LAUREN (Silicon Valley Billionaires Book 1)

by Leigh James

  “That,” she said, pointing up and down at my outfit, “is the opposite of sexy.”

  I crossed my arms against my chest. “That’s fine with me. I wasn’t going for sexy.”

  Hannah groaned. “Where is Clive taking you?”

  “Some steakhouse.”

  She looked incredulous. “Doesn’t he know you don’t eat meat?”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t feel it was necessary to burden him with personal information about me.” Hannah groaned again as I looked back at the clock. “I have to go. The driver’s probably already out front with security.”

  Hannah stalked back to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. “I’ll be holding a vigil, waiting for you. I have my cell phone, and I have wine. You call me if you need anything.”

  I collected my coat and headed for the door. “Got it.”

  “Hey,” Hannah called from the island. “Try to have fun. It won’t kill you. I promise!”

  “It just might,” I muttered to myself as I went through the door.

  The pretty hostess nodded at me. “Ms. Taylor? Mr. Warren’s already waiting for you at your table.”

  I had a vague sense of déjà vu. The fact that this was happening to me twice in one week was nothing short of miraculous. Two different men, two different restaurants. It was an all-time personal record for me.

  I spotted Clive, resplendent in a dark suit, before he saw me. He looked handsome and meticulously groomed, his dark hair gelled carefully, his tortoiseshell glasses immaculate. He even had a dark purple cloth in his pocket, which seemed a bit prissy, but what the hell did I know?

  “Lauren!” He jumped to his feet and hugged me warmly. “So glad you could make it.”

  He held my chair out, and I sat down stiffly. The steakhouse was very opulent, with red velvet banquettes, heavy draperies, and ornate chandeliers. I felt underdressed, but there was little I could do about it.

  I forced myself to smile at him. “This is very…nice.” I actually found the restaurant ostentatious and distasteful, but I kept that to myself. “Thank you for inviting me.”

  He smiled, and I relaxed a little. “Oh please, let’s be honest—I’ve been making a fool out of myself, begging you to have dinner with me.”

  Clive had been on Paragon’s board for a full year, and I’d gotten to know him reasonably well during that time. We’d parted on good terms when he relocated to China to oversee his company’s operations. Since he’d been back, he’d been busy with the patent he was developing for his own company, Warren Technologies. Clive’s company developed software and other high technology for use across a wide swath of industries, including healthcare.

  Clive waited patiently while the waiter filled out wineglasses. “How is Paragon these days?”

  My smile was genuine. “Very well, thank you. We’re still in clinical trials, but we’re also in the early stages of strategizing our introduction to the market.”

  Clive pulled his glasses down and gazed at me over them, looking impressed. “Wow. I guess ‘very well’ is an understatement, then.”

  I happily took a sip of wine. “I’m thrilled, as you can imagine.” The fact that my prototype was finally working was an amazing achievement.

  “Well, cheers to your success.” Clive raised his glass to mine. “May it continue.”

  I toasted him and took another small sip of wine. Although I enjoyed the warmth as it spread through me, I vowed not to drink much more. Wine plus my giddiness over the week’s achievements could result in too much relaxation. Based on the way Clive’s eyes kept wandering over me, I figured being relaxed wasn’t the most prudent course of action for the evening.

  Still, I needed to be polite. “How was China?”

  “It was a whirlwind. Have you ever been?”

  “Never.”

  His gaze lingered on me, making me feel exposed in spite of my long-sleeved sweater. “I might be going back for business soon. Perhaps you can accompany me.”

  I sat there, feeling slightly flabbergasted. Was Clive Warren asking me on a date to China?

  “So, what should we order?” Clive looked over the menu. “The foie gras with pancetta wrapping is amazing. The kimchi-glazed pork belly is also outstanding, as is the bone marrow.”

  I was about to interrupt his proposed meal choices when a large hand squeezed my shoulder.

