The Tycoon's Cupid Surprise (a Valentine's novella) (Holiday Babies) by Tabitha Robbins

Chapter 1
     
    “I get that you’re one of the richest guys in California. I’ve read the gossip mags that say you party with movie stars and vacation with royalty. But I’ve already told that committee person when she rang. I can’t go out on a date with you. Not for any reason. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
    As the florist, her apron and those eye-catching curves breezed away, Xander Drake scratched his head. In childhood, his IQ had been placed in the “gifted” range. As an adult, his venture capitalist exploits had enjoyed a ninety-eight percent success rate. More recently, Alexander Drake had been lauded as one of the country’s most eligible bachelors. Even his family behaved.
    The ones who were left .
    The po int was he didn’t have leprosy, and considering Brooke Hart had put herself forward for this date, frankly, her attitude sucked.
    “ You remember this is for charity, right?” Xander said, following Ms. Hart to the display refrigerator, which housed too many flowers of various colors and shapes to count. “You entered your name in the random draw.”
    “ Like I told that woman—I didn’t enter anything.” Opening the unit’s glass door, she gave a tight smile. “I don’t gamble.”
    “Even after the fact, when you know that you won?”
    Choosing a long-stemmed something-or-other from a bucket, she turned to face him. “Guess that depends on your idea of a win.”
    H er expressive eyes were green and fresh, similar to the nearby backdrop of fern framing her head. Her lips were naturally plump in a near irresistible way. Dimples set below a pair of flushed apple-cheeks were icing on the cake.
    Xander had known his share of attractive women. Long, glossy hair. Noteworthy intellect. Something as simple as a laugh might intrigue him. Discovering “the entire package,” however, was a whole other ballgame. Personality, looks, chemistry that sizzled with no more than a touch...
    S omeday Xander knew he would find her...the woman of his dreams. She was out there somewhere. But certainly not here. Not today.
    “I’ll let the charity’s funds committee know I couldn’t change your mind,” he said.
    Holding that yellow flower beneath her chin, she took one cagey step closer. “Sorry I can’t help.” Her shoulders lifted then dropped. “I just can’t.”
    “ I would’ve liked to have handed over the money, is all.”
    When her head slanted, a sheet of silky mocha-brown hair slid to one side. “What are you talking about?”
    If she really had no idea, he’d clue her in.
    “Every year, the committee approach an eligible someone who has a few bucks to spare—”
    “ Someone like you.”
    He nodded. “ That someone agrees to donate his time on that upcoming Valentine’s evening. Single ladies donate and enter the draw on line. On top of that, the bachelor makes his own contribution.”
    “ What size contribution?”
    “ In my case...five million.”
    Those big green eyes got even bigger. “ Dollars ?”
    “ Kids in Need is a great cause.”
    When the committee had let him know that the winner wished to decline the prize, he asked to speak with her himself. Now, if Ms. Hart was determined to be a buzz kill, there was nothing more he could do about it.
    A peculiar noise drifted out from the shop’s back room, and Brooke Hart’s shoulders jerked up as if an alarm had gone off in her head.
    “ I need to go,” she said, making a beeline for that sound. “You have a nice day, Mr. Drake.”
    “ It’s Alexander. Xander to my friends.”
    “ Sure. If I can help with any other Valentine’s needs, or any occasion during the year, you’ll find me on the web.” Her voice trailed as she slipped into that room. “ I Hart Flowers.. .”
    On his way out, Xander heard that sound again and recognized it this time. A baby. When the whimpering suddenly grew louder, frowning, he angled back around. Then came a gut-wrenching sob, like the poor kid was in pain. Was in