Page 17 of Billionaire Hunt

Apparently, Simon realized that he had said too much. He promptly changed the subject and I let my mind wander as he showed me around. There was so much I wanted to do, so many ideas running through my head. I was taking pictures and scribbling notes on my tablet. I was drawing out my ideas and I was feeling energized. And I realized then that not once had I thought of Wyatt or my failed marriage.

I briefly wondered what that meant. Was I finally getting over it? Maybe I was moving on. I didn’t get a chance to think about it any longer as I heard footsteps behind us and turned around to see Erik.

He smiled at me and greeted Simon. “I’ve got it from here...you can take the rest of the day off,” he said.

Simon looked surprised. “Are you sure, sir?”

“Very. Get out of here. And stop wearing suits all the time. I keep telling you, you’re not my manservant or butler.”

Simon looked down sadly at his fashionable and clearly expensive suit and whined, “But it gives me a certain presence, you know what I mean?”

Erik shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean, but never mind...wear what you want.”

“I’ll tone it down,” Simon said as if he just had the best idea. “Instead of 3-piece suits, I’ll go with that casual jeans and blazer look.”

Erik shrugged. “Whatever makes you happy, Simon. I just don’t want people thinking I make you dress like a butler.”

Simon shook his head. “Big E, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m way too young and good-looking to be mistaken for a butler.”

“Oh, the arrogance of youth...I miss those days,” Erik said, giving me a wink.

“You’re arrogant and clearly not youthful, Big E,” I quipped.

Simon snickered and then quickly excused himself when Erik shot him an annoyed look.

“Ouch, Misha. You really know how to hit a guy where it hurts. Lots of practice?”

“Just enough,” I said with a shrug, giving him a flirtatious smile.

“Sooo...,” he said, sitting down on the steps that sat in front of the pool house entrance. “What do you think of the property?”

“It’s great. Beautiful.”

He nodded in agreement and said as his dark eyes met mine, “I fell in love with this place as soon as I saw it. Love at first sight.” He laughed and then his expression became serious. “Do you believe in that?”

“Believe in what?” I said, being deliberately obtuse. Love wasn’t a topic I wanted to discuss with him or anyone. Where had love gotten me? Nowhere.

“Love at first sight.”

I shook my head, knowing that he was probably playing a game. This was probably something he said to all women.

He surprised me then by saying, “I don’t blame you. Neither do I. Now lust though. That’s a whole other story.”

I narrowed my eyes at him and his smile spread wider.

“You’re a shameless flirt. Do you flirt with every woman you meet? If so, that sounds exhausting.”

“Exhausting? Exhausting for who?”

“The women. All womankind.”

“How dare you judge me? I have standards.”

“She has to have a pulse and be between the ages of 18 and 65?”

“How’d you know that?” he joked, acting surprised. “Have you been following me around?”

“You’re ridiculous.”