Page 23 of The Billionaire's Heart

I don’t know what I was thinking when I turned to face Ian. Maybe the cameras would get a good look at our intertwined fingers and that would shut down the naysayers. But then my other hand moved on its own to cup his cheek. Immediately, Ian leaned into my touch, looked into my eyes, and smiled.

My body moved on its own and I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him.

I kissed my boss. Actually, my boss’s boss.

In front of a hundred flashing cameras.

I could hear all the clicks from the cameras and the roar of questions when we kissed, but it was drowned out by my heart pounding in my chest and the electricity short-circuiting my brain.

Ian played along and kissed me back and then again at each photo stop the usher moved us to. Each time my brain short-circuited, and my heart pounded so loud, I couldn’t hear anything else.

His lips are softer than I expected. I can’t decide if his lips taste like the best water I’ve ever had or like forbidden candy. Either way, they’re addicting and now that we have finally made it into the building and past all the cameras and reporters, my heart drops, knowing I won’t be kissing him again.

Get a hold of yourself, girl. You’re not here to make out with your boss’s boss. You’re here to help Mr. Gallo land this deal.

“I’m so sorry, Ian, for doing that. I just couldn’t let that asshole think you would do such a thing.” I whisper as soon as we get inside the building.

“What? Why are you sorry? He basically called you a whore. Had you not kissed me, I was going to knock him out.”

“I’ve been called worse; besides, we need to make sure that Mr. Sutherland sees that Gallo Enterprises is the right company for this merger. And reporters like that don’t help any. If we had let that question slide, who knows what all the other reporters would publish in tomorrow’s papers or online.” I notice some of my lipstick on his lips and although I like the idea that it’s my lipstick and no one else’s, I wipe it off of his lips with my thumb.

“Thank you.”

I smile. “You can’t go in there wearing lipstick. It’ll kill the mood.”

“No, I mean thank you for thinking of me out there.” He nods towards the door.

I’m confused by his comment. “That’s why I’m here, right? Now, let’s mingle.” I notice a waiter with a tray full of champagne and grab two, handing one to Ian. Truthfully, I could use both of them, but tonight’s not the night to get drunk. I’m here to help Mr. Gallo and Gallo Enterprises.

We have been mingling with a lot of different people for hours. Ian has introduced me as his date to every single one of them, as if we’re really dating. I’m never going to remember everyone’s name, but I play the part that I’m here to play, the adoring date.It’s not a hard stretch, though. He’s treated me like a queen all night, which is something new to me.

“Ian. So glad you and I could finally catch up.” An older man says as he slaps Ian’s shoulder while shaking Ian’s hand.

“Mr. Sutherland. Thank you for coming.” He turns to me and holds out his hand and pulls me closer to him. “I’d like to introduce you to my date, Mia McIntosh. Mia, this is Mr. Sutherland.”

I hold out my hand. “Mr. Sutherland. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Ian has spoken so highly of you. I’ve been looking forward to finally putting a face to the name.”

Mr. Sutherland shakes my hand. “He has? Well, I’m sure they’re all lies.” He laughs at his joke, as do Ian and me. “This here is my better half of over thirty-five years, Misty.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.” Misty shakes our hands. “Bert, I’m going to powder my nose. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, dear.” Mr. Sutherland says as he kisses her cheek, and you can see the love that they have for each other.

“I’m going to go, too.” I tell Ian.

“I’ll wait right here for you.” Ian says as he kisses my hand.

Misty and I make our way through the crowd and finally find the restrooms outside of the ballroom. “I cannot wait to take these shoes off for five minutes.” Misty laughs as we walk into the posh ladies’ room.

“Oh, me too.” I sit next to her on the settee and peel my poor feet out of these stilettos. I’m used to flats and sneakers. Although these are the most comfortable heels I’ve ever worn, my feet are still protesting.

“Tell me, dear, how did you meet Ian? I didn’t realize he was dating anyone.” Misty asks me.

“We met through work.” It’s the stock answer that was in the packet I studied on the flight up here, but I don’t think we should dive into my relationship with Ian, and so I immediately changethe subject. “So, you’ve been married for how many years? Thirty-five?”

“More like thirty-eight. We were high school sweethearts. Bert likes to round the numbers, so he doesn’t have to keep track.” She laughs. “I’ll be right back.” Misty points towards the stalls across the room and I nod and watch her walk across the large restroom.

That’s when I notice the other few women in the room standing around the mirror, but all looking at me. I smile, but not one of them smiles back. Instead, they turn to each other, whisper something that I can’t hear, and then as a group walk past me and out the door.

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