Page 58 of Flirting with My Billionaire Enemy

I hand her my phone with a light smile, and my heart pounds as I give up my biggest secret to the woman I’m quickly falling deeper in love with every day.

27

ARIANA

Istay up late reading Kaison’s book Friday night. It’s full of nail-biting suspense and twists and turns. There’s a psychopathic killer posing as a nice guy. And no one knows it’s him. I keep flipping through the pages—it’s an ebook, so I’m really just swiping, but same difference, right? The story has me completely sucked in. Why does Kaison want to hide this masterpiece from his family? They would be so proud of him if they knew he’d written it.

We only worked half a day on Friday because of the holiday, but I’m hoping to finish the rest of the project tomorrow, even though it’s the weekend. I put the book down just past midnight, so I’m not such a zombie in the morning. I could stay up all night reading it.

I snuggle under my covers, thinking about the intricate plot that Kaison has woven and how three-dimensional his characters are, flawed but beautiful. The love story he’s weaving into the narrative is full of tension and emotion. It’s not often that you read a crime thriller with such well-developed characters. Usually they’re more plot heavy.

I’m not ready for this weekend to be over. What if Kaison and I go back to normal when we’re in the office? Keeping things professional. It’s what I’ve been wanting all this time, but now I’m not so sure that’s the case anymore. Because Kaison has those lips, and don’t get me started on those abs.

But aren’t the players usually the hot ones people regret going after? It might be too late for me. I’m still so scared that he might be sneaking around with other women. How can I learn to trust him?

People always leave me. Why would it be any different with Kaison?

* * *

Ihave to drink an extra cup of coffee to stay awake the next morning. But the exhaustion is worth it.

I can’t tell Kaison how much I enjoyed his book because his brothers are over and keep popping into the room unexpectedly. Finally, I shoot him a text.

Your book is amazing. I’m about halfway through. I stayed up way too late reading it last night.

He texts me back a smiley face and then looks up at me over his phone. Our gazes collide, and I can see how much my words mean to him. It’s written across his face—a mix of gratitude and… love? All I know is his eyes are tender when he looks at me.

My fingers fly across my phone screen again, and I look back up at him.

You should tell your family. They would be so proud of you.

His gaze lingers on his phone, and he bites his bottom lip. It’s like he doesn’t know he’s doing it, but it’sverydistracting. Finally, he types something out.

I look down at my phone when it vibrates in my hand.

I’ll give it some thought.

Well, he’s not completely dismissing my idea. It’s a start.

“You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone,” I say out loud. I know it’s the only reason he’s keeping his writing life a secret. “They love you just as you are.”

“It’s not that I need to prove my worth to them. It’s for myself.”

That’s deeper than I expected. “Explain.”

He bends his head over the phone and types something out.

I want to do it on my own. Show myself that I’m more than just my family’s money.

“But you don’t need to show yourself that. Can’t you see how amazing you are all on your own?”

He shrugs. “I guess it’s hard to explain.”

“I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

“I mean, most people would think I have nothing to complain about. But always being in the shadow of what others have done can be a little hard on the self-esteem sometimes.”

This conversation really was getting deep, and I’m surprised he’s willing to admit as much to me. “You always seem so full of confidence. It’s hard to believe you struggle with your self-esteem.”

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