Unspoken: A Billionaire Romance Read online

  When Christian pulled up to Ellie’s building, I climbed out first and extended my hand to her. After helping her out of the car, I had Christian set her bags of groceries on the ground.

  “Thank you for the ride home. Since you’re here, I’ll run up to my apartment and get the money I owe you for the groceries,” she signed.

  “I would prefer it if you’d join me for lunch tomorrow. You can pay me back then.”

  A bright smile crossed her lips.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Excellent. Text me later and let me know what time works for you.”

  “I will,” she signed as she flashed a bashful smile.

  I picked up her bags from the ground and handed them to her.

  “I look forward to hearing from you later,” I signed as I gave her a wink and climbed in the car.

  “What’s going on, Henry?” Christian asked as he stared at me through the rearview mirror.

  “Nothing is going on. Why?”

  “She’s a beautiful woman,” he spoke.

  “That she is, Christian. That she is.” I let out a sigh as I watched her walk into the building.

  Chapter 3

  Ellie

  I took the elevator up to the fourteenth floor and inserted my key into the lock. With a smile on my face, I set my bags down on the kitchen counter and began putting my groceries away. My belly was fluttering as I couldn’t stop thinking about Henry. He was such a nice guy and a gentleman for paying for my groceries and giving me a ride home. I knew it was risky to get in a car with a total stranger, but I didn’t sense anything shady about him. In fact, I’d never felt more comfortable around someone I didn’t know in my entire life. There was a familiarity about him, as if we’d met before. Which I knew we hadn’t, but the connection I felt with him was overpowering. Maybe it was because he knew sign language and could communicate with me. Not to mention the fact that he was sinfully sexy. He stood about six foot two with dark brown hair that was cut short on the sides with a medium length top that swept to the side, piercing blue eyes and a sexy five o’clock shadow that framed his masculine square jawline. The dark gray suit he wore was perfectly tailored to his muscular body. He was overall the most handsome man I’d ever had the pleasure of meeting.

  As I put away the last of my groceries, my phone lit up with a text message from my mom.

  “Are you home?”

  “Yeah. I just got back from the store.”

  “I’m on my way up.”

  “Okay. See you in a minute.”

  I walked over to the door and unlocked it. My mom lived one floor below me. After my father suddenly and without warning passed away from a massive heart attack five years ago, we sold our house in Glen Oaks and rented an apartment so my mom would be closer to her new job. It was hard at first adjusting to an apartment lifestyle, but the only thing that mattered was we were together. We’d always been such a close and tight-knit family and when my father died, it was unbearable. My mom swore she’d never move on or date another man again, but then she met James. They’d been dating for about a year and it was good to see her happy again. He was a good man, and he even learned signed language so he could communicate with me.

  “Hi, honey,” my mom signed with a smile when she walked through the door.

  “Hi, Mom,” I spoke as I kissed her cheek.

  “I stopped at the herbal store on the way home from work and picked up your favorite tea.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to make some right now. Do you want a cup?”

  “Sure. But I can’t stay too long. James is picking me up at seven for dinner. What’s going on with you?” She grinned. “You seem different today.”

  I filled the kettle with water, placed it back on its base and pressed the tea button.

  “I met this guy at the grocery store,” I spoke and signed at the same time. “He paid for my groceries and gave me a ride home.”

  “Eleanor Katherine Scott. Do you know how dangerous that is? Have I taught you nothing?”

  “Relax, Mom. He’s a really nice guy and he’s so handsome.”

  “It’s those nice ones you have to watch out for, Ellie. And why did he pay for your groceries?”

  I picked up my wallet from the counter.

  “I left this here.”

  I looked over at the tea kettle and the red light appeared indicating the water was done heating. Taking two cups down from the cabinet, I placed a tea bag in each and filled them with water.

  “How did you two meet?”

  “I was picking out some apples and suddenly, they all began falling. When I looked over, he was standing there trying to help me stop them. My cart was blocking the aisle and of course I didn’t hear him say excuse me, so he moved my cart and hit the edge of the display. He was saying all kinds of things very fast, so I had to tell him I was deaf. And guess what?” My face beamed with excitement.

  “What?”

  “He started signing.”

  “Really?” She cocked her head.

  “Yeah, and he’s really good at it. Anyway, he was behind me in line and saw I didn’t have my wallet, so he offered to pay. Then when we walked out of the store, he offered me a ride home in his limousine.”

  Her brows instantly furrowed at me.

  “He has a limo?”

  “And a driver.” I smiled. “We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow, and I’m going to pay him back for the food.”

  “Why didn’t you just pay him back today since he drove you home?”

  “I was going to, but he insisted we have lunch tomorrow.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Henry.”

  “How old is this Henry guy?” Her eye narrowed.

  “Maybe a couple years older than me?” I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “Why and how does he know sign language?”

  “I don’t know, Mom. The drive was short, and I didn’t ask him. I’ll ask at lunch tomorrow. Can you please stop asking a million questions?”

