A Billionaire Donor Read online

  “Good. Go home, get some rest. You’ll be fine. This is all pretty normal.”

  Melanie thanked him. As she walked outside, she decided that the day was too beautiful to waste. Besides, she didn’t want to go home just yet. She walked down to one of her favorite bookstores, a tiny mom and pop store tucked between a starbucks and a Book Giant. She loved the fact that it was still there after all those years, even surrounded by bigger places.

  “Melanie,” a woman with circular glasses and a wide smile greeted her. “How are you today? It’s been a while.”

  “I’ve had a lot of work to do,” Melanie said with a grin.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  Melanie settled down into a big, comfortable armchair. “A cup of tea would be amazing.”

  “Coming right up.”

  She watched Rachel shuffle off to the back of the store. The woman was getting up there in years and she wondered what would happen to the store when she could no longer take care of it. The last thing Melanie wanted was to see it get overtaken by the urban sprawl and turned into another place that no one needed.

  The bell above the door tinkled quietly as someone stepped inside. Melanie gazed up paused. The man in front of her was a dream. He was tall with short black hair and the most startling shade of green eyes she’d ever seen. Melanie had to remind herself not to stare. Trying to look nonchalant, she picked up the nearest book and held it up as she examined him.

  Rachel came back to the front of the store with a cup of tea on a delicate saucer. There was a little cake beside the cup. Melanie temporarily forgot about the man as she pushed herself up and walked to the counter.

  “Thanks, Rachel,” she said with a smile.

  “No problem. Can I help you with anything?” She asked the man behind Melanie.

  “Actually, I’m just browsing,” he said. “I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

  “Take your time.”

  Tea and saucer in hand, Melanie made her way back to her seat. As she settled in, she felt eyes on her and gazed up. The man was looking at her, his eyes roaming over her. She caught his eye, lifted a browse and grinned at him. She could tell when someone was flirting with her.

  The only question left was if she should go up and say something or let him make the first move. She bit her lip. Before her pregnancy, she’d never been shy about going up to a guy. Now, she was second guessing herself. What should she do?

  4

  Kian had been nervous all morning. He’d gotten a friend to do some digging into Melanie’s background the day before. Once he’d poured over all of the info, he’d decided that he needed to run into her.

  He had to admit, he’d felt like a stalker earlier as he drove behind her to the bookstore. Kian had no idea how to make their run in look casual. Even if he did, what was he supposed to say to her?

  From what he’d learned of Melanie, she was an impressive woman. A divorce attorney with years of experience under her belt who’d sailed through school and ran several charities. Kian found himself wanting to know more about her.

  Kian browsed through the bookstore, happy that she’d decided to stop in there. It was easier to meet someone at a bookstore and look casual, or at least he hoped so. He looked from around a shelf and caught her eye. Kian gave her a wide smile before he looked down at the book. Only after she’d looked away did he look at her more closely.

  She was sitting in a chair, smooth brown legs crossed as she looked at a book in her hands. Occasionally, she’d take a small sip of tea or run her fingers through shoulder length black hair. He could tell she was watching him, there was even a small smile on her lips.

  Kian wondered if he should just go up to her, talk to her. What would he say? How could he say anything about her pregnancy without sounding like a lunatic stalker?

  Determined to get it over with, Kian walked over to Melanie swiftly. She lowered her book and a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. Kian gulped. She’s beautiful.

  He glanced down at her book. “Quantum mechanics?”

  The woman gazed at the book in her hand as if for the first time. “Yeah, just some light reading,” she said with a grin.

  They both laughed before Kian gestured to the seat beside hers. “Do you mind if I sit with you.”

  “Not at all.”

  Now what? Kian wondered what his next course of action should be. He ran a hand through his hair, his muscles rippling beneath the t-shirt that he wore. For the briefest moment, he caught Melanie gazing at his form. He wanted to laugh, but instead he simply smiled at her.

