Beneath the Billionaire's Charm.

was waging against himself. Nora didn't press him further, letting him sit with the weight of his own words. She'd learned early in

doing this?" Theo finally

she asked, til

ng pe

elves. I just guide them. Second," she added, leaning back in her chair, "no, I don't get tired of it. I

making her feel like she was the one under the

an eyebrow.

oul, but what about you? Why'd you be

there was no real humor in it. "

," he noted

layful but firm. "You can ask me anything yo

ered, but the smirk d

aid with a shrug. "The more open

trigued despite himself. "

e replied, her voice

unexpected but not unwelcome. "All r

e said, leaning forwar

cooperate with these sessions-answer your questions,

tha

want to know who I'm trusting w

bles on her, but Theo wasn't like most people. She could see the challenge in his eyes,

ent. "But I get to decide wh

greed, exten

arm, and for a brief moment, she felt a spark she couldn't quit

start simple," she said, returning to her notebo

ngs, more meetings, dinner with clients

" she prom

st. Sometimes I work until I can't think anymore. Sometimes

" Nora said, her t

oser to home than he cared to admit. "I'm b

she repeated, ra

clarified, hi

Those annoying creatures with emotions and opinio

tried to hide his amusement. "Yo

eriously, Theo. You can't spend your whole life avoi

onnections are messy. They come with expecta

way

he said

ng him. "You sound like you'

e stood and walked to the glass wall, his

ce," he said fina

nce. She hadn't expected h

she asked, keepin

he idea of being Mrs. Theo Lancaster more than she loved me. Wh

e l

used my grief to push me into things I wasn't ready for-public appearances, business deals,

ow

's very good at playing the victim. She made sure everyone believed

she kept her voice steady. "

s no humor in it. "Difficul

ok. "It sounds like she left a mark on you-not ju

leaning against the gla

, you don't even realize you're trapped behind them. You don't trust people, an

ink you can

g and meeting his gaze.

He just stared at her, a flicker of something vulne

row, Theo," Nora sa

one casual, but there was a

confirmed, head

gainst her face, but her mind was already racing. She'd gott

houghts as turbulent as the waves crashing below. For the first time in

o