Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,66

had no idea.

He did that sexy lip pucker thing while he bit the inside of his cheek. “Avery, let me take you out or something. Give me another chance. I know I fucked it up with the senseless words you overheard on that call with my brother. Truly, I never meant them. The second you walked out the door on me, I realized I was a jackass to even think like that, whether or not I was frustrated with my brother probing into my life.”

“I have a hell of a life. You know I have issues. I’m a single mom who deals with a fucking drug addict for an ex.” I laughed in disbelief that he was trying to have a shot with me. “I can’t bring you into that. You knew that when you were on the phone that day. It’s not a life you want, trust me.”

“If it’s too horrible for me, then why do you allow Addy to live in this life that is so terrible for you?”

“Good point.” I blew out a breath. “But I can’t explain it. It would be worse for you. Trust me on that.”

“How much worse?” He waved his hand at his office. “I run this entire place, I have countless employees here and in my London office that I am responsible for, and all the shit that goes with keeping it all running smoothly. Why can’t I have a chance with the one thing I feel might mean more to me than all of that?”

“You can’t mean that,” I said. “It was a fling, and you know it. You saw the good side. You saw the Avery that wasn’t living in an average, bullshit day. And you never met the single mom Avery.”

“I want to know that side of you as well. Just give me a chance and allow me to determine whether or not I want to be with the real you.”

“Yeah, that smile.” I shook my head, smiling back at him. “That cocky smile. It’s going to screw your ass over, you know. I have a psycho ex who will despise you.”

“Most exes hate themselves for losing the best thing they ever had, then project it onto the one who took their place.”

“Oh.” I planted my hands on my hips. “So you took his place? You’re quite confident, Mr. Mitchell.”

“Hopeful,” he said. “And for the love of God, call me Jim.”

“Okay, fine,” I said. “You want a shot at my shitty life? Being around the bullshit? Because you don’t look like you get dirty.”

He held his hands out. “I believe I got this shirt quite dirty at one time.” He smirked.

“You have no idea what the hell you’re doing, do you?”

“I just know I want a chance with you again. I can’t get you out of my mind. What I did to you.” He ran his hand over the light growth on his chin. “I’m full of regret for hurting you and desperately sorry for those painful words. Allow me a chance to prove to you I knew I was foolish and wrong.”

“Okay then, smart guy.” I smirked at his lightened features. “Tomorrow night is big-mac night.”

“McDonald's?” he questioned. “I can take you—”

I held my hand up. “It’s Addy’s night. You’re welcome to join us if you want. She deems you are her good friend anyway.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “I will warn you now, Jim Mitchell, if you hurt her—”

“If it doesn’t work out between us, I promise Addy will still be my friend.”

“I’m so serious. She’s not to be hurt in this. Her dad’s already doing a fantastic job with that.”

“I understand. We’ll take it all slow. I will prove to you I won’t hurt either of you.”

“Yeah. We’ll see about that.”

“Let me just kiss you or something.”

Jim’s cell phone rang, then his office phone, while his door opened to reveal Alex. Jim glanced at Alex with the startling act of all communication for the man happening at once. “What the hell?” he said. “Is the goddamn building on fire?”

“No, we just ran the first part of Collin’s docuseries.”

Jim looked at me then at his phone, which was still ringing off the hook. “Do I even want to answer that?” he asked Alex.

Alex laughed. “Let’s just say Jacob will be quite jealous that he was a test subject. We were successful in ensuring better for privacy for Collin with the new methods used while airing the this new series on neuroscience for Saint John’s.”

“Excellent news.