Page 99 of How to Belong with a Billionaire

“Now what’s the matter?” he asked.

“I guess I’m surprised. I thought you’d forbid it.”

“I would dearly love to forbid it.” He turned to face me, the faintest hint of a smile softening the sternness of his mouth. “But would you let me?”

I shook my head. “No chance.”

“Well then. I see no benefit in continuing to expend effort in pursuit of a futile cause.”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” I told him, my fingers finding of their own accord the line between his brows and stroking it to smoothness. “I’ll be okay.”

“My concerns are my…concern.”

“Except”—I grinned at him—“I’m telling you right now that you’re expending effort for a futile cause.”

He laughed, sounding almost more startled than amused, as if he’d forgotten hecouldlaugh. “You little monkey. Though if I am to allow this, there will be conditions.”

“Oh, so it’sallow thisnow?”

“Don’t push your luck, Arden. You already know I think it’s inadvisable.”

“Sorry.” I gave him my best meek look. “What are the conditions?”

“You will be sensible and quiet and allow Finesilver do his job to the specifications I have provided for him. You will stop taking the blame for what has happened. And until there is something to be done, you will take care of yourself.”

The words, which were delivered in his firmest tone, coiled around me as sweetly as chains, and I couldn’t repress a contented shudder at them. “Take care of myself?”

“Yes. Eat properly, drink sufficiently, try to sleep.”

“I’m…I’m not sure I can face food right now.”

“The others, then.”

I somehow started talking to my feet. “It feels all kinds of wrong to be having a nice time when my dad is going after my mum.”

“I’m not suggesting you have a nice time. I’m insisting you stop engaging in unproductive acts of penance.”

“Okay.” Swallowing, I held out my hand to him. “I guess you have a deal, Mr. Hart.”

We shook, his grip a little tighter than it needed to be. Not in a dickhead businessman way, but like he didn’t want to let me go. “Please…if you don’t mind…don’t call me Mr. Hart. It takes me to a place I cannot visit with equanimity.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. It just happens sometimes, because you used to like it.”

“I still like it. But I shouldn’t.”

I gave him a final squeeze before pulling my fingers free. “We shouldn’t.”

“Indeed. We…” He faltered unexpectedly. Cleared this throat. “Weshouldn’t.”

“So, um,” I asked, “what now?”

“There’s nothing further to be done tonight. I can call for a car, if you want to go home.”

Not hugely, in all honesty. Just the thought of being alone was terrifying, but I’d pretty much blown all my Caspian Credit already. And besides, I was supposed to be living my own life, wasn’t I? “Okay. And thank you.”

“Or if you would be more comfortable, you can stay here.”

“I can?” I peeped at him hopefully, if guiltily. “Would that be…okay?”