How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance (5 page)

Shalia had chosen to sleep over so Ellyn didn’t have a curfew. Though, if she stayed out too late, she would regret it when Derek was up early. Shalia would want to sleep in but she was on the couch, so that might not happen.

“Uh, no, I have time,” she said.

“Good. I’m not ready to let you go, yet.”

“So tell me about your company,” she said.

His eyes lit up. “I started it a few years ago, sort of as a hobby.”

“A hobby?”

“I was born into money. I’m not going to apologize for that. I don’t have to work but I like to. My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic so I don’t have it in me to just sit around.”

“I understand. I could not imagine not working.”

Of course, she couldn’t afford to stay at home. As much as she’d wanted to, and it broke her heart to leave Derek every day, her only alternative was welfare but she’d been raised with too much pride to go that route.

“Working gives me purpose. I think that I might not be in such a good place in my life if not for work. I like that I’ve built something on my own, separate from my parents.”

“I would imagine that does make a difference that it is yours.”

“They supported me in my decision to do this but I had to go to the bank like anyone else,” he said. His gaze went past her as if remembering it all. He had a small smile on his face.

“It means more when you do it yourself,” she said.

His gaze came back to her. “Exactly.” He stared at her for a moment, a small smile on his face. “I wish the weather was a little warmer, we could go for a walk.”

“Not tonight.”

Cary came back. She’d been hovering just inside Ellyn’s peripheral vision. Did she have no other tables to take care of?

“I’d love some coffee,” Colton said.

“None for me, thanks.”

Cary took away their plates.

***

Colton decided he was going to drink his coffee as slowly as possible. Ellyn didn’t look tired, so he’d keep her out as long as he could. He didn’t want this date to end, ever, but it would have to. She could probably sleep in tomorrow but he didn’t know for sure.

He knew so little about her day-to-day life, but he wanted to know. He wanted to know everything about her and how to make that dimple on her left cheek come out. She had to be laughing very hard for him to see it. Guess he’d have to brush up on his jokes and improve his sense of humor.

“So what are your dreams, Ellyn?”

She let out a breath. “That’s a pretty deep question for this late at night.”

“Yes, I guess it is. I have an ulterior motive: I don’t want this to end, whatever this is. Whether it is a date or a business meeting.”

She nodded. “I’m enjoying myself, too, but at some point I will have to go.”

“I understand. You say the word and I’ll have my driver take you home.”

She opened her mouth, but he put up his hand. “I insist, Ellyn. You shouldn’t be out walking or on the subway at this time of night.”

She shrugged. “I feel safe.”

“I don’t care. I would feel better if you just took me up on my offer.”

“Do you treat all of your clients this well?” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

“No, I don’t, but if I was concerned about someone getting home then I would offer my car.”

“Do you know where I live?”

“No. Never asked and my driver wouldn’t offer anyway. He knows about being discreet.”

Her right eyebrow went up. “What goes on in the back of your car that he has to be discreet about?”

There had been that one blow job, but really, nothing else. Colton coughed a little thinking about it. “Nothing, really, but he is sometimes privy to some business conversations, ones that need to be confidential. I trust him implicitly.”

She nodded. “He seems like a nice guy.”

“All he said about you was that you sat in the front.”

“I felt like royalty sitting in the back. Didn’t sit well with me.”

He nodded, taking that in. Humble beginnings, he assumed. You could take the person out of the ghetto, but not the ghetto out of the person. Didn’t mean she didn’t have class. Just meant she remembered where she came from. That was a good way to be. No pretentions. She would fit in well at his company. That idea warmed him. His loyalty would not be misplaced with Ellyn.

“I understand. I often need the back of the car to do work in. And I’m used to it.”

“Do you go anywhere without a driver?”

“Not in Manhattan. I have a car in a garage in New Jersey.”

“Do you ever leave Manhattan?” She had a small smile on her face.

“Yes. My parents live in New Jersey. When I go see them I take a train to where my car is and drive the rest of the way.”

“The train? How pedestrian.”

He was going to protest then he saw the mischief in her eyes. He smiled. “Yes, I know, me on a train. I even wear blue jeans.”

“You don’t wear a suit all the time?”

He laughed. “No, I don’t. I even have a few pairs of sweatpants.”

“How scandalous.”

She was teasing him. She’d finally loosened up and stopped looking around the restaurant. Did she think she didn’t deserve to be here? He finished his coffee then walked her outside. He wanted to touch her and, in fact, his hands reached out to her. This was supposed to be business. He had to step back but his lips itched to touch hers. His hands itched to feel if her skin was as soft as it looked.

