Page 50 of The Billionaire Invitation

“Thank you, Gabriela. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“You can call me Gabby.” She swung back-and-forth like a fangirl at a boy band concert. When she regained her ability to speak, she made sure to call over her shoulder, “Call me if you need anything! Anything at all!”

“She’s really great,” Honesty assured him.

“She seems great. It’s important to be surrounded by people who care.”

“Coffee?” she asked as they passed by the coffee station.

“Sure.” He glanced around her workspace. “Nice place you got here.”

“Thanks.” She loved her building and had carefully chosen each and every element in here. From the light, natural woods to the soft cream and green tones, to the vibrant colorful photos of salads and fruits on the walls.

Gabby’s desk was located nearest the door, with three temporary workspaces along the wall for floating employees. Honesty’s office was at the far end, past everyone’s desks and demarcated by a frosted glass door.

Dante touched a plant leaf as he walked by. “This space is very you. You’re lucky to have this much natural light.”

“It’s why I didn’t want to be downtown. My plants would suffer.” She smiled up at him.

He set their coffees aside on her desk and then bent to kiss her, his lips lingering over hers in the sweetest way. She let her eyes flutter shut as she gripped the soft cotton of his T-shirt and inhaled his fresh Sunday-morning scent.

When he pulled away, she heard herself emit a small hum.

“My sentiments exactly,” he murmured. “There is no reason for us to do this today if you’re not up to it.”

“I can make it work. Besides, you’re already here.”

“This is my sister’s fault. I know how persuasive she can be. Let me take you somewhere more comfortable.”

“I am comfortable.” She gestured at her office. “Honest Nutrition, with its spa feel, live plants, and ample sunlight, is practically utopia.”

“But there’s no bed.”

“As we’ve proven recently, we don’t need a bed.” She tucked her fingers into the neck of his T-shirt and brought his mouth to hers. He didn’t fight her, and she liked that a lot.

“What if we want to make the lemon tart?” He wrapped his arms around her waist, a mischievous smile on his face.

“I have a kitchen space right through that doorway.” She kissed him briefly. “As much as I’d like to turn our afternoon into something more, I need to make the most of my limited energy.”

“Fine.” He straightened but kept his hands on her hips. “I’ll behave. For a while.”

The next several hours were productive, if distracting. Honesty kept her eyes on her work as much as possible, but it was hard not to admire the man lounging in her guest chair.

She found confidence and intelligence incredibly sexy. He had both in spades. Not to mention his demeanor. Gone was the slick and smooth-talking version of him, as if he had shed his hard edges and business-first attitude.

He looked relaxed and calm, his black notebook balanced on his knee as he scribbled words into it.

“Okay, we have your next steps outlined. We’ve scheduled the launch dinner. I can work with Eli’s staff to get that planned. I don’t want you worrying about logistics when you have a business to run.”

She practically collapsed with relief. The ceremony they were planning to have was a private event, much like the one she’d spoken at, and would host donors, their families, and the families that Eli’s charity served. It was a big to-do, which was exactly where her mind had gone. To everything she’d have to do to make sure it was a success.

“Although, you should oversee the menu. The food will be catered but should be exactly what you want. No crappy canapés or melted mousse.”

She smiled. “That, I can do.”

He scribbled something else in his notebook. “What was the name of the client Eli gave you, again?”

“Michael Tillsbury.”