  “The lady doesn’t eat meat, Clive. You probably should have asked.” Gabe Betts towered over our table, wearing jeans and a button-down shirt open at the throat. He looked down at me with a grin, his brown eyes twinkling, his dimple showing. “Shouldn’t you be at the office?”

  I stared at him, mesmerized by his handsome face and square jaw. I squirmed underneath his grasp, but it wasn’t a bad squirm. Was I uncomfortable? Hell yes…but not in a bad way.

  “I. Um,” I started hopelessly.

  “Gabriel. Nice to see you. And even though she’s usually still working at this hour, Lauren kindly agreed to take time out of her busy schedule to have dinner with me,” Clive said pointedly.

  “So you’re having dinner, huh?” Gabe completely ignored Clive, his eyes never leaving my face. “I didn’t know you liked to go to dinner.”

  “I don’t.” I looked up to see Clive’s face fall. “I mean—I do. I just don’t usually have time.”

  “Good to know,” Gabe said, finally releasing me. His smile faded and a muscle in his jaw jumped as he glanced at Clive. “Nice to see you two. Enjoy your evening.” He didn’t sound as though he meant it, and I worried for a moment that he was mad at me. And then I wondered why I cared.

  He stalked away, and Clive rolled his eyes. “What an ass.”

  I raised my eyebrows, surprised. “He’s not a nice person? I thought you two were in the same group.”

  “What group is that?” Clive was back to reading the menu again, but he looked skeptical. He was probably annoyed I wouldn’t eat pork belly wrapped in bacon.

  Feeling shaky, I took another sip of wine. “The Silicon Valley tech-CEO billionaire boys’ club.” My skin burned where Gabe had touched me. I wanted to turn around and search the restaurant for him, but I knew that was rude.

  Clive laughed. “I’m not in any club like that. I don’t have the time or the interest.” He looked up from his menu, his eyes raking over me again. “What about you? What are you interested in?”

  I clutched my wineglass as if it were a life preserver. Clive’s question seemed loaded and inappropriate. I wasn’t attracted to him in the slightest. He was nice-looking and successful, but he did nothing for me. Did he think I’d said yes to dinner because I was interested in him?

  It only then occurred to me—that was exactly what normal people did.

  “I’m actually interested in your latest patent,” I said bluntly.

  He laughed a little and sat back. “I figured as much.”

  The waiter came over, and we ordered. Thank goodness there were scallops on the menu and we were that much closer to being done. I didn’t know if Gabe was still in the restaurant, but I felt like someone was watching me. I just wanted to go home, eager to put an end to the evening as soon as possible.

  “My latest patent is something you should be interested in, actually.”

  “How’s that?”

  “I’ve been working on a deliverable system that might dovetail nicely with Paragon’s work.” He went into a detailed, technical description of his new invention.

  I nodded at all the appropriate places, but my mind wandered as I picked at my dinner. Where was Gabe? Was he here on a date? Was he here with his girlfriend?

  “What I’m interested in,” Clive was saying, “is partnering with Paragon once your technology goes live. If you’re interested in talking about it in more detail, I can have my team put together a proposal.”

  I didn’t want to be rude, but the technology he’d described wouldn’t be a good fit with Paragon, and I wasn’t interested. “Paragon’s not really in a position to take on partnership deals
right now.”

  “Oh, really? Why’s that?” Clive sounded defensive.

  I took a deep breath. “We’re not ready to come to market yet. When we do, it’s going to take some time testing the waters before we’re ready to commit to long-term contracts with partners. We’re not ready for that sort of commitment.”

  He put down his fork. “Then why were you having lunch with Gabriel Betts earlier this week? Weren’t you talking about partnering with Dynamica?”

  It was my turn to put down my fork. “How did you know about that?”

  Clive shrugged. “I might not be in the Silicon Valley CEO billionaire boys’ club, but people still talk.”

  “Gabe and I had lunch.”

  Clive sniffed. “Oh, so it’s Gabe now?”

  I stiffened, trying to keep my anger in check. “We talked about business, yes, but I didn’t make any agreements with him.”

