Constipated Billionaire
I didn’t breathe.
Not for a full five seconds.
And I had no idea what to say. He was too observant for his own good.
He held my gaze like he hadn’t just said something that knocked the air out of me.
“Did I lie?,” Rowan repeated, quieter now, almost a murmur. “Whenever you look at me you always do that method with your eyes. Left, right, and then to my lips and back to my eyes. So…I mean if you didn't feel anything,you wouldn't be pulling me in to kiss your lips.”
I blinked. “You—what? No. I mean… yes. I mean—you can’t just say things like that.”
He smirked. “Why not?”
“Because—” I shook my head, waving a hand. “This isn’t high school. We’re adults.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Maybe you don't deserve an answer.”
“Them deny it, just say a simple no,” he muttered, reaching for his drink.
I groaned, leaning back in my chair. “Fine. You want an answer?”
He raised a brow. “I’m listening.”
“I wasn’t looking at you like that.”
His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were dancing. “Okay.”
“And even if I was, it doesn’t mean I was thinking anything—romantic. I was just looking at your face and how to punch it..”
“Of course. Totally thinking about how to punch me. Sweet.”
I grabbed my phone, ignoring his smirk. “You’re not going to get to me.”
“You sure about that? Your heart isn't skipping a bit right now?”
I gave him a look, “I prefer cold Rowan to you. You are pissing me off.”
I looked at my phone, then saw the time and winced. “Crap. I need to call Jo.”
“Everything okay?”
“The kids,” I said, already dialing. “I told her I’d check in.”
He leaned back, arms folded, watching me with that infuriating, calm smile.
The line clicked. “Jo?”
“Ah! She lives!” Jo’s voice was way too smug for someone babysitting.
“I was checking in,” I said.
“You were brunching with Mr. Sinister in linen. I know. If I had someone that hit in front of me, I would forget about my kids too.”
I rolled my eyes. “The kids okay?”
“Perfect angels. Except Laura tried to put glitter in Larry’s cereal again.”
I groaned. “Tell her if she keeps that up, I’m shipping her off to boarding school.”
“She said you’d say that but you never did. So your threats don't hold.”
Of course she did.
Rowan reached across the table and gently tugged a napkin from my side, wiping something off the edge of my plate.
I stared at him.
Jo caught the silence. “...Is he doing something? You’re quiet. Oh my Gosh don't tell me he is giving you head?!.”
“Jesus Jo!! My God. No. He’s—” I paused as Rowan smiled at me without saying a word. “Being annoying.”
“Is it the flirty kind of annoying or the ‘I want to strangle him’ kind?”
I muttered, “Somewhere in between.”
Jo laughed. “Good. Call me when you’re ready for pickup.”
“Thanks, Jo.”
“Enjoy your date.”
“It’s not a date.”
“She’s blushing, your mum is head over heels, you would be getting a dad soon” Jo told someone in the background—probably Larry.
I hung up before they could gang up on me.
“You’re smirking again,” I said to Rowan.
“You’re blushing again.”
“Stop talking. Keep quiet. Don't say a word ”
He chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head, relaxed as ever. “You should’ve let her keep talking. I was enjoying it.”
I stared at him. “You’re not going to let me live this down, are you?”
“Not even a little.” He leaned forward. “Especially if you keep looking at me like that again. Now it's the sexy kinda look.”
I opened my mouth to argue—and then promptly shut it.
This man. He was driving me insane.
And I wasn’t sure I wanted him to stop.
Rowan leaned forward again, elbows on the table. “You know what we should do next?”
“Oh God,” I muttered. “Here we go.”
“A hike.”
I blinked. “A what?”
“There’s a private trail behind the property,” he said, annoyingly excited. “It’s beautiful. Quiet. Trees. Birds. Nature.”
I stared. “You do realize I’m wearing sandals, right?”
“You can change.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Rowan.”
“Yes, Dr. Laurent?”
“I’m not hiking through the woods with you.”
“Why not?”
“Because this isn’t a survival drama and you’re not Bear Grylls.”
He smirked. “I could be.”
I scoffed. “You’d cry if a twig touched your face.”
“That’s offensive. We survived the wilderness. Trapped in an island alone, surviving on scarps, fighting the bear.”
“You almost died. If I wasn't there. You would be rotten by now. Rotten and forgotten, poof.”
“That's…I…I…things happen for a reason Remi.”
I laughed.
“Truth hurts, accept it. You are not an hiker. And I am not trusting you with my life you that mountains. Sorry…not sorry.”
He tilted his head. “You are just coming up with excuses. You must come. It’ll be fun.”
“No.”
“Peaceful.”
“Still no.”
“Good for clearing your head.”
“Still—”
“And I’ll carry your water bottle and give you a foot massage later.”
I paused. “...Tempting.”
He grinned.
I sighed, folding my arms. “Fine. But if I trip, you’re paying for new ankles.”
“I’ll personally escort you the whole way. I can piggy back you too if you want.”
“No thanks.” I gave him a look. “You’re really leaning into this ‘outdoorsy rich guy’ image, huh?”
“Is it working?”
“Not even a little.”
“Damn,” he said, standing up. “I thought the rolled-up sleeves would sell it.”
I shook my head, pushing my chair back. “You’re stressing me.”
“That’s a good thing, really.”
“No, it’s not.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Stress builds character.”
“Please no,” I groaned. “That’s so cringe.”
“What?” he asked, laughing. “That was gold.”
“Did Asher teach you that?”
Rowan winced. “...Okay, rude.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Asher’s the king of cringey lines. I’m more of a misunderstood heartthrob. And no he didn't teach me okay, I know how to make a woman smile.”
I snorted. “Dreaming. Also, You’re more like an emotionally constipated billionaire with charm issues.”
“Ouch.”
“Truth hurts,” I said, echoing myself with a smirk.
He held a hand to his chest like he was wounded. “Your words cut deep.”
“And yet here you are, still
talking.”
“Because you keep replying.”
Touché.
He offered his hand. “Come on, Dr. Laurent. Adventure awaits.”
I didn’t take it, instead I slapped his hand away.
I got up on my own and I did follow.
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