Page 25 of Billionaire Hunt

Chapter 6

“I can handle it from here,” Erik said to Simon, who looked at him annoyed.

“I’m running out of things to do,” Simon whined.

“Really, Simon?” asked Erik incredulously. “Are you complaining because I’m giving you the day off?”

“My aunt and uncle are in town,” he said with a long-suffering sigh. “They’re from Idaho or Utah...maybe North Dakota, I don’t know. All I know is that they’re driving me crazy.”

“Go home to your family. Deal with it like the rest of us.”

“You’re lucky you’re an orphan,” Simon mumbled before leaving.

I turned to Erik. “He’s kind of bitter, isn’t he?”

He shrugged. “Simon’s always been a little rough around the edges.”

As we were walking along, I couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really an orphan?”

He chuckled. “I wish.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It just means life would have been easier if I were.”

I waited for him to explain further, but he didn’t. I shrugged it off. We all had our secrets; Erik was entitled to his.

“So what’s the plan for today?”

“A trip on my yacht.”

“Lead the way.”

“I hope you brought your swimsuit.”

“Yep, you got yours?”

“Nope. I figured I’ll give you something good to look at and go commando.”

“I feel my eyes burning already.”

“Is that your way of calling me hot? Because if so, you’re right.”

I had to laugh. He didn’t come across as arrogant, just self-confident. And I liked that.

He led me to his yacht which I’m sure was several million dollars. I was introduced to the ship’s captain and then Erik took me downstairs.

I changed into my swimsuit and he changed into his trunks and we made our way to the front of the ship. We sat in lounge chairs and a bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of ice between us.

“So tell me about yourself, Misha. Let’s turn the tables a little bit. I want to know more about you. What makes you tick?”

“You know enough already.”

“I want to know more.” I could tell from his tone that he meant it.

I cleared my throat. “Let’s see what you don’t already know. I was raised by my grandmother. I was dumped by my husband.”

“His loss.”