Page 39 of Interview with the Billionaire

“Just that you made the right choice.”

He shook his head, not following.

“Nikki, I mean.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“You and I would never have worked out.”

He frowned. “Lena, you know that wasn’t even on the table.”

“I know. What I don’t understand is why. Why did you catch a glimpse of Nikki from across a room and now she’s the princess in the palace. Why wasn’t that me?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. This really wasn’t supposed to be on the night’s agenda. “Lena, we’re not doing this.”

“I know. I’m sorry. That’s not even what I mean. I’m just trying to understand.”

“Understand what?”

“It’s just … there’s a guy. He’s a lot like you. And I thought we were fine, but then he just ended it. Is it me? Am I the Wicked Witch in the fairy tale and not the princess?”

“I don’t know, Lena. And I’m sorry. But I can’t be the one to help you figure it out.”

“I can’t tell if Lena just came on to me or if I completely misread the situation.” He’d just stepped into the room to see Nikki sitting on the bed wearing nothing but a thin tank top and plain white panties. She was rubbing lotion on her legs and looked sexy as hell.

“Coming on to you,” she said. “Honestly, a man with your reputation should be faster on the uptake.”

He laughed, then moved to join her on the bed, claiming the tube of lotion and taking over the task. “Is that right?”

“Besides, you already knew the answer. That’s why you called her Lena and not Maggie.”

“It’s scary how well you know me.”

“Plus, she was bordering on bitchy during that last interview. I’m not sure what triggered her. Other than me.”

“I’ll call Evelyn and cancel tomorrow.”

“No, don’t do that. It’s just us again and Bree. I’m sure she wants to ask Bree what it’s like working for us—she’s probably hoping we’re monsters. And she’ll probably ask about the kidnapping.”

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t.”

Nikki shook her head. “No. We’ll tell Bree it’s her decision if she wants to answer, but she might want to. It might be cathartic for her. Talking to a stranger, I mean.”

“All right.”

He shifted on the bed so that he was propped on his side, his hand moving over her bare legs, now soft from the lotion. “The questions today had me thinking. And it’s you we have to thank for our life today. For our children. For everything that makes up our wonderful world.”

“I appreciate the compliment, but what the hell are you talking about?”

“Germany. You followed me there. You broke through that morass of self-pity and memories and fear. You brought me back to life. You brought me back to you.”

Her grin held a hint of mischief. “I guess I did. You owe me big-time.”

He laughed. “Yeah. I suppose I do.”

“You should probably thank me properly.” He heard the heat in her voice.

“I probably should.”