He sighed. His car pulled up and Ellyn walked towards it. “Thanks Colton, I’ll be in touch.”

This was his chance. He took a firm grip on her arm, spinning her around, and he planted a sweet kiss on her lips. It didn’t convey what he was really feeling but he didn’t regret it. He couldn’t. He regretted little in his life. She responded by kissing him back but he kept the kiss light. He didn’t want to maul her on a street in Manhattan.

Then, he let her go. She looked at him with swollen lips and large eyes. She didn’t say anything, just stepped into his car and he closed the door. When the car pulled away, he put a hand to his lips. Should he have done that? What was she thinking? Mixed signals were not a good thing. He pulled out his phone and dialed Doug.

“I just kissed Ellyn.”

“What? Are we girls now? Do we have to talk about our feelings?”

“I’m trying to sign her to my agency.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to audition her for your bed, not your business.”

Colton sighed. “Damn, I made a mistake.”

He hung up as Doug laughed at him.

CHAPTER 4

Ellyn thought about that kiss all the way home and all the way to work the next day. She still had the sensation of his lips on hers hours later. Now that she knew his parents owned the restaurant down the block from the one she worked in, she was a little antsy about walking past it. How much time did he spend there? What would she say if she saw him?

She wasn’t ready to explain the situation to him. What had that kiss meant? He’d been all business then all personal, but not too personal -- until that kiss. What game was he playing? She entered the back of the restaurant from the alley. Employees could not go in the front door. Ellyn greeted her co-workers then set up her station. She had to put up her hair and put on her apron.

Lunch service would begin in half an hour. She readied herself the rest of the way in the ladies room.

The restaurant was upscale, but not to the extent as the one where Colton had taken her. The prices were on the menu but the napkins were linen. She had to give good service and she received some excellent tips. She was even paid minimum wage instead of a waitress wage. The management expected more from her. She didn’t mind.

She left the ladies’ room to check out her station and there sat Colton. Oh, crap. Did he know? Had he figured it out? He sat by himself, looking at his phone.

“Josey?’

“What?”

“Please switch stations with me. You have the one across the restaurant from me,” Ellyn said.

“Okay.” She glanced at her new station. “Wow. He’s hot. Why don’t you want to serve him?”

“Long story. No, he’s not an asshole or anything.”

Josey, a tall, slim blond, shrugged. “Your loss. Bet he’s a good tipper.”

He was a good tipper. She’d seen what he’d given their waitress the night before. Her mouth had dropped open, more than generous. Ellyn strode across the restaurant from where Colton sat and greeted her first customer. If she stayed on this side, he’d never see her.

“Welcome. I’m Ellyn. I’ll be your server today. Can I start you off with drinks?”

The man in a suit that didn’t fit him, leered up at her. Huh? She didn’t usually get those guys. They were attracted to the Joseys in life.

“I’ll take an iced tea.”

How could this guy make that innocuous drink seem dirty? She wrote it down then turned her attention to his companion, a woman who must have been his mother. Did she realize her son’s behavior?

“I’ll take lemonade. Is it fresh squeezed?”

“Yes, ma’am. Squeezed this morning.”

“Good.”

She wrote that down then went into the kitchen to pour those drinks. She returned, but her gaze strayed to where Colton sat. The restaurant had begun to fill up so there were more people between them. An amazingly beautiful woman had joined him. Ellyn had a twinge of jealousy before she stamped it down. That kiss notwithstanding, she didn’t have any claim on him. Besides, she was probably a client. In her distraction, she almost spilled the iced tea on the man.

“Are you even paying attention,” he barked at her.

“Sorry, sir. Let me get you a new drink.”

“Never mind. I’m thirsty and want this now.”

She took their orders that included all kinds of special conditions and went into the kitchen to put in her ticket. Josey stopped her near the doorway.

“I figured out he’s a talent scout. I’m glad you aren’t waiting on him. This could be my chance at stardom. You wouldn’t be interested.” Josey walked away, leaving Ellyn with her mouth open. She wasn’t willing to give up her secret yet but Josey’s attitude tempted her. She thought about it as she placed the order for her customers.

