Falling for the Billionaire

11

Jake looked across at her, the intensity in his eyes trapping her like a deer in headlights.

"I don't think I have to tell you why it's not possible."

Because friends don't bury friends in shallow graves in the woods?

Lil bit back a nervous giggle.

He said, "I've been thinking about how you called what we're doing cheap. It doesn't have to be. I do care about you, Lil, and I'd like for us to start over."

No, no, no. Do not even go there. I like being afraid of you better than this. This path only leads to a tsunami of guilt. "Jake, please..."

He turned in his seat and took her hand. "Hear me out. You took me by surprise and I handled the situation poorly. Everything you said the other day was spot on right. We don't know each other, but we can change that. I'm not here because Dominic sent me. Today, I'm here because I want to be. I want to give us a chance–not as friends, but as whatever this is–wherever this goes. This is a date, Lil; make no mistake about that. Our first date, one of many to come, and hopefully one that you'll never forget."

I can pretty much guarantee that I'll remember today.

He was waiting for her to say something.

She removed her hand from his. I am going to Hell for this. Yep, forget about prison, this is the fiery after-life kind of wrong. "I can't promise you anything, Jake."

His eyes smoldered with emotion as if her words only made him want her more. "You don't have to."

Lil turned forward in her seat and clasped her hands in her lap, trying to keep her tone as cheerful as possible. "So, where are we going?"

"I thought I'd surprise you."

Oh, you did.

Trust me, you did.

"What are we doing here?" Lil asked as they parked her car in front of the Boston Museum's School of Fine Arts.

Jake walked around the car to open the door for her before he answered. "On Thursday mornings the school has an art program for the very young and their mothers. They make their own paints and sometimes display their creations in the atrium. They have graciously allowed us to join the class today."

Once Colby was settled into her stroller, Jake tipped a young man who had apparently been hired to park the car for them. As they walked into the building together, Lil asked, "You really signed us up for an art class?"

"Unless you'd rather do something else?"

"No, this is fine."

This is perfect, actually. Well, it would be perfect if I weren't a complete ass.

Lil followed Jake through the halls to a small classroom where four mothers and their babies were gathered around one large round table. The children ranged in age from near Colby's age to one that looked like she was almost two.

A casually dressed, gray-haired woman in a large clear plastic apron met them as they entered the door. Her face looked years younger than her hair implied. "You must be Miss Dartley." She shook Lil's hand. "And is this Colby?" She leaned down to smile at the child and then greeted Jake. "Mr. Walton, it is an honor to have you join us today. Your donation was more than generous and will allow us to expand this program."

Jake accepted her gratitude with a nod and a smile.

The woman turned to the mothers behind her. "Ladies, today's class is going to be a bit different. We have some special guests today. This is Mr. Walton, a long-time supporter of the Arts in Boston and his..." She turned to Lil as she stumbled for how to describe her.