FRAGILE: A Billionaire Romance (Part Two) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mean?”
    “Why do you care?” Eli asks.
    “I want to know you better,” I say. “I know some of you. And I really like what I know,” I add. I crack a grin, and Eli finally smirks. “But I want to get to know you even more, and I’m not satisfied with learning more at an arm’s length from you.” I hold out my hand on the table. “I really like you, Eli. I…I think I love you.”
    I close my eyes in surprise. The admission had spilled out by accident, but it was done. My heart is on the table, and I wait.
    There’s a long pause, long enough that at last I open my eyes and look up at Eli. His brow is drawn a little, and his eyes are locked on me. His arms are crossed, and I’m pretty sure I can see the muscles in his jaw working a little. I can’t tell exactly what he’s thinking, but it doesn’t look good, and I start to feel anxious in a bad way.
    “You don’t love me,” Eli says, almost matter-of-factly.
    I feel like I got punched in the gut I lose my breath so bad. “I—”
    “And I don’t want to get any closer,” Eli says. His tone isn’t threatening, but I can’t help it, as I stiffen my back and pull my arm back to myself.
    Had I misunderstood this whole evening? I thought that Eli feels like I do, but I am wrong. Eli doesn’t love me, and apparently he doesn’t even have feelings for me, nor does he want to.
    This was all made worse by the fact that even a week ago I didn’t mind the “strictly professional” relationship we had set. I had just been happy that Eli even wanted to see me again. But now I had professed my love, and there was nothing in return. My heart had gotten involved, and I can’t hide my disappointment and hurt that, clearly, Eli’s heart hadn’t.
    “So this is it?” I ask. My voice trembles a little. “Hikes, fancy dinners, a couple of drinks, and we make love? Lovers, and nothing more?”
    “Ruby,” Eli says, his voice stern. “I told you it would go nowhere.”
    “I-I know,” I stutter.
    Our waiter arrives at this point, taking our empty salad bowls and setting our entrées in front of us. He avoids looking at us, and as soon as he refills our wine glasses, he leaves. We start eating, the silence hovering over us again.
    “So, nothing at all? You’re not interested in anything more?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm and even.
    Eli watches me for a minute. “I like you, Ruby,” he says. “But I’m not ready for anything that serious.”
    I nod my head in defeat. I knew that going in. Eli wanted me as a lover, nothing else. That’s what we had agreed on when we first met. I tell myself I need to take the fact that Eli even wanted me as a lover as a compliment, considering his earlier claim of never seeing a woman more than once.
    “Alright,” I make myself say. My heart is aching. Why’d it have to go and break the rules and get so attached? However, if I don’t play Eli’s little game, I know it’ll hurt even more. “I’m sorry,” I say.
    The little light in Eli’s green eyes disappears, his face becoming expressionless. “Very well,” he says.
    Confused, I watch his face. “I’m fine just staying as lovers,” I say quietly.
    Eli shakes his head. “No. No, it’s better if this doesn’t continue.”
    “No,” I say quickly. “I just got confused; it’ll be fine.”
    “I think,” Eli says, “that it’s for the best if this stops now.”
    Panicking, I look for some sign on Eli’s face that he doesn’t mean it. “Please,” I say.
    “We’re done, Ruby,” Eli says. The finality in his tone sends my heart sinking, and I lose the rest of my appetite.
    We finish dinner without a word, me just pushing the food around on my plate and trying not to cry. Eli declines dessert from our waiter. When the waiter then bids us a good evening and leaves, Eli stands up, and I wonder if I’m in charge of the check.
    “The check has been handled,” Eli says to my questioning face.
    “Oh.” I stand up, avoid looking at Eli, and we