Billionaire Novelist's Fiery Debutante

by Nic Saint

  “Things are fine. Just came back.”

  “How was your trip? You have to tell me all about it.”

  He had absolutely no intention of telling his mother anything except the bare minimum. “You know. The usual. Writing. Reading. Relaxing.”

  “Rupert tells me you had company this time? Some girl? How did that work out?”

  He could hardly suppress a groan. “How do you—” Then her words registered. Rupert. The snake. He’d told his manager so many times not to divulge any details of his personal life to his mom, and yet she still managed to wheedle them out of him.

  “Rupert says she’s very pretty. A prostitute, is she? One of them call girls?”

  Josh sat up with a jerk. It was just like Rupert to jump to conclusions like that. “Absolutely not!” he roared.

  “Oh, this is nice,” Mom said, unperturbed. “You should speak like this all the time, honey. I can finally hear what you’re saying. So she’s not a call girl, huh? Who is she, then? And why did you bring her along?”

  “I didn’t bring her along. It was all a big misunderstanding. The Eden Island people called it an unfortunate double booking. First time it ever happened.”

  “Double booking, huh? Is that what they call this kind of stuff nowadays? You have fun with her?”

  “Fun?” He spat out the word. “I worked, Mom. Worked very hard, in fact.”

  “Worked?” she teased, drawing out the word. “In my time we used to call it sex. Not work.”

  “We didn’t—” He stopped short before uttering the dreaded words. Nobody knew what had happened on the island except him and Chloe. He’d told Rupert about the double booking but hadn’t gone into detail about his exact relationship with his fellow islander/writer, except to mention that they’d collaborated on their respective works-in-progress while they were there. He expelled a deep breath, trying to find that calm spot his yoga instructor kept harping on about. “We didn’t have sex,” he lied.

  “Is that right?” Mom sounded dubious. “I asked Rupert about it, but he said he didn’t know.”

  “He didn’t know because nothing happened.”

  “That’s your story and you’re sticking with it, huh?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Fine. Lie to your mother.”

  “I’m not lying!”

  “I can tell a fib when I hear it, Joshua, so don’t insult my intelligence.”

  “I didn’t have sex with Chloe,” repeated Josh through gritted teeth.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I knew you were going to brush me off, so I asked her myself.”

  Josh’s blood ran cold. “You did what?”

  “I called her! Can’t a mother call her future daughter-in-law?”

  “She’s not—”

  “Anyway, she was a lot more forthcoming than you are, my dear. She said—and I quote—that she ‘had the most wonderful time with Josh and cherishes the time we spent together’. Now does that sound like a woman who got some or what?”

  “Mom,” grunted Josh icily, “I really don’t see how this is any of your business.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, hun,” rasped Mom. “Everything that concerns this family is my business. Anyway. I googled her, and Rupert was right. She is gorgeous. Now just you make sure you treat her right, you hear me? None of that skedaddling you’re so good at. I like this girl. I think she’s great for you. So there.”

  “Thanks,” was all Josh could think of to say.

  “Thank me later. I’m meeting her tomorrow, and I plan to go all out in support of you, honey. I’m gonna push your candidacy like nobody’s business. If after our little get-together she still has doubts about marrying you, it won’t be because of me. Now tell me all about what happened on the island. I need to be prepared if I’m gonna pull this off. You’re a hard sell, and you know it.”

  Josh sank back in his chair again, and slapped his hand over his face. What did he ever do to deserve a mother like this?

  CHAPTER 19

  There was an air of the mundane to Domani’s. Located nicely in between Chloe’s place and Josh’s posh mansion, it was just a pizza joint, for all intents and purposes. What the non-connoisseurs didn’t know, was that Ricki Domani made the best pizza for miles around, and locals had snacked on his delicious Italian cuisine for years.

  As she waited for her date to arrive, Chloe wondered if Josh was one of the people in the know, or if he was like most newcomers blissfully oblivious to this kind of secret the inner circle—the locals—treasured.