  “You know I always look out for my baby girl.”

  “I know.” I reached over and placed my hand on hers.

  “I just don’t want you getting hurt by another guy,” she signed. “Anyway, thanks for the tea but I have to go and get ready.” She kissed my forehead. “Come by tomorrow night when I get home from work. I want to hear everything about this Henry guy.”

  “I will.” I smiled as I hugged her.

  After I made some pasta, I took my plate to the table and turned on my computer to do some work. The website I was working on was due in a couple of days and I was almost finished with it. I kept glancing over at my phone as it sat on the table. Henry had told me to text him with a time for lunch. Was it too soon to text him? It had only been a couple hours since he drove me home. What if he was busy and I interrupted him? Besides, I didn’t want to seem too eager.

  My experience with guys had never been very good ones. The last relationship I was in lasted four months. I always fell for the ones who could hear, and many people had told me over the years that hearing/non hearing relationships never worked out or lasted. I refused to believe that because people were just ignorant. I knew there was a selfless special man out there for me who would love me despite my deafness. I used to take it personally when things with guys never worked out. But now that I was twenty-seven years old, I grew not to bother with men who weren’t willing to try or complained too much.

  I’d finally finished the website and emailed my client. Shutting down my laptop for the night, I grabbed my phone and started the water for a bath. As I sat in the hot water with the peach smelling suds, I picked up my phone, took in a deep breath and sent Henry a text message.

  “Hi. It’s Ellie. Tomorrow at noon would work for lunch. Is that a good time for you?”

  My message went through as an iMessage. Thank God, he had an iPhone. I nervously stared at the screen for the three dots to appear. When they didn’t, I set my phone on the edge of the bathtub and sunk furthe
r under the hot bubbly water. About ten minutes later, my phone lit up and a text message appeared from him. Instantly, my belly started to flutter. Opening his message, I sat there and read it while the corners of my mouth curved upward.

  “Hi, Ellie. Noon is perfect. I’ll send Christian to pick you up first before picking me up at the office. Is there anywhere special you’d like to go?”

  “Anywhere is fine. I like just about any type of food.”

  “There’s this great Mexican place a few blocks over from my office. It’s called Queso Cantina.”

  “I love that place. Sounds good.”

  “Excellent. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow, Henry.”

  Just as I went to set my phone down, a text message came through from my best friend, Joni.

  “Girl..I haven’t heard from you in a while. Let’s do lunch tomorrow.”

  “I just texted you the other day, lol. I wish I could, but I have lunch plans with Henry.”

  “First of all, the other day is too long, and second, who the hell is Henry?”

  “A guy I met at the grocery store. Too much to text about him.”

  “Okay. Then you’re coming to dinner at my place tomorrow. Be here at six-thirty. I want to hear everything about this Henry guy.”

  “I’ll be there. Tell Pete I said hi.”

  “I will, sweetie. See you tomorrow.”

  Joni and Pete were two of my best friends. Like me, they were also deaf. We met in college, clicked right away, and have been best friends ever since. She worked as a teacher for deaf children, and Pete was an accountant. Pete and I dated once, and after that date, we decided we were better off as good friends. It wasn’t too long after I met Joni in one of my classes, and I knew she’d be perfect for him.

  Chapter 4

  Henry

  “Who are you texting?” Kirsten asked as we sat across from each other at the restaurant.

  “A client.” I looked up at her. “You know my workday doesn’t end at five o’clock.”

  “Even my father doesn’t text clients at dinner,” she spoke in an irritated tone.

  “Well, I’m not your father. Am I?” My brow raised.

  She rolled her eyes and looked away from me.

  “I’m just saying it’s rude, Henry. We’re supposed to be having dinner.”

  “And we are. I’m sorry. But I can’t ignore my clients no matter what time it is.”

  She sighed as she picked up her glass of water and took a sip.

  The moment my phone dinged, and I saw the unfamiliar number on my screen, I knew it was Ellie. She’d made this unbearable dinner a little easier. Kirsten had done nothing but have an attitude with me since she got into the car. I didn’t know what her problem was, and I didn’t care. I just wanted to get through this dinner and get the hell home.

  “You haven’t even touched your glass of wine,” I spoke.

  “I shouldn’t have ordered it. My stomach has been bothering me all day and alcohol is the last thing I need to put into it. Am I staying the night or are you coming back to my place?” she asked.

  “Neither.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve had a long day and I have to be up very early in the morning for a meeting.”

  “Jesus Christ. We aren’t even married yet and you’re already acting this way.”

  “Acting what way, Kirsten?” I spoke through gritted teeth as I slightly leaned across the table. I stopped myself and took in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I just have a lot going on at work. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

  “I know you don’t, baby. I’m sorry for pushing you.” She reached over and placed her hand on top of mine. “I love you, Henry.”

  Hearing her say those words sent ice through my veins. I picked up my scotch and threw it down the back of my throat.

