Page 15 of The Billionaires' Prize

“I wanted you every day. And you walked. No, you ran, King. You were happy with our friendship, or so I thought. Now you’re back, telling me you wanted me, too? And you’re cross because I didn’t wait for you.” I cross my arms, hugging my middle. Shards of pain slice through me.

He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his phone, navigates to a screen, and then hands it to me. It’s a boarding pass email.

“Look at the date and time.”

I count back in my head. “Wha?—”

“I booked this the night I found out you were going to be in the auction. The only reason I wasn’t here to see you on that stage was because a giant earth fart in Iceland kept all flights grounded.”

My lips twitch at his colorful description. He left that morning with time to spare.

Ohmygod.

That means he didn’t show up just because Gabe and Alex bid on me.

My heart soars with hope.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

He rakes his foot over a loose shell. It’s not like him to fidget. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“You flew halfway around the world—” My jaw drops. To surprise me. That’s so sweet.

“Because I had to see you.” His eyes lock with mine and my stomach does a little flip. He’s so earnest. “Had to see if I’d ruined everything when I left. If there was still a part of you that. . .”

I step closer and take his left hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. It’s hard to admit feelings, much less put them into words. The fact that Ford and I are able to be so open with each other is a miracle.

Kingston’s family has always been more effusive. His mother’s side of the family is passionate and loud. But I get it.

He’s standing in front of a girl, asking if she likes him.

The whir of a helicopter draws my attention, and I glance over my shoulder at the dark dot moving closer in the bluecotton candy sky. It slices through the air toward us, laps the property, and swoops down to make a smooth landing on the helipad. Alex’s pilot is excellent.

A cloud of leaves and grit swirls our way, and we turn our backs. I close my eyes as my hair whips around my face, stinging my skin. Kingston steps behind me, sheltering me from the worst of the wind.

Even now, he’s protecting me. It’s no wonder I was so infatuated with him. The world seems to slow to a crawl as I turn around, blinking up at him, heart in my throat.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I yell over the noise.

He nods.

Where do we go from here?

I have no idea, but my heart aches at the idea of him not getting what he wants. Even if what he wants is me.Especiallyif what he wants is me.

But things are so complicated now.

Two tall, dark forms move into my peripheral vision. I get a moment of déjà vu, remembering them before the auction. They’d been sexy then. But now, their appeal has far more to do with who they are as people. Who they are with me.

Protective. Funny. Vulnerable.

“Come with us,” I call to Kingston. We need more time to talk. There’s so much to say, and. . . despite everything, I want to be around him. To soak in his humor and have him pressure me into a long run around Central Park at the crack of dawn.

He watches the two men approach, jaw flexing.

Alex has his backpack hooked over one shoulder, his hands filled with shopping bags. My high heels dangle from Gabe’s left hand, and my dress is draped over his other arm. Cupped in his hand is the succulent. The one Kingston and I bought when we were in Greece. The one I left care instructions for, and by the looks of it, he’s followed to a tee.

That’s another punch to the heart.

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