Romance: The Billionaire's Proposal by Emily Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

pain.
    “Do you mind telling me what that was all about?” he asks. “I’ve known Tara for a couple of years now, and I’ve never seen her that upset or yell at anyone the way she just did to you.”
    I shrug. “Nothing.”
    He smirks. “I know you. She’s gotten under your skin, hasn’t she? And if she did, it’s about time someone has because you’ve been running around from woman to woman for far too long. It’s time that you settle down a little.”
    I sigh. “Yeah, she has. You know, when I first met her, she didn’t even know I was rich? She just talked to me because I was an average guy at a bar. And now she hates me. Not that I blame her—I really have been a jerk. But still, I didn’t think she would get that upset.”
    “Why is that?”
    “We’re not seeing eye to eye on a land development project: we both want the same property. She wants to make the community a better place; I want to make money. You know, the usual problems of the world, my friend. She’s just being overemotional.”
    “You’re playing games with her, aren’t you?”
    “Maybe,” I shrug my shoulders.
    “You shouldn’t. That’s not how you attract women, Alexander. It’s time to accept that there can be another woman in your life.”
    His words sting… but only because we have had this conversation many times before.
    He seems to think that my issues with females relate to the fact that I don’t ever want another woman to replace my deceased mother.
    “But she’s just so emotional. Are all women like that?” I smile, making a joke to ease the tension.
    He laughs. “Yeah, that’s Tara. Woman’s got a good heart. If I wasn’t married, I would take her out myself. There aren’t too many women like her in the world, so don’t go making her all bitter because you want to play elementary school games instead of being an adult and admitting that you have feelings for her.”
    “I know. She’s like the next Mother Teresa or something,” I say. “I just can’t get over the fact that she seems so perfect. I still feel this compulsive need to test her in as many ways as I can.”
    “So why didn’t you go after her?” he asks. “Why don’t you just go and show her how you feel instead of being a jerk all the time?”
    “Because right now, she’s the founder and president of the ‘I Hate Alexander Hudson’ fan club,” I say with a smirk.
    “What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going to give her time, and then she’ll realize that she really wants me.”
    He laughs. “Good luck with that. Tara isn’t like any of the women you’ve dated.”
    “You forgot I’ve never actually dated.”
    “Probably explains why you’re so bad at it, then. Of all the things you could’ve done, you chose to put conflict in the situation. You might want to buy a book or something because at this rate, you’re going to lose her.”
    “You think so?” I say.
    “I don’t just think so. I know so.”
    “Well I guess it’s time that I make my final move.”
    “Better make it a good one.”
    “Oh, it will be. Just trust me.”
    “I don’t,” Mark laughs. “But I’m interested to see how all of this will play out.”
    “Nosey.”
    “Nope, just curious.”
    “You know what they say about curiosity, right?”
    “Yep, and it’s a good thing I’m not a cat.”
    We both start laughing, then enjoy the rest of the gala ball. I make it an early night because I have a big morning ahead of me.
    I am going to make my final move, and I can only hope that it won’t push things farther off course.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Tara
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    My weary head wakes up slowly to the sound of the ringing alarm clock.
    I can’t believe the scene I caused last night!
    I’m determined to make amends with Mark and give a special donation to his shelter. Seeing that it’s already nine o’clock in the morning, I grab my cell phone and make the call—there was no need