Billionaire Novelist's Fiery Debutante by Nic Saint Page A

right. Actually, I’m quite curious to meet her.”
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    “Duly noted, Mr. Poole.”
    He grinned, and she couldn’t help swooning a little over his good looks. If the man had wanted, he could have been Hollywood royalty.
    He gave her hand a tiny squeeze. “How’s the novel going?”
    “Haven’t started yet. You?”
    He sighed. “It’s not the same without you, honey. Somehow, the words won’t come so easily if you’re not there to read them later on.”
    She raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. “You want me to read some of your chapters?”
    He brightened. “Would you? I mean, if you don’t mind? I really value your opinion. And if you like I can read yours?”
    “Just like old times.”
    He smiled at that. “Not that old.” He glanced at his watch, then back at her, his eyes speaking volumes. “Twenty-four hours to be exact.”
    She held his gaze. “I remember.” She felt her heart make a little leap of joy. What she’d feared, that their connection would be severed the moment they touched down, had proved erroneous. The magic they shared was still there, the attraction undeniable.
    Then, just when Josh opened his mouth to speak, Ricki Domani appeared at their table, and they started the process of ordering food. The moment Ricki had disappeared, she rose to her feet. “Ladies’ room,” she whispered when he eyed her with a question mark in those amber eyes of his.
    Like a gentleman, he stood, and when she squeezed herself past his chair en route to the lavatory, he took her by the elbow and discreetly folded her into the crook of his arm to press a tender kiss on her lips. Then he whispered into her ear, “Just an appetizer.”
    Smooth. Very smooth. Her knees wobbly all of a sudden, she continued on her way.

CHAPTER 20

    Josh smiled to himself as he awaited Chloe’s return. He really appreciated she’d seated them so he could hide from plain view, for it allowed him moments of privacy he seldom enjoyed when out of the house. In general, people treated him with kindness, especially here on Long Island, his stomping ground for the last ten years, but he still preferred to spend this precious time with Chloe without being interrupted by signature-hunters or, worse, selfie-addicts.
    His heart sang. The magic was still there. Their budding romance had survived their return to normalcy, and what was more, his mother’s infernal meddling. He’d feared that Mom’s phone call would have scared her off. That she would have run to the hills by now, wanting nothing more to do with him. Instead, she’d gracefully handled the whole affair. Magnificently, she’d accepted the invitation, knowing full well Mom would ask her a million questions about her personal life, and divulging a million more about Josh’s.
    Still smiling, he looked up when Chloe’s cell started buzzing. She’d left it on the table, and it described a small jig as it buzzed all across the table napkin listing all of Ricki Domani’s traits in glowing prose and vivid pictorial richness.
    Darting a quick look around, he carelessly turned the phone, so it was facing him, and stared at the display. ‘Fifi’ was trying to reach Chloe. Moments later, the buzzing ceased, only to be followed by the telltale twin buzz indicating a message had been received.
    He shook his head. He shouldn’t. He couldn’t. He… picked up the phone and checked the message.
    ‘Can’t w8 2 C U! XXX Frank’
    Shocked and appalled, he placed the phone back. Just ask her, Josh, he told himself. Just ask her if she has a boyfriend. She’s an honest, good woman. She won’t let you down. Don’t jump to conclusions. Talk to her and you’ll see.
    He was so engrossed in his little pep talk to himself, that she’d slipped back into her seat before he’d noticed.
    “Ah, erm, you had a, erm, text,” he managed, inclining his head at her phone.
    “Oh?” She sounded genuinely surprised, then picked up the trinket and