  “My name’s Kian,” he said as he extended a hand towards her.”

  “Melanie,” she replied taking his hand.

  Her skin was so smooth. Kian resisted the urge to run a finger over her hand, her arm. It took all of his restraint not to shake his head so the idea would leave him. What was wrong with him? His eyes kept drifting to the line of her throat as she sipped her tea, the way her legs shifted against one another. Damn, this was going to be even harder than he thought.

  “I’ve never seen you in here,” Melanie said breaking the silence and bringing him back to the present. “Most of the people here are regulars. I rarely see new people stop in.”

  Kian nodded. “Honestly, I’ve never seen this place before today, but I thought I’d go ahead and check it out.”

  “Good choice. Places like this need to be kept alive no matter what. They’re fading out too quickly, being replaced by big businesses.”

  “What’s wrong with big business?” Kian asked with a raised brow.

  Melanie shrugged, polished off her tea and returned the cup to the saucer before she politely wiped her mouth. “There’s nothing wrong with it I suppose, but it is sad that small places like these are being run out of business. You can’t get the same kind of atmosphere in the big bookstores as you can by sitting quietly here.” She chuckled. “Sorry if I’ve offended you. You must be part of some big corporation.”

  “No need to apologize. And I am actually. I like to think that it’s done a lot of good for people.”

  “What does it do?”

  “It…it…,” Kian struggled to find the words. “It’s a technology based company. That phone in your lap? We made that.”

  Melanie picked up her phone. “I see. Well that’s very fascinating, but how is that helping people?”

  “Parents can call their children, people can call for help if they’re sick, people can find jobs and opportunities.”

  Melanie laughed, making him pause. “Okay, I know when I’ve been defeated. You’re right, it is important. I just meant that I love small places like this over big ones, they hold more charm.”

  “I can’t argue there,” Kian said glancing around the bookstore.

  Melanie was right. It was quaint, cozy, comfortable. The large armchair that he was sitting in was soft and almost made him feel sleepy. The sun came filtering in through the front window, light streaming around the books stacked against the glass.

  “Beautiful,” Melanie mumbled.

  Kian glanced at her. She was gazing at the spot that he’d just been staring, but she was smiling. His eyes darted to her belly. There was no sign of a growing belly, but her skin seemed to glow.

  “I know this is sudden,” he said and she turned to look at him with curiosity written on her features. “Would you like to get lunch with me?”

  Melanie’s eyes were round. She seemed to be contemplating something, but before long she was nodding her head.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  While Kian made arrangements for lunch, Melanie drifted through the stacks in search of something. She brought several books up to the counter and chatted with the woman behind it. Finally, Melanie lugged the bag full of books towards the door. Kian held out his hand and she looked at him in surprise as he handed it off.

  “Where to for lunch?” She asked.

  “Nowhere too fancy.”

  Kian helped her carry the bag to
her car. WHen they were done, they strolled down the street together. Normally, Kian was very confidant in every word he spoke, but it was different with Melanie. He found himself simply listening as they made their way to the restaurant.

  He’d already known she was a lawyer, but to hear her talk about it was another thing entirely. She was animated, passionate. He found himself hanging onto her every word. All the while, he wondered what it would be like to trace the elegant line of her chin with the tip of his finger.

  “Oh, here we are,” Kian chuckled. “You tell such good stories, I almost got completely lost.”

  Melanie grinned. “I have that effect it seems.”

  Kian held the door open for her and gestured for her to enter. She thanked him as she walked inside and glanced around. At the wooden podium, there was a young girl dressed in black, her chestnut hair pulled up into a bun. She smiled at them.

  “Mister Sapir, it’s good to see you again,” she beamed. She gave Melanie a warm smile. “Welcome. Let me show you two to your table.”

