Page 6 of The Billionaires' Prize

Which doesn’t explain twenty-four hours and two nights, but I can’t think about that too closely. So rather than press that button, I turn, peering through the blinds at the view.

“Wow.”

My mood sinks.

There’s a strip of unkempt yard, which tumbles out into grassy dunes, beach, glittery ocean, and brilliant blue sky. It’s incredible. And I live on an ocean. But this is oil-painting perfection, and I can see why they positioned the house like this.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Katherine joins me, licking her fingers.

I bite back a groan and force myself to focus on anything but her lemon-flavored lips.

“Amazing,” I agree and heaven help me, I’m being totally honest.

“Come look at the built-ins.” She taps me on the shoulder and then circles the old table. I follow her past a pile of lumber and a handful of buckets. The room is a generous size with amazing light and smells like sawdust and drywall paste.

Kat’s not wrong. The shelves flanking the fireplace are in great shape. A charming detail. I can just picture holidays here. A tall noble fir to the right of a crackling fire. The smell of sugar cookies in the air, carols drifting from room to room. Four stockings gracing the mantle. . .?

Why is Katherine sneaking a last-minute present under the tree in this vision?

“You should keep them, Gabe.” She runs a hand along the wood, and I’m instantly jealous.

Touch me like that.I want to feel those slim fingers caressing every groove and sliding over my skin with reverence and wonder.

Gabe stands on the other side of her, an arm wrapped around his middle, hand clasped at the crook of his elbow, coffee cup hovering beneath his lips. I paid enough attention during my body language lessons to know a defensive gesture when I see one.

The billionaire isn’t as relaxed as he probably wants us to believe.

“You think?” he asks.

“Only Katherine can get this excited over original details.”

“Oh hush,” she shushes me and then turns to him. “We’ll get you a big jar to collect things from your beach walks.”

His dark brows lift.

“What?” She blinks up at him.

“It’s cute that you think I’ll have time for beach walks.”

Spoken like someone who never has enough. Enough money. Enough power.

Kat’s lips twist, and her shoulders sag a fraction. That wasn’t the answer she wanted. He tossed ice water over her enthusiasm. I want to slap him up the back of his perfectly trimmed head, but he reaches out, running a thumb along the edge of the closest shelf.

“I suppose I should make time.” His voice is deeper, somber even. Thoughtful.

Crap on a cracker.

Katherine sways his way, all but melting. “That’s the spirit.”

“Don’t listen to her,” I say, pulling her attention back to me. Which is exactly where I want it. Remember me. The best friend? “She’ll have every one of these shelves filled with plants.”

“Plants?” Gabe asks.

“She’s a plant-a-holic.”

She huffs, throwing a glare over her shoulder. There’s nothing quite as pretty as the fire in Katherine’s eyes. If only she knew how many times I’ve deliberately teased her just to see that pretty blue-green flame.

“That right?” He’s genuinely curious.

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