Page 5 of The Billionaires' Prize

I stride forward, enjoying the way her pupils flare at my approach. She’s now intimately familiar with my body, my kiss, my scent. I’m oh-so-tempted to tug her to my side and give her bestie a show. After all, he laid his lips on her last night.

Fucking tried to steal her. To sweep her off her feet.

For the first time since the gavel came down at the auction, I’m feeling thankful.

“Katherine’s worth every penny,” I murmur, letting her see my meaning in my eyes.

He throws an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against his side. “She sure is.” He gives her a little squeeze, then drops his attention to the muffin perched at the end of her fingertips. “You gonna finish that?”

A fierce little growl rumbles out of her, and my lips twitch. Kingston’s eyes widen and he holds up his hands in a placating gesture.

“All right. Sorry.” He gives her a dazzling smile. “Anyway, I’m sorry I missed it.”

Kingston holds her gaze for a long moment, and my gut tightens. Where’s Alex? We need to get rid of the bestie?—

“Then again,” Kingston continues, directing that devilish smirk right at me. “The bidding would have gone even higher.”

Maybe he means it as a warning, but it’s confirmation of what Alex and I suspected last night. Just look at the hold he has on my girl, our girl.Tell me you’ve fallen for a girl without telling me you’ve fallen for a girl.

2

KINGSTON/ALEX

Kingston

Gabriel Rothburn stares me down the way a lion watches a three-horned wildebeest. Wary and curious with a healthy respect, but also ready to yeet me into the next county.

He’s cute in a geek-chic sort of way. Tall and lean. I bet he’s fucking hot in glasses. Or a hoodie. Not that I have any business thinking about that.

Katherine and I were interrupted on the beach, and I’m willing to finish our conversation here if necessary.

Gabe’s blue eyes narrow at my arm draped over her shoulder.

Good. He realizes that I’m serious. I might have jumped the gun last night, but Wildfire and I have a history. Common interests. Chemistry.

I just need time to remind her of those things.

And if I have to shove the handsome tech-tycoon under the Tesla in the process, so be it.

“So. Where are you two going on your date?” I ask, stepping away from Katherine. Touching her only makes me want to touch her that much more. The desire to tug her against myside and keep her there is fierce, all-consuming. I’ve never felt anything so potent in my life.

Her lips part, and she shoots me an ‘I can’t believe you brought that up’look.

Okay, so maybe she’s not feeling the same overwhelming desire for me. Something to work on, then.

I give her an unrepentant eyebrow wiggle. He’s a big boy. He can handle a few uncomfortable questions.

“We haven’t discussed it yet,” she says and gobbles a hunk of her muffin. A tiny crumb lands at the corner of her mouth, and I hold my breath as I reach up and flick it away. My gut tightens with need.

I drop my hand because I can’t afford to spook her.

“Really? I’d have that date planned. Booked. Ready.”

I shoot them a teasing grin. It doesn’t hurt that I have a running list on my phone called Kat’s Faves. Favorite foods. Favorite movies. Places she wants to visit. And yeah, I might have a little too much energy for my own good.

“We’ve been a little busy,” Gabe mutters.

“I heard. Running from photographers.”

---