Beauty And The Brooding Billionaire (South Shore Billionaires 2)

He shrugged. “Changing my clothes. Going over some of the stuff from yesterday, with the restoration and stuff. You?”

“Actually, I think I’m the one heading to Halifax today. I want to visit a shop there for more supplies. I’ve only been there once since arriving. To be honest, I could stand a little city life for a day. As much as I love all this nature, I miss people sometimes. The vitality of it.”

Bran was quiet for a moment, took a sip of his coffee, then looked her in the eye. “What if I went with you? We could make a day of it. You could pick up your supplies, and we could go for dinner someplace nice downtown.”

“Like a date?”

Again, he shrugged. “If you want to call it that. We could just call it hanging out.”

It did sound lovely. A couple of hours drive on a beautiful summer day, an errand or two, and then a fine dinner... She hadn’t done that in a long time. Especially with company. She’d spent the last several months traveling alone, and she’d enjoyed it, but she couldn’t deny it was a lonely existence.

“You’re welcome to come along.”

“Do you want me to drive, or take yours?” He lifted an eyebrow. “If we take mine, you can have some wine with dinner. I’m happy to be your designated driver.”

It was a generous offer, but she already felt a little odd, considering he wasn’t drinking at all. “I don’t need wine,” she said, popping the last crust of toast into her mouth.

“You say that, but the place I have in mind has a very good wine list. And it doesn’t bother me, Jess. Truly.”

She took his plate and stacked it on her own. “Then I accept. It sounds like a very nice day, and since my cooking is plain at best, a dinner out sounds lovely.”

“Perfect.” He pushed away from the table and then checked his watch. “It’s nearly eight. Jeremy will have noticed my car by now. Time to answer the inevitable questions, and head home for a shower. What time should I pick you up?”

She pondered for a moment. “Eleven? It would give me a couple of hours to work before we go.”

“Sounds perfect.”

She took the dishes to the sink, and when she turned back again, there was an odd moment where they stood and stared at each other.

“Okay. So the awkward exit is a thing,” he said, then took a step forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks for last night,” he murmured, his lips close to her ear. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

She nodded, feeling a little breathless.

And then he was gone.

Jess stared at the door for ten seconds, then shook herself into action. First, work. Then, a shower.

And then, the rest of the day with a man who could never really be hers.

CHAPTER EIGHT

BRAN RETURNED AT just past eleven o’clock. He’d left without encountering Jeremy, nor was there any questioning text message from either him or Tori. They either hadn’t noticed his car, or they were minding their own business. If he were a betting man, he’d say they had slept in and missed his exit. Because Jeremy wouldn’t hesitate to put in his two cents.

This time, instead of parking in the main driveway, he pulled in next to Jess’s car. She came outside and shut the door behind her, and his breath caught a little.

He wasn’t supposed to be feeling this way. Not now. Maybe not ever. And yet he wasn’t going to cancel their plans. It was just a summer thing. He wasn’t going to fall in love, so that wasn’t an issue. And they were both clear on that, weren’t they? She was leaving to go back to Chicago. Why shouldn’t they combat some of their loneliness with each other?

Jess wore a pretty little dress with a light blue background and tiny pink flowers, with cute little blue sandals on her feet. She looked as fresh and pretty as a spring morning, with her sunny hair shining and grazing the tips of her shoulders in soft waves. A bag was slung over her shoulder, a pastel-colored tapestry kind of thing that suited her completely. “Have you been waiting?” she asked, descending the two steps to the graveled walk.

“Only for a few minutes. You look very nice.” He moved to the passenger side to open her door. Lord, she smelled delicious, too. Like sweet peas softened by hints of vanilla.

“Thanks.” She smiled up at him. “No paint-stained jeans and tees for me today. If we’re going to dinner, I wanted to dress up a little.”

She looked him up and down too, as he held open the door. “You also look very nice.”

He needed a haircut, but there hadn’t been time. But he’d trimmed his beard and put aside jeans and tees for dress pants and a button-down shirt in off-white.

“Well, let’s hit the road,” he suggested, and watched the long length of her leg as she slid into the car and he shut the door behind her.