Page 31 of Billion-Dollar Dating Game

There was a moment of silence down the phone.

‘Did you get hit on the head?’ she asked.

He’d taken a hit of some kind, apparently. But he laughed, relieved that she’d gone for a joke because he really didn’t know where that had come from either. He’d go to her damned jewellery store and now he understood her motivation it made sense that her modus operandi regarding Helberg was the human connection. She wanted him to meet more ofherwork family. She didn’t want him to break them up.

‘Who are you going to fob me off onto this time?’ he muttered, still unable to end the call.

‘The jeweller.’

‘Thrilling. Anyone else?’

‘The sales manager. They’re both lovely. They both have a lot to share.’

‘Can’t wait.’ The sad fact was that wasn’t even a lie.

Montague’s was the high-end manufacturing jewellery arm of the business that Adam Courtenay was most interested in. No surprise there, given jewels were already Adam’s family deal. But this was a flagship store—all exquisite space, gleaming luxury and not a price tag in sight. Zane grimaced as he looked around the plush premises three hours after he’d hung up on Skylar.

‘Is the sight of all the engagement rings giving you hives?’ She stole up beside him and chuckled.

Glancing down, he saw the amusement dancing in her eyes. Her dimple appeared the second he smiled back at her. He had to freeze and process the urge to haul her close and kiss her hello. He’d kiss her until she was breathless and begging for more. Then for mercy. Because he would tease her to the edge and back over and over again. Torment her the way she was tormenting him right now. Night after night he thought about her and what he’d do the second he had another chance.

He couldn’t believe he’d squandered that opportunity. He’d been a fool. A teen all over again. So fast. Far too fast. The fire had consumed them both. And it wasn’t enough. He gritted his teeth. She was a crush from his teen years. She should mean nothing now. But that old ache was back. She’d been the only one hecouldn’thave. The only one he’d become bitter about. So maybe she was the only one who he was going to need to have more than once.

‘Come on,’ she said.

She was too bright-eyed. Too trusting. Guilt rose in a tsunami-like wave this time. He hadn’t told her everything that had happened between him and Reed. But he hadn’t exactly reneged on his deal with her—he’d told her some, just notallof the truth. Which wasn’t cheating. Some wounds cut too deep to be exposed. But she’d guessed there had to be more. And he needed distraction from this already.

‘You don’t wear jewellery.’ He cocked his head and teased her. ‘Is such adornment too mucheffort?’

‘Doyouwear any?’ She bit right back as he’d known she would.

‘I like a good watch.’ He shrugged.

Her eyes widened in faux awe. ‘So you know when it’s time to leave?’

He smiled appreciatively. This was what he needed—for her to spar with him, not stand by silently. He’d known—even all those years ago—that she’d have smart things to say. And he liked that she wasn’t afraid to call him out. The wealthier he’d become, the more people said yes around him. The less they challenged or argued. They started to treat everything he said as immutable law. Which was rubbish. It was also—frankly—boring. Skylar was fresh.

‘I sometimes wear rings too,’ he said.

‘To ward off evil spirits? Or all those women setting themselves at you?’

‘For fun.’ He moved closer, unable to stop himself. ‘Which apparently is a foreign concept for you.’ He brushed the backs of his fingers lightly against her cheekbone, then swept wider, noting the tiny holes in her earlobes. ‘Let’s look at the earrings.’

‘Zane—’

‘You have a graceful neck.’ He had no qualms whatsoever about hijacking her expedition and thwarting her. ‘You should wear long earrings to show it off.’ He moved to the cabinet before she could attempt to argue more. He was aware of her watching as he assessed the collection. The ruby and diamond drops caught his attention immediately. Red definitely had to be her colour—as striking and sensual as she was. ‘Can we have a closer look at those, please.’

The assistant couldn’t move fast enough.

‘Zane—’

‘Beautiful, don’t you think?’ He was seriously enjoying himself.

She stared round-eyed at him and then finally at the glittering jewels he held towards her. ‘They’ll get caught in my hair,’ she said dismissively.

‘You wear your hair up more often than not. Try them on.’

‘I can’t—’

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