Page 14 of Loving a Billionaire

SEVEN

Talia leaned againstthe kitchen counter as she waited for her toast to pop out of the toaster. Yawning, she drummed her fingernails on the counter. She hadn’t slept very well last night, and Austin had everything to do with it. She growled. That man disturbed her in her sleep just as much as when she was awake.

A hard knock rattled the door, making her jump. Who could be visiting in the morning? It must be someone who didn’t know she worked for a living.

She moved to the door and looked through the peephole. The face on the other side surprised her. What was Kurt doing here? Curious, she hurried and opened the door. Her partner smiled at her.

“Hey,” he said.

“Aloha,” she replied hesitantly.

“I’m glad you’re not still in bed.” He walked into her apartment and she shut the door.

“You should know me by now. I’m an early bird.”

He chuckled. “That’s true, you are. It usually takes me two cups of coffee before I’m awake.”

“Would you like me to make you some?” Kurt knew she didn’t drink coffee, but her father did, as well as some of her friends, so she always had ground beans and a coffee maker on hand for when the occasion called for it.

“No, I’m good. I’ve already had some this morning. I needed to think on my way here.”

“Kurt? Why are you here?”

He laughed loudly. “You act as if I don’t ever come to your apartment.”

“Kurt, you don’t usually come in the morning.”

He shrugged. “I thought we should discuss our plan for contacting Mr. Reeder today.”

Inwardly, she groaned. Wasn’t it enough that she hadn’t been able to get that man off her mind since meeting him? Why did Kurt have to bring attention to the billionaire when what she really wanted was to forget him?

“Do we have to discuss it?” She rubbed the dull ache quickly forming in her forehead. She moved into the living room before plopping down on the loveseat.

Kurt joined her on the sofa and tapped his hand against her knee. “Yes. It’s necessary to talk this out. We can’t do anything to mess up our plans.”

“I understand.” She nodded, taking in a deep breath. “So how do you think I should meet him?”

“I was thinking,” Kurt sat back against the sofa and draped his arm behind Talia, “that because you left so abruptly during your first meeting, you should return to his hotel, and—”

“Bad idea!” She shook her head as her heart pounded frantically. “I was quite insulted that he hinted about paying me for being his date, and I don’t think—”

“But you need to earn his trust,” Kurt cut in. “You won’t be able to earn his trust if you happen to run into him on the street and strike up a conversation, you know.”

Talia gnashed her teeth. She hated when he was right. His hazel gaze stayed on her for a few awkward silent moments. It was almost as if he waited for her to agree with him. She blew out a rushed breath. “Fine. I’ll go to his hotel, but what kind of excuse should I give him?”

Kurt’s energetic smile widened. “Oh, you’re going to like this one.” He winked. “You’re going to tell him you think you left your purse there.”

“Nope. It won’t work. He knows I had it with me. I never even put it down since it had my Glock and badge in it.”

Kurt muttered a cuss. “Are you sure?”