Free The Billionaire's Weekend Bride by Kimmy Love

she said, keeping her gaze outside on the city streets. “This is just business for me, Damian. You have to understand that.”
     
    “I think I do.”
     
    The rest of the journey was in silence. It wasn't too far to travel to the Merriman's suburban house. The car entered via tall black gates and continued onto a gravel drive to the house and its grand double door in the front. They each took a deep breath. Damian picked up the large bouquet of flowers he'd bought for Gloria Merriman as well as the box of cigars for Joseph Merriman.
     
    They were greeted at the door by a butler who showed them into the living room. In this large and richly decorated room, the Merrimans were sitting quietly with some classical music playing in the background. They both got to their feet to greet Damian and Sonia.
     
    “How lovely to see you again,” the Merrimans said.
     
    “These are for you, Mrs. Merriman,” Damian smiled as he handed the bouquet of flowers to her.
     
    “So lovely,” she said. “But tonight, it's first name terms only. I insist you call me Gloria.” She passed the flowers to the butler who took them away. “Come and sit beside me, Penny,” she said to Sonia. Sonia thanked God she'd said her name first because on the way over, she was so preoccupied with how great Damian smelled that she forgot her fake name.
     
    “Thank you, I will,” she said.
     
    Damian bowed graciously as he gave Mr. Merriman the cigars.
     
    “Oh you're spoiling me,” said Merriman. “How did you know I smoked these?”
     
    “Well, I make it my business to find out who I'm doing business with, Joseph.” Damian gave one of his wide, winning smiles. Sonia wished she could read him. He looked so genuinely happy to be with the Merrimans but all he really was after was their hotels. How could she ever hope to know how Damian truly felt about anything?
     
    The butler returned, placed the arranged flowers on a side table, cleared his throat and announced that dinner was served. They followed him out of the living room and across the wide marble floored hallway to a set of double doors. He threw them open to reveal a lavish dining room. There was a low hanging chandelier above the oval table that was dressed in a crisp white linen tablecloth.  The crystal glasses twinkled under the lights and the table settings were clearly the best that money could buy.
     
    The butler pulled out the seat for Sonia. She sat opposite Damian with the Merrimans at either end. Not long after being seated the first course was served. Sonia could barely look across at Damian who, himself, couldn't take his eyes off Sonia.
     
    “This all looks beautiful,” Sonia said.
     
    “Doesn't it?” said Damian, but he was staring directly at Sonia, trying to catch her eye. She wouldn't look up.
     
    Rather than launching straight into the matter of the hotels, the four of them made small talk about the weather. Gloria asked Sonia about her work.
     
    “How long have you been teaching, Penny?”
     
    “Not very long. I completed my training and got my first assignment last fall.”
     
    “And no regrets?”
     
    “None at all.” Sonia smiled.
     
    “Penny's so dedicated,” Damian chimed in. “I know she'll get a deep sense of satisfaction when she sees them go off to college at the end of the semester.”
     
    “College?”  Mrs. Merriman said. “I thought you taught kindergarten, Penny?”
     
    Sonia shot a look at Damian. His eyes widened.
     
    “I do,” she said. “I think what Damian means is that, knowing me, I'll be trying to keep track of all the little geniuses to make sure I laid the foundation to their success.”
     
    “Well, that's very conscientious of you, Penny.”  Mrs. Merriman nodded, but gave her husband a look.
     
    There was a nervous silence around the room that was filled by two staff members coming to remove the starter plates and being followed pretty closely by two others serving the main course. Mr. Merriman talked at