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“Okay, I don’t want to bore you with a house tour,” the billionaire quips with a smile.
“You’re not boring me!” I protest. “Your home is lovely and it’s decorated beautifully too.”
He grins. “Thanks, sweetheart, because I hired the best interior designers to make the most of this space. Sadly, if this were left to me, I’d probably have old couches and stuff from Ikea in here.”
I laugh.
“I love Ikea though!”
He chuckles, his stern face relaxing with humor.
“Me too, and that’s the problem. But where are my manners? Can I get you a drink? I’ve got wine, whiskey, soda, or water. Milk even?”
I giggle. “Wine sounds lovely, thank you.”
“White or red?” Then, he shakes his head. “You know what, I’ll surprise you. Make yourself at home, honey, I’ll be just a sec.”
I perch on the couch while Preston pours two glasses of a deep red wine from a bottle with a label I don’t recognize, and then sits beside me, his form enormous beside my own. I take the offered glass and sip.
“Oh wow, it’s delicious!” I exclaim. “I don’t know that much about wines, but this one is definitely fruity without being overly-sweet.”
He nods.
“It’s good, right? I actually picked these grapes myself in California,” he adds. “One of my clients owns a vineyard in Napa and invited me out as a thank you for helping him close a deal that had been in the works for six years.”
“Six years?” I exclaim with surprise. “That’s a long time!”
The billionaire nods ruefully.
“Don’t I know it. But all’s well that ends well because the deal closed after a lot of stress and uncertainty. I don’t claim to know much about wine, but he gifted me a few bottles as a thank you, and I like it. I’m glad you do too.”
I take a sip and smile. It’s dry but not overly so, and smooth. I could certainly drink an entire bottle if I’m not careful.
“Ooh, this is dangerous,” I remark. “I don’t want you to think I’m a lush.” Preston laughs.
“Well, don’t fill up too soon because we still have dinner.”
I nod. “Did you have a place nearby in mind?”
He grins, revealing even white teeth. “Actually, I thought we might do something different because I want to keep you here to myself. Do you mind staying in?”
I merely giggle. “Goodness, are you going to cook for me?”
He shakes his head and laughs.
“No because I suck at the stove. It is a home-cooked meal though. Except it’s not exactly home-cooked, if that makes sense.”
My eyebrows furrow. “No, that doesn’t really make sense,” I admit. “How can something be something, and not be something at the same time?”
“I know, it’s a real Schrodinger’s cat brain teaser, isn’t it?” Preston grins. “But the secret is that I have a private chef, and she prepared a meal for us before you got here. I was going to take you out, but I couldn’t think of a single restaurant that makes better food than Sherrie does.”
My eyes go wide.
“Goodness, you have a private chef? That must be such a luxury!”
He nods.
“Yeah, and Sherrie’s been with me for years, so she knows what I like. Even better, eating in gives me a chance to talk to you, and to get to know you without the distraction of other people. Come on, sweetheart. Your meal awaits!” he invites with a funny flourish.
I giggle and together, we move into the dining room. There’s a modern blonde-wood table adorned with a white tablecloth and candles, as well as gleaming utensils. A chandelier makes the light sparkle and in the center of the table, Preston’s chef has set up a feast for two people. There are two plates piled high with herb-roasted potatoes, cut asparagus, and two mouth-watering steaks glistening in the candlelight.
“Sherrie knows I like to eat healthy,” the billionaire explains, “and I promise, it doesn’t get better than this.” But I blink in surprise.
“Steak and potatoes are healthy? To be honest, I thought it was the opposite. The food is really heavy and sits in your stomach for hours without being digested, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.” But Preston shakes his head.
“It depends on the preparation and ingredients. We always use lean beef, and so as long as the steak isn’t smothered in butter, and the potatoes aren’t whipped with a bunch of butter and cream, it’s good for you. Plus, asparagus is a super food filled with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients. Come on, sit honey. Dig in.”
I smile and tentatively perch in a dining room chair.
“I should really monitor my diet more closely,” I confess. “But you’re right because compared to what I usually eat, this is probably really healthy.”
Preston throws me a look.
“Why, are you devouring beef jerky and processed foods? Now that stuff is bad for you.”
