“This place is bigger than my apartment.”
“I like it.”
I didn’t sit down, instead walking to the windows overlooking the city. You could see everything. From there, I went to the bookshelves, fingering several of the books, mostly about business. Oliver stood behind me.
“You read all these?”
“You don’t think so? I like to read, especially if it helps my business.”
I felt inadequate around this man. “Oliver, why am I here?”
“You like to put your cards on the table right away, don’t you?”
A fit of inferiority hit me, and I looked at the floor.
“I don’t understand what you want with me.”
“I want you. Is that a good enough answer?”
I met his penetrating gaze. “It sounds a bit irrational. Why? You can have anybody you want.”
Oliver touched my shoulder. “But I don’t want just anybody.”
“We’re worlds apart when it comes to life. You’re a good fourteen years older than me.”
Why the fuck was I talking him out of dating me? This man wanted me.
He smirked, “You’ve been doing your homework on me?”
I felt my face heat as embarrassment took hold. “No, I haven’t. It’s obvious you’re older than me.”
“Why? Do I have wrinkles? Is my paunchy belly and arthritis giving me away?”
Paunchy belly? Not from what I saw the other day.
“No. I doubt you have either. How old are you?”
I knew exactly how old Oliver was from the information I found on the internet. He was thirty-six years old.
“You tell me. I’m sure the numerous articles you read stated my age.”
I bit my lip. “I didn’t read many.”
“So you do admit to reading up on me?”
If we were going to start a relationship, the best solution was the truth.
“Yes, I have. I was curious after our meeting at graduation,” I said softly.
He raised his eyebrows. “You never heard of me before then?”
I stared out the window. “I did, but I never looked you up.”
“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or offended. Which is it?”
“Neither. Did you look me up after graduation?”
“I did. I have contacts at Columbia. I know you graduated with a 3.5 GPA, pretty respectable.”