Christmas Baby for the Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 1)

“I don’t need you to. Buying you a few clothes, taking you to see a few new things... If I promise not to shower you with jewels, are we okay?”

What could she say? He was right. A day’s shopping was a drop in the bucket to him, so why should it bother her so much?

Because it made her feel as if she owed him something.

And she couldn’t say that to him without insulting him. Especially when he’d been so very nice to her already. Never pushing. Not once had he given her any indication he had a hidden agenda or was trying to manipulate her or the situation. She was the one coming up with that scenario, purely out of fear.

Maybe it was as her mom said. Sometimes you had to have a little faith.

* * *

By the time early afternoon arrived, Tori was laden with bags, most of which contained what she’d been wearing that morning. Her boots were in a boot box and new ones cradled her feet and calves; she wore the same swing dress and tights of the morning but the scarf was replaced with a new checked one of wool and silk. Instead of her everyday jacket, which was now tucked in another box in a huge bag, she wore a cashmere cape and gloves that Jeremy had insisted he buy her. Add in the sunglasses and she was pretty sure today’s ensemble came to more than she’d spent on the down payment for her house.

She felt both glamorous and a fraud, beautiful and a bit not-quite-herself, but today’s shopping had been an experience. Brands she’d only ever seen online or in magazines were now on her body.

Jeremy had also insisted she buy some maternity clothes, so he’d taken her into Saks, where he’d slapped down his credit card for two pairs of pants, three tops and two dresses—one that she could wear for any occasion, and the other a cocktail dress. When she protested that one, he’d insisted that sometime over Chr

istmas she might like to dress up. She’d countered by saying she’d be overdressed in something so expensive, and then he’d raised an eyebrow at her and she’d given up. Maybe she would have fought harder if she didn’t absolutely love the navy dress, but from the moment she’d put it on, it had been perfect. Then it was off to buy shoes. She’d reached her limit when he came around a corner with a plump, plush penguin in his hand. “And something for the baby, too,” he’d said, flashing her a smile.

He carried most of the bags while she held the ones containing the penguin and the dresses. They’d started walking back toward the park—at least that was what she thought if her sense of direction was right—when he stopped and lifted his chin at something over his shoulder.

She turned around and looked. It was the same spot they’d been the day before, just steps away from The Plaza.

“Tea?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”

He nodded. “I got us in for three o’clock, and since we didn’t stop for lunch, you must be famished. Today you can be Eloise and have high tea at The Plaza.”

“Jeremy.”

He laughed at her tone of voice. “Yes?”

“I do not know how you pulled this off. Do people really live like this? I don’t believe it.”

His eyes shone at her. “Every day? No. Once in a while? Everyone should. Just once in their lifetime, I think.”

“I’m afraid I’ll get something on me. Seriously.” She knew the cape had cost far too much. Right now wasn’t life, it was pretending. But she couldn’t help it. She’d pretend for a little while longer, because it was amazing.

“Come on. It’s ten to three, and we’ll get there just in time. You can even freshen up a bit before we’re seated.”

When they walked in the door, her head nearly swiveled all the way around. The lobby was stunning in and of itself, but when Jeremy led her to The Palm Court, she had to catch her breath.

Light. And elegance. And green palms and the most amazing ceiling...the iconic stained glass dome. She couldn’t believe she was here.

“Tori? Tori.” Jeremy was at her side, touching her elbow. “It’s going to be a few minutes. Come on, we can leave our bags with the concierge and pick them up when we’re done. I’ll show you where the powder room is.”

She tore herself away from the sight and followed him, her boots clicking on the floor. In the powder room she tidied her hair and refreshed her lipstick. There were roses in her cheeks; partly from the fresh, cold air and partly because of excitement, she was sure. She found Jeremy again and he solicitously took her cape, draping it over his arm for the time being.

When they were led to their table, she looked around at all the other people having tea. Some were dressed more casually than she. Others were dressed impeccably from head to toe, without a hair out of place. At her seat, she placed a hand on her tummy as she sat, tucking the skirt of her dress beneath her.

“So. Surprised?”

“Very,” she responded, unable to stop staring. “Oh, look at this place. And how did you ever get a table on such short notice? I’ve always heard that it takes weeks or months to get in for tea.”

“I pulled some strings,” he admitted. “While you were asleep yesterday.”

Of course he had.