THE BILLIONAIRE'S BARGAIN

he polished marble floor. Towering windows framed the glittering Manhattan skyline, but the breathtaking view did nothing to ease th

anding presence filling the vast space. "You'll find

he walls, and surfaces so pristine they gleamed under the ambient lighting. The air smelled

admitted, though her

chard corrected. "And

htened. Home. The word

here I live," she mut

blue eyes narrowing. "You lost th

. "Of course. Ho

. "Your belongings have been brought here. The staff is

cavernous space. The silence pressed in on her. She wrapped her arms around herself, her ga

lded

d as she pushed open the double doors. The room was vast and meticulously designed, but

one side of the room, but their presence

er fingers trembling. Tears pricked

is," she whispered to

her thoughts. Catherine straightened

n," she

nd lean, with neatly styled dark hair and a confident yet appr

h a friendly smile. "I let mysel

usion flickering across

troduced, extending a h

ore shaking his h

"I was at the wedding-way in the back,

w furrowed. "I

cousin's not exactly fond

ve smile. "You have a

t's worth it

eight of the day. David's presence was disarmin

ttling in?" he aske

re yet," sh

ened. "It must be

o idea," sh

idea," he said wi

levator doors sliding open echoed through th

ch

dn't falter. "Sp

her feet. "You s

brow. "Why? Is he t

o idea," sh

sion faded. "Got it. I

oached, heavy

n the doorway, his

said, his voice

d casually.

Catherine's pulse raced as Richard's gaze flic

doing here?" R

"Just dropping b

ed. "Uninvited visits

"Noted. But you know me-I do

em. When the door finally closed behind David, Ric

ll was that?

ught. "He jus

r, his voice low and mena

choice," she said, trying

"Let me make one thing clear, Catherine-D

d. "You can't cont

hed with ange