Page 17 of Loving a Billionaire

Her stomach twisted in knots, making its own pretzels. She tried to breathe slower in hopes that it would calm her down, but her fast pulse let her know nothing would be coming to a stop anytime soon. She may as well be running a 4k race. If her heart was going to get exercise, her legs should, as well.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she raised her hand and knocked. Then waited. There was nothing but silence from the other side of the door. She hesitated a couple more seconds before knocking again. Still nothing. Was he taking another shower? Well, she wasn’t about to go inside this time just to find out. Not even if he slipped and fell on the wet floor.

“I don’t think he’s home,” she said so Kurt could hear her.

“The hotel clerk told me Mr. Reeder would be in his suite this afternoon.”

She shrugged. “Maybe he’s resting, then.”

“Knock harder.”

Irritated, she did as Kurt requested and knocked harder. Still, there was no sound on the other side.

“I think the hotel clerk was wrong,” she said.

“Yeah, it looks that way to me, too.”

She moved back to the elevator and walked inside. She pressed the button of the floor she wanted. There was no use waiting around here. When the doors closed, she released a sigh of relief. And yet, inevitably, she would have to meet up with the perp sometime, and then she’d have to talk to him.

“He’s not here, so I’m coming down.”

Kurt grumbled. “We’ll try again later.”

“Yes, we will.”

“I’m shutting down my earpiece now.”

“Me, too.” She reached to her ear just as the elevator doors opened on the seventh floor. She scooted to the corner, readying for others to join her on her ride down. But only a single man walked in. A very familiar, single man.

When Austin Reeder’s gaze met hers, he gasped and froze in his step. She groaned in silence, leaving the earpiece where it was, just in case. What was he doing on the seventh floor instead of up in his own suite?

His eyes widened. “It’s you!”

Apparently, her acting must begin now, not later. She licked her lips and moistened her suddenly dry throat with a hard swallow. “Aloha. Yes, it’s me.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked as he came inside and pressed the key to the second floor.

“I, um...”Are you kidding me? Tongue-tied again? This is definitely not like you, Russell! Get a grip!She cleared her throat. “I’m actually here to see you.”

“Me?”

She couldn’t tell for sure, but it appeared as though he held his breath. “Yes. I came to... apologize.” She almost couldn’t get that last word out. She really hated begging for forgiveness when none of this was her fault.

“You did? Why?”

“Well, you see—” The elevator dinged and the doors opened to the second floor.

Austin held the door open and motioned with his other hand. “Would you like to join me for a drink? There is a concierge lounge on this floor.”

“Oh, yes. That would be nice.” With any luck, other people would be there, too.

Austin waited until she walked beside him, and then he led them down the hall. When they entered the room, she quickly scoped it out... and groaned. They were the only ones here so far.

He moved behind the counter to pour them drinks. This time he didn’t ask what she wanted, but she wouldn’t drink alcohol, anyway. She’d just have to act like she was drinking, just as she’d done when they’d been in his room.

Within moments, he brought the drinks to the nearest table. She lowered herself to the chair, and he sat across from her. When his gaze met hers again, his green eyes twinkled. Why did they have to do that? Now the fluttering in her bosom had returned. Even her knees became weak.

“I must admit,” he began, “I’m happy to see you. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you ran out of my suite.”