Page 41 of Seducing the Billionaire

There’s no censure in her voice, but the guilt hits me all the same. “I’ve been busy.” While that’s true, it’s not the real reason, if I’m being honest with myself.

But there’s been a lot of not being honest with myself lately, hasn’t there?

I take a deep breath, shutting my eyes as my head thumps against the back of the seat. “And I’ve been kind of dreading it,” I admit, voicing the feeling aloud for the first time.

“But they were so happy to see you.”

“I know, it’s not because of them. It’s because of… me.”

“Why?” Her voice is soft, lulling, encouraging me to open up. And because it’s her, this woman who promised earlier to keep my secrets, I do.

“I got all the money and they got nothing.”

“And you feel guilty about that?”

I nod, still keeping my eyes shut. “Part of why I liked working overseas was because I didn’t have to deal with Dad as much. He was… a hard man to get along with. Impossible if you disagreed with him. So I avoided him if I could.” It was a better relationship that way. If I’d had to work in the office with him every day, I’d probably have been kicked out of the company long ago. But I never let on to him about that. Better to keep the peace.

“Me and my brothers were supposed to be part of his legacy. He actually told us that. But I’m not sure he ever saw us as real people, only extensions of him.”

“I understand.” And from what she’s said about her own parents, I think she really does.

“And then all this stuff went down first with him and Gabriel, then Archer, and they were both cut off. They asked me not to make waves, to promise not to involve myself. That way, he wouldn’t do the same to me. But it killed me that I couldn’t stick up for them.” That I had to bite my tongue whenever he ranted about them. And without them there to take the brunt of it, I was the only one to listen.

“They were looking out for you. Big brothers do that too.”

My lips twist. “There’s still a part of me that feels like I took the easy way out. I didn’t like him either, but I was the one who got rewarded. And all because I didn’t stand up to him the way they did.”

“Connor.” A delicate hand slips over mine, and I squeeze my eyes tighter, telling myself that if I don’t see it, it’s like it’s not really happening. I won’t have to tell her she shouldn’t do that. There’s only so much a man can take. “You can’t blame yourself for any of that. Don’t make yourself miserable over something out of your control.”

That’s easy for her to say. She doesn’t have to live with the aftermath.

“Is this why you’re being so stubborn about not changing your job?” she asks softly. “What is it? Penance?”

I swallow, my throat hot with… what? Regret? Shame? Is she right? Am I forcing myself to fill Dad’s shoes because I don’t deserve everything he left me otherwise?

“I don’t know,” I admit, shaking my hand out from under hers and leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees. I still don’t have a firm grasp on what the hell I’m doing. With this company. With her. With my life.

Tonight was a glimpse of the way things used to be. The way I want them to be. But they’re not anymore. I’m separate from my brothers now, separate from anyone that means anything to me. Everything Dad left me is a curse, not a blessing.

There’s a click as Emma undoes her seatbelt, scooting over to rest a warm hand on my back. She draws soothing circles along the tense muscles, calming me despite myself.

“Don’t torture yourself. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“No, I—” I sit up, not realizing how close she is, our faces just inches apart. This near, that exotic fragrance of hers is even headier, and I inhale, drawing her in further, taking in the beauty of her porcelain skin, pert nose, lush mouth.

It wouldn’t matter what she looked like, though, if I didn’t know the kind of person she is inside. If she hadn’t shown me over and over she’s there for me, looking out for me, trying so hard to help me.

My gaze dips down to her parted lips, her breaths sweet, and she sways toward me. Whether it’s from the motion of the car, I don’t know, but I can’t resist anymore, taking advantage of the movement to fit my mouth to hers, savoring her taste for a brief moment.

She makes a small gasp, leaning back the slightest bit, her gaze darting over me, like I’ve caught her off guard. Did I really surprise her? Didn’t I basically admit to her before we left for dinner that I was interested in her?

Her confusion doesn’t last long, though, as she moves in, kissing me this time, her lips soft and sure. I let her take the lead, rationalizing to myself that if she’s the one calling the shots, that makes it okay. That I’m not taking advantage of her as her boss. That what we’re doing isn’t completely wrong. Because how can anything that feels this good be wrong?

The car turns a corner, and she slides further against me, my hands finding her waist to steady her, but once they’re there, I can’t let go. Not when her mouth is moving insistently now over mine. Not when she makes that low sound of satisfaction as I grip her tighter. And definitely not when she moves a hand to the back of my head, gripping the short strands there. The tug has something in my belly go warm and loose, and I return her kiss with equal enthusiasm, unable to help myself, dipping a hand into her curls, pressing her closer.

She willingly complies, her breasts brushing my chest, and I nearly groan at the sensation, wanting her fully against me. To feel the shape of her, the weight of her. Needing her close.

The car stops, the action bringing me back to my senses, and I reel, watching as she blinks at me, a hazy fog still in her eyes. “Emma, I—” I falter, unsure what to say. That it was a mistake. That this can’t change anything between us.

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