Marrying My Billionaire Hookup - Nadia Lee Page 0,54

don’t have to deal with Aaron. I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”

“But the video—”

Edgar’s expression grows harshly frigid. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll destroy everything. I’ll see to it.”

“But how?” I peer at him. “You aren’t going to pay him off, are you?” That isn’t his style.

“That’s the worst way to get rid of a blackmailer.”

True enough. Maybe I should let Edgar deal with Aaron. I’ll take it as an early baby shower gift.

“Let’s make a deal,” Edgar says. “I get rid of the Aaron problem permanently, and you move in with me for four months.”

It’s so tempting, but something makes me hesitate. It isn’t that I think Edgar has any evil ulterior motive, but it’s hard to trust men in general after what Aaron pulled. I never thought he’d go that low.

Before I can fully process everything, Edgar adds, “Besides, I’ll feel better if I’m around.”

“Why?”

“In case you need things.”

“Like what?” I’m not sure what Edgar can possibly get me. I can do my own shopping. And I have cousins and brothers if I need to have something heavy moved or furniture assembled.

“Midnight cravings? What if you want to have ice cream, but don’t want to get out of bed?”

“Oh.” Hadn’t even thought of that, but then, I’ve never been pregnant before.

“Anyway, shall we go? We’re going to be late for our appointment otherwise.”

Edgar starts to put his hand on my elbow. The gesture is attentive and firm at the same time. A man who isn’t just a gentleman, but a gentleman who won’t take no for an answer.

“Besides, think of it as showing warm hospitality,” he says, his breath tickling the sensitive skin near my ear.

I suppress a shiver. Or at least try to. “How so?” My voice sounds annoyingly breathless.

“What if this real estate guy takes advantage of me? I don’t know this city. He could try to get me to lease the most expensive home. Or worse, he might stick me with something in an undesirable location he wasn’t able to offload on anyone else.”

“Are you serious?” Edgar’s so self-possessed and sharp, I don’t know who would dare try to screw him over.

“Very. I asked Tony for recommendations, but he didn’t have any. His place was custom-built. And obviously, we don’t have time for something like that. So I picked out the first person that popped up on Google.”

Well. At least the realtor’s popular. “Did you check the reviews?” When you’re either buying or renting the kind of property people like Edgar is used to, you need to make sure the realtor’s good and conscientious.

“I didn’t see any,” Edgar says. “His listing was an ad. Those always show up first.”

No. Way. “You can’t possibly be this bad at hiring people. You run a company!”

He shrugs. “Blackwood Energy has an HR department. I don’t.”

If anybody else said this, I’d laugh. It’s just too ridiculous. But it’s Edgar. And his voice is so, so grave. Even his expression matches the tone.

Maybe, just maybe, he really is terrible at hiring people when left to his own devices. I can’t let that happen, can I?

Even though I’m unwilling to marry a man who declared to my family that he doesn’t love me, I’m curious about seeing another facet of him. It might even help me find a cure for the jittery flip-flops my heart does every time he’s near me.

A gold Mercedes stops in front of us. And I realize I made the right decision as the driver’s-side door opens.

Chapter Twenty-One

Jo

“Hi, Josephine!” Rick says cheerily, climbing out of the car.

His gold ring winks on his finger. And I’d wager the brand-new red Gucci sandals I haven’t worn yet that he consciously positioned his hand just so to ensure people would notice the sign of his success. He adjusts his Chanel sunglasses with a wide smile, blindingly white against his artfully tanned skin.

He’s in a suit made of slightly textured linen in light khaki. If he thought he could get away with it, he’d wear a gold suit. But he can’t, so he’s settled for a close shade instead. It wouldn’t work if he were someplace like Boston, but SoCal is another matter.

I’d say he’s overcompensating for the fact that his last name is Bronze. The man wants to be nothing but first and stay there.

He turns to Edgar. “You must be Mr. Blackwood.”

“Edgar.”

“A pleasure.” Rick extends his hand, clasps Edgar’s and pumps like he were reuniting with a long-lost friend. Someone who’s never met him