Page 28 of The Billionaire's Heart

“Security is here. Are you ready to go?” Ian sits down on top of the coffee table across from me.

I nod, “Yes. My bag is packed. Just let me grab my notebook and crochet.” Attempting to stand up, Ian stops me by placing his hands on my knees. The electricity even flows through jeans and during stressful situations; good to know.

“Mia, I’m so sorry about this. Please forgive me. I’ve been dealing with the press for so long; it’s second nature to me, but it never occurred to me they’d go after you. And it should have.” There are worry lines on his forehead and he truly looks like this is tearing him apart.

To settle him, I cup both his cheeks. “Ian, it’s fine. Once everyone finds out we’re not engaged or even dating, this will all blow over. It’s no big deal and I’m sure by the time your driver drops me off at my apartment this evening, the news will be onto someone else. Right?”

Ian leans into my touch and suddenly I realize what I’m doing, and that it is highly inappropriate for me to be touching my boss’s boss like this. I start to remove my hands, but Ian stops me. “I like that you’re touching me.”

What? My heart flutters because there’s no way he said that just now. Right?

“In fact, I like that you kissed me last night. And I know that this is crazy with everything that is going on right now, but I want to kiss you now, too.” Ian’s dark blue eyes are staring directly into mine, and I don’t think I’m breathing.

Do I want him to kiss me? Yes, yes, I do. We’re staring into each other’s eyes, and I can feel the magnetic pull between us. We lean into each other, our lips centimeters apart, when there’s a loud pounding at the door. “Mr. Gallo. It’s John Trent from Hughes International. We need to get moving because the crowd is getting larger.”

Ian doesn’t break our eye contact. “Understood,” he calls to the guy at the door. “Let’s go.” He pulls me up off the couch and looks around the room. “Where’s your bag?” And the moment is over.

I only point to the table where my belongings are since I’ve lost the capability to speak after he dropped that bombshell. How can he like me touching him? Or that he wants to kiss meright now? What is happening? This is not my life. Things like this don’t happen to poor foster kids.

Ian opens the door to my room and in walks a giant. He’s got to be at least six foot five and as wide as a truck.

“Hi Mr. Gallo. Miss McIntosh. I’m John Trent with Hughes International. Gabriel Hughes sent me to get you both from the hotel to the car and then to the jet."

Ian and John shake hands. “Thank you, John. I believe we’re ready.” He grabs my bag as I shove my crochet and notebook in it.

“I’ve reviewed the hotel layout and the best way to get you both out of here is through the back entrance. The limo is waiting for you there right now.”

“Great. Let’s get going.” Ian says as he guides me out of the room and to the elevators.

We all climb into the elevator. I’m standing between both men and feeling tiny. There’s barely enough room to move.

“When the doors open, there will be some people in the hallway as we travel through the hotel. Hotel security has done a pretty good job of clearing out most of the reporters, but there are still the hotel guests to deal with.”

Ian nods as he’s staring at me in the elevator mirrored doors. He’s waiting for me to react, but honestly, I’ve had no time for any of this to sink in yet. That’s probably best because I’m pretty sure when it does sink in, I’m going to flip the fuck out.

“I’ll need you both to stay right behind me.” John says.

Ian nods again.

“Miss McIntosh?” John coaxes. “Right behind me.”

I look up at him and nod. “Got it. Right behind you.”

“Here we go. Heads down and stay close.” The elevator dings and the doors open.

“There they are!”

“Ian, Ian, Ian!”

“Mia, Mia, Mia!”

“When is the wedding?”

“Did he ask you to sign a prenup?”

“Is she pregnant, Ian?”

“Mia! How’d you land a billionaire?”

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