Page 16 of A Linton Scandal

My stomach managed to release a growl of hunger out of nowhere, and I frowned. I needed to get something to eat, the crepe I had made in the morning hadn’t been enough.

Checking the light on the crosswalk, I made my way across the street only to spot the person I’d been thinking about.

Mihai was still as handsome as he’d been when he’d confronted me in the park. A part of me had hoped his charm would wane given time. No such luck, I debated on whether or not to avoid him but seeing that he’d spotted me I decided to give up on that thought.

“You’ve finally returned,” he said in greeting.

“I know you might have a lot of free time, but I don’t.” I barely ignored the way his eyes ran over me. Everywhere his eyes touched, I felt like my skin had been caressed. I didn’t like being sensitive to his every move.

Mihai scoffed, as he took a step away from his SUV and opened the door. “Get in.”

I looked from him to the door. “And why should I get in?”

“I’ve decided I don’t want to wait two days for you to say yes,” he answered with a grimace. “I don’t like wasting time, and it’s not beneficial when we both know you have only one choice.”

I glared at him. “Has anyone ever told you you’re arrogant?”

“I’m a Linton. We’re born to be arrogant and to have the skill to back it up. Now get in.”

I glanced at the door to my apartment, I could walk away and ignore him, but something told me even if he allowed me to walk away this time, it wouldn’t be the last time I’d see him. With a huff of annoyance, I got in.

“Good girl,” he muttered as he shut the door.

I decided to keep my mouth shut for now. There was more than enough time to take the jackass down a few pegs. I might be carrying his child, but he wasn’t going to push me around because of it.

Once he got in, I opted for pretending he didn’t exist. At least I could have a moment of peace before we reached our destination.

“This is Baters,”I said as I stood in front of the doors of one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. Baters was a three-star Michelin restaurant that featured world renowned chefs and had plenty of food critics leave its doors with raving reviews.

“Yeah, it is,” Mihai said as he passed me with barely a glance to the hostess. The man didn’t ask where to be seated as he made his way to one of the many empty booths.

I quickly followed him. “You brought me here to talk?”

“I was hungry, I figured why not eat while we discuss your inevitable agreement to my offer.”

I wanted to hit him, but I’d been raised to keep my hands to myself. Taking off my jacket, I quickly took a seat across from him. I watched as a waiter set a cup of water, and glass of something brown in front of him.

Ordering a water myself, I tried to keep my excitement down.

“A diner would have been fine,” I said. I’d had dreams about getting a commission from Baters. They’d worked with well-known chocolatiers like Jacques Torres, and Scharffen Berger. Unfortunately, I still hadn’t received the golden invitation to come here and show my skills.

“A Linton at a diner would be news. A Linton at Baters, isn’t news.”

I pressed my lips together, the two of us were definitely from two different worlds. “Well, I hope you’re paying because Baters is a bit over my budget.”

He creased his brow, as he pursed his lips. “I don’t think you get just who I am?”

“I do, you’re Mihai Linton. You’re the face of Linton, Inc. a conglomerate group that’s been around since 1723. Your family’s hands are in everything from trade, the tech industry to politics. In fact, if anything big is happening in our city, it’s most likely tied to a Linton, or the three other families who are at the top of the economic world. Did I miss anything?”

I asked as I picked up my cup and took a sip, my mouth suddenly dry. I couldn’t help feeling a bit smug.

He leaned back and crossed his arms. I purposely ignored how his black turtleneck stretched on his arms. Life wasn’t fair, people in this world should have looks, money or smarts. The man across from me clearly had all three, life clearly wasn’t fair.

“Anything else?”

I sighed, setting the cup back down. “You also have a son who’s six years old.” I faced him head on. “I’m hesitating because I don’t know how I would fit in your family. Since I was six-years-old and watching Johnny Depp inChocolat, I’ve known what I wanted to be, and where I wanted to go. Being a mother wasn’t at all in my plans, and now not only have I been given that title but you’re here telling me to take on the title of wife.”

I shook my head, dropping my gaze to the white tablecloth. “I don’t know if I can even be a mother to the child I’m carrying, much less a mother to your kid. Let’s not forget I’d basically have to set my career aside to play wife.”