  She looked around as waiters hustled and bustled and carried hot steaming trays of pizza to the hungry crowd. Tuesday night was special. Two for the price of one, if you felt so inclined, with real Italian ice cream to top it off.

  She’d hesitated between a table outside—people watching was one of her favorite hobbies when not working on a novel—or inside, but had finally listened to common sense and opted for a table near the back of the room. Writers weren’t Hollywood movie stars by any stretch of the imagination, but Josh Poole was still one of Long Island’s celebrities and would probably be recognized by one of his autograph-hungry fans in next to no time.

  She wanted to have dinner with Josh, not with Joshua Poole, the famous writer, and didn’t mind concealing him from the general public.

  Ricki, who was a friend of hers, had passed by her table twice, asking with a worried frown if she really didn’t want to order yet, when Josh finally hove into view outside. He came walking up with long strides, wearing jeans and a polo shirt and disguising his handsome face behind sunglasses.

  He dashed inside like a summer storm, probably used to walking fast to waylay his fans, and spotted her without fault.

  “Sorry I’m late,” he began as he seated himself, his back conveniently to the other patrons. “My mother,” he added with a comical grimace.

  He didn’t say more and didn’t need to either. Chloe had had Josh’s mom on the phone for almost an hour before finally managing to ring off. During that time, the woman had repeatedly asked about her intentions with her son, and Chloe, mortified, had merely stammered that they’d only known each other for a week.

  “Honey,” Josh’s mom had countered, “I barely knew Josh’s father for a day before I was carrying his child.”

  “There should be a law against mothers interfering with their offspring’s love life,” Josh voiced her very own thoughts. He shook his head. “I hear she talked you into lunch tomorrow?” He placed his hand on top of hers. “I besiege you, Chloe. Don’t do it. For the sake of all that’s good and holy, don’t go.”

  She laughed. “It’s all right. She seems like a nice person. Apart from her habit to keep harping on the same topic over and over again.”

  “That topic being me?”

  “Actually, our union, as she calls it.”

  “Our union?”

  “She wants to make sure I know all there is to know about you before I tie the knot. Her words.”

  “Oh boy. I fear the worst.” He gave her a knowing smile. “Family photos.”

  “That’s pretty bad.”

  He suddenly grew serious. “Look, Chloe. I had a great time with you on Eden Island.” He leaned forward, his tone growing soft and confidential. “In fact I had a wonderful time. I… I deeply care about you, but this is all very premature. I mean… Perhaps we should take the time to get to know each other a little better before my mother starts bombarding you with her fondest memories from my diaper days.”

  She nodded. He was right. It was early days. They should really take their time. “I agree. But somehow I found myself incapable of saying no.”

  “My mother can be very persistent. Even for me it’s hard to say no. Do you want me to cancel your lunch date for you?”

  “No, that’s all right. Actually, I’m quite curious to meet her.”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Duly noted, Mr. Poole.”

  He grinned, and she couldn’t help swooning a li
ttle over his good looks. If the man had wanted, he could have been Hollywood royalty.

  He gave her hand a tiny squeeze. “How’s the novel going?”

  “Haven’t started yet. You?”

  He sighed. “It’s not the same without you, honey. Somehow, the words won’t come so easily if you’re not there to read them later on.”

  She raised her eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. “You want me to read some of your chapters?”

  He brightened. “Would you? I mean, if you don’t mind? I really value your opinion. And if you like I can read yours?”

  “Just like old times.”

  He smiled at that. “Not that old.” He glanced at his watch, then back at her, his eyes speaking volumes. “Twenty-four hours to be exact.”

  She held his gaze. “I remember.” She felt her heart make a little leap of joy. What she’d feared, that their connection would be severed the moment they touched down, had proved erroneous. The magic they shared was still there, the attraction undeniable.

  Then, just when Josh opened his mouth to speak, Ricki Domani appeared at their table, and they started the process of ordering food. The moment Ricki had disappeared, she rose to her feet. “Ladies’ room,” she whispered when he eyed her with a question mark in those amber eyes of his.

