THE BILLIONAIRE'S FORBIDDEN LOVE

caught in a slow-burning tension could create. Manhattan stretched below

oo aware

e soft golden lights reflected off his sharp features. The way his pr

g not to notice how close he wa

ing her with those unreadab

him warily. "

at knowing smirk. "Are

er head. "Do all billionaires ask deep

k this is

here. You poured me a drink. There's

taking a sip of his whiske

eyebrow. "Was tha

eepened. "I don't usual

king her head. "Y

, here y

ingers tightening sli

sn't

n her head, she was still here. Talking to him.

rs. The distance between them felt smaller

ured, "I don't usua

ed her head

someone who isn't

ed herself to keep her expression n

rs, steady and unyiel

swal

g. That it was just another rich man trying to a

dn't feel

t terri

breaking the eye conta

ok surprised. "Y

hesi

d

o walk away before she got caught

er he

t wanted

t a breath. "

moment before nodding. "I'll

r head. "I can

ou really hate accept

like owin

, Carter." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to something softer

art po

ed, forcing herself to turn away

kis

e left, but she felt his e

-

Swee

th a sigh, stepping into the familiar

, she kicked off her heels and padded tow

t the counter, ey

ed tonight to aff

be simple. A drin

lackwood was

is voice had wrapped around her like a promise. The way he

d at herself.

rd to fall into s

a man l

ent her entire life

at the clo

ome. The world w

er happene

dn't ch

ld

-

Next

e curtains, warming Carter's face a

45

re forcing herself out of bed. Anot

acks, she grabbed her keys and stepped ou

ed the hotel lob

sh

looking at her dif

ed, glanc

she s

ther,

n Bla

rge desk, hands in his p

ch did a stran

ell is he d

fted, locking onto hers instantly.

exhaled

was in

kened as Adrian's g

ell was he

ht was just... a moment. A stolen, fleeting encounter th

cierge desk with effortless confidence, looki

and approached, her professio

eping her voice cool and cont

s if amused by her formali

he was completely unaffected by the way

s on the counter. "

rward. "I thought I'd stop by and se

r bli

last

obby was busy-guests checking out, businesspeople rushing to meeti

curtly. "Now, if you

d

ned. "And what

of something unreadable flashing i

inhaled

couldn'

one. Not when rumors

te smile. "I'm af

l wa

him. He couldn

ria

nterrupted them, and Carte

smiling broadly. "It's an honor to have you here, sir. Is

as he replied, "Actually, I was hoping to

eart nearl

ur employees to explore growth opportunities." He turned to Cart

e that, she

t he simply tilted his head to

. "Fine. T

ed. "We'll se

-

anned B

café a few blocks from the hotel. The scent of freshly brewed

yper-aware of the

ding her arms. "What'

hat infuriating mix of amusement and cur

not a

it was un

expect me to stay? To-w

t I expected you to at least admit

mach ti

ldn't go do

atever you think this is, it is

row. "I didn't realiz

living. I don't belong in your world o

thoughtful. "What if I

r hes

oice quieter now, more serious. "I don't c

eath c

to shrink, the noise of the c

ality crash

said, standing up abr

e searched h

she said, forcing a polit

d away before she co

ould do some

belie