Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,6

harder.

‘The whole idea of you and I…’ He waved one hand in the air as he sought for words.

‘Please don’t. I think we’ve covered your sentiments on that topic.’ He’d really been the ultimate charmer. ‘Believe me, I don’t want to go on one date with you, let alone five!’

He might be one of the world’s sexiest men, but that didn’t make up for his rude behaviour. Besides, she didn’t want to date him when he’d been coerced into it.

‘I’m assuming you aren’t in a relationship?’ he probed.

Oh, how she wished she could tell him she was about to become engaged to a gorgeous, successful guy who cherished her more than life itself. ‘No.’ The word tasted like ash. ‘But—’

‘Then we go out for dinner and get our first date over with tonight. The sooner we start, the quicker it’s over and the faster Gran gets her stent.’

‘You think I want to sit through more of your insults and false accusations?’

‘If you care about my grandmother as much as you say you do, you’ll join me tonight.’

She scowled at him. ‘Of course I care about her, but—’

‘I didn’t set the conditions.’

No. He hadn’t. And he’d made it perfectly clear she was nothing like the glamorous women he appeared with in the social pages.

Mia was far removed from the women who accompanied him all over London and the world. The girlfriend who’d cavorted around Barbados with him last week was a model.

Ah!

‘I’m sure your current girlfriend won’t agree.’

‘I don’t have a current girlfriend.’

Good grief. He’d dispensed of his latest lover already?

Being a seriously good-looking billionaire meant it wouldn’t be long before there was another woman at his side and in his bed. Violet complained that half the women he dated were cut-throat executives married to their careers. The other half sought the media attention they received by being with him as much as they craved him.

Media attention.

The blood drained from her extremities and she shivered.

The last thing Mia needed was media attention.

What on earth had Violet been thinking?

The media would want to know who Mia was.

They might start digging into her past.

How much would they uncover?

The chilly fingers of fear wrapped around the base of her neck and threatened to choke her. ‘If I don’t succeed in talking her out of it, we’ll go somewhere out of the way so we don’t attract attention.’ Her fingernails scored into her palms. ‘We can work on some marketing proposals so it’s not a complete waste of time.’

He sent her a long, hard look before he shook his head. ‘Gran has it all planned. First date is dinner at Raphael’s.’

Oh hell. Panic slithered down her spine. Raphael’s French restaurant was one of the most popular restaurants in London among the wealthy and famous. There were always members of the paparazzi at the front of the building.

‘Second and third dates involve a weekend away in Venice and the last two are a weekend away in Paris. We’re going to skip the weekends and make it all happen in five days straight so Gran will have this procedure quickly. I’ll clear your time away with your department head.’

‘Oh God, no. Don’t involve Michael. I refuse to be fodder for the office gossips.’ She shook her head vehemently. ‘If we have to go through with this I don’t want a soul at work knowing about it.’

He sent her another assessing look. ‘It’s inevitable we’ll be photographed together in London,’ Connor said slowly. ‘Less likely in Paris and Venice.’

Absolutely no photos. Anywhere.

Violet had to be reminded of the danger.

As for her co-workers finding out… ‘Then tell Michael you need me to go away to help you with a project.’ He arched one ebony eyebrow at her. ‘Oh, come on. It’s believable. Michael’s not going to suspect we’re personally involved.’

‘We won’t be personally involved.’

The curses running through her head weren’t ones she’d normally think. ‘Please. Tell Michael you need a marketing opinion for a possible purchase of a hotel in those cities.’

His lips twisted before he agreed. ‘Alright.’

‘Thank you.’

One less problem.

‘Write down your address and I’ll pick you up at seven,’ he commanded.

‘No. I’ll meet you at Violet’s and we can leave from there—if I can’t get her to change her mind.’

He sent her a quizzical look. ‘If you’re really as much a victim in this as I am, I will apologise. But this whole situation is suspect and I don’t trust you.’

‘I would never have guessed.’

He tilted his head slightly. ‘My instinct tells me you’re hiding something to