When she returned to the dining room, her station was full. Whip me, beat me, triple seat me. She ran around for the next half hour between her high maintenance two top and three four tops that she couldn’t seem to get staggered. Then they were all gone and she turned over the four top. That gave her a moment to breathe and noticed that Colton was still in the restaurant with that gorgeous woman. Josey was hanging out, talking to them.

As long as she didn’t mention she’d switched stations with someone named Ellyn, she’d be in the clear. Colton looked polite, but not interested in what Josey had to say. The woman across from him was clearly annoyed by the waitress’ presence. Ellyn put the order in for her four top then Josey came back into the kitchen.

“Any luck?”

Josey frowned. “No, but I’m not giving up. I could be a model.”

Josey was tall enough. Did she have a good enough look about her? Ellyn was not one to judge because when she looked at herself in the mirror, she didn’t see model at all.

Colton did, and he was the professional. Her life could open up with this opportunity. Derek’s life would be better. He could be around other kids and they could live in a safer place. She sighed. She’d have to talk to her mother, but she thought she’d made a decision.

***

Colton thought that the woman across from him at lunch today was the most vacant woman he’d ever spoken to. She’d come recommended but he didn’t think he could work with her. Also, during the whole meal, the waitress was trying to get his attention. He suspected she’d figured him out. Wow. A waitress in Manhattan who wanted to act or sing or model. That never happened.

“Are you listening to me?” his lunch companion said.

He’d already forgotten her name. Velma? Velna? Something odd. She wore her hair long and in a color not found in nature. The first thing he’d do is tone down that brassy hair. She had no clue how to put on makeup to accentuate her best features, either. All that could be taught, but really? You live in Manhattan and you don’t know how to dress or wear makeup? Who does that if they want to model?

“I’m listening.”

He wasn’t. Instead, his gaze went around the room. A woman across the restaurant reminded him of Ellyn. He wondered if she’d made her decision yet. She didn’t wear much makeup at all. Lipstick maybe.

“So I think I want to do runway work. I think I can be hired by all the big names. We could make so much money together.”

He’d seen the girl walk. She made a truck driver look graceful. This was not the first delusional woman he’d met. On the opposite side of the coin was Ellyn, who had no idea how beautiful she was.

“I haven’t decided if I’m signing you or not,” Colton said.

“Well, why wouldn’t you? Look at me.”

She was gorgeous, but her attitude was not pretty. He didn’t work that closely with all of his clients but he still had some ethics. When you were worth what he was, you could pick and choose. And he did. He also already knew he was not choosing this one.

“How about I’ll get back to you in a day or so.”

“I might have another offer by then,” she said.

“I’ll risk it.”

She grabbed her purse. “Well, I’m disappointed.”

She stood, then stalked out. Good riddance, he thought.

Then the waitress showed up. “She didn’t look happy.”

“No, she didn’t.”

Colton looked around for the Ellyn look alike but didn’t see her. The waitress put a folder in front of him that looked like a bad version of a portfolio. He sighed.

“What is this?” he said.

“My head shots and resume. In case blondie who was here doesn’t work out.”

Did she give these out on a daily basis? He smiled as politely as he could. “I’ll look at it later.”

“I hope so. I don’t want to be a waitress for the rest of my life.”

No one did, but after a few years, many realized that not everyone would be a super model.

“Are you in school?”

“No, I work and go to auditions.”

“Can you sing?”

“Of course. I’m in a small dinner theatre show. You should come see me. You’ll get a good sense of my talent,” Josey said.

He hadn’t remembered her name, but she had a name tag so that was easy. He sighed. This was the part of the job he hated. The only time someone didn’t accost him was at Doug’s party. Everywhere else, his reputation preceded him. His life was high profile because of his parents and the life he’d led.

“I don’t get out of Manhattan much.”

“But you should. I’m killing it in this musical.”

Should he ask? No, he better not. The Ellyn lookalike was there again. She really did look like her but she hadn’t mentioned she waitressed in Manhattan. In fact, she hadn’t told him what she did for a living. He only knew she went to NYU. He had her phone number but he resisted calling her. He’d give her another day. He left her in the hands of his driver less than twenty-four hours ago; hopefully, she was still thinking about it.

He handed the waitress his credit card. She glanced at it. “You want to see the bill first?”

“No, just charge it.”

At least that way he could get the waitress out of his hair. He glanced at his phone. Ellyn hadn’t called him yet. He wondered what her hesitation was about. Could he talk her into it? His fingers itched to dial her number, but he put his phone down on the table. The waitress came back with his receipt to sign.

At last he could get out of the restaurant.