Page 24 of The Playboy Billionaire

“Stretch up to the ceiling. Give yourselves a round of applause, ladies and gentleman,” she says before I hear clapping followed by a masculine whoop. I find myself smiling, the energy coming from inside positive, energised.

I start to push open the door, only to stop at the sound of voices.

“This morning’s meeting was exciting,” a lady says. I can’t see her, but I can make out her voice.

The voices have moved away from the door, and I wonder if they surround April.

“You did good,” the same voice continues. “Standing up to Frazer Development. These companies can’t get away with just coming in and taking over.”

I flinch at her words. Is that what they think we’re doing? Coming in and displacing them. Nothing could be further from the truth. That’s not our company ethos.

“Thank you, Alice. The same goes for all of you. It’s been amazing to have your support.”

I recognise April’s voice immediately and inhale sharply.

The door jerks under my hand, and swings open, exposing my position.

A dozen faces turn to face me.

My gaze moves to April’s face, her eyes widening as she takes me in.

“Ooh wow, he may be a shark, but I can understand why he’s won the Most Eligible Bachelor,” another lady whispers loudly, only to be elbowed by one of the others.

My lips twitch, but I refrain from smiling. I get the impression that it would not sit well with these ladies, who are currently scowling at me.

My eyes find April’s, the colour rising in her cheeks.

Samuel steps up behind her, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Come on, ladies, Betty and Don are calling. They have coffee cake this afternoon.” The woman whose voice I heard before says, ushering everyone from the room.

The leader of the pack, a grey-haired, perfectly made-up older woman, presses a finger into my chest as she passes. “Be nice to Ms April. We’ll be watching you,” she says through squinting eyes.

I smile down at her. “I have no intention of upsetting Ms April. I promise you.”

She glares at me as she ushers the other women out of the door, each shooting me their fiercest look. Before leaving, the leader turns, giving April an exaggerated wink. I watch April stifle a groan, as she knows I saw it all in the mirror.

“April, Samuel,” I say, stepping further into the room and allowing the door to shut behind me. My eyes take in April in her dance attire, memories of her body and how she felt pressed against me flooding my senses.

April turns without acknowledging me and walks to the back of the dance studio, grabbing a grey sweatshirt from one of the benches and pulling it on in silence. Samuel stands still, his arms crossed over his chest while his gaze burns holes into me.

I remain silent, watching as April makes her way to the front of the class and picks up her drink bottle. She unscrews the lid before taking a long swig of whatever it contains. I stop myself licking my lips as I watch her throat bob as she swallows, having no idea of the effect seeing her again would have on me.

Eventually, she turns, her gaze locking on my face.

“What do you want, Mr Frazer?” she asks.

“April. I?—”

A movement stops me, and I watch Samuel grab his sweatshirt.

“I’m going to leave you to it,” he says. “Coffee cake is my favourite.”

April looks like she’s about to commit murder as her best friend heads to the door. Samuel shoots mea don’t mess with herlook as he passes.

We both flinch as the door slams shut.

I take a step towards April but freeze when she glares at me.

---