Page 15 of Billionaire Devil

Then I remember thereasonI have two weeks off.

I’m driving to L.A. today. Or at least starting my journey westward.

Shit.

Veronica did end up giving me the time off but she was such a passive-aggressive bitch about my request, I’m not sure if I’ll be welcome back after my two weeks anyway.

I can handle that. I’ve already decided I’m moving back to L.A. for good.

Haven’t I?

I still haven’t completely quit either of my jobs or given notice on my apartment, but I’d planned to do some of that this morning. Or on the way.

I was supposed to wake up early and get organized.

Damn it, Lila, why are you such a mess? No wonder you can’t get ahead in life. You can’t even make a few simple decisions.

That’s what this trip was supposed to be about. Thinking things through.

Except that having a thought right now feels a lot like wading through knee-deep tequila-heavy mud.

Ow. My head.

Lord, I need some water. And Tylenol. And caffeine.

I reach again to my bedside table and feel around for my phone—thank God it’s here. And completely dead.

A vivid memory slices into my brain.

Sloane’s ridiculously sexy boss.

God, that man was gorgeous.

I vaguely remember a conversation during which I overshared on anepiclevel. Then, when Sloane was talking to a colleague about work stuff, Sloane’s boss came up with some absurd plan that involved the two of us driving to California together.What the hell?

I groan again, my hand covering my eyes. Did he have a name? Oh shit, of course he did.

Colton Maddox.

TheColton Maddox. On the Forbes list, multi-billionaire, along with his brothers, who happen to be four of the most successful investors and entrepreneurs in the city.

Colton, I learned somewhere along the line from Sloane, is the youngest brother. The playboy. The most eligible bachelor in Manhattan who, as hard as they try, none of the socialites or influencers can get to commit.

Risking the entire contents of my stomach upending themselves onto my splurge-buy comforter, I sit up a little, trying to make light of the situation.

So I had a little too much to drink. It happens. Not tomebefore last night, but I guess there’s a first for everything. I’m sure Colton Maddox is laughing it off as a joke this morning too, just like I am. He probably makes teasing promises like driving across the country on a whim to lots of women. He’snotorious for breaking hearts, I remember Sloane telling me.

I cringe at the hazy memories.

I did shots with him. We drank more champagne and flirted. He pretended I was good at it. Then his playful banter was all about coming along on my trip while meanwhile…oh god. Did I…there’s another swirl of nausea to complement my morning regret…yes, I told both SloaneandColton my whole sob story about my old college crush. Like, thewholesob story.And then I admitted to Sloane I’m still a freakingvirgin. In front of Colton Maddox.

How completely mortifying.

Then Colton joked about offering to enlightenme in the art of seduction during our road trip across the country.

Help.

I need to call Sloane and tell her to apologize to her boss on my behalf for getting inebriated at the company party and spilling my guts. He probably thinks I’m a total nutcase. Hopefully he’s already forgotten about me and has moved on to some jet-setting tycoon’s daughter who doesn’t have any old college crushes and who definitely isn’t a virgin.

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