  Like a gentleman, he stood, and when she squeezed herself past his chair en route to the lavatory, he took her by the elbow and discreetly folded her into the crook of his arm to press a tender kiss on her lips. Then he whispered into her ear, “Just an appetizer.”

  Smooth. Very smooth. Her knees wobbly all of a sudden, she continued on her way.

  CHAPTER 20

  Josh smiled to himself as he awaited Chloe’s return. He really appreciated she’d seated them so he could hide from plain view, for it allowed him moments of privacy he seldom enjoyed when out of the house. In general, people treated him with kindness, especially here on Long Island, his stomping ground for the last ten years, but he still preferred to spend this precious time with Chloe without being interrupted by signature-hunters or, worse, selfie-addicts.

  His heart sang. The magic was still there. Their budding romance had survived their return to normalcy, and what was more, his mother’s infernal meddling. He’d feared that Mom’s phone call would have scared her off. That she would have run to the hills by now, wanting nothing more to do with him. Instead, she’d gracefully handled the whole affair. Magnificently, she’d accepted the invitation, knowing full well Mom would ask her a million questions about her personal life, and divulging a million more about Josh’s.

  Still smiling, he looked up when Chloe’s cell started buzzing. She’d left it on the table, and it described a small jig as it buzzed all across the table napkin listing all of Ricki Domani’s traits in glowing prose and vivid pictorial richness.

  Darting a quick look around, he carelessly turned the phone, so it was facing him, and stared at the display. ‘Fifi’ was trying to reach Chloe. Moments later, the buzzing ceased, only to be followed by the telltale twin buzz indicating a message had been received.

  He shook his head. He shouldn’t. He couldn’t. He… picked up the phone and checked the message.

  ‘Can’t w8 2 C U! XXX Frank’

  Shocked and appalled, he placed the phone back. Just ask her, Josh, he told himself. Just ask her if she has a boyfriend. She’s an honest, good woman. She won’t let you down. Don’t jump to conclusions. Talk to her and you’ll see.

  He was so engrossed in his little pep talk to himself, that she’d slipped back into her seat before he’d noticed.

  “Ah, erm, you had a, erm, text,” he managed, inclining his head at her phone.

  “Oh?” She sounded genuinely surprised, then picked up the trinket and stared at the message for a second before displaying the warm smile he’d come to cherish. His stomach lurched. Whoever Frank was, he was having the same effect on her that he had.

  He decided he couldn’t wait any longer, but just when he opened his mouth to speak, a waiter showed up carrying two steaming pizzas and carefully placed them on the table.

  “Buon appetito!” the man intoned with a deferential bow.

  “Grazzie!” cried Chloe, in excellent spirits.

  “Yeah, thanks,” grumbled Josh as he reached for his cutlery.

  Chloe leaned in. “I didn’t want to tell you this before, but this is the best pizza place on Long Island.”

  “I know,” riposted Josh a little curtly.

  Chloe inched back, and her smile faded. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. It’s just… Look, I really don’t know how to tackle this topic gently, so I’ll just come out and ask you, all right?”

  “Sure. What’s on your mind?”

  “I…” Oh, hell, why was he even going there… “I happened to see the message on your phone just now, and…”

  “Yes?”

  Was it just his imagination, or did he detect a slight diminution of her exuberance? Nonetheless, he decided to trudge on. “I couldn’t help but notice that a… friend called Frank called you? And…”

  Her face cleared. “You’re jealous, is that it?”

  “I—”

  She clasped a hand on top of his, her eyes shiny and bright. “You are!”

  “No, it’s just that—I was just wondering if—” Annoyed with himself, he emitted a soft grumble, then tightened his jaw and said, with controlled anger, “I would like to know if you have a boyfriend. Named Frank or Kiki or, or, whatever,” he concluded a little lamely.