  Clive pulled down his glasses again, and I decided he was not even remotely attractive. “But will you?”

  “I’m not going to answer that.”

  He leaned across the table and over his pork bellies, or whatever they were. “I think you at least owe me that much.”

  “I don’t owe you an answer or anything else, because it’s none of your business. And I don’t appreciate the turn this conversation’s taking.” I didn’t like being pushed. Clive had no right to interrogate me. It was unacceptable. I took out my wallet and put two hundred dollar bills on the table. “I’m ready to say good night now.”

  “Lauren, wait—” Clive said, but I was already up and halfway across the room, securing my pocketbook against me.

  I waited impatiently while the hostess collected my coat. I didn’t want to give Clive the chance to get to me. His aggressiveness had taken me by surprise and had left me feeling slightly sick. I felt as if I might cry, which was a foreign and utterly repugnant sensation.

  “Do you need a ride?”

  I whirled to find Gabe standing at the door with his own coat on, ready to go.

  “I have my driver, thanks.” The hostess handed me my coat, and I nodded at her silently.

  Clive rounded the corner then. His face fell when he saw Gabe standing near me. “Lauren, they just poured us some more wine. Please, come join me.” He sounded as though he were pleading.

  I shook my head. “I need to go. I’m exhausted.” I suddenly realized how true that was. This was why I didn’t go out much. The world wanted all sorts of things from me, but I could only give it my technology, on my own terms. All the maneuverings and fancy restaurants were just too much.

  “Just for a minute—” Clive started, but Gabe stepped forward.

  “The lady said she’s tired. She’s going home now.” Gabe towered over Clive, and I watched as the smaller man took a step back.

  “I believe Lauren’s capable of speaking for herself.” Clive’s face was pinched as he regarded Gabe. Even though he was a technology nerd, Clive Warren was still a self-made billionaire, a successful entrepreneur in his own right. He was probably not used to being intimidated and literally talked down to.

  I sighed. I really wanted to extricate myself from their pissing contest, and I could still feel the tears threatening. “I have been speaking for myself. You’re just not listening. Good night, gentlemen.” I headed out toward the valet, hoping my driver and my security detail would appear as soon as possible. I needed to get out of there. I tapped my foot while I waited, inwardly berating myself for accepting Clive’s invitation.

  “Lauren.” Gabe came out of the restaurant. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.” In the night air, I willed myself to calm down. “I just really want to go home.” My voice sounded small.

  Concern marred his handsome face. “Let me take you.”

  I sighed. “Even if you drive me, my driver will just follow us. It would be redundant, not to mention a waste of gas.”

  “I have an electric car.” Gabe’s grin finally crept back. “So although it may be redundant for me to drive you home with your driver following behind us, it won’t be a waste of gas.”

  I surprised myself by laughing and relaxed a little. Maybe this was giving in, but it felt good. “Okay. But I really do want to go straight home.”

  “Of course.”

  The valet brought my car first. I leaned in and explained to my driver and security detail that Gabe was driving me home, and they were to follow. Gabe’s car came next. “Such an awesome ride,” exclaimed the young valet as he hopped out of the driver’s seat and tossed the keys to Gabe. “Please let me park it for you again!”

  “Deal.” Gabe smiled at him and tipped him generously. Then he opened the car door for me—it swung up and opened as if it were a wing—and I got down into the fancy, electric whatever-it-was.

  Gabe slid in beside me and I turned to him. “What type of car is this?”

  “A Porsche 918 Spyder. Well, it’s based on a 918 Spyder. I had it custom-made. The regular ones don’t come with doors like that.”

  I looked at him skeptically as he revved the engine and pulled onto the road. “And it’s electric?”

  “It’s a hybrid. I try to run it solely on electricity, though. So you needn’t worry about the gas waste.”

  I sighed. “You can stop making fun of me now.”

  He kept his eyes on the road but smiled. “Are you having a rough night? Clive looked like he might cry back there.”

  “He didn’t like what I had to say.”

  “He’s an asshole.”

  “Funny, he said the same thing about you.”

