The Billionaires Love Curves 2 - a BBW BWWM Billionaire Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

bubbled to the surface.
     
    “Well, it's nice and peaceful here, I thought you liked it last time you came,” Cole said.
     
    “It's full of idle, rich bastards and I'm sure they are all looking down their noses at me.” She kept her voice down but looked around at some of the members, dining with their expensively dressed female companions.
     
    “That's not true, Lacey, you know that. What about me? Am I an idle bastard, too?”
     
    Lacey did not answer straight away, just looked down at her plate of food. She had been pushing duck and fondant potatoes from side to side with her fork and had not eaten anything. Cole studied her for a while.
     
    “What did I do wrong, Lacey?” His voice was soft, in his eyes she saw genuine concern and felt awful for letting Cole get the backlash for Nate's poor judgment of character.
     
    “Oh Cole, I'm sorry,” she sighed, her shoulders sagged. “I thought I'd worked this out of my system, but seeing you tonight...”
     
    “So it is something I've done.” He looked worried.
    “No, Cole it isn't you. It's...it's Nate.”
    “What?” Cole paused for a beat, remembering to lower his voice. “Did he do something to you?” His eyes burned with anger.
    “Don't get upset.” Lacey gave up on her meal and laid the knife and fork down. “I wouldn't even have brought it up, but I don't think I can keep anything from you. Especially not this.”
     
    “I'm glad you feel like that, Lacey. I feel the same as you, I don't like secrets or lies.”
     
    They held hands across the table.
     
    “Tell me, Lacey,” Cole urged. “Tell me what happened.”
     
    Lacey took a deep breath.
     
    “He called me into his office today, not long before I met you for dinner. It was the first time in a long time he's wanted to see me. I wondered if I'd done something wrong.”
    “How could you have?” Cole said.
     
    “Well, I wasn't sure. I don't know how to take him, these days. First of all, he does a disappearing act, no one  sees him at Holden-Taylor for ages. Then he returns and practically ignores me and now this. I get summoned to his office.”
     
    “And?”
    “Well, I assumed what he'd have to say would be work related but all he did was ask about my relationship with you. I didn't even think he knew we were dating.”
     
    “Of course he knew about us, Lacey. New York isn't so big and we're all in the same business.”
     
    “True,” she admitted. “I guess, but I'm just so wrapped up in me and you, it didn't occur to me that anyone would be talking about it.”
     
    “So, what did he do, tell you to stop seeing me?” Cole shifted in his chair but tried to give the impression of calm.
     
    “Something like that. He tried to convince me you weren't who you seem. Warned me off you, kinda like you did with me, but at least you had good reason.”
     
    “Exactly.”
     
    “What is it about Nate? It's not enough for him to steal your ideas, now he doesn't want you to see me, either. I hate him.”
     
    Lacey looked up at Cole. His face had grown dark, there was still anger in his eyes but there was something more. It made Lacey uneasy.
     
    “Look,” she said, “I've told you now, but I don't want to waste our evening worrying about Nate and what he thinks or what he says.”
     
    Cole did not say a word, his head was lowered.
    “Maybe we can go on somewhere,” Lacey continued. “Or maybe just go for a walk? It's a lovely evening. We should get out of here.”
     
    “You're right. I'll get the bill. I've lost my appetite, too. I know what, how about I take you to a little place not far from here, I've heard good things about. Not one idle rich bastard in sight.” He laughed quietly. “We'll have a quiet drink and I hoped you could stay over at my place tonight?”
     
    “I'd love that.”
    For the next few hours they were able to forget about Nate and just got on with enjoying each other's company. They talked, held hands, enjoying each other's company as the