MR BILLIONAIRE'S CONTRACT WOMAN

m's

was supposed to be straightforward-a business

I was wat

m

ess. She didn't belong in this crowd, and that alone should have been reason enough to move on

ery polished facade I'd built, like she saw me. And th

iness partner, Garrett, sidling up next to me. His ey

now laughing at something her friend said, eyes bright and expressive. Garrett's

him off. I wasn't about to let anyone, especiall

ght. So that's why you've been stari

enough to silence even him. "I'd

to the room, to the handful of people I actually needed to impress tonight. But the usual playbook felt stale, r

't give out second chances to people wh

bout to follow him when I felt a tug of curiosity I couldn't ignor

r friend must've left, because she looked like she was on her own, but her

they always put up walls. And I'd spent my l

fading as I crossed the room. She didn't see me coming this time. And w

on?" she asked, not bothering to

ping my tone light, but there was an edge to it that I knew she couldn

deliberate sip of her drink, eyes narrowed. "Besides, I t

"Funny. I don't rem

aring me to break it. "You look at me like I'm some ki

have. "Interesting. Most people wou

g her chin up. But I noticed the slight tremor in her hand as she set her gla

r name, watching her reaction. "I think you're

actly how this will go. Rich guy meets small-town girl, showers her

t scent of her perfume-something floral, sub

oice steady. "Men like you? You're

w, my curiosity pi

un. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who would love your company." She gestured

read across my face. "Then why ar

she recovered quickly, lifting her chin with that same infuriating s

ding her gaze. "You can pretend all you want,

he flicker of something else in h

her with open curiosity. "I'll make you a deal, Emma. One drink. Just one. An

ls turning in her mind. She wanted to say no. She wanted to shut me

odding reluctantly. "F

over two fresh drinks. I handed one to he

, my voice dropping. "Eve

r glass against mine nonetheless. "To being

by the second. Finally, she set her glass down and looked at me with

d you want honesty? Fine. I think you're

f expecting a catch. "I

...let's just say, exactly wh

ter than amused. "I'm flattered, really. But I'm n

k a breath, letting the silence settle before I respo

fortable with the conversation. "You'r

ne casual. "I wouldn't be

of mischief in her eyes. "Because there's nothing yo

er, letting a moment pass between us.

hort, dismissiv

k and giving her a small nod. "For now, though, I'

leaving her alone at the bar with a look of irritation mixed with something el

a lon