“Wanna bet?” Kyra glanced at her, looking for all the world like the cat that swallowed the yellow canary. “How much are you betting?”
“A hundred dollars. And you’d better get ready to pay up because you’re gonna lose.” Solie smiled as she thought about this wonderful turn of events. “I know exactly what I’m going to do with that hundred dollars. Remember those blue suede pumps we saw at Macys?”
“Don’t start making plans just yet, honey child.” Kyra gave her a smirk. “You’re going to see the man tonight. Ask him.”
Solie chuckled. “He’s going to laugh himself under the table. I can just see it now.”
“Fine,” Kyra said with a shrug. “But tomorrow morning first thing you report to me.”
“Deal.” Brimming with confidence, Solie grinned at her. “Just make sure you have my money ready.”
***
“You look stunning in red.” For a moment Ransom could do nothing but stare at Solie, so elegant and poised as she stood in her doorway, so sleek and sexy in a dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.
“Why, thank you, sir.” She gave him the sweetest of smiles then she took his hand and walked with him to the car.
It was hard to believe that he’d known this woman all of six months yet every time he saw her she made his heart pick up pace. She grew more and more lovely with each passing day. God bless the day she’d barged her way into his life.
For more reasons than one…
It wasn’t just that she was beautiful. The whole world could see that. The fact was, Solie had become such an important part of his life that he could not imagine being without her.
They’d been out together to so many places – restaurants, the movies, the beach. They’d even gone grocery shopping together, occasions which were, to him, the most meaningful of all. More than that, they’d shared intimate moments, moments when he’d been able to hold her close and show her how much she meant to him.
But now that wasn’t enough. At least not for him. Now it was time to take things to a whole new level, which was why he’d asked her out.
They soon got to Barton G. where the maitre d’ escorted them to a private lounge. The food, as expected, was excellent but Ransom was too distracted to fully appreciate the scrumptious fare. Tonight his entire focus was on the woman who sat across from him, the soft light from the candles making her cheeks glow, her lips glisten and her eyes sparkle. She was so goddamn beautiful.
The meal over, Ransom reached for her hand. “Solie,” he said as he gazed into her eyes, “there’s something I need to ask you. Something really important.”
She gave him a soft smile and squeezed his fingers. “What do you want to ask me?” Then she raised an eyebrow and her smile turned crooked. “Hey, wait. There’s something I need to ask you, too.”
Now it was his turn to raise his eyebrows. “You do? Okay, ask away.”
“You’re going to think this is so crazy,” she said, shaking her head as she grinned at him, “but I mentioned your name to Kyra. You know my friend from work? I told you about her.”
“Yes,” he said, nodding. “You mentioned her a few times.”
“Well, when she heard your last name she came up with this crazy idea that you’re Ransom Kent, the billionaire construction tycoon. Can you believe it?” Solie’s grin spilled over into a laugh. “Kyra’s got an imagination that would put Walt Disney to shame.” Her body shook with laughter and she pulled her hand away to lift her napkin and dab at her eyes. “Poor girl, she even made a bet on it. Right now she owes me a hundred bucks.”
Ransom drew in his breath and sat back in his chair. Shit. He’d meant to tell her about that but the time just never seemed to be right. Now everything was out in the open and he hadn’t been the one to tell her. How would she react when he confirmed her friend’s suspicion? She’d been known to fly off the handle for far less. Well, there was nothing to do now but spill the beans.
He grimaced then sighed. “Sorry, Solie, but you’re the one who’ll have to pay up.”
That got him an even bigger burst of laughter. “You’re just as bad as she is. You’re having fun with this, aren’t you?” Her laughter died to a chuckle as she shook her head. “You have a sense of humor, I’ll give you that.”
Ransom tightened his lips. How to break this to her without embarrassing the heck out of her? When he spoke his voice was low but firm. “I’m serious, Solie. I’m the Ransom Kent your friend thinks I am.”
The smile froze on Solie’s face. For a full five seconds she just stared at him then the smile faded from her lips. In quick succession her brow furrowed and confusion filled her eyes. “You’re serious.”
Again, he grimaced, not enjoying this, then he nodded. “I’m serious.”
Solie’s face fell. “But…how could this be? I…you’re a construction worker. I see you head off to work almost every day in your hard hat and vest. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Ransom sat forward and reached for her hand but she pulled it away. “I’m sorry, Solie. I didn’t mean to mislead you. I was going to tell you. I just didn’t think it was that important.”
“Not important?” Her brows shot up then fell right back down as she glared at him. “How could it not be important? You lied to me.” She shook her head. “I don’t even know who you are.”
“But you do, Solie. The guy you see going to work, that’s the real me. That’s who I am.” Ransom struggled to find the right words. How could he make her understand? “I may have some money now but I’m no different from the guy who started out in a humble farmhouse in Iowa.”
“Have some money? You’re a friggin’ billionaire.”
“And so what? What the hell’s the difference? I can’t be with you because I’ve got money?” Realizing he was raising his voice, Ransom shut up. He drew in his breath then let it out slowly, trying to calm his nerves. The evening was not going as he’d planned. “Listen,” he said, forcing himself to stay calm, “can we just forget about all that and focus on us?” He reached out to take her hand again. “Only on us. Okay?”