather seat. It was like satin against my skin.

“Lamborghini,” Charlotte replied, crossing her legs. I hadn't noticed her killer heels until right then, but she swung them around like weapons. I was terrified one would catch on the leather and rip it.

“And you hate it?” I asked, blanching a little. I had never even seen a real life Lamborghini, let alone gotten inside of one.

“It has the touchiest clutch in the world,” she explained. Elijah made a snorting noise that she ignored. “I know how to drive a manual. Give me a good, old-fashioned, American-made truck and I can drive that sucker anywhere. This,” she said, glaring at the very expensive car, “has nothing on my truck at home.”

I smiled, imagining her in an old beater of a truck driving around a billion dollar estate. It fit Charlotte to a tee.

“So you and Bastian were looking at art?” Charlotte asked. Her tone was innocent, but I suspected she wanted more details than just
“looking at art.”
“You two seemed awfully interested in that painting.”

“Yes,” I replied, just as innocently. “That painting is worth a lot more than he thought. We were simply discussing it.”

“Oh, that's good.” Her foot started bouncing in the air, and she chewed on her lip until she was unable to control her need for more gossip. “So, I think Bastian likes you,” Charlotte blurted out. I immediately turned a deep, dark shade of crimson.

“Oh, come on, Charlotte—me?” I laughed, but deep down I wanted it to be true. “I think you've had too much to drink and we're not even at the bar yet.”

“What?” She grinned. “You don't think he's cute?”

I blushed even harder and she laughed.

“You
do
think he's cute!”

I rolled my eyes at her and pulled my hair back and out of my face, trying to relieve some of the heat. “What about you and whats-his-name? The one who doesn't know you exist?”

“Oh, no,” she replied, holding out her hand as if that would stop my words. “We are not talking about me and Leo.”

“Oh, Leo is it?” I teased, holding out the name for emphasis. “Bastian's business partner?”

“Damn it,” she cursed quietly, narrowing her eyes and glaring at me. From up front, Elijah laughed. “Shut up, Elijah,” Charlotte growled, kicking the front seat. It just made Elijah laugh harder and me worry about the leather with her shoes.

“We're here,” Elijah said, pulling into the parking lot and stopping. It was a small dirt lot with an open air bar on one end with a restaurant and some small shops adjoining it. A dolphin statue stood in front of the restaurant, squirting water up into the sky and looking playful. It had all the charm of a small town bar and I already liked it.

Charlotte grabbed my arm and dragged me into the bar. It was nice and comfortable, but definitely full of more locals than tourists. Luckily, Charlotte headed to the back where it was open to the ocean, choosing a seat that was obviously her favorite.

The sun had set and twilight was twinkling across the warm waters of the Caribbean as the lights in the bar flickered to life. A server came up and grinned at Charlotte.

“We'll take two of the dinner specials and two drink specials,” Charlotte told him. He didn't even write it down before heading off to the back. I looked over at her uncertain. I wasn't a picky eater, but Charlotte didn't know that about me yet.

“Trust me,” Charlotte said, full of self confidence. “You'll love it. The restaurant next door is run by Lucia's sister who, if you can believe it, is actually an even better cook than Lucia.”

“I'm not sure that's possible,” I replied, which just made Charlotte grin wider.

“Plus, the drink special is this rum thing that they only make here. It's amazing and they have a two drink maximum, but you'll want more,” Charlotte continued.

I decided to just go with it. I would have a lot more fun if I just let things happen instead of trying to control everything. I was just beginning to learn that I didn't even have as much control over the things I thought I did, anyway. This wasn't an appraisal. I could be spontaneous and have fun.

I relaxed back into my chair, looking out at the night falling across the water. It was beautiful. Looking in the other direction, I could see Elijah sitting at the bar drinking a soda and flirting with the bartender. He nodded when he saw me. I smiled back. He took his job seriously, but even he was going to have a good time.

“So, Leo, huh?” I asked, tucking my hand under my chin and watching Charlotte struggle not to turn bright red.

“I was really hoping you'd forget,” she mumbled. “I need a drink.”

“Tell me about him.” I smiled, doing my best to charm her. She stared at me for a moment and then gave up her inner struggle.

“He's tall, dark, and handsome,” she started, a cautious grin creeping on to her face as she thought about him. Her mouth twisted slightly. “And Bastian's business partner, so strictly off limits. Besides that, he thinks I'm just Bastian's minion. I'm not even sure he knows I'm female.”

“Ouch,” I replied. “At least you would look cute in those blue overalls.”

Charlotte giggled as she shrugged. “Such is the life of a personal assistant. Now, you on the other hand...”

“No, no, no.” I shook my head vehemently from side to side. “No.”

“What?” She asked, her eyes going wide and innocent. “You're telling me you don't want to know that his favorite color is yellow or that he likes his eggs scrambled and orange juice without pulp?”

“No!” But I couldn't help it. I filed that information away and hoped I could use it at a later date. I couldn't let Charlotte know that, though, so I shook my head more fiercely, feeling my hair whip around my shoulders. Besides, he was a billionaire. He could date super models. He probably did date super models. Super models probably asked
him
out. Me? I got dumped for a big-chested blonde. He wouldn't want me. I wasn't anywhere near billionaire material.

“Charlotte, right now he's my employer. Even if I did think he was hot, and I'm not saying I do, I can't. Do you know what my dad would do if he ever found out I even thought of
flirting
with a client?”

“So you want to do more than just flirt, huh? What if he wasn't your client?” she pressed. I could see where her thoughts were going, and I couldn't stop the blush that seeped out from my spine and crawled up to my ears. The things I would do to him... The way those gray eyes would light up, and how he would smile at me...

I did my best to glare at Charlotte. I didn't trust myself to actually say anything. He was a billionaire and I wasn't even sure I was good enough to even think of dating.

“Fine, fine.” She waved her hand through the air like she was giving up, but then leaned forward, a wicked gleam in her eyes. “He also likes two sugars and no cream in his coffee.”

“Charlotte!”

“Just saying,” she said with a all-too-knowing shrug. “It could be useful information.”

I shook my head, exasperated. The worst part was that I wanted to know everything she told me. I wanted to know more. But he was my billionaire employer and I was fairly certain she was crazy. He could have anyone. Why would he want me?

“Do you try and set your brother up with every girl you meet?” I asked her, glancing around the bar and hoping our drinks came soon. I needed something stiff.

“Nope,” Charlotte responded with a grin. “Just the ones that make him smile.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “I even caught him humming last night after he made you those sandwiches. He never hums unless he's really happy.”

Unfounded hope surged in my chest and pressed against my ribs to the point of pain. I wanted to believe her. I wanted him to like me like I liked him.