Page 30 of The Playboy Billionaire

“Go on. You know you want to,” Cal says next to my ear, the feel of his breath raising every hair on my body.

Tyler and Alex run forward and pull me into the mix. My feet take over before I can stop myself. This is what I need, what I’ve always needed. To lose myself in the dance. My heart rate slows. The butterflies settle as I let my body join those of my students.

When the music finally stops, everyone crowds around. The audience that has formed around us claps enthusiastically.

“They wanted to give you some moral support,” Samuel says, coming to stand next to me.

My eyes well with unshed tears.

What have I done to deserve this?

I turn to Cal, who is still standing in the doorway of the building. Some of his staff are next to him.

Oh hell.

I should be in a meeting with him, not dancing on the street. He’s busy, and I’ve got him waiting. But then, if this is the end, what a way to go. This is a memory I’ll never forget.

I turn back to the building, extracting myself from the group.

Cal steps forward—the look he gives me—one I can’t decipher. Moving past me, he walks towards the crowd.

“Refreshments and snacks are available in the canteen for anyone interested. Sign in, and Sara will take you through,” he says, motioning to theperfectreceptionist I spoke to earlier, who is now smiling broadly.

“Samuel?” I say.

“I’ve got this. I’ll stay with them,” he says, squeezing my shoulder. “You concentrate on keeping your business.”

“Thank you,” I say, squeezing his arm as Cal returns to my side.

“Are you ready?” he says, holding out a hand, motioning for me to lead the way.

I nod before entering the lion’s den.

CHAPTER 14

CALEB

Ihold open the door to my corner office, allowing us both to enter. April has been silent since we left her band of loyal followers and Samuel downstairs.

She moves to the chair opposite my desk, but instead, I point to the sofa and chairs by the window.

“Can I get you a drink?” I ask.

“Water, thank you.”

I watch as she takes a seat, her hands rubbing up and down her trouser leg, her knee bouncing.

I move to my desk and press the intercom.

“Hi Trish, can I get a water for Ms Wilson and my usual.”

“Of course, Caleb, I’ll bring them straight in.”

I grab the folder and the new architectural plans Jaxson sent through this morning off my desk and make my way towards April. Her rigid posture and lack of eye contact tell me this may not be as smooth sailing as I hoped.

“That was quite an entrance,” I say, taking a seat in the chair next to hers, watching her move her leg away from me.

“I’m sorry it delayed our meeting. I did not know they were going to do that,” she says awkwardly.

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