The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(12)

Amy took a deep breath and studied Cole's expression.

“Debbie is a chronic liar at times.”

“So I'm learning.”

An awkward moment of silence danced between them. One had been nagged into the date and the other had been lied to about the other party's interest. Amy looked out the window at the busy city streets. She could feel Cole looking at her and felt guilty that Debbie would go to such extremes to play matchmaker. The evening had already began and she was dressed to kill after all. Maybe, just maybe the evening was still salvageable.

“Let's start over,” she smiled turning to face Cole. “Hi, I'm your date for the evening. I'm Amy and my best friend is Debbie, a well meaning liar. I'm reluctant to be here, because her matchmaking has proved to be disastrous in the past.”

“Hi Amy,” Cole laughed taking her out stretched hand in her own. His warmth spread through her body. “I'm Cole. I'm Debra's boss at work and while she's an ideal employee, I believe her social skills could use some improvement. I know I have my work cut out for me, but I plan to make this a blind date you don't soon forget.”

Cole kissed her hand again. This time his lips lingered against her flesh and she blushed.

At least he's a gentleman.

Half an hour later found the pair sitting at a table in a restaurant Amy had never been too. The atmosphere was soft and romantic with nice linen table cloths and candles dotting each table and on a shelf along the walls.

“Debbie also didn't tell me that you were her boss,” Amy laughed nervously as the waitress walked away.

“At work, she threatens to use the stapler on people who call her Debbie.”

“Double agent and a traitor.”

Another awkward silence settled between them. Amy studied Cole's well defined features. He looked at ease with himself and the silence and she hoped she did too. She rested her hands on the table and tried not to fidget too much.

“So you already know what I do for a living,” Cole said.

“Not really. Debbie wasn't very forth coming in information.”

“I'm the CEO of Amni.”

“Oh.”

Amy fought back the nervous habit of biting her lip. Did Debbie think she was looking for a rich man to be a plaything for? In their younger days, Debbie had often talked about finding a sugar daddy. At the time, Amy had thought she was merely joking. Now she wasn't so sure.

“What about you? Amy mentioned that you were a writer, but not where you worked.”

“I'm an independent contractor.”

“What do you write?”

Amy crossed her arms and quickly uncrossed them. She didn't want to appear to be closed off and more than one therapist said that her body language told everyone to go screw off.

“Novels,” Amy shrugged. “Nothing fantastic, but novels.”

“I've never heard of you so I'm assuming you write under a pen name.”

“Yes, I do. For that's a private matter. Very few people know me by my pen name and I feel that gives me more creative freedom.”

“So you write things you wouldn't want your parents to read,” Cole laughed.

Amy gave a noncommittal shrug.

The rest of dinner didn't go any smoother. Amy had to swallow a sigh of relief when the server finally brought the check. Cole asked too many questions that Amy wasn't willing to fully answer.

Inside the limo Amy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew she was purposefully keeping him out despite the fact at least a small part of her wanted to let him in.

“I really enjoyed tonight,” Amy said as they walked into the lobby of her apartment building.

“No, you didn't,” Cole laughed. “You spent the whole evening acting like an interrogation victim rather than a date.”

“Sorry about that,” Amy said unable to bring herself to meet his gaze. “It's just that I'm a private person and..”

“At first glance you appear mysterious, Amy,” Cole said taking a step-closer to her, “but I see it now.”

“See what?” Amy swallowed hard.

“A fire that burns so bright behind the walls you've built,” Cole said and brushed his lips against hers. “Some men might walk away from tonight thinking you weren't interested, but I know better. You have a good poker face, Amy, but your eyes give you away. Every time you were struggling to find the noncommittal impersonal answer, your eyes gave you away. I'm a patient man. It's July and I've been waiting since Christmas for this date and when you're ready, I'll be here.”

Amy opened her mouth to say something or anything that would make her feel confident and in control again. She had to say something that would chase away the chills she felt when his words brushed against her as if they were making tiny nicks in the armor she had so carefully put together. Before she could speak, Cole pressed his lips against hers, but this time it wasn't merely a teasing peck. His mouth claimed hers and his warmth spread throughout her body.

“Have a good night, Amy,” he said when the kiss broke. “I'll be in touch soon.”

Amy watched as he walked away unsure of how she felt about the situation. Cole was right though. She had spent the evening trying to decide how much of herself was too much to share and she had a feeling that Cole wouldn't settle for any less than every bit of her.