MR BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT WOMAN

a's

y a crowd that looked like they walked straight out of a "Billionaires of Manhattan" spread, I felt like the ultimate imposter. E

re." Sophie nudged me. "Look aro

, eyeing the gleaming marble floor

bout new beginnings. Speaking of which..." She turned to the bartender, flashin

bartender nodded. "I d

." She winked. "It's about

the glass. "Fine. Here's to livi

ole it. Tall, broad-shouldered, impossibly sharp in a dark suit that probably cost more tha

. He was looking at me with the kind of intensity that made my heart skip a beat. But

eded-a walking billbo

ng my gaze and raising an eyebrow. "We

," I said, teari

ding my way. The crowd parted effortlessly for him, like he owned the room. He stoppe

His voice was deep, smooth. The kind that su

as much indifference as I could muster. "

s sweeping over me with that same confident arroga

took a deliberate sip of my drink

he asked, that infur

in. "Depends o

his cologne-expensive, bold, and imposs

contact. He was close now, too close, and that energ

d of it. "So, tell me, Emma-why is a girl l

d. "And here I thought we'

s mouth quirking up. "After all, most peo

I'm just here for

shiver down my spine. "Well, whatever your reasons,"

ed with a roll of my eyes, my tone as dry as I

attitude of yours mig

e-was the last complication I needed. I'd read about him in passing: young billionaire, ruthless, charmin

a friend. You don't have to find me 'intriguing

wrist with the barest touch. Just enough to make me paus

said, his voice a mix of amusement

e, daring him to say

d for a moment, the room seemed to fade, leaving just him and me, locked in a

d, pointed, and somehow hitting far too close

smiled, sweet as sugar. "

st watched me with a steady, unrea

y voice light. "Because I don't plan on being

ns. Then he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a lo

w it. But standing there, caught in his gaze, the pulse of the party fadin

, breaking eye contact. "

nding there, the thrill of walking away