Page 18 of Loving a Billionaire

Interesting. Why would he think about her? Maybe he felt guilty for frightening her and making her run. “Well, I’ll admit that you have been on my mind quite a bit, too.”

“Why?” He reached over and touched her hand resting on the table.

“Well, you see...” Stubbornness blocked the words from leaving her mouth.Just say it!“I wanted to apologize for what happened.”

His eyes widened again. “Apologize? Why? I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

Yes!But she had to appear as the martyr in this situation. “Because of the way I acted.”

He took both of her hands in his. “Talia, you were frightened of me, I could tell. I should have tried harder to set your mind at ease. I’m not the monster you probably think I am.” He chuckled. “Ask anyone. I could never harm a woman.”

Talia’s mind stalled. Why had he said that? Did he know she was really here to ask about Kalama’s murder? What man goes around saying they don’t hurt women?

She tried to smile. “I’m relieved to know that, but...” She took a deep breath. “I’m rather new at this, and well, I was being awkward for a reason.”

He arched an eyebrow, but then his gaze narrowed on her. “You are new at what, exactly?”

Silently, she groaned. He was really going to make her spell it out? How humiliating! “You know...it.”

His expression changed to one of confusion. “It?” He shook his head. “Do you mean dating?”

She desperately wanted to roll her eyes and make some kind of sarcastic remark, but she refrained, though it was hard. So apparently, they call it dating now. “Well, I guess it’s called dating.”

“Talia, I’m not sure what you’re saying.” He took a drink of his brandy.

She glanced down at her glass. Too bad she wasn’t a drinker, because now would be the perfect time to start. She expelled a frustrated breath. “You know, paying me for my services.”

He choked and spit some of the liquor out of his mouth. Quickly, he snatched a napkin and dabbed the table where the liquid had landed before bringing the napkin to his face and wiping. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat. “You wanted me to pay you for that?”

Okay, so now she was confused. If he didn’t think she was a girl for hire, then why did he say the things he did? “Well, isn’t that what you’d said to me? Something about earning my pay?”

He groaned and closed his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. She didn’t dare say anything more, not until he explained himself first. Wasn’t it bad enough she was in this predicament?

Sighing, he looked at her as a frown claimed his face. “Talia, I’m very sorry for everything. I can’t believe you actually thought that I wanted to pay you for your services.”

“Then why did you say it?” she asked.

“Because I thought my friend Ariki was up to his old tricks again, and teasing me with one of his friends. I said that as a joke, meaning that Ariki was paying you to play this prank on me for my birthday.”

“It was your birthday?” Surprise washed through her.

“Yes, but I was too exhausted to celebrate, and Ariki knew it. That’s why I thought he’d sent you. And that’s why I begged you to kiss me.”

Mortification ran through her, and she wanted to dig a big hole and stick her head into it. She hadn’t heard Kurt in her ear, so obviously, he’d really shut down. Perhaps that was a good thing, especially now. “Oh, wow. Now I’m the one who is embarrassed.”

He scooted his chair closer to hers and took hold of her hand. “This was just all a mix-up, that’s all. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” He paused, and during those seconds, his expression changed again. Lines appeared on his forehead and around his eyes. Even his lips thinned. “Talia? If Ariki didn’t send you, then why did you come to see me?”

She tried to remain calm. After all, she and Kurt had discussed this part. She knew what to say, but now she was going to sound extremely foolish. But there was no other way, especially, if she needed to ask him about Kalama.

She cleared her throat. “I’d led you to believe that Ariki sent me, but the truth is, Kalama Kane recommended you.”

Gasping, he released her and pulled back. “She recommended me? For what?”

“That you would be the one to help me.”

Slowly, his head shook back and forth. “I still don’t quite understand. Why would she send you to me?”

Here it comes...the shame of telling him such an unbelievable tale. “I’m desperate for money. I’d just lost my job, and I needed something to pay rent until something else came along. I’m about to be evicted. What am I going to do if that happens?” She raised her voice, laying it on thick. “I’ve never done this – this thing before, but Kalama mentioned that she had, and it helped her get the money she needed.”