Romance: The Billionaire's Proposal by Emily Cooper

 
     
     
     
     
    Taking a long sip of expensive whiskey, I gaze across to the clock with weary eyes.
    It is past nine o’clock and I am still sitting behind a desk, analyzing important work documents. I rub my eyes and sigh, deciding it is time to head to the nearest bar.
    This work can wait until tomorrow; I need to relax, get out a little, and have some fun. As I collect my coat, I notice that the elevator is on its way up. I wait until the doors open and immediately my heart falls to my feet. Standing there is one of the girls I used to mess with, although I really can’t recall her name.
    “Alexander! I’ve been trying to reach you. Why haven’t you been returning any of my calls?” she asks brashly.
    I stare at the very attractive brunette, trying to keep my eyes from staring at her large rack, but I still can’t place her name. “I’m a busy person and if I haven’t been returning your calls then there is a reason for that.”
    She pouts, “You promised me that we’d go to dinner sometime.”
    I bite back a laugh—I know that is a lie. I never, ever promise to take women out to dinner. It is against my rules. I am much too busy to bother with dinner.
    “I think you have me confused with someone else.”
    Angry grows over her face. “No I’m not! After we slept together, I said we should do dinner sometime and you said that you’d think about it.”
    “You do know that saying I’ll think about it doesn’t mean yes?”
    “It’s close enough!”
    “No, it’s not. I didn’t promise you anything. You’re just looking for something that I’m not willing to give. I’m not the take-a-woman-out-to-dinner type of guy. I’m the take-a-woman-and-have-your-way-with-her-in-bed type of guy. Believe me, there is a huge difference.”
    “I just don’t understand Alexander. I thought we had an amazing time together.”
    I laugh. “I’m sure that we did sweetheart, but like I said: I’m not looking for anything more than a good time in bed.”
    She huffs. “But you can have so much more than that with me.”
    “But I don’t want much more than that with you. I’m sure that I’ve already gotten everything that I wanted from you,” I say, getting slightly aggravated.
    Tears start to well up in her eyes as she repeatedly pushes the button for the elevator, looking for an escape.
    “You know, Alexander, you’re nothing but a jerk. People said you were a jerk but I defended you. I said you were nice. It appears I am wrong.”
    “It appears so.”
    “You’re going to regret not giving this a chance and when you come crawling back, I’m sure that I’ll just look at you and laugh. You missed your chance with something big.”
    The elevator dings, and after the doors close behind her, a smile grows across my face. Things like this happen to me on a regular basis—some women just can’t take a hint.
    When my dear mother died suddenly twenty years ago, I had just celebrated my tenth birthday. From that day on, I vowed never to let another woman replace her in my life. Many have tried, but the memory of my mother sits too close to my heart.
    I love women but I’m not interested in them except for one thing; and when I get it, they are no longer of use to me. There isn’t a woman around that can change my mind. Love ’em and leave ’em is my motto.
    I opt to take the stairs just in case the crazy brunette decides to come back and give me another piece of her mind. The bar was starting to sound better and better and I could use several drinks… and possibly a new companion after this incident.
    Who knows what the night will hold?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    Tara
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    “I think I’ll have another drink, or maybe two,” I say to the bartender, showing him my empty glass.
    He raises his brow to me and smiles. “Are you sure, Tara? I think you’re teetering on the edge of being drunk. And as lovely as that would be to see, I know that