Page 41 of His Long-Lost Baby
“Thank you,” I say. “That would be much appreciated.”
After a short phone call, Kiana leads us to the elevator. I can feel Billie’s eyes on me the entire way up. I can’t blame her for being cautious; I know how I can come across sometimes. But I’m determined to show her that this trip is strictly business.
When we reach the captain’s suite, I can see why it’s so highly coveted.
The decor is sleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. A plush sofa and armchair are arranged in front of a large flat-screen TV, and a kitchenette is tucked away in the corner of the room.
Kiana gestures towards the divider standing in the middle of the room, which must have been put in place with record timing. “We were able to find this to separate the sleeping area from the living space. I hope it’s to your liking.”
I nod my approval. “It’s perfect. Thank you, Kiana.”
As soon as Kiana leaves, Billie lets out a nervous laugh. “Well, this is… cozy.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll have Terri see if any other hotels have something available.”
“No, it’s fine.” She sits on the couch. “We’re already here, so let’s just make the best of it.”
I smile at her, feeling a thrill of excitement at the thought of spending the next few days with her. “It’s not so bad. We’ll have plenty of privacy.”
Billie nods, still looking uncertain. “Yeah, I guess so.”
I take a seat next to her on the couch, determined to put her at ease. “Listen, Billie. I know this might be awkward, but I assure you that I have no ulterior motives here. This trip is strictly business.”
She turns to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “I trust that, James. It’s just… I don’t usually mix business with pleasure.”
I lean in closer, my voice low and intimate. “Who said anything about pleasure? We’re here to work, remember?”
Billie flushes, and I can see the effect my proximity is having on her. I’m not immune to her either; I can feel my pulse racing at the thought of what could happen between us.
But I’ve made a promise to myself to keep things professional. At least for now.
Clearing my throat, I stand up and head towards the kitchenette. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Sure,” she says, following me. “What do we have?”
I open the fridge, scanning the contents. “Just some water and soda, I’m afraid. It’s not exactly a fully stocked bar.”
Billie laughs, a tinkling sound that makes my heart skip a beat. “Water is fine, thanks.”
As I hand her the bottle, our fingers brush, the fleeting contact lighting me up inside. I quickly pull back, trying to act nonchalant.
“So,” I say, trying to steer the conversation back to business. “As I said before, we’ll need to keep working while here.”
She nods. “Of course. Let me grab my laptop and we can go over the bullet points for the week.”
She sets her water bottle on the table and zips open her suitcase. Two small pieces of red fabric fall out.
I freeze, unable to stop staring at the itsy-bitsy bikini on the carpet.
Billie looks up and follows my gaze. Her face turns a deep shade of red as she quickly bends down to pick it up. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I must have packed it by mistake.”
I clear my throat, trying to keep my composure. “It’s okay. No need to apologize.”
She gives me a sheepish smile and sets the bikini aside. “I swear I didn’t mean to bring that. It’s just that I tried it on and was considering bringing it and—”
“It’s fine,” I repeat, trying not to sound too affected by the tiny piece of clothing. “You don’t have to apologize for a bathing suit. You can wear whatever you want. You’re a grown woman.”
Billie nods, but I can tell she’s still flustered. I decide to give her some space and head back to the couch, grabbing my laptop from the coffee table. “Let’s get started on work.”