  Chloe let rip a tinkling laugh that shook him to the marrow.

  “What’s so funny about that? A guy has a right to know if—if—if—”

  She bit her lip, a wonderful sparkle in her eye. “I’m sorry, Josh. It’s just that I’ve never had any man ask me that question before. It’s quite a new sensation for me. But to answer you: no, I don’t have a boyfriend. I think I told you that on the island. There’s nobody in my life right now except you.”

  “Oh.” He perked up quite a bit at these words. “Are you sure, because this Frank guy—”

  “Fifi’s just a very good friend,” she interjected.

  “Fifi?”

  “That’s what I like to call him.”

  “Kiki. Fifi. You have a lot of male friends.”

  She shrugged. “I guess I do.”

  Just then, Ricki returned to their table, and when he saw that their pizzas were still untouched, a dark frown marred his brow. “What’s wrong with the pizza?”

  “Nothing’s wrong with the pizza!” cried Chloe, her cheeks glowing.

  Josh grinned. She looked so lovely.

  “Then why aren’t you eating!” exclaimed Ricki.

  “We are! We are!” assured Chloe, and quickly took a slice and shoved it into her mouth. “See? Yum!”

  Ricki’s incandescent eye turned on Josh, and the latter felt compelled to follow Chloe’s example and tuck away a big piece of pasta. “It’s delicious!”

  The pizza parlor owner’s gaze swiveled from Josh to Chloe. “I’ll be watching you,” he warned darkly, then stalked off, his professional pride offended.

  “He takes this very personally,” mumbled Josh with his mouth full of pizza.

  “He does,” agreed Chloe, her mouth equally full.

  Then, while they were both munching like cows, their eyes met, and they had the hardest time not bursting out into laughter.

  Before long, Kiki and Fifi and Ricki were all forgotten, and they enjoyed both the pizza and each other’s company until darkness had fallen outside, and they were the only ones remaining.

  CHAPTER 21

  “Don’t you have work to do, dear Sir?”

  Josh’s lips curled up into an easy smile at those words. “I’ll have you know I do some of my best work at night.”

  “What are you saying? That I’m keeping you from your work?”

  He took a firmer grip on her hand and gave her arm a short jerk, landing her into his arms with a twirl.
<
br />   She yelped in surprise but didn’t protest when he stirred her lips with his. Then, as the kiss deepened, she was momentarily lost to the world. When finally he released her, she felt a little breathless and woozy.

  Steadying herself by leaning on his arm, she blinked a few times. “What were we talking about again? I seem to have forgotten…”

  He pretended to be thinking hard, furrowing his brow in the process. “I seem to recall you were challenging me about my work ethic.”

  “I was? Oh, you’re right. I was.”

  “You accused me of being a lazy bum—”

  “I did not!”

  “—and I reciprocated by pointing out I’m basically the night rider of novelists, reaching my peak performance right around the time other and lesser writers hit the hay.”

  She had to giggle at this. “If I’m following you correctly, you’re performing at your peak level right around now?”

  He fixed her with a glittering eye. “Haven’t you noticed?”

  She gave his shoulder a jocular punch. “You cad, you.”

  He took a brief curtsy. “The firm of Poole, Poole, Poole & Poole aims to please, dear lady.”

  “Well, tell one of the lesser Pooles from me that the head Poole is doing a good job.”

  They were both high on pizza and love and aimlessly wandering the beach by night. After a short ride in his Ferrari, Josh had parked the beast on his driveway and taken her out back, a small path leading to a small stretch of private beach. The idea had been to relive their parting lovemaking on Eden Island, but they’d both felt too giddy to stay put and had opted for a midnight stroll instead.

  Chloe suddenly turned serious. “You know, you’re quite different than your public persona indicates, Josh.”

  “Oh? I thought you’d never heard of me before last week?”

  “Well, I’d heard of you. My mother’s your biggest fan. How could I not have heard of you? I’d just never bothered to look you up before.”

  “And now you have.”

  “Now I have.”