Page 35 of The Billionaire's Marriage Dare

“Great.”

“And how are you and Christian since you’ve gotten engaged?”

“Great.”

“And how far have you and Christian gone in the bedroom?”

Lulled by the CEO’s tone, she answered without thinking, “Third base—-” She choked. What the hell had she just said? Jane glared down at her cup. Did coffee really serve as truth serum these days?

She took a deep breath, intending to tell Jared Westland off, CEO or not—-

He beat her to speaking, asking almost inaudibly, “Does it really have to be him?”

Jane ended up choking. Looking up, she asked faintly, “Are you really his friend?”

“Believe it or not,” the CEO murmured just as faintly, “but yes.”

“You don’t act like it.”

“Christian won’t take it personally.” A dry smile formed on the CEO’s lips. “We’re friends who also happen to be rivals. We’ve been competing with each other for years, and Christian understands you’re fair game until you make it to the altar.”

Jane started sipping her coffee again, trying not to fume at the way Jared Westland was talking about her like she was some piece of bone dogs could fight over.

“You’re mad.”

How observant, Jane thought sarcastically.

Jared laughed. “You’re really mad.”

“Shouldn’t I be?” she muttered. “You make me sound like some kind of helpless prey, with no say over what happens—-”

“Then why don’t you tell me,” Jared cut her off silkily.

She broke off. “Huh?”

Jared gazed at her with dark, inscrutable eyes. “What do you want to happen? Is marriage really the end goal?”

Her lips parted.

Shit.

She involuntarily took a step back.

What did she really want?

Something that strongly resembled anxiety started stirring inside her, and Jane’s head started to pound. There was something she wanted...something on the tip of her tongue.

When she took another involuntary step back, the CEO suddenly reached for her, his fingers circling her wrist, and she stilled, her eyes widening at the way the CEO’s fingers tightened. “Sir?”

Silence.

“Jared.”

Silence.

“I have to—-”

“No.”

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