Exclusive Love (British Billionaires Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

part.’
    ‘I think, Katherine, you might be the only honorable journalist left in America.’
    ‘Is that a jibe?’
    ‘Do you always assume every compliment is insincere? Can’t you relax? It feels like you’ve come to meet me with a massive chip on your shoulder. I thought the plan was to get acquainted, not partake in a verbal boxing match.’
    His voice was casual, but Katy was stung.
    ‘It’s hard to relax around someone who went to great lengths to ensure I knew how haggard I looked when they first laid eyes on me and that my only permit to the bar was because a British billionaire paid them.’
    ‘I didn’t pay them to do it. If it wasn’t for the steam coming out of your ears I’d tell you with my hand on heart you look a ‘million bucks’ as you Americans say. In my defense you have sat across from me as though thrown in a boxing ring waiting for the bell to ring.’
    ‘I’m impressed having been here less than a month you have influence over the doormen. As for my appearance, at least I could fix myself in the bathroom. That ginger hair of yours can’t do you many favors with the other sex.’
    Acting wounded, Oscar dropped to one knee, putting a hand to his brow. His display was drawing attention.
    ‘That mop on my head is strawberry blonde I’ll have you know. At the very least it’s blonde with red highlights.’
    It was mean to pick on his hair. It was nowhere near ginger. Hoping to knock him down a notch or two, Oscar hadn’t fallen an inch. Responding to her insults with good grace, he climbed higher in Katy’s esteem.
    ‘That was out of order. Awful on my part. I can’t believe I said it. I was hurt by what you said, but my reaction was despicable. Forgive me?’
    Surveying the young girl’s coffee brown eyes, he could see her guard had dropped. Her apology was sincere. Forgetting she was ten years his junior, Oscar reminded himself his twenties were far behind him. Reckless banter could be harmful to a tender ego. He hadn’t considered the impact of his thoughtless bravado.
    ‘Do you really think I’m ginger?’ he averted his eyes, taking his seat.
    ‘No way,’ she pledged vehemently.
    Reaching over to run her hands through his hair for closer inspection, Katy wondered if Oscar felt the same electricity as she did.
    ‘Definitely strawberry blonde,’ she assured.
    ‘All right then I forgive you, but only if you let me apologize.’
    ‘You’ve nothing to be sorry about,’ she said, feeling lighter in herself.
    ‘Course I have. I forgot we were strangers. I forgot we weren’t drunk. You don’t know me, let alone my sense of humor. I can see my teasing could be misconstrued as insulting. The last thing I ever want to be is insensitive, certainly not to you. I’ve not dated in a while,’ he confessed.
    ‘How come?’
    ‘Broken engagement. New in America. No friends. The women I do meet are interested in my wallet not my stunning ginger hair.’
    ‘If you want to avoid gold-diggers and attract women appreciating the rugged redness of your hair, rethink your profile. It doesn’t sound as if you’re after anything more than a sexual companion on Exclusive Love,’ said Katy bluntly.
    He shrugged, neither agreeing with nor contradicting her observation.
    ‘Settling into New York has proved difficult. Normally I do short stints in the international offices. With the company my father runs and my qualifications, I’m in the fortunate position to satisfy the wanderlust of my heart. Sadly though, I could be here a while. I’d like some semblance of a social life. I’d like it to be fun, not heavy with continual emotional demands.’
    It wasn’t an unreasonable wish.
    ‘If I’d wanted drama and arguments I wouldn’t have broken off the engagement,’ said Oscar, half laughing, half serious.
    ‘You said yourself women were drawn to you in droves. It can’t be that impossible to find someone matching your needs.’
    ‘Wouldn’t you think? It tests my patience to take