Free Romance: Two Nights with the Billionaire by Elizabeth Ward Page A

into the kitchen. Long gone are the days when I found Joshua’s mansion intimidating and labyrinthine. Even before he asked me to move in six months ago, I’d been able to easily make my way around even in the dark.
    I squint at the antique grandfather clock as I pass and have to stop and look closer.
    It’s almost 10:30!
    There was a time when I couldn’t excuse sleeping in past 7:00 on a weekday unless I was on vacation. I tell myself that there’s no need to feel guilty since I have nowhere to be – I am a lady of leisure. I worked hard and created something the people loved, and now I’m living off the profits...
    Lois greets me with a bright smile when I walk into the kitchen.
    She’s already pouring me coffee and I can smell the spicy aroma of my favorite cinnamon toast. I have no idea how she always manages to have breakfast ready just as I walk into the kitchen. I know she’d been a housekeeper for many years with another wealthy family before Joshua discovered her, so I guess she’s just that good.
    Still, I argue when she slides the toast my way.
    “Lois, you don’t have to make me breakfast. I’m perfectly capable of...” I take a bite and my argument is forgotten. I moan in pleasure. “This is incredible.”
    She smiles. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Taylor.”
    I flip through the paper while Lois busily wipes over the benches. Once I’ve swallowed the last of the coffee and popped the last morsel of spicy-sweet toast in my mouth, Lois clears her throat and I look up with a smile.
    “Am I in the way?” I ask.
    “Of course not, Miss,” she replies waving a hand. “I wanted to ask, would you mind if I took the afternoon off? It’s not urgent, just my niece’s school play.”
    I remember Joshua saying that he probably wouldn’t be back tonight and would get dinner at the office, so I smile and nod.
    “Of course, yes!” I reply. “What’s the play?”
    For the next half hour, Lois tells me about her niece and family.
    I learn more about her in that chat than in the two years I’ve been dating her boss. Her niece reminds me a lot of a young Nicole and I show Lois a picture in the latest gossip mag of Nicole with some big-name actor she’s supposed to be dating.
    I can’t help feeling guilty when Lois gets back to work and I wonder off to find something to do. I should have taken the time to get to know her better.
    It’s not like I’ve had much else to do…
     
     

 
    Chapter 2
     
     

 
     
     
     
    It’s getting dark outside and I’m considering making myself something for dinner, something I haven’t had the pleasure of doing in a long time, when I hear Joshua’s limo pull into the drive.
    I grin, feeling suddenly giddy, and run to the door to greet him.
    Maybe tonight we could try cooking together - enjoying a quiet meal together, and finishing the evening with some leisurely lovemaking.
    My whole body tingles at the thought.
    When the door opens, I’m smiling brightly but it falters when I see his tired eyes, five o’clock shadow, loosened tie, and rumpled shirt.
    “I thought you were having dinner at the office?”
    He gives me a smile but it looks forced.
    When I wrap my arms around him, his own returning embrace is limp and his kiss is a brisk brushing of lips before he pulls away and strides towards the kitchen.
    “Meeting was canceled,” he says over his shoulder before pushing open the swinging door into the kitchen.
    This is the reason why I wish he’d wake me before he leaves.
    He’s always so tired and distant when he arrives home, which I understand, but it feels like it’s been a long time since he wasn’t tired and stressed from work.
    He marches out of the kitchen, grumbling.
    “Where’s Lois?” he asks, walking past me into the study.
    “I gave her the afternoon and night off,” I say. “She wanted to see her niece’s play so I thought... Well you said you wouldn’t be home and I can...” My words stutter and drop off when Joshua clenches his