Billionaire’s

Chapter 22

Evelyn sat down, trying to suppress the anger boiling within her. She didn’t know what infuriated her more: Derek’s arrogance or the fact that he was right— she couldn’t afford a scene at the company.

“Fine. Let’s get this over with,” she muttered, picking up her menu and pretending to be engrossed in it.

“That’s the spirit.” Derek said, his smile widening as he signaled the walter o OVCE.

They ordered their meals, and the atmosphere at the table was thick with tension. Evelyn focused on her breathing, trying to keep calm and collected despite Derek’s presence. She knew she had to play along at least for now,

tell me, Eve, have you gotten a place yet?” He asked, attempting to strike up a conversation as their drinks were served.

“Not your business,” she muttered.

“I don’t suppose you are still at the Orchid Hotel, are you?” He asked, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise making him smile.

“What! You thought I wouldn’t know where you moved to after leaving my hotel! I don’t intend to have you disappear on me ever again, Eve. I plan to keep my eyes on you this time,” he said and she nodded.

“I will keep that in mind” she said quietly.

-So, how do you like your

your new apartment?” Derek asked, and she raised a brow.

“Are you stalking me?” She asked and he grinned.

“I guess you’ve moved into an apartment now, What’s it like? Do you like the place?” he said, pleased with himself for getting her to answer his question indirectly.

Evelyn took a deep breath, “What will it take for you to stop all of this!”

Derek shrugged, “Give in to me.”

“Give in to you? Do you think because you have a hot body and a sexy smile you can do whatever you want?” She asked and it was only when the words left her lips that she realized what she had said.

Derek grinned, “Yes, I think so. And I’m pleased to know you find my smile sexy and my body hot,” he said with a wink

“I didn’t mean I find

I find you appealing in any way

“Oh! You find me appealing too. Aren’t you full of compliments today?” he asked with a chuckle and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“It’s fine. My apartment. I like the place,” she said, deciding that it was best to answer his simple questions since avoiding them seemed to be making the conversation more complex for her.

Derek grinned, “Just fine? Come on, you can do better than that. I bet it’s cozy and suits you perfectly, he teased, leaning back in his chair. Evelyn forced a smile. “Yes. It’s everything I need.”

Derek studied her for a moment before nodding. “Good. I’m glad you found a place you like. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Their food arrived, and Evelyn was grateful for the distraction. She focused on her meal, determined not to give Derek any more ammunition. But he wasn’t done.

“You know, Eve, I never really understood why you left without a word six years ago. Not even a thank you,” he said casually, taking a bite of his food

rtone neutral.

Evelyn stiffened. She had been dreading this conversation, but she knew it was inevitable. “I had my reasons,” she said, keeping her to Knowing Derek, it was better she answered his question else they were just going to keep going around in circles and he wouldn’t give up. Derek’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Reasons you could not share with me! You didn’t even tell me why you were in that state or anything. Why?”

“It wasn’t the right time,” she replied, hoping to shut down the topic.

“And when would be the right time? Now?” he pressed, leaning forward.

Evelyn put down her fork and met his gaze squarely. “No. Not now. Not ever,” she said as she raised her glass to her lips,

Derek’s expression hardened for a moment, but then he sighed and leaned back again, studying her.

Tve been curious about something for a while now. Where have you been these past six years, Eve!”

Evelyn almost choked on her drink when she heard the question. It had caught her off guard as she didn’t expect him to ask her that.

She looked up to find Derek’s gaze intense and unwavering and she decided to not let him know she had left the country the next day after sleeping

with him

“was around until four years ago,” she replied vaguely

“You were in this city for two years” Derek pressed, leaning forward in his chair.

“How come I never saw you or ran into you? I’ve been looking for you since that night, Eve. It was as if you disappeared into thin air,” he said and Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat.

“Why were you looking for me? Please don’t tell me anything ridiculous about falling for me at first sight,” she said with forced bravado.

