Page 89 of The Billionaires' Prize

“The lipstick is kiss-proof, though.” To prove it, she presses a kiss to my cheek.

I suck in a breath, battling back the need storming through my veins.

The elevator levels off, and my lust instantly turns to anxiety.Please let the door open.

“Hey.” She cups my cheeks, pulling my attention to her. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Her soft reassurance washes over and through me. My shoulders drop from my ears.

What the hell did I ever do to deserve someone like her? I can’t think of anything.

She starts at the corner of my mouth. Just a soft kiss. A whisper. My lashes droop, and the tightness in my chest eases. Her lips rove, teasing mine and luring me into a scorching kiss. I sweep my tongue along her lush lower lip, and she whimpers.

“I know, Wildfire,” I murmur. “I could kiss you forever.”

I lift my head. She was right, as usual. Her lipstick is kiss-proof. And while I don’t want to explain that to my parents yet, I’m secretly bummed that the pretty peachy-pink color didn’t rub off on me.

She blinks up at me, and her slow smile feels like a kick to the ribs, so stunning it steals my breath. “Looks like I’m going to need more lip gloss.”

Lips twitching, I turn for the doors. We’re greeted by a wall of lush greenery and the sweet gurgle of a fountain. Benches flank the fountain, and dozens of pots dot the space, filled with flowers and green plants that Katherine could probably identify.

“This is incredible.” She clings to my arm, and I lead her through the maze of cozy seating areas and small trees. Vines cling to the walls of the staircase and elevator chute. But it’s the pergola in the back that makes this trip worthwhile.

Hedged in on two sides, it’s incredibly private. There’s a U-shaped outdoor sectional and a low coffee table. Standing here, I can almost convince myself I’m not in New York. Maybe I’m on a rooftop in Greece.

As Katherine studies a plant, I reach for my phone and turn the vibe on low.

24

KATHERINE

This garden is straight out of my dreams, full of interesting plants and unique pots, intricate structures and private spaces. Lights twinkle in the twilight, beckoning me to explore.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. The air smells earthy and green with the slightest hint of floral. But it’s the gurgling fountain that transports me far away from the city.

King guides me past a privacy hedge to a pergola. The space is more like a secret room walled off from prying eyes.

My shoulders relax, dropping from my ears, and a little more of my tension ebbs. I could get used to this. A little voice whispers through my mind,you should.

I move to the other side of the low-slung table to get a closer look at a container of colorful succulents.

The vibrator suddenly pulses to life, and I suck in a breath, eyes flicking to King.

“Here?” I ask. My brain’s a little fuzzy from the wine. Is he teasing me again? Working me into a lather only to turn this thing off and leave me wanting?

He settles onto the sectional and crosses one ankle over his other knee. His phone hangs from his fingertips, giving him the look of being relaxed. The man is sin in slacks.

“How many times can you come in ten minutes?”

“Ten—” My nerves start to hum. I grip my skirt, needing something to hang onto as the toy teases me.

He can’t be serious.

But he increases the intensity, and I give myself over to the pleasure. It’s forbidden and delicious standing here with his gaze on me. I never knew my bestie was a voyeur. But as I bite my lower lip, he follows the movement and continues his survey south. He likes what he sees. Likes watching. Likes directing.

He holds my gaze, not letting me look away. “I figure we have at least that long before someone comes looking.”

How is he so confident? Like life is all some grand plan of his design?

---