  Gabe raised an eyebrow. “I’m not surprised. Why were you having dinner with him, anyway? You could have been having dinner with me. And I wouldn’t have even mentioned the pork bellies.”

  I shook my head and couldn’t help it—I laughed again.

  “Oh, so now pork bellies are funny? You’ve skipped out of work before ten, you went on a date, and now you’re laughing at the poor pork bellies. You’ve gone rogue, Lauren.”

  My laughter subsided, and I shook my head. “I wanted to talk to Clive about his latest patent, to see if it would be something worth acquiring. It wasn’t. And he didn’t want to hear that I wasn’t interested. He didn’t seem to take it well.”

  “I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to hear that either.” We were quiet for a minute as Gabe drove through the hills to my home, following my directions. “Are you going to tell me no, by the way? I can take it. Unlike Clive Warren, I’m a man.”

  You certainly are. I then realized I had gone rogue. Ugh. “I have to present your offer to my board. It’s worth taking to them, in any event. We’ll go from there.”

  He nodded, still watching the road. “Fair enough.”

  “What were you doing there tonight, anyway? Did I take you away from your date?” I was glad the car was dark because I could feel my cheeks burning.

  He glanced over at me. “No. I was alone, having dinner at the bar. Typical bachelor CEO Friday night kind of thing.”

  “Oh.” It was all I could think of to say. Relief flooded me when he pulled into my long driveway and my car pulled in next to us. Timmy hopped out of the passenger seat and surveyed the premises.

  Gabe glanced at him. “You have security with you?”

  “When I go out, yes. The board thought it was a good idea.”

  “Your board has an excellent reputation for a reason. I approve.” He turned back to me. “So, tomorrow’s Saturday. I’m assuming you’re working?”

  “Of course.”

  “So am I. But as tomorrow night is Saturday night, and Saturday night is a night when people often venture out to get dinner, I was wondering if you’d like to do that too? With me?”

  “You know I don’t do dinner.”

  “Well, if you can make time for dinner with Clive Warren, you can make time for dinner with me. Plus, you said you liked going to dinner.”

  “I was just trying to be polite.”

  “Perfect. I
’m asking you to dinner, you’re trying to be polite—it’s officially a date. I’ll pick you up at eight.” He got out of the car and opened my unusual door for me, his eyes twinkling in the dim light spilling from my house. “That should give you time to put in a solid ten hours at the office, enough to assuage your impending guilt.”

  He took my hand and helped me out from the car. We stood together in the dim light spilling from my house. “Good night, Lauren. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

  I shook my head and stifled a smile. “Okay.”

  “Don’t sound so excited.” He grinned, and I caught a flash of dimple as he headed back to the driver’s side. “You’ll give me a big head.”

  I couldn’t suppress my smile. “Good night.”

  He smiled at me once more, then disappeared, reversing his beast of an electric car and speeding off into the night.

  “Ms. Taylor?” Timmy called. “Are you okay?”

  “I think so,” I called back.

  The truth, however, was a little more complicated than that.

  Chapter 4

  The next day dragged. I looked at the clock and yawned. It was only one in the afternoon, but I was exhausted. Hannah had accosted me as soon as I’d walked through the door the previous night, wanting to hear all the details about my evening.

  She’d been more than a little gleeful when I told her Gabe had driven me home and positively ecstatic when I’d told her we were having dinner. Worst of all, she’d made me promise to come home from the office by six, so she could pick out my clothes and do my makeup.

  I groaned and pulled up my latest report. I usually approached my work with a single-minded concentration, but thoughts of Gabe kept blurring my focus. My nerves thrummed about dinner for several reasons, not the least of which was that I’d never been to dinner with a man I found so attractive.

  I laughed and put my face in my hands. I was the twenty-five-year-old, independently wealthy CEO of a Silicon Valley biotech company, and I was petrified about having dinner with a handsome man—irrefutable evidence that I’d spent too much time at the lab. I could easily handle intense vetting from investors and government compliance agents, but a date?