Page 34 of Billion Dollar Mistake

His touch guides me until my back is pressed against his chest. His heart is pounding hard into my back while mine feels like it’s on a damn treadmill. I exhale and watch him add my photo to my number on his phone then save it.

I grab the phone he bought me and swipe it open. His hand slips from my waist to my hip. Holding me there.

When I'm ready to add his photo, I lift the phone, and he holds out his other hand blocking the view. I take the photo and a couple more, but he’s not letting me get a clear picture of his face.

“Just let me have one,” I moan. My eyes drop to his pink lips and automatically my tongue sweeps over my bottom lip as my eyes move back to his heavy ones. He’s reading my face, and as if there is a magnet between us, I’m drawn to him. The room feels hot and heavy. My body moves closer to his, at the same time he moves his head down and his eyes lock with mine. This close, his scent overwhelms me. My heart is thumping inside my rib cage like I’ve been boxing for an hour. I’m about to touch my lips to his, when a loud deep voice booms outside the elevator. “Are you two okay in there?”

I close my eyes briefly before calling out, “Yep.”

“Stay calm. We’ll get you out,” the stranger says.

I slip out of Jeremy’s embrace, dusting off my skirt as I straighten up. I feel movement behind me as Jeremy rises. Goosebumps erupt across my skin as Jeremy's heavy breath tickles the shell of my ear as he whispers, “I wish he didn’t. Because I’ve been thinking about fucking you in this elevator since the moment we walked in.”

Chapter 11

Nova

The elevator doors open, revealing one technician and one building maintenance worker. It’s easy to tell who is who when the maintenance guy has a work shirt, pants, and a safety vest with the company logo stitched on it; whereas, the technician is in his safety gear holding tools. They both stand there assessing us.

“Is everything all right?” the technician asks. And I notice his hair is styled neatly with product. The maintenance worker is wearing a hard hat instead.

I clear my throat and then swallow hard. “Yeah,” I say, disregarding the tumultuous emotions within me. Jeremy’s words are still ringing loudly in my ear. I’m not sure I would have turned him down. He’s obviously hot, but he’s also incredibly generous, thoughtful, kind and compelling.

“Okay. Good. I've got someone here to check you both over,” he replies.

“Thank you,” I say shakily.

“You're out and safe now.” The stranger smiles kindly at me. I must be wearing my feelings on my face because he told me what I needed to hear.

A large gentle touch on my back surprises me. Jeremy offers it as a way of giving me comfort again. I don’t know if he knows how much his touch soothes me.

I move my heavy feet across the floor. I do wish we could spend more time together…well, more than just we did. Once we're outside and in the hall, Jeremy and I are separated and asked numerous questions. I answer the worker on autopilot, my brain still back in the elevator.

“Are you feeling any pain?”

“No,” I reply.

“Are you feeling, okay? You're quite pale.”

“Yes,” I answer. I can’t hear Jeremy’s voice and I wonder if he left. My eyes flick across to where he was, and I’m relieved he's getting the same treatment. A smile spreads across my face at his unimpressed expression and stance.

After a couple of minutes, the worker leaves and I awkwardly turn around, wondering if I should say goodbye. I move closer to Jeremy, deciding that I want to have one last conversation with him.

“Thanks for calming me down in the elevator,” I say.

His dark gaze is hard on mine. “Let's go eat.”

My heart beats faster in my chest at his offer. Eat, as in dinner? As in a date?

“Is that a good idea?” I say, trying to mumble through words getting my brain to work out. “I don’t know…it's like nine o'clock––”

“Exactly,” he interrupts. “You need to eat.”

His directness makes my stomach flip. I am hungry now that I think about it. And I definitely need to eat. “Yeah.”

“Come on. I'm taking you to dinner.”

My lips part and I stare at him bewildered.

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