Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 Laura Burton (books to read this summer .TXT) 📖

perched on the edge and kept her back impossibly straight as she took in their surroundings.

Edward glanced at the glass counter to see an elderly man walk through the back door. His eyes lit up as they lingered on Edward.

“I’ll be right back,” he said to Catherine and jogged over to the man.

“Edward, it’s been a while… you want the usual?” the man said a little too loudly for Edward’s liking. He shot a furtive look back at Catherine who was gazing out of the window, lost in her thoughts.

“Can you pretend we don’t know each other Michael?” he muttered quietly, leaning into the old man. Michael’s furry white brows shot up briefly before a knowing smile crossed his wrinkled face. He tapped his nose.

“Gotcha.”

Edward ordered food and strolled back to the table with his shoulders squared. Catherine’s bright eyes followed him across the room and stayed on him as he lowered to his seat.

“This is fancy,” she remarked, unfolding the cotton napkin on the table and placing it on her lap.

Sam’s rules echoed in Edward’s head. The budget. He could easily blow his daily budget just on brunch in this café. A Cup of Tea was a highly priced British café that served English scones and jam. It was where people came to have a traditional British afternoon tea.

Michael reappeared with a silver cake stand and set it on the table. Miniature cakes and sandwiches sat like ornaments on the stand and Edward watched Catherine’s eyes bulge as she inspected them closely.

“These look so cute,” she said with a squeal. Edward grinned.

“Try the smoked salmon,” he said pointing to one of the sandwiches. Catherine obliged and chewed thoughtfully.

Then, she gave him the thumbs up with a moan. Edward sat back in his chair, slowly spreading clotted cream onto his scone as he watched Catherine devouring the tiny cakes and appetisers on the stand.

“You were hungry,” he remarked, a broad grin taking over his face. Her eyes shot to him and she swallowed, her cheeks turning crimson.

“Starving,” she said simply as she dabbed her mouth with her napkin.

“So, it sounds like there’s a lot you can’t tell me… is there anything you can?” She looked at him with her defined brows raised.

Edward took a bite from his scone and chewed slowly to buy himself some time. Sam said he had to be authentic but not let on that he was rich. Edward hadn’t realized how difficult that was going to be. Coming from a wealthy family was part of who he was. He couldn’t talk about his many trips abroad, boarding school, his portfolio of cars. He couldn’t even talk about his work. He had even given his bodyguards time off. Mechanics don’t hire security, after all.

Edward hummed to himself. What made him Edward Marks?

“I really love classical music,” he said thoughtfully. Catherine’s eyes sparkled back at him as she gave him a nod of encouragement. “And I love to be challenged.”

“Oh?” Catherine’s eyelashes fluttered tantalizingly as she settled back in her chair, her teacup raised to her lips. “Now we’re talking. Would you say you’re competitive?”

“Would I?” Edward sat bolt upright as a surge of energy coursed through his veins. “I never lose anything.”

“Anything?” Catherine asked with a tilt of the head. She put her cup down and folded her arms across her chest. The delicate red blouse sat a little snug on her body, it made Edward’s mouth dry to look. His eyes flickered back up to her gorgeous face, her lips were pressed firmly together in a tight line and the soft waves of her hair rested on her cheeks. He wanted to take a hand and brush her hair to the side. Caress her smooth cheek with his thumb.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to set me a challenge?” he pointed at her briefly and picked up his drink.

“Well, you sound far too sure of yourself. I think you need a strong woman to put you in your place,” she teased.

“I’d like that very much,” Edward quipped back, flashing his teeth at her.

“Hmm.” Catherine looked down momentarily and bit her lip. “I’ll have to think about what to challenge you on.”

Edward was just about to make a suggestion when Catherine’s eyes darted outside the window and widened in horror. In a flash, she ducked and slid the chair back so fast it wobbled, almost tipping. Edward leaned over the table to see Catherine crouched and covering her head with her hands.

“What are you doing?” he asked as he looked out of the window. A crowd of pedestrians walked past the window without so much as a glance in their direction. If Edward hadn’t known any better, he would have guessed that there was a missile heading in their direction from Catherine’s reaction.

Her head popped up and she peeked out of the window, still crouching.

“He’s gone.” She sighed with relief while Edward stared at her incredulously.

“He? You’re not married, are you?”

Catherine shot him a look and gingerly returned to her seat.

“I told you, I just got out of a bad relationship…”

“Oh, him? Where is he? I’ll sort him out.” Edward flexed his muscles as he rolled his sleeves up and surveyed the crowd looking for the man who could possibly instil so much fear in this beautiful woman.

What a piece of––

“No!” Catherine said firmly. Edward snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her. She was chewing her lip now and her forehead became shiny. “I’m sorry Edward… this has been nice but… I have to go.” She rose to her feet and Edward scrambled out of his chair with his mouth open as Catherine shot out of the café and disappeared into the steady stream of people.

Just like that, she was gone, leaving Edward scratching his head and wondering what to do next.

“She ran out on your date? Eddie, that’s too perfect.” Sam chortled to himself as he surveyed his suit in the floor length mirrors of the gentleman’s dressing room. Edward