Page 62 of The Billionaires' Prize

“Good.” That’s what I like to hear. But I study her closely to make sure she’s not lying to herself.

I know how tricky the mind can be.

“Are you okay?” she murmurs, watching me just as closely.

It’s like a kick to the stomach, knowing this woman is concerned.

“How were things at work?” she asks.

I shrug. “So far, so good. The phone’s been ringing. You?”

Her gaze drops to the knot of my tie. “I had two appointments cancel this morning.”

There’s no sign of sadness in her eyes, just annoyance. And her irritation isn’t misplaced. How incredibly unfair that the situation is bringing me more business while harming hers.

“That’s the thing about this job,” she murmurs, hand smoothing down my chest. “I could hand over a list three pages long of men I know who are actively cheating on their spouse, but heaven forbid I date two men. . . or three,” she smiles, “men at the same time.”

My fingers flex into her hip. The urge to protect her from all of it is damn near overwhelming. Like a beast ready to jump from my chest and lay siege to the world. Because how dare anyone second guess her? How fucking dare anyone not see how bright and sweet she is.

How dare the world make her feel unsafe to be who she truly is.

That’s the kicker.

“Fucking double standards.”

“But let’s not talk about that.” She cups my cheek and turns my face to hers. “I’d rather plan our next trip out to the beach.”

I huff a laugh at her enthusiasm. “You didn’t get enough of that crappy old mattress?”

“Hey, it did okay. We survived.”

Profound awe sweeps through me like a tidal wave. Katherine is so different from the women in her circle. Any woman I’ve ever met, actually. Delightfully down to earth. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed she would really camp out in a partially renovated house on antique sheets.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

My throat tightens, but I push the words out anyway. For her.

“You’re amazing.” I tug a tendril of her hair.

She grips my tie.

“Do you remember that benefit where Mrs. Doyle cornered you?”

“How could I forget?”

Her eyes smile up at me. “I walked by and here was this octogenarian demanding details for how to keep her computer safe because she heard you were the best when it comes to security.”

I huff a laugh. “She didn’t care that I am not a cyber security specialist.”

“Not the least little bit.”

Katherine presses a tender kiss to the corner of my mouth. Then she looks up at me with adoration in her eyes. “You were so patient with her.”

“I had to pee.”

That earns me a grin. “I never would have known. You were so stoic.”

She grazes my cheek with a fingertip, and I turn to kiss it.

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