Close To Her Asian Billionaire

Chapter 3

Jason felt nervous. He knew he shouldn’t be. There wasn’t anything in this dinner except he had virtually bribed Carla into having it so she could get what she wanted for her article. It was to his advantage, having dinner with a beautiful woman.

But now he was sitting at the table he had reserved, dressed in a tuxedo with the bow tie feeling on the tight side and threatening to choke him, Jason wondered if Carla would actually turn up. She had accepted graciously enough without much argument but he had a feeling that she was going to make a fool out of him somehow.

He wouldn’t be surprised if she did; she was a journalist, after all. His contact at the security firm was away on vacation so he couldn’t do the background check he wanted on her. He could have used someone else but there was no one else he trusted other than his kid brother to check up on Carla Romaine.

Jason could still smell her subtle perfume from their lunch meeting. It had put his head in a spin for the rest of the day. He had struggled through two meetings because he had been thinking too much about her scent. A new writer had been upset at his lack of interest but Jason had managed to save it by quoting parts of the guy’s book and had pacified him. It wouldn’t do to lose a client because of his inability to pay attention.

Perhaps Richard was right. He should just bang her and get rid of her. It would, at least, get her out of his system. But, try as he might, Jason couldn’t bring himself to treat Carla as another potential bed mate. She wasn’t that sort of woman; she needed more from a man. Jason wasn’t sure if he could provide that for her.

And with their different lifestyles he was sure she would turn him down flat.

There was a rustling of cloth and he looked up to see Carla sitting opposite him. She looked stunning in a black dress with spaghetti straps, the dress outlined her slim figure to perfection. Jason swallowed as his co*k stood to attention.

“I was beginning to think you were never turning up.”

Carla smiled.

“I was thinking about it.” Her eyes twinkled. “But then I decided I’ve got nothing else to do tonight.”

“Cheeky.”

Carla grinned and winked. Jason bit back a groan as his co*k twitched. He shuffled his chair further under the table, using the tablecloth to hide his ere*tion from the waiter as he arrived with a menu, which he presented to Carla.

“Would the lady like something to drink?”

“I’ll have a glass of Pepsi, please.” Carla opened the menu. “Ice, no slice.”

The waiter bowed and walked away. Jason picked up his beer glass, which was half empty, and took a sip.

“More confident about not ordering alcohol?”

“Now you know about it.”

“My mom’s a teetotal. She doesn’t like alcohol. Says it tastes like cat’s pee.”

Carla chuckled. “She does have a point. Have you ordered yet?”

“I was waiting for you.”

Jason reached for his menu and opened it, trying to focus on the choices and not on Carla’s cleavage. It was more subtle than the amount she had had on display earlier but Jason wasn’t complaining. He liked the view.

Shaking himself, he indicated for the waiter to come over and ordered the roast chicken. Carla ordered the same. The waiter scribbled the orders down and took the menus away. Then Jason openly admired Carla.

“You look gorgeous, by the way.”

“I was wondering when you were going to say something about my appearance.”

Even though she said it carelessly, Jason could tell from the way she touched the simple silver necklace that adorned her neck and the slight blush dusting her cheeks that she was flattered by his compliment.

“I was just glad you had turned up.”

“I don’t see why. You must have women queuing up, begging to go out with you. You can’t be that insecure that one of them isn’t going to make an appearance.”

Jason sipped at his beer. He pondered how to answer the question. While he had only met Carla that day, he felt a certain pull towards her. Something about her had him wanting to open up and tell her everything.

But, then again, she was a journalist. They thrived on getting information out of people. But Jason couldn’t be bothered to argue that point tonight.

“Since I started making lots of money, I’ve never had a woman turn me down or stand me up.” He winced when he realized that sounded very arrogant. “Before was another matter. The geeky looking Asian kid who couldn’t get a date to save his life.”

“I can’t see you as geeky.”

“Laser surgery to get rid of the glasses and I stopped wearing braces to hold my trousers up.” Jason grimaced. “And I got rid of the braces when I made my first million at twenty.”

Carla blinked.

“Wow. That’s a long time to be wearing braces.”

“Bad teeth that wouldn’t stay still. Anyhow, women who wouldn’t look twice at me before flocked around me. I had to beat them off with a stick.”

Not that he had tried hard to get rid of them. Jason had loved the attention. The women had been in seventh heaven being on his arm. But after he found out what they were really for he treated all the women around him the same; if they wanted more than a professional relationship they were good for a roll between the sheets but not much else.

Carla’s drink arrived and she took a sip.

“I bet it’s not easy to find someone who’s interested in just you instead of the money.” She observed quietly.

“It’s hard to find someone who’s genuinely interested at all in a simple relationship.” Jason couldn’t even remember the last time he had a proper relationship. Maybe he had never had one of those. “Women who go on shopping sprees are not attractive to me. They’re obviously after money.”

Carla’s expression said she was sympathetic.

“I earn enough to live within my means.” She said. “My mother always lived frugally and I learned from her.”

“Good for you.”

Jason meant it. He liked a person who was sensible with their money. Even with his billions he lived well within his means, choosing to put his money aside until he really needed it and only splashed out on special occasions.

“I’m the youngest of five so I didn’t start wearing brand new clothes until I was starting university. They were clean and in good shape so I didn’t really care.” Carla sat back. “But it was nice having something new.”

“I bet.”

It was a pity about this woman’s profession. If he was looking for someone who would be his ideal partner, Carla would be it.

Carla looked up at him and smiled.