  After we finished eating, Christian dropped Kirsten off at her apartment.

  “I wish you’d come up,” she whined as she ran her hand across my chest. “You don’t have to spend the night.”

  “You know I can’t.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have to take care of myself.”

  Normally, if a woman said that to me, I’d be incredibly turned on. But in this case, I wasn’t.

  “Did you forget I’m going away with my mom this weekend?”

  “No. I haven’t forgotten. We have a couple more days until you leave. Now I have to go.” I kissed her forehead.

  I climbed in the back of the limo and let out a sigh. The only woman I could think about tonight was Ellie. I kept replaying our encounter at the grocery store in my mind. How her smile could light up a thousand rooms, her eyes that told stories, and how beautiful she was when she signed.

  As soon as Christian dropped me off at home, I changed out of my clothes and into a pair of pajama bottoms. After pouring myself a scotch, I climbed into bed and picked up my phone from the nightstand. Bringing up Ellie’s number, I sent her a message.

  “Are you up?”

  “Yes.” She sent the smiling emoji.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Reading a book.”

  “Sounds relaxing. Which book are you reading?”

  “The Alchemist. Have you heard of it?”

  “I have and I’ve read it. It’s good.”

  “I’m halfway through and I really like it.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. I’ll let you get back to reading. I’m looking forward to having lunch with you tomorrow.”

  “Me too.” She sent the smiling emoji.

  “Goodnight, Ellie.”

  “Goodnight, Henry.”

  I set my phone down on the charger, finished off my scotch and turned off the light.

  The next morning, I was sitting in my office when my father walked in.

  “Hey, Dad.” I looked up from my computer.

  “Hello, son. I want you to take a look at this company and report back to me.” He handed me a file folder.

  “Sure thing.”

  “How are the wedding plans coming along?” he asked as he took a seat across from me.

  “Good. I guess.”

  “You guess?” His brow raised.

  “Kirsten is mostly handling everything.”

  “How are things between the two of you?”

  “Fine. Why?”

  “It just seemed like the last couple of times the two of you were over, you seemed distant. You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

  All I wanted to do was tell him that I didn’t love her and marrying her would be the biggest mistake of my life, but I couldn’t.

  “No. Why would you ask that?”

  He shrugged. “I’m just making sure. She’s a good woman, and she comes from a good family. A well-respected family.

  “I know, Dad.”

  He got up from his chair and headed towards the door.

  “Your sister is coming home Friday from college for the summer, and your mother is having a barbeque on Saturday with a few friends. I expect you and Kirsten will be there.”

  “I will be. Kirsten is going out of town with her mom for the weekend.”

  “I see. I’ll talk to you later, son.”

  I sighed as I leaned back in my chair and placed my hands behind my head. As I was pondering my thoughts, my phone chimed with a text message from Christian letting me know he was downstairs. A smile crossed my lips as I got up from my seat, grabbed my suitcoat and headed down to the lobby. When I climbed in the back of the car, Ellie smiled at me.

  “Hi,” I signed as the corners of my mouth curved upward.

  “Hi.” Her grin widened, making her even more beautiful than she already was.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  She reached into her purse and pulled out some cash.

  “Thank you again”, she signed with one hand.

  I took the cash from her, folded it up and placed it back in her hand, closing her fingers around it.
r />   “I don’t want you to pay me back. It was my gift to you. Having lunch with me is repayment enough,” I spoke.

  She shook her head as she tried to give me the money back.

  “Keep it, Ellie. I don’t want your money.”

  She cocked her head and then placed the money back in her purse.

  “At least let me buy lunch for you,” she signed.

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” I signed back.

  “You’re a very stubborn man, Henry.”

  I let out a chuckle. “I know I am.”

  The moment we were seated at the table, our waiter walked over and poured us each a glass of water.

  “May I start you off with something to drink?” He looked at Ellie first, and she signed to me.

  “She’ll have a margarita, salted rim, and I’ll have a mojito.”

  “Coming right up.”

  After looking over the menu, I set it down and stared at her from across the table as she studied her menu. The waitress was back within moments, set our drinks down, and proceeded to take our order.

  “I didn’t get your last name,” I signed.

  “Scott.” She spelled.

  “Ellie Scott?” I finger-spelled back to her.

  She nodded her head.

  “Yours?”

  “Walker. Henry Walker.”

  The corners of her mouth curved upwards as I spelled out my name.

  “You work where?” she asked.

  “Walker Capital. We’re a venture capitalist company. I run the company with my father.”

  “You must be a very busy man,” she signed.

  “I am. But I’m never too busy to have lunch with a beautiful woman.” I smiled. “Do you work?”

  “I’m a freelance website designer and an artist.”

  “An artist?” I signed. “What kind of artist?”

  “I paint pictures and sell them online.”

  “What kind of pictures?”

  She pulled out her phone, typed something and handed it to me.

  “This is your website?”

  She nodded.

  “These are beautiful paintings. You’re very talented.”