Page 13 of Dirty Billionaire

Fuck.

Three servers come rushing toward us, picking up the broken pieces and wiping me down as she takes a step back.

But our eyes never leave one another.

“Ward.” She breathes as I step toward her.

We’re inches apart and I force myself not to cup the back of her neck and clamp my mouth down on hers.

I clear my throat.

“I wanted to apologize.” My voice is rough as I steer her farther away from the glass.

This time it’s my hand on her hip.

Penelope nods gracefully and I love that she didn’t ask me what for. She knows. I know. We both know exactly what I’m apologizing for.

“Why?” Penelope asks instead.

I glance around, then at the man who had his hands on her. He’s watching us, but not with the look of a man enamored with her, and when he catches me watching, he simply turns to chat to another guest.

Good.

He’s no threat.

She deserves the truth, but all my excuses die on the tip of my tongue as I stare down into her bright green eyes.

Penelope wants more than I am offering. That is clear. But I’m a greedy man and want one more night.

Then I will be free of this obsession.

CHAPTER FOUR

PENELOPE

I KNEW WARD WAS GOINGto be here, but I didn’t know James would. The way he wandered over and manhandled me like we were still dating was a little infuriating. Thankfully, I turned my face, so his kiss landed on my cheek.

Suddenly, I was prompted by a powerful, invisible force to spin around.

A forced called Ward Montgomery.

The moment I did, the world vanished and all I could see was him. Like some ridiculous Hollywood movie where everything fades and the spotlight is on the main character.

Until the glass exploded in his hand.

The entire room stopped and stared.

“Why?” I ask when he apologizes for standing me up two weeks ago.

I wasn’t expecting him to do more than watch me from across the room tonight.

Perhaps I underestimated him. An apology is deserved, but the damn chemistry between us is choking me.

“Is that your date?” Ward asks, narrowing his eyes at James.

I’m tempted to say yes and slip away, but I can’t. The words won’t come out. I spent hours getting ready to catch his attention, and now that I have it, I feel as powerless as I ever do with this man.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be easy.

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