Page 36 of The Billionaire's Marriage Dare

The low, flat reply had Jane’s head jerking up, and she found Jared Westland’s dark eyes fixed sharply on her. And yet when he spoke—-

“If I let you go now...”

His voice was almost hurtfully gentle.

“I have a feeling the next time we meet, you’ll be a married woman.”

Oh.

“So tell me, Jane Cooper.” His fingers around her wrist tightened even more. “Why should I let you go?”

Chapter Eight

Shady Hills Towers

Penthouse: C. Ravenhearst

Jane’s knees had been shaking nonstop all throughout the cab ride, and they only got worse when she finally made it to Christian’s apartment building. Making her way to reception, she prepared herself for a battle royal just to get inside the elevator, but instead the concierge smiled politely at her.

“Good morning, Ms. Cooper. My warmest congratulations for your engagement.”

The words startled her, and she stammered, “Thank you.”

The man nodded at someone behind her, and when she looked around, she saw another guy holding the elevator doors open for her.

“Dave will take you to the penthouse, Ms. Cooper.”

Oh. Her head snapped back to the concierge. “You’re really letting me in just like that?” she asked dumbly.

“Mr. Ravenhearst added you to the list of authorized guests...” The concierge tapped on his keyboard. “Ever since...ah.”

Her eyes widened at the date the concierge supplied her. That was the first night Christian had brought her here. He had given her access that early?

When she made it to the penthouse, Christian himself opened the door. “Jane?” He was dressed in a striped V-necked shirt and loose trousers that fell an inch above his ankles. He looked very stylish, the way only an Englishman could be, it seemed.

Stylish...and stunned, she noted nervously, and Jane’s voice came out a croak as she asked, “May I come in?”

Christian seemed to recover himself. “Of course.” As he drew her in, his glance went over her shoulder, and he murmured absently, “Thanks, Dave.”

“It was my pleasure, sir.”

The door swung close as Dave walked back to the elevator, and Christian turned back to Jane. She flashed him an uncertain smile. “Umm...hi?”

He laughed, and he mimicked her, saying, “Umm, hi.” Then he hauled her to him, and before Jane could speak, he was already kissing her hard.

“This is a pleasant surprise.” And the kiss became deeper and rougher. “I thought you’d be at the trade show the whole day.” Christian pushed her against the door, his mouth moving hungrily down her jaw, all the way to her neck, her breasts—-

His name came out of her in a helpless moan.

It was so hard to think, to remember—-

But then she felt Christian’s hands pushing her skirt up.

Jane panicked, and her brain cells started functioning again. “No,” she managed to say. “Wait.”

The movement of Christian’s hands immediately stopped, and the heat of his touch began to burn the bare skin of her thighs. “What is it, pet?”

She gulped. “I have something to tell you.”

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