Page 53 of Earl
“The guy is truly loaded, and most females gets off on that sort of thing,” he said quietly. “You cannot blame him for being cautious.”
“I was insulted that without meeting me and giving me the benefit of the doubt, he just decided to ghost me.”
“And I bet he is regretting his actions.”
“He had a lousy childhood – him and his sister.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “Remind me never to envy the rich.”
“You never did,” he smiled whimsically. “You always told me that everyone has his own sets of problems, that having money does not guarantee a stress-free life.”
“I said that?”
He nodded. Folding his hands behind his head, he turned to stare at her. She was rumpled and one of the sexiest women he had ever seen. No wonder the billionaire was poleaxed. “I was carrying on and on about having money and wishing that I had money to do whatever I wanted.
Like buy the best food, the finest clothing and such and you asked the question, what next? You asked if I thought money could purchase happiness and peace of mind and I wanted to hate you for being so damn philosophical and preachy.”
“I was not preachy.”
“You were annoying, but also right.” He tugged at a tangled lock of hair and watched in fascination as it bounced right back. “You don’t care about money.
You see people and that’s what I love most about you. You never allow your success to get to your head. You keep me grounded and whenever I start to bark at a parking valet, a maid in a hotel or a waitress, I am reminded that they are people too.”
“Wow.! She smiled at him lovingly. “You were listening.”
“Not all the time, because let’s face it, you do tend to drone on and on about some nonsensical stuff.” He winced when she poked him in the chest. “What are you going to do?”
Leaning back on the pillows, she got back under the covers and snuggled against him. When his arms came around her, it was the most natural thing in the world. “I don’t know,” she said honestly.
Chapter 11
“Dinner at my place That’s going to be our first date.” He told her tersely.
“I have not decided…”
“You got your seven days and now the interminable wait is over. I am not prepared to wait another day.”
She had spent the days in an agony of indecision with her friends encouraging her to take the leap. In the meantime, she had broken it off with Byron, but he had already anticipated it and he and Teresa were now seeing each other.
“We hooked up at the function. After you let so abruptly, we started talking. My date was a douche bag and Byron, and we had several things in common. I know you were not into him Cat, or I wouldn’t have poached, you know that.”
Cathy did not have the heart to disagree or even take offence, because her friend was right. Ever since she started talking to Earl, there had not been anyone else for her.
So, she spent the most wonderful time of the year, trying to figure out what to do and what she was going to say to him. Justin spent Christmas with her. Teresa told her that it would be too awkward and besides, Byron was taking her out of town for the holidays.
“He is a stud in bed honey. You missed out. But then you have that very hot billionaire after you. I bet you will not be disappointed.”
She had not said anything to Teresa about the emotion packed moments she had spent with him in her living room. If that was a preview of what was to come, she was in for something electrifying.
She cooked the entire meal without any help from Justin. They had a tradition. Ever since they could afford it, she had always done Christmas ‘her way’. It would start with the traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash brown, crispy bacon, fruits, wheat toast, coffee, and her own special eggnog.
Justin had come over from the night before and they had exchanged gifts. She had a few friends she sent gifts to, but her circle was small. She had also done her due diligence by serving in the soup kitchen at the church that catered to the homeless.
She and Justin went to several children’s homes to hand out packages, toys, clothing (brand new ones of course!), and cell phones they had received from various providers and of course the very sumptuous meals that had been provided by several restaurants, including Kelly’s and her husband, Kane’s.
Now it was their time to celebrate the holiday. The only thing missing was snow.
“I am full..” Justin patted his trim waist as he leaned back in his chair and stretched like a large cat. “That fried chicken always gets me. And the potato salad was superb.” He grinned at her fondly. “Darling, you outdid yourself.”
He watched the pensive expression on her exquisite face as she sat curled up on the sofa in front of the enormous tree. The silk top she was wearing flattered her caramel complexion and her dark brown hair was loose and tumbling around her shoulders.