Page 54 of The Billionaire's Princess

“Anything else?” His heavy-lidded eyes are all I can see. “We’ve got a reunion to get to.”

I hate to rock our precious boat at a moment like this, but it can’t be helped. My newfound independence is too important to me.

“One other thing,” I say, pulling back. “Everyone in the New York art world seems to suddenly think I’m the best thing since Andy Warhol. No one can live without me. They all want to throw money and opportunities at me. Did you have anything to do with that?”

He hesitates, looking wary. Probably something in my tone.

“Depends. Will my answer affect my chances of getting laid in the next five minutes?”

“Wow. Brilliant. At this point, you’re in trouble no matter how you answer,” I say, glaring.

Aggrieved sigh from Damon. “I know some people. I made a few calls on your behalf. I wanted to help.”

Unbelievable. Is that how the male mind works?

“I appreciate the thoughtful gesture, but did you ever stop to wonder whether I wanted your help?”

“Yeah, actually.” He roughly rubs the top of his head, rumpling his hair. “I briefly wondered, then I did it anyway. I probably should’ve listened to my gut instinct. At least I didn’t lease a studio for you or buy you an art gallery. Which I thought about.”

“An art gallery?” I squawk. “What planet are you from?”

“One where I clearly don’t understand the rules. What’s the problem? Help me out.”

“The problem?” I say, growing more heated by the second. “The problem is that you either don’t care about the plans I’ve made for myself or think I’m incapable of making plans for myself. And in the process, you’ve no doubt made everyone wonder whether I’m sleeping my way to the top of the art world. So thanks for that.”

“Stop trying to put things in the worst possible light.”

“Oh, is that what I’m doing?”

“Yes. First, we’re together now. If people don’t realize it yet, they will soon. Second, networking makes the world go round. I’m surprised you don’t know that, given your background and status—”

“Yes, I do know that, and that’s exactly why—”

“Finally,” he says loudly, “of course I think you’re capable of making plans for yourself. But if I can smooth the way for you and make your path easier, I’m going to do that. I want you to be successful beyond your wildest dreams. I’ve got all these resources. What do you think they’re for?”

“Am I allowed to speak now?”

“Absolutely.”

“Lovely,” I say acidly. “It might interest you to know that I’m quite looking forward to running my own life. My mother tried to give me a normal life, but my father and the family made that pretty much impossible. Decisions were handed down from on high about what schools I could attend—”

“Everyone gets told what school they’re going to, princess.”

“—what camps I could attend and which friends I could have. Hobbies, clothes, hair, makeup. You name it, it was all overseen by my father with an eye toward making sure I never embarrassed the family. One time, I wanted to get a part-time job with my friends at a pet-grooming salon, but he refused because, and this is a direct quote, ‘the optics are bad.’ And you should’ve seen the fight we had when I insisted on going to NYU instead of Cambridge. That was pretty much the first and only time I stood up for myself.”

Damon stills, looking stricken.

“I’ve had enough of being managed and suffocated and arranged like some Barbie doll inside her princess house. It’s my life. I’ll make the decisions.”

“Of course it’s your life. No one’s arguing about that.”

“Well, thank God.”

“But I’m here now. It’s my job to make life easier for you and to protect you.”

Something inside me snaps, unleashing my full temper.

“I just told you I’m not a doll! I will take care of myself even if no one I know thinks I can! No one hired you to protect me!”

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