Page 1 of The Billionaires' Prize

1

KATHERINE/GABE

Katherine

What people don’t tell you about having your dreams come true is that it might happen at the worst possible time.

You might be standing on a beach on a cool May morning, staring at your best friend who you’ve had feelings for, oh, the better part of a decade. And he might finally admit that he has feelings for you, too. But you can’t be relieved or gleeful or giddy because you spent last night in the arms of another man. . . and his best friend.

And it was freaking amazing.

I want to do it again.

But this is Kingston.

My Kingston.

The kind boy who became an incredible man stares at me with mesmerizing green eyes, waiting for me to say something.

My heart lodges in my throat.

I didn’t leave because I didn’t care about you.

His words echo through my mind on repeat. I cock my head and my pulse pounds in my ears louder than the waves crashing against the shore.

I’m sure I heard him correctly. Which means he. . . My mouth goes dry. He wants me, too. But he left.

I left because I did.

My vision tunnels, and suddenly, everything looks like I’m staring through a bottomless Pringles can. The world falls away, and it’s just me and him and this truth.

He wanted me, and he left anyway. I shake my head, trying in vain to clear it to make the puzzle pieces fit. Trying to make sense of this.

Kingston’s gaze flicks over my shoulder.

“Miss Montgomery, we should head back.” Roman’s voice is a dash of cold water to my overheated system.

I turn slowly to see what’s caught his attention. The bodyguard has positioned himself between me and a house, where a woman is standing on her back deck. She’s not even trying to hide the phone in her hand or the fact that it’s aimed our way. Likely taking pictures or video, which is all I need right now.

I mean, I get it. Two billionaire bachelors each bid a million dollars to go on a date with me at a bachelorette auction. That’s bound to raise eyebrows. But the media storm has been insane, and now I can’t walk down a semi-private beach without someone snapping a photo.

Molars grinding, I turn away so she can’t capture my face. “I didn’t ask for any of this,” I murmur.

Kingston nods, understanding the limelight we grew up in. More importantly, he understands exactly how driven my mother is to succeed at all costs. Whatever game she’s playing, she aims to win. And not just win. Vault her way to the top step with flair and act like she didn’t trip anyone else on the way.Neither of us is surprised that she signed me up for the auction against my wishes.

Wind whips my hair around, and it gets caught in my lashes and between my lips. Kingston crowds closer, eyes narrowing on the woman before returning his attention to me. “Forget about nosey neighbor Mrs. Kravitz.”

Reaching up, he gently tugs the strands of my hair free and tucks them behind my ear. “She can’t hear us.”

The intensity rolling off of him is new and insanely potent.

My breathing shallows and my stomach goes all fluttery. Both reactions are painfully familiar where my best friend is concerned. He’s always been athletic and handsome as sin. As if impeccable genes weren’t enough, his parentage all but ensured he knows how to dress for every occasion. Not just dress, but accentuate all that. . . perfection.

Fudgecakes.Am I drooling?

“But she can see us,” I remind him. After the last couple of days, a picture of me on a beach with yet another man is only going to stir the scandal. Staring into Kingston’s eyes, I will him to understand the gravity of the situation. The chaotic storm I’ve found myself in.

He nods, and my lips curve as relief drips through me.

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