Page 49 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

As traffic lurched forward, she tried to calm herself, wrapping her fingers around her steering wheel as she let her anger dissipate.

It was no use being upset for something that was her own fault. As her anger slowed from a boil to a simmer, she examined her emotions more thoroughly.

Had she been angry that she needed to report to them or had she been angry that he’d doubted her?

It didn’t matter, she decided as the Magnolia Grand came into view. The inevitability of returning to Harrington House loomed over her. There, she’d be given a new set of rules for this charade. Personal lines shouldn’t be crossed outside of reporting her whereabouts.

She pulled up to the curb. A valet hurried to open her door, and she slid out from behind the expensive car’s wheel.

She tried to steady herself as she climbed the stairs and pushed through the doors. She chewed her lower lip as she searched for the sign pointing to the Magnolia Room.

“Julia?” a voice called behind her.

She whipped around to find the owner, surprised to see Dr. Kyle Carter striding toward her. “Dr. Carter.”

He grinned at her as he closed the distance. “Hi. What a coincidence seeing you here. Are you meeting someone for lunch?”

“Ah, no,” she said, shoving a lock of hair behind her ear, “I’m here for the Ballet Board meeting.”

His eyebrows knitted as he studied her. “Is everything okay? You seem…flushed.”

“Oh, yes,” she said, blowing out breath, “I’m fine. I just…ran up the stairs. I thought I was late.”

“No, no, you’re not late. I happen to be on the board, too. Well, what a lovely surprise. Can I walk you to the meeting?” He offered his arm.

“Thank you,” she said as she accepted it. Something about his easy charm struck her, but with the turmoil still ebbing and flowing inside her, she couldn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together.

“It’s just this way. Are you new on the board?”

“I am. How long have you been on it?”

“This is my first meeting, too. We’ll be new together.” He grinned at her as he pulled open the door and motioned for her to precede him.

She stepped into the large meeting room and the din of chatter from other board members. A warm hand pressed against her back, and she twisted to find Kyle behind her. He offered her a smile. “Let’s find seats. If we’re lucky, we can sit together.”

Julia offered him a fleeting smile before Caroline Foster hurried toward her. “Julia, so lovely to see you. I’m so glad you could join us.”

She flicked her gaze to Kyle.

“Hello, Caroline. Thanks for recommending me. Uh, this is Dr. Kyle Carter. He’s also joining the board.”

Carolina thrust a hand out to shake his as she gave him the once over.

“Hi, Kyle Carter. Julia and I happened to have the unfortunate luck to have met yesterday after she took a spill.”

Caroline’s eyes widened as she glanced at Julia. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, just…not paying attention. But I’m no worse for wear.”

The lights flickered, indicating the start of the meeting. “Oh, good. We’ll talk later.” Caroline squeezed her hand before she hurried to her seat.

Kyle pushed in Julia’s chair as she sat before sliding into the seat next to her. As the hour passed, the room buzzed with plans and proposals, and board members discussing budgets and fundraisers. The light filtering through the tall windows cast a warm glow over the meeting, contrasting with the storm still brewing in her mind.

The meeting concluded, leaving a buzz of conversation in its wake. Julia methodically tapped her papers into a neat stack, feeling Kyle’s presence hovering beside her.

“Well, thank you for showing me where the meeting was,” she said with a smile as she rose.

“You’re welcome,” he answered, his gaze lingering. “Would you like to join me for lunch? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

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