One Weekend with the Billionaire Chapter 34

We are in the back of the limo alone together, Braxton’s fingers intertwined with mine, and it’s all I can do to keep from devouring him. I know it is a short ride back to his house from here, having made the journey earlier in the day. I do have time to kiss him, but not much more. I’m afraid if I start kissing him, I won’t be able to stop.

“What would you like to do for dinner?” Braxton asks me. I am wondering if he is having the same problem I am. His eyes shift from my eyes to my lips as he speaks, and I have a feeling he wants to kiss me, too.

“I don’t know,” I say. I can’t remember the last time Jeff asked me what I preferred to do about anything. From what we would eat to what we would watch on television, the choices were never mine. “Whatever you’d like to do is fine with me,” I said because it seemed like the polite thing to say and also because I had no idea what my choices might be.

“If you’d like to stay in for dinner, I can have the chefs prepare something,” he says.

“That sounds wonderful.” While going out with Braxton also sounds intriguing, I like the idea of spending the rest of the night at his house, preferably as much of it as possible in his arms.

“What sounds good to you?” he asks me. “Anything in particular?”

I think for a moment because there are so many delicious dishes I have always wanted to try or haven’t had in a long time, but I also don’t want to suggest something too difficult to make, or something so simple it sounds silly to him. “I’m not sure,” I say, hoping he will make some suggestions.

“Is there a meal that you used to have growing up that you don’t anymore? Or maybe something you’ve had at a restaurant in your hometown? Something like that? My cooks can make anything.”

His questions remind me of a meal my grandmother used to make when I was younger, something I haven’t had in many years. “Oh!” I exclaim, just thinking of it. “What about chicken and dumplings? Have you ever had them? Is that too much to ask for?” I hope I don’t sound silly to him, but he makes me feel so at home, I can’t imagine him ever thinking less of me for getting excited about food.

Braxton smiles, a rich chuckle slipping from his lips. “I have had them, but it’s been a long time. I think we can arrange for that.” He slips his phone from his pocket and fires off a text. “Who used to make them for you?”

“My grandmother made the best chicken and dumplings,” I say. “Jeff never cared for them, so I don’t make them. I doubt I could make them as good as her anyway. I’m okay in the kitchen, but Jeff doesn’t have too many dishes he cares for, so I don’t make a variety of things.” I thought I might be talking too much about Jeff.

“Were you close to your grandma?” Braxton asks me.

I nod. “We were best friends. She was amazing. She passed away a few years ago.” I try not to tear up. I miss her so much. “I didn’t get to go to the funeral. It was right after the wedding, and Jeff didn’t want to go back so soon.” I had been so upset at the time. That should’ve been an eye opener to me that Jeff was too controlling. I realize as the thought enters my mind that I still don’t seem to understand just how controlling he is.

“That’s terrible,” Braxton says, his forehead crinkled in concern. “I’m so sorry to hear you say that. I am very close to my grandparents. I can’t imagine losing any of them, but not getting to have that final goodbye, that closure… well, that would be so hard.”

“Thank you,” I say, blinking back tears. I try to think of something else, something happy. “Anyway… I just loved her chicken and dumplings.”

“Then, that’s what we shall have,” he assures me as the car goes through the gate to the mansion.

Even though I’ve already seen it, the sight of his beautiful home takes my breath away again. Perhaps more importantly, I am ecstatic that I have managed to make it the entire ride without throwing myself at this wonderful man. Braxton isn’t perfect. I know that. No one is. But… he’s pretty damn close. I had no idea a man so wonderful could even exist, and every moment I spend with him, the more I begin to believe that it’s possible to be happy in this life, truly happy. I hadn’t thought that was possible since high school, since Jeff and I had first started dating, before he became… what he is now.

The driver opens the door for us, and Braxton takes my hand, leading me up the wide porch steps. “Are you ready for your next surprise?” he asks me.

I grin at him. “I’m so ready,” I tell him. Smiling at one another, we head inside. I can’t imagine what he could have up his sleeve now, but I’m sure, whatever it is, it will be just as wonderful as he is.