Tryst with a Trillionaire - Chapter 2

Midflirt, Lucy fell so deeply into Conor’s eyes that she had to turn to face the painting hanging on the wall to collect herself. It would look strange if she dashed away now.

She’d decided to go without a full face of makeup this evening and so was feeling more vulnerable than usual. Just blush, a dash of eyeliner and a red lip. Her Lucky Ducks—her followers—had dubbed it her naked look.

Conor radiated an easy sensuality. He smelled like leather and vanilla beans. Alluring, sexy and—what woman could resist such a man?

Yet as much as she craved romance, she knew she had little time for it.

“I like this one,” she said of the painting before her, changing the subject abruptly. “It’s serene yet challenging.”

“You said serene because of the clouds. What about that wicked black door?”

“That’s the challenge.” And what a challenge: resisting someone so tall, tanned and handsome.

“So…” His pause mimicked her nervous energy. “You mentioned you’re an influencer?”

“Yes, makeup tutorials.”

“Women need to be taught how to apply makeup?”

“Everyone enjoys a little inspiration when it comes to enhancing their appearance.”

“But you’re not wearing—” His eyes danced over her face. I’ll dance with you. “You’re beautiful.”

Her mouth dropped open at his breathy statement. Take me now might sound needy. No, Lucy! No time for romance, remember? Better move back to safer ground. “So what do you think this painting is trying to tell us?”

“It’s supposed to represent stepping out of one’s comfort zone.”

She cast a look up the side of the man’s face. A trimmed beard enhanced his steely jawline and teased her gaze toward his ocean eyes. Drown me.

Clutching her phone to her chest, Lucy tried to slow her racing heartbeat. “What’s your comfort zone?”

“Small get-togethers. Emails instead of phone calls. Lazy mornings in—” He chuckled softly. “What’s your comfort zone?”

Oh, to know what he’d been about to say. In bed? With a woman? Yes, please!

“Having a phone in hand—it’s an influencer necessity,” she replied. “And London. I’ve never been out of England. Though I was invited to do a work thing in Paris last month.”

“You…didn’t go?”

If only! The invite had not covered travel or accommodation expenses.

“Unfortunately, travel’s not in my budget.”

Lucy felt a magnetic attraction to him, but she resisted out of a lack of courage. She was used to getting attention online, but she was out of touch with real-world connections. A connection that felt so needed. As for her lack of courage, well, she had told him she was interested. It had been a bold move. And it was the truth.

Conor leaned in closer and said conspiratorially, “I’ve an idea that’ll challenge both our comfort zones.”

Like making out with a stranger at a public event? Chill, Lucy. “Sounds promising.”

“Will you have dinner with me, Lucy? There’s a place on the rue de Rivoli that serves melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon that’ll make you question your very existence.”

“The rue de Rivoli? But that’s in…”

“Everyone deserves to see Paris.”

The dare in Conor’s eyes beamed bright. Could she really skip off to Paris with a man she’d just met? It would be a dream to visit the city with the sexiest man alive. And Maeve had already vetted him. Oodles of cash…

But to take a drastic step outside her comfort zone? Her work kept her from the risk of a broken heart. Lucy knew that her relationships tended to go sour after a few dates because she strived for an independence that always seemed to tangle with her desire for passion. But he hadn’t said anything about a relationship—it was just dinner, after all. And if she wanted to step up her game and win the bigger sponsorships by going viral, Lucy knew she had to do something radical. Something daring.

But this wasn’t about work. It was about life, and the romance she craved almost as much as she feared it.

She slid her hand into his. “Let’s do Paris.”