  Kian followed behind Melanie. He was surprised that he couldn’t even tell she was pregnant. The woman was more on the slender side, but her hips swayed when she walked. Kian had never really been that close to a pregnant woman before, he’d had no reason to be. He wondered if it was even true. Maybe there had been some mistake, maybe she’d changed her mind.

  He pulled out her seat before taking the chair across from her. They both ordered simple meals, a fresh salad for her and a vegetarian burger for him. When the waiter disappeared with their menus, Melanie leaned across the table, her straw twirling between her fingertips.

  “So, you’re a vegetarian?”

  Kian chuckled. “Not really. I just enjoy the taste of it.”

  “Gotcha.” She sipped her water. “This place is...impressive. I don’t know why I’ve never come in here before. I don’t work that far away and I usually walk over here for my breaks.”

  “Not many people know about it,” Kian said with a smile. “it’s one of my favorite places to eat.”

  Kian also knew that mostly the small, but expensive restaurant was out of most people’s budgets or they just couldn’t get a table. He had a standing reservation, which made it easy to get in. However, he didn’t want to tell Melanie any of that. So far, she didn’t seem to know who he was at all. Hearing the name Sapir hadn’t brought her any recognition and he wanted to keep it that way.

  “People seem to know you,” Melanie said as she glanced around the room. “Why is that?”

  Kian laughed nervously. “It’s just because I come here often enough.”

  “You must live close.”

  “Pretty close,” Kian said as he took a bite of the food sat before him.

  Really, Kian had several properties. There was a loft not far from the restaurant, a house in the suburbs and a cabin that was tucked into the woods. And that was just for New York. He had properties sprawled throughout the states and a few in other countries as well. Kian hated hotels, he never trusted them and preferred the comfort of his own home, even if he hadn’t been there for months at a time.

  Together, they finished their lunch. Full and satisfied, they turned down the offer of dessert and decided to go for a walk. It was a beautiful day and the work crowd was still buried behind computers or busy doing construction.

  “Let’s go in here,” Kian suggested after they’d walked a bit.

  Melanie smiled. “I like your thinking.

  5

  Melanie was stuffed. The food had been spectacular, the decorations quaint, but elegant and the staff sweet and considerate. She hadn’t felt sick even for a moment. It was a nice change of pace from the last few days and made her feel back to normal.

  She was almost positive she’d talked Kian’s ear off, but she couldn’t seem to stop once she started. He seemed to hang on her every word. Melanie didn’t want to think about their being anything there more than the surface friendliness. Still, she was almost hoping there would be. It couldn’t hurt, right? If it was just for a little while.

  Melanie couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to date her knowing that she was pregnant. That was a big responsibility, one that not many people seemed to want in the modern age. That was clear by the fact that she even had to visit a sperm bank in the first place. Her hand ran over her belly subconsciously. When she realized what she was doing, she quickly took her hand away.

  She’d been in her own little world so much that she zoned out of the conversation for a minute. When she came back to, Kian was pointing to a shop. Gazing up, she nodded. It was just what she needed to take her mind off of things.

  The ice cream parlor was done in the style of an old soda shop. There was a turquoise and white striped wallpaper on the walls and an old time cash register next to a tablet to take payments. The seating was cozy, black leather seats and soft, fifties tunes piped through the stereo.

  Melanie had only been inside of the shop once before, but normally she worked so late that it was impossible to go after work. It didn’t help that most of her lunch times were spent at her desk, eating out of a container or Styrofoam box. The man behind the counter smiled as they placed their orders.

  Kian ordered a double chocolate Sundae, which almost made Melanie gag. She hated chocolate, never touched it unless she’d had an especially bad day and a little dark chocolate could be her pick me up. Instead, she opted for a cookies and cream bowl with extra whipped cream and nuts. They carried their treats over to a booth before they both dug into their bowls.

  “Oh my god,” Melanie said around a mouthful of ice cream. “This is amazing.”

  “You’re right,” Kian said, diving in for another bite. “I haven’t had ice cream in a long time.”

