Page 8 of Secret Billionaire

Griffin raised his eyebrows, “A consult huh? What about?”

Discreetly kicking him with her toe she said, “Griffin was just leaving. I’ll walk him out and be right back.” She grabbed Griffin’s arm and tugged him out the front door.

The minute the door closed behind them, she glared at him and hissed, “What was that about? It’s none of your business what we’re about to discuss.”

He grinned and winked, “Your cheeks are all red. Where did this dude come from?”

“I repeat, none of your business. I’ve got to get back in there. Remember, you’re not my brother! You’re an old friend. That goes for anytime you’re in the bar. And my last name is LeBlanc not Bennett, Got it?”

“Why the deception?”

She gave an exasperated sigh, “A multitude of reasons. It’s not really deception, after all it is mom’s maiden name. Besides I told you, I don’t want anyone to know I’m associated with the Bennetts and I don’t want my crazy ex to be able to find me. But mostly, I want to be judged by my own merit and not as a spoiled little rich girl. I want to be liked for who I am not for what I can buy. Besides it’s different for a guy, rich and powerful is a bonus. For women, it either intimidates the good ones or attracts the one’s that just want to use you. Men like to be the one with the power.”

He grinned rakishly, “Is that so? I’ve never quite looked at it that way. I’ve got my own version of that… do they like me for my dazzling looks and charming personality or do they just want me because I’m rich?”

“As if you care. You’ll use whatever it takes to get the girl. You flaunt it!”

He held his chest like he’d been wounded, “Ouch! That hurts.”

She bit back a laugh, “You’re a little too big for your britches little brother. One of these days you’re going to fall hard, and we’ll see how cocky you are then.”

He winked at Faye. “Doubtful… but what’s wrong with a little confidence anyway?”

“Confidence is fine. It’s the arrogance that’s so obnoxious. But I love you despite that.”

A flicker of hurt crossed over his face but was quickly veiled as his lips curved up in his familiar cocky grin, “Of course you do. What’s not to love?”

“Just remember what I told you!” Faye reminded him.

“I’ll remember. Back to you, it’s eventually going to come out you know. You can’t hide who you are forever. Fuck ’em. Who cares what people think anyway?”

Jaw set, she folded her arms across her chest, “Me.”

“Okay but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Lies have a way of coming back and biting you in the ass. The secret billionaire, ha, that’s a good one!”

She rolled her eyes, “Now why would I expect anyone in my family to understand. Thanks for your support Griffin!”

His eyes still twinkled as he tried to school his face to look serious. “I’ll take it to my grave, no bullshit.”

“You’d better. I’m going in for my meeting. See you later.”

“Later, Ms. LeBlanc” He shook his head chuckling as he got into his Porsche convertible and drove away.

Jesse’s eyes glittered, “So how good a friend is he? The other night you said you didn’t have a boyfriend,” he said, the minute Faye returned.

“And I don’t. He’s a childhood friend.” Faye mumbled, avoiding eye contact. She could feel her cheeks heat up from the lie, and quickly changed the subject. “Let’s take a tour of the place and I’ll share my vision…then we can go from there.”

Not to be brushed aside so easily, he continued, “You sure that’s all he is?”

Faye looked up into his eyes. “He’s just a friend. More like a brother.”

“He looks like a movie star. Kinda hard to believe you wouldn’t have an interest.”

“Trust me on that, I’ve known him my whole life. It’s nothing like that. Strictly platonic.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

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