Derek grinned, “I’ve been with lots of women, but you’re the first that made me feel so alive in longer than I remember”

Lust shot up her spine like lightning and before she could prevent it the memory of their wild sex together rushed back to her and made her feel weak. That had undoubtedly been the best sex of her life and merely thinking about it made her horny.

But she quickly reminded herself what had led her to that decision. It was a man like him. His cousin for that matter whose deception had broken her so badly that she had almost gotten into an accident. She had no room for lover such desires in her life.

“That’s bullshit.”

“Simple honesty,” he said, intrigued by the emotions that had flickered through her expressive green eyes

She thought

She had hoped to avoid this conversation, but it seemed inevitable. Perlups it was time she put an end to all this talk about their pair. 5 and then cleared her throat.

“This arrangement is not for us to revisit the past, Mr. Stone. So, I’d rather we focus on that,” she said firmly, trying to steer the conversation back to their professional arrangement.

“Are yo

you just going to pretend it never happened?” he asked, his voice low as he fixed his eyes on her

“I thought we were over this already” she asked, exasperated

He shook his head. “Not by a long shot. I told you I plan on making you mine before this arrangement is over, he said, holding her gaze

Evelyn also held his gaze, her eyes steady. “For the sake of this project, and both our sakes, I hope you abort any of those plans you have skimming in your head. I already told you nothing you do would work on me so it’s best you return to being professional.”

“Why?” Derek asked curiously.

“Why what?” Evelyn asked with a frown.

“Why are you resisting? Why don’t you want to give me a chance! Derek asked curiously

“I’m simply not interested. So, you should quit wasting your time on me and channel it somewhere else,” Evelyn said flatly.

“Do you always have sex with random men you’re not interested in?” He asked, holding her gaze.

“I didn’t have sex with you because it was you. It was nothing personal, Mr Stone. I would have had sex with just about anyone as long as he had something dangling between his legs. I didn’t pick you out specially. You just happened to be available,” she said with a shrug

A mix of hurt and anger flashed in Derek’s eyes, and to keep himself from saying anything hurtful he looked away from her as he picked up his glass and took a sip of his wine.

Watching him. Evelyn could tell that her words had hurt his ego, but she tried not to feel bad about it.

“I don’t know about that, however, I do know I will make sure thave you in my bed agom,” he said and Evelyn telt a shiver run down her span

“Do you know who I am!” She asked, doubtful that he knew she was his cousin’s ex–fancer.

“I don’t care who you are, Eve: I want you to know that I’m not letting this go. We have unfinished business, and I intend to see it through

There is no basmess between us. Mr Stone. There never was,”

never was,” Evelyn sad firmly.

This timer Dork chuckled softly “Keep telling visitself that. Eve But we both know that a not true. You started the business between us, and I intend

112

She looked away, unwilling to engage further. The rest of the meal passed in uncomfortable silence, and Evelyn couldn’t wait for it to be over.

As they finished their lunch, Derek signaled for the check and then turned to her. “I have a proposal for you.”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, wary. “What kind of proposal!”

He leaned in, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. “Give me a chance, Eve. Let me prove how much I want you”

She stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious,” she said, wondering if he had memory loss problems or if he was just trying to get on her

ΠΕΡΓΕΙ.

1. I’ve never

Tam.

never been more serious about anything in my life,” he said, his tone earnest.

Evelyn shook her head. “You’re delusional if you think I’m going to fall for this.”

hy not? What are you so afraid of?” he challenged.

“Why

Im not afraid. I’m just not interested” she snapped, feeling frustrated.

He smirked. “We’ll see about that.”

The waiter returned with the check, and Derek paid without another word. As they left the restaurant, he looked at her.

“You’re heading home now, right? Where should I drop you off?” He asked as he signaled to the valet to get his car.

“Thanks. I will take a cab,” she said, not wanting him to take her home.

“Suit yourself,” he said and she gave him a nod.

“I will,” she said as she took out her phone to book a cab ride.

“I enjoyed our date. Let’s do it again soon,” he called to her as he got into the car a moment later.

Evelyn’s mind was racing as she watched him drive off. She needed to figure out a way to deal with Derek and his relentless jeopardizing her job or her sanity.