Page 3 of Loving a Billionaire

TWO

Trying to relax herstiff legs, Talia wobbled to the table that was fancy enough for royalty to sit at. The Victorian style set came with matching mahogany, cushioned chairs. Hesitantly, she sat on one of the chairs. She didn’t take her eyes off him when he walked to the liquor cabinet, reached into the glass cabinet and took out two glasses.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked. “I have just about everything there is.”

She couldn’t stop gaping at his magnificent build. Her brain told her to stop, because she loathed it when others looked upon her as if she was dessert served on an ancient Polynesian platter with a golden spoon. But how could she stop admiring something so magnificent? Even the way he moved was sensual, like a model that’d been trained to turn a woman’s head.

He glanced at her over his shoulder as if waiting for an answer. She licked her dry lips. She wasn’t a big drinker, even at special occasions when it called for champagne, she was usually the one turning it down and asking for ice water with a lemon. And because she was on duty, drinking was definitely out of the question.

Mr. Reeder’s eyes narrowed on her again. His intent stare brought her out of her thoughts, and yet, her mind still remained blank. Silently, she scolded herself for acting this way. He wasn’t that good-looking, was he?Oh, yes, he is!But she still needed to quit acting like a deaf mute.

She cleared her throat, preparing to say something, even if it was stupid. This had to be the longest she’d gone without speaking.

“I’m assuming Ariki sent you.” He grinned and his eyes twinkled.

Are his eyes green?That wouldn’t be a good thing. She’d not met many men with green eyes here on the island, but green had always been her favorite color. And of course, Mr. Reeder’s were very dreamy.

Her mind quickly came out of the clouds and consumed his question. Who was Ariki? Well, since she was already in character – whatever character he thought she was – she’d play along. She nodded instead of verbally replying. Where was her voice?

His smile widened. “Please don’t be scared. Loosen up a little. I’m going to have brandy, would you like one?”

She shouldn’t, but... She didn’t have to drink it. Instead, she’d just act like it. That would be good enough. She gave him another nod.

His long, lean fingers plucked off the bottle cork of the crystal decanter and poured the rich amber colored liquid into two crystal goblets. He brought the drinks to the table and rested one on a coaster in front of her.

“I’m not used to talking to myself.” He chuckled lightly. “Can you at least tell me your name?”

She swallowed, moistening the cotton dryness in her mouth. “Tali—” she squeaked.

His dark eyebrows drew together. “Your name is Talley?”

She cleared her throat.Russell, what is wrong with you?“No, it’s Talia.”

When his expression relaxed, relief poured over her. His sensual grin returned and made her body weak. She silently cursed the effect. Perhaps it was the heat in the room. Why else would her brain refuse to work? She was a police detective, not a simpering female who swooned at the first smile from a good-looking man.

“You have such a pretty name. It’s almost angelic. It makes me wonder if you’re really an angel from Heaven sent here to put me on the straight and narrow.”

She bit her tongue to keep from snickering. That was a line she’d heard before. All through the two years of college, and then at the Police Academy, she’d been propositioned one way or another and heard almost all the pick-up lines in the book. She’d ignored the sleazy men her father had warned her about and concentrated on her studies. But this particular pick-up line took her by surprise, mainly because she didn’t expect a man of his caliber to actually use it on a woman.

“So, my shy Talia,” Mr. Reeder’s voice took on a hint of humor, “what can I do for the petite and delicately beautiful woman sitting at my table?”

Once again, his compliment took her off guard. Against her will, her heart pounded faster. With a shaky hand, she lifted the drink to her lips and pretended to sip. She noticed his gaze wandered over her dress again, and then to her legs. Why was he so bold with his inspection? She didn’t think she’d spilled food on her dress during the brief time she was at her father’s and soon-to-be stepmother’s engagement social.

“So you’re one of Ariki’s friends.” He took a quick drink of his brandy, his gaze never leaving her eyes. “Tell me, Talia, how long have you known Ariki?”

Talia should be drilling him with questions, but since he thought she was someone else, playing along was essential. She’d already led him to believe she was new, so she quickly thought up an answer. “About two weeks.”

He took another sip of his drink. “Ariki can sure be funny at times, don’t you think?”

“Why do you say that?”

“He told me he was fixing me up with a girl he’d just met, but he didn’t tell me how gorgeous you are.” He winked.

Her face heated quickly, and she inwardly cursed her body’s reaction. Good grief! She had never acted this way before. It must be the heat in the room, for sure. There was no other explanation for it.