Free INDISPENSABLE: Part 1: A Billionaire Romance by Maryann Barnett Page B

usually came up with? “Here in the city.”
    “Ok, cool. Same as me. Although you likely didn’t grow up in the high crime areas like me.”
    “If you’re asking if I was born into money…sort of, but I never got the benefit of the fortune my father left. But I did have a substantial trust fund waiting when I turned twenty-five. But I’d already made ten times that by then.”
    He watched Sarah calculate the information she’d just received, and her face softened. She wiped her hand and placed it on top of his. “I’m sorry to hear you lost your father as a child.”
    “We lived quite splendidly for the five years after he died. My mother then remarried and every penny went on my stepfather’s gambling and booze addiction. He went to rehab. My mother, brothers and I went to a two-bedroom apartment in Averswood.”
    “That’s how you know Averswood. I can imagine it being a huge culture shock.”
    Brock looked around. Many of the other diners watched him. He must look out of place in his expensive clothing. It wasn’t the first time but back then he’d taken a beating and had his clothes stolen. “I’m ready to go, if you are.”
    “I’m sorry if I’ve been too nosey.”
    “You haven’t. It’s only fair you should know something about me. But not here.”
    Sarah nodded. “Of course. Work tomorrow, so I guess we should call it a night. I have a huge week coming up.”
    “Can’t stay up late on a school night.” He grinned at her, and she smiled back.
    “Tell you what, a great liqueur coffee would be perfect for dessert. Do you know anywhere?”
    “My place?”
    Sarah looked at him. Was she suspicious of his motives, or did he detect a little anticipation? “Your place?”
    “Why not? Harry can run you home when you’re ready.”
    “Let the poor man sleep? I’ll take a cab home.”
    “How does an affogato sound?”
    “Coffee, booze, and ice cream? That is my kind of heaven. But I must warn you, I do have an ulterior motive.”
    He opened the restaurant door for her. “You too?”
    He loved it when he made her laugh.
    “Oh wait. I’ll go back and grab Harry’s ice cream. Meet you at the car.”
    “Sure.” Brock liked how she wanted to look after everyone she cared about. In ten minutes, she was back at the car.
    “I want to talk more about what your vision is for Bella. She’s the most important person in my life.”
    Brock opened the limousine door for her, and she slipped effortlessly into the seat. “Harry, I brought you ice cream to make up for having to sit out here and get harassed.”
    He closed her door and went around to let himself in. Harry was smiling and holding his cone, and Sarah laughed at something he’d said. Harry grinned over at Brock and waved his ice cream around.
    “It’s about time I got some real bonuses in this job.”
    Brock leaned forward and hit the partition button which slowly began to rise. “We’re going to my place when you’ve finished, Harry. No rush, enjoy it.”
    “No problem, sir.”
    “You didn’t have to shut him out quite so soon.” Sarah smiled again.
    Brock loved her smile, her real smile. He realized this was the first time he’d taken a woman back to his real home, ever. This was his oasis from the daily crap, and he never brought women back here. He had another place he took, or used to take, women.
    Another apartment which looked very different from his home. He wasn’t sure he’d ever take Sarah there. Wasn’t sure she could handle the man Brock was in there. At times he wondered if he could handle who he was there, if it didn’t bring him such satisfaction and peace, he’d strip it and sell up.
    He hadn’t been there in six months. He couldn’t think about taking anyone there. Since the day he first laid eyes on Sarah Beaumont, he knew he had to have her, and only her in there. But going there might scare her away, or worse have her think of him as some kind of monster. He couldn’t stand her disliking him that