Page 69 of Resisting the Billionaire

Gabriel

Istand in the doorway of Mackenzie’s office for a moment, taking the opportunity to watch her unobserved. Her head is bent down low, the ends of her curls brushing her planner she’s hurriedly writing in. She glances at something on her computer screen and back down, hard at work.

My eyes travel south over the emerald green dress she’s wearing today, already missing the one with the front tie closure from last night. When she’d revealed what was underneath, I’d just about lost my mind.

“Gabriel.”

My gaze pops up, not that I’m too sorry she caught me blatantly staring at her. She knows how I feel about her.

And where my mind is after last night.

“Hey,” is all I’m able to manage, getting caught up in the way her dress brings out the green in her hazel eyes, the soft flush on her cheeks. Her expression is slightly unsure, as if she’s worried about how we parted. Sure, I hate this situation we’re in, but I understand where she’s coming from. I don’t have a problem with the “ethics” as much as she does, but that’s because I’ve never considered Serena to truly be my fiancee. This is a business arrangement, nothing more.

Even if I have to sign a marriage certificate.

“What brings you by?” She closes her planner, her fingers flicking the front corner of it. Those same fingers that touched herself.

I cross my arms over my chest, leaning against the doorframe. I need to get my head in the game and stop remembering the hottest night in memory. “You want to go out for lunch? I was in the area.”

She bites her lip, trying to hide a smile from me. “You were?”

“Yeah.” I can’t help the wide grin that spreads over my face. “I mean, my schedule is pretty packed, but I figured I could squeeze you in.”

She leans back in her chair, a burst of pride going through me at how comfortable she looks in it, how well it suits her office. And her.

“And what does this busy day of yours consist of exactly?”

“Oh, you know. Disappointing Dad mostly. Maybe annoying Archer. And then between all that, thinking about you.” Her eyes flick behind me, but I made sure her friend was on the other side of the shop before I said it. “So will you join me for lunch?”

“Well, Iamhungry.” She stands, her dress riding high on her legs for a moment before she pulls down the hem, and grabs her purse. Her gardenia scent teases me as she brushes past me on her way out, the shy smile she gives me over her shoulder revving me up.

“Are we taking your car?”

Her and me alone together in the car? Probably not a good idea. “It’s close enough to walk.”

I stick my hands in my pockets so I’m not tempted to reach out and hold her hand, her waist, any place she’d let me touch her, as we start down the sidewalk side by side.

Except she’s not letting me touch her. She made that pretty clear last night. And honestly, it’s for the best. Once my hands are on her, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.

“So what do we have left to do?”

She sidesteps a slow walker, hitching her bag up higher on her shoulder, and replies, “There’s actually not really anything.”

“Seriously? It’s all done?”

“For now. In the days right before, I’ll need to confirm with all the vendors again, but yeah, we checked off everything on our list.”

Great. What excuse can I use to come see her now? I can only ask her out to lunch so many times. “Do you, uh, need help with something else?”

She glances over at me, amusement playing around her pink lips. “Are you bored?”

“Maybe,” I admit, shrugging. “And I like helping with your stuff.”

“Should I hire you as my assistant?” she laughs. “Will you work for minimum wage?”

“I’ll work for free for you.” The words come out more serious than I intended, but she must take my whole offer as a joke, merely smiling.

We walk another block, stopping at the corner in front of the nondescriptNew York Pizza.

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