  Melanie couldn’t help but to grin at him. The look on his face was pure bliss. She could almost imagine him as a small child, smiling happily at a treat. Biting into her lip, she stifled a laugh.

  As happy as she was, she wondered what she was doing too. She didn’t have time to date, didn’t have time for men. Her career meant everything and seven months later, her baby would be the most important person in her life. Still, she didn’t find herself walking away.

  Kian was too likeable, to cheerful and caring. She found herself wanting to spend more time around him. No, this is just one day. All I need is one day like this, one day of company. Tomorrow I have to get back to my responsibilities.

  She pushed those thoughts away. For the moment being, she just wanted to talk to him, see him smile and watch him devour his ice cream. He looked up at her just then, the spoon poised in his mouth still.

  “Is there something on my face?” He mumbled around the spoon.

  Melanie chuckled. “No. You just seem like you’re really enjoying yourself.”

  “I am,” Kian smiled. “I know this is kind of quick…”

  “You’re madly in love with me and want to run off to Vegas to get married?”

  Kian shook his head quickly. “Nothing that creepy.”

  Melanie laughed. “What is it?”

  “I’ve enjoyed my day with you,” he said, gazing at her softly.

  She swallowed thickly. It was all she could do to choke out words. “Yeah? I’ve enjoyed it too.”

  “I want to take you out. Tomorrow night, how’s that sound?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Melanie said quietly. She stared down at her dessert. “It might not be such a good idea.”

  “It doesn’t have to mean anything,” Kian added quickly, a warm smile on his lips. “I just really enjoyed talking to you and I want to do it again.”

  Melanie bit her lip. There was a war waging in her head between “absolutely not” and “I really want to go out with him.” Didn’t she deserve this? She’d worked her ass off for years and seldom had time for a relaxing time. Besides, it didn’t have to be permanent, she reminded herself again. Maybe just a nice night out was exactly what she needed.

  Finally, she talked herself into it and nodded
. Kian’s grin widened. Melanie could feel her cheeks getting hot under his gaze. She couldn’t understand why he was having such an effect on her. Maybe it was those green eyes or the way his smile was both sweet and slightly mischievous. Or maybe it was the cut of his muscles just detectable beneath his shirt. She wondered how they would feel beneath her fingertips…

  Melanie shook herself out of it. Kian was raising an eyebrow at her, but she laughed it off and went back to finishing her now softened ice cream. By the time they were done, she was feeling all, giddy and a little hopeful.

  “Thanks,” she said as she stood outside of her car. “It’s been a really fun day.”

  “No problem. I had a great time talking to you.”

  They both stood there for a moment grinning like fools before Kian finally walked away. She watched him go until he slipped into his car and she quickly scrambled into hers so it wouldn’t look like she’d been staring. Once she was inside, she started the car, but paused. Melanie took a deep breath before she smiled. Everything was going to be fine. She hoped.

  6

  “What the hell do you mean you’re going on a date with her?” Jack yelled.

  His voice was so loud that it cut into the conversations around them. A couple of patrons that sat next to them at the bar glanced in their direction before returning to their drinks. Kian sighed.

  “Would you calm down?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just a little testy because my best friend has lost his damn mind. Did you tell her how you just happened to bump into her?”

  Kian shook his head. “How was I supposed to tell her that?” Kian threw back a swig of the bourbon, appreciating the warm burn as it traveled down his throat. “ ‘Hey, I bribed your file and now I’m pretty much stalking you because you’re pregnant with my child. Nice to meet you!’”

  “It would have been the truth,” Jack grumbled as he took a drink.

  They were both silent for a long time, their eyes on the big screen showing a football game that neither of them were actually paying attention to. Jack’s suit jacket was open, his tie loosened and shirt untucked. His naturally red hair was messy and there were circles under his eyes. Kian knew he had a lot on his mind and he wasn’t helping, but what was he supposed to do.