Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,21

Mike we’re doing a trip to the cities on a fact-finding mission about purchasing hotels in each place.’

‘Thank you.’

Again, it struck him how different she was from other women he’d dated. She genuinely didn’t want to be linked with him and had looked around the restaurant nervously when they’d entered, only seeming to relax when their host had shown them to a very secluded corner.

‘We’re booked on a commercial flight departing at five o’clock from London City Airport.’

‘Venice for the weekend. It seems surreal.’ She reached for her napkin and dabbed at her mouth. ‘What’s the plan exactly?’

‘Two full days in Venice, fly to Paris Sunday evening, back to London Tuesday evening and then Gran will have the surgery on Wednesday.’

‘I’m worried about her but there’s no getting her to go to hospital any earlier. She’s the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.’

Mia was right. He wasn’t a bit happy leaving London while Gran’s condition ‘ticked’ away. ‘I’ve told Dawson I expect the nurse and another member of her household staff to be within earshot of her the entire time.’

‘She’d hate knowing she was being monitored, but I’m glad there are people close in case she needs help.’

‘Dawson and Nell are very protective of her.’ They’d worked for his grandparents since before he’d moved in and he had fond memories of sitting in the kitchen while Nell cooked up a storm. Lucy had joined the team after his grandfather’s first stroke—almost twenty years ago. It was a very harmonious household. ‘Nell came close to boxing my ears a few times when I snuck into the kitchen and stole one of her famous chocolate biscuits right before dinner.’

Mia’s laugh was a melodious sound. ‘I can’t imagine you as a child. Oh, I’ve seen photos of you on Violet’s mantelpiece, but it threw me to see you without your trademark stubble. It’s so much a part of you I wouldn’t have been surprised if you’d been born with it.’

Her comment took him by surprise.

Was she flirting with him or was this simply Mia—a woman who called things as she saw them?

‘Born with a silver spoon in your mouth and a silver razor on the bath stand,’ she laughed.

The musical lilt was infectious.

‘Oh dear.’ She stifled another laugh. ‘I probably shouldn’t have said that!’

Connor smiled. He enjoyed her poking fun at him. Had any woman—apart from his grandmother—ever done that?

Even his very capable assistant never cracked jokes with him.

Was he too serious?

Mia sobered. ‘Back to Venice, Violet told me she’s busy planning our itinerary.’

Oh, yes. ‘She’ll email us tomorrow and expects each place or experience on her list to be ticked off before we return.’ His lips twisted. ‘She also said she wants photographic proof.’

‘That’s so Violet.’ Mia shook her head. ‘I asked her to let us see each other here in London but she wouldn’t budge.’

‘She’s hell-bent on Venice and Paris.’

‘Why those two cities?’

Connor shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

‘Venice is where she and my grandfather met and fell in love.’ He expelled an audible breath. ‘Paris is where they spent their honeymoon.’

The skin across Mia’s chest became blotchy. ‘Nothing subtle about our Violet, is there?’

His fingers twirled his wine glass around very slowly on the pristine white linen tablecloth as he tried to untangle his feelings and put them into words. ‘Mia, when I drove to pick you up I still resented this whole scheme.’

Her focus was on her hands, clasped tightly together on the edge of the table. ‘I wasn’t any happier about it.’

‘But it’s turned out well. We’ve both admitted we’ve enjoyed ourselves tonight.’

Mia looked up quickly and her eyes scanned his face before she replied. ‘We have.’

What had she expected to see in his expression? Was she still questioning his sincerity? ‘Tonight’s been really surprising. Although I wouldn’t admit it to Gran, I’ve really enjoyed your company, and I’m looking forward to the next few days.’

‘Really?’

‘Honestly. I’m only concerned about leaving Gran.’

‘Oh.’ Her fingertips plucked at the tablecloth and colour swept up her neck and into her cheeks. ‘Er… Have you been to either place before?’

‘Many times, but it’s always been for business and there’s never been any time for sightseeing.’

‘I’ve visited Paris, but not Venice.’

Her words were stilted and he wanted to restore the easy atmosphere between them. ‘Shall we make the most of it and enjoy playing tourist together?’ She didn’t answer immediately and he grimaced. ‘You have to think so long and hard about it?’

She shook her head, but answered tentatively, ‘Our truce has held over