Close To Her Asian Billionaire

Chapter 2

Jason ducked under a swing aimed at his head and came back with a jab to the ribs. His opponent grunted and kept going, still aiming for Jason’s head. He raised his arms and covered himself as he was forced back into the corner of the ring and pinned there as his opponent kept hitting him.

Finally he managed to duck out and held up a hand to halt the fight, ripping off his head guard.

“That’s it.” He gasped, taking out his gum shield. “I’m done.”

“Come on! We’ve barely started.”

“We’ve been at it for nearly an hour.”

Jason pointed at the clock, trying not to show his relief. He had been off his game and wouldn’t have lasted much longer after a grueling boxing session. But he didn’t quit, even when he had been knocked on his ass.

“I’ve gotta go anyway.” He ducked under the ropes and climbed down on shaking legs to sit on the edge of the ring. “I’ve got a lunch meeting.”

Richard Stevens snorted as he leaned on the ropes and took out his gum shield. Sweat dripped off him, soaking his t-shirt and splashing onto the floor.

“You’re just ducking out because you were losing.”

“Never.” Jason picked up his water bottle and chugged it down. He wiped at his mouth with his wrist. “But I do need to be at this meeting.”

“You’re the boss. You don’t need to be on time for meetings.” Richard climbed out of the ring and jumped down, his thick muscles flexing as he moved. Shorter and stockier than Jason, he looked more like an MMA fighter than a financial genius who wore a suit all day. He pulled his head guard off and wiped at his forehead. “Can’t someone else go in your place?”

“It’s specifically for me so I can’t get out of it.” Jason leaned his elbows on his knees and pressed his bottle to his forehead. It felt cold against his steaming skin. “And I don’t think anyone else could pass themselves off as me, as it is.”

Richard chuckled. He went to his gym bag by the wall and picked up his towel, rubbing the sweat off his face.

“Who’s it with?”

“A journalist. She wants to talk to me about being a wealthy Asian man in charge of a major business.”

“Doesn’t she know you’re Chinese-American? Which only makes you half-Asian?”

“I’m still part of the Asian community, Rick, no matter what the other half is.” Jason sat back and leaned against the ropes. The thumping in his head had lessened. “But it will mean a lot of coverage for the company so I’d better do it and be nice.”

Richard shrugged. Then he grinned. “Bang her if she’s hot.”

Jason felt his cheeks flaming. “No!”

If Richard had made that comment before three days ago Jason would have taken the woman to bed and given her a couple of hours rolling between the sheets before walking away leaving her satisfied. That was how Jason lived his life with regards to women. He hadn’t found one who didn’t want something from him and that was usually his money. So he just used them for basic needs and dropped them once he was done with them. Very few women lasted beyond a few weeks.

His mother had scolded him on this issue on many occasions but Jason wasn’t prepared to change himself simply to satisfy her, much as he loved his mother. It would have to take a very special woman to make him reconsider.

Like that woman he had rescued in the park on Monday, trying to get away from an Italian man who looked like a European Hulk. She had had something about her that drew Jason in, something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. She hadn’t called him and Jason had been wondering about that. There had been no wedding or engagement ring. Maybe she was with a boyfriend? Jason didn’t think so. He had a knack of knowing who was single or attached.

He could still see her now. Four inches shorter than him with short black hair that curled around her head like a cap. Mahogany skin as smooth as marble with a big, soft mouth and big eyes that held a sassy glint. She was slim and sinewy like a gymnast with definite muscle tone. A genuine athlete.

If she crossed his path again Jason wouldn’t be letting her set the pace. He was going after her.

Richard raised his eyebrows at Jason’s sudden quietness. Then his expression cleared when he realized.

“You’ve had another conquest, haven’t you?” And when Jason remained silent: “Damn it, I thought so! I recognize the glint in your eye.” He nudged Jason’s shoulder with a grin. “So, who is she?”

Jason groaned. He didn’t want to talk about the woman to Richard. While he wanted to do more with her, he didn’t want to share her with anyone else. Hell, he didn’t even know her name.

“Just a jogger I saw on a new route I took on Monday.” He said airily, trying to brush it off. “I probably won’t see her again.”

“Not unless you take the same route.” Richard reminded him. “Which one is she? Black? White? Asian? Other?”

Jason winced. He wished Richard wasn’t so crude.

“Black. About my age.” And sassy. Jason liked sassy. He stood up. “But, like I said already, it won’t happen. Because chances are I won’t see her again.”

“If she knows who you are, you’re definitely going to see her again.” Richard picked up his gym bag and tossed Jason’s at him. “Because she wants to bang a man with cash.”

“You’re an idiot.” Jason scowled.

Richard laughed and gave him a little wave as he went to the changing rooms.

“Have fun.”

Jason rolled his eyes and went the other way. His office had a separate en-suite bathroom and he preferred to use it instead of the one in the gym. They were both in his office building but Jason liked his privacy instead of having his employees gawking at him as he changed. It was bad enough that they did it when he was working out without watching him in the showers.

It didn’t take him long to shower and dress in a navy suit, deciding to forego a tie. He had the money and was the CEO; he could dress how he wanted. The woman would have to lump it if she wanted him to wear a tie.

His driver Tony dropped him off outside the restaurant he had arranged to meet the journalist at and went in. The maître d’ knew him on sight and hurried over to greet him as Jason entered.

“Good morning, Mr Liu.”

“Morning, Eric.” Jason shook hands with the older man. “I’m here to meet a Carla Romaine? She said she’s reserved a table.”

“Of course. She’s already here.” Eric indicated for Jason to follow him. “Right this way.”

They went onto a separate tier and Eric led Jason to a table by the window overlooking the beach. Jason knew as soon as he saw the woman which table was his. Short curly black hair and smooth dark brown skin, dressed in a white pants suit that was a startling contrast to her dark complexion. She sat back in her chair, tapping away furiously on an iPad, a frown between her pretty eyes.

Eric hovered nearby as Jason approached and leaned on the vacant chair.

“Well, well. We meet again.”