Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

and only the sound of a faint rumble entered the cabin. As the limousine pulled away, Emily settled back into her comfy seat and fastened the seat belt.

“This is luxury,” she said aloud and proceeded to daydream for the entire journey. As the car came to a gentle stop, Emily peered through the dark glass.

The Marks Hotel towered over the city street.

Of course, David is staying here, Emily mused. She craned her neck to look up at the building. It looked like a venetian palace with decorative pillars along the front. It stood out in the contemporary streets of New York. Such was the Marks Hotel brand. Anyone would know a Marks Hotel based on the architecture alone.

Robert stood with his hands clasped together and waited for Emily by the front doors. He inclined his head at her as she approached.

“Hello Robert,” Emily said as he held open the glass door for her to enter. Emily walked inside with her head held high and shoulders back. She knew the game… the expectations.

“Ms. Stewart,” he said in acknowledgement.

Do I hear a hint of disdain in his voice?

“Please call me Emily,” she offered graciously.

Robert offered a small smile in return. They walked along the marble flooring in silence and turned to a doorway that looked like it led to a service area.

Robert held up his wrist to a black electronic pad on the side of the door. At the sound of a click, the heavy door swung open and he stood beside it, patiently waiting.

Emily peered through before taking a step. It wasn’t a dirty alleyway, nor a service cupboard, but a private room with a red Persian rug overlaying a gold-colored carpet. A set of French chairs and brocade couches were assembled around the rug and a glass coffee table stood in the center. A set of golden doors hung proudly to the right.

“If you follow me, I’ll take you up to Mr. Marks,” Robert said formally as he strolled over to the golden doors. He held up his wrist to a scanner and a shrill ping filled the air. The double doors opened up to an elevator.

Cool. Very cool.

Emily concealed a grin with her hand as she waltzed into the elevator.

“So, Robert, how long have you been bodyguarding David?’ Emily said in an attempt to strike up a friendly conversation.

Bodyguarding? What the heck? Why did I say that?

She grinned sheepishly at Robert, who remained silent as the elevator started to move. The heavy silence in the air indicated David’s bodyguards like to keep a professional distance. With her at least. Point taken, she remained quiet as the elevator slowly made its way up to the top floor. Interestingly, there was only one button; it had a picture of a house engraved on it.

The elevator pinged and the golden plated doors rolled back to reveal a small white lobby. Emily walked up to the white door and looked back to see Robert still standing in the elevator.

“Thank you, Robert.”

And with that, Robert was gone and she and David were alone. Play it cool, Emily.

David smiled warmly at her, his almond shape eyes creased, and his cheekbones became more defined.

“Hmm, I smell steak,” Emily said, then walked into the penthouse suite. She stole a few glances to take in the room. Across from the door was an entire wall of glass windows overlooking the city, and to her side a spiral staircase with plush carpet and marble handrails climbed toward the impossibly high ceiling, making David look like an average-sized person, instead of the 6’4” giant he was. Even with her five-inch heels, she still didn’t come up to his shoulders.

“I love sunflowers.” She ran her fingers along the edges of the bright yellow sunflowers decorating the glass dining table already set with china. David closed the door and followed her.

“I didn’t know that.”

“You sure? You’ve not been looking me up online to find out all my weaknesses?”

David laughed and his cheeks flushed.

This is going to be easier than I thought, Emily mused.

“Your timing is perfect. I just had these prepared.” David held out his hand and gestured for Emily to take a seat.

“I thought you said you were looking at a plate of food earlier?”

David’s forehead reddened as he grinned. “Ah well, these are new….” He lifted the dome covers to reveal two sizzling steak dinners.

Emily took a seat at the table and inhaled. “It smells delicious.”

David poured their drinks and took his seat across the table—obscured by the large sunflowers sitting in the middle of the table.

“So this is what it’s like to be on a blind date.”

Emily covered her mouth as she burst out laughing at the sight of the flowers seemingly talking to her. She heard the jarring sound of a chair scraping across the floor as David’s face came back into view, towering over her.

“I’ll move these,” he said sheepishly. He stooped down and picked up the crystal vase and carried it over to the kitchen. Emily watched the light refract off the crystal and sparkle on the red granite worktop.

“So, this is a date?” Emily asked with a teasing smile as David returned to his seat.

Lines creased around David’s eyes as he smirked.

“I wonder how Mandy is getting on with Joffrey?” Emily mused as she picked up her knife and fork. She cut into the fillet steak and brown juices flooded the plate.

David made a humming sound; Emily looked up at him to see him eating his steak with a look of total concentration.

“Why are you chewing that like it’s a chunk of an old boot?”

A flash of realization crossed his face and David raised his napkin to his mouth as he swallowed. “I instructed the chef to cook the steak well-done, so not to cause offence.”

He did that for me?

“My ex-boyfriend wouldn’t even hold the door open for me, let alone burn his steak.” Emily picked up her glass and took a sip. A rush of fizz and sugar flooded her senses.

“So, tell me about