Page 68 of Seducing the Billionaire

Now, for all I know, he could end up deciding to stay in that hotel forever, but at least any traces of his father should be gone once Hannah and I have it all situated.

She promises to order everything when she gets back to her office, with deliveries set to arrive on Wednesday. It’s easy to get things done fast when money isn’t an issue.

I don’t follow her out, lingering instead at the living room windows overlooking the city. I’d always thought of Manhattan as a magical place when I was younger. Mom rarely took me here, but when we did go, it was for things like watching the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, my gaze filled with awe at the brilliant display of lights on the incomprehensibly huge tree. Or the one time we went to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the energy of the crowd manic as the ball dropped.

Plus, it was that far-off place where my dad lived. Where maybe one day he’d invite me to his home. To meet my sister. To spend time with me. A city of wonder. Of hope.

And now, Manhattan really has brought me magic. A romance I wasn’t expecting. A budding relationship with my sister. A dream career in fashion design if I play my cards right.

Except it’s like one of those blessings the Fae give that actually turn out to be a curse. Everything could tumble around me at any minute. If Connor finds out who I really am, why I’m really here, I’ll lose it all.

What started off as a more or less questionable mission has morphed into something else altogether. Feelings are involved now. I care about Connor. How can I do this to him? And if I succeed in deceiving him, will I be able to live with myself?

But on the other hand, I can’t even say for sure he wouldn’t want Montague Media. He seemed more interested in it yesterday after he met with Tech. And his dad must have wanted to buy it for some reason. Maybe this will end up benefiting him. Maybe I’m doing him a favor.

And maybe I’m deluding myself.

I hug my arms around my middle, more confused than ever. Would it be the worst thing if I didn’t go through with Dad’s plan? I mean, I’d lose any kind of financial security, Mom’s health insurance she desperately needs until she qualifies for state aid, my home… Okay, not really an option.

And if I convince Connor? What would I lose then? Potentially the trust and respect of an amazing, thoughtful, generous guy. One who makes my toes curl, my heart swoon. Who has turned out to be so much more than I expected. Someone, I admit, I’ve fantasized about a future with.

Except, what kind of realistic future is there for us? He’s a CEO billionaire of a huge corporation, and I’m a bastard nobody who’s never done anything special. I’m nowhere in the same league as him. What would he even want with someone like me long-term?

Something drips on my arm, and I blink stupidly at it, not realizing it’s a tear at first. I brush my fingers along my cheek, more wetness there. Am I seriously crying at work?

I wipe carefully under my eyes, removing all traces of tears. If Connor discovered me like this, I’d have no explanation for him, and I don’t want to lie again.

Not any more than I have to.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Connor

Agrin creeps across my face as I skim through the email that just popped up from HR about casual Fridays. Emma was true to her word about turning my wishlist into reality and reducing my workload after I’d finally relented and let her have her way.

And it’s only two hours into the day.

“You ready?”

I glance up from my computer, my gaze lingering over Emma in the doorway of my office, her green dress hugging her curves, hair braided over one shoulder today. God, she’s so beautiful. “Yeah, give me a minute. Do you have the, um—”

“Your talking points?” She holds up a bundle of index cards. “Right here.”

A soft chuckle escapes me. “I seriously think you’re in my head.” Crossing over to her, I make sure there’s no one in the hallway before I lay a light kiss on her lips, savoring the brief contact.

She smiles, but there’s something about it that seems slightly… off. “If only,” she murmurs, but doesn’t elaborate further as she moves to the elevator, pressing the call button.

“Everything okay?”

She glances over her shoulder, a sadness lurking in her eyes for a shadow of a moment before it’s gone, so quick I’m not quite sure I saw it. “Yeah, of course.”

I reach for her, but the elevator doors open and she steps on. I’m careful to keep a respectful distance, mindful of the camera in the upper left-hand corner. Thank God Dad didn’t have any installed on the sixtieth floor to observe his activities. I’d be in hot water if he had.

“You sure? You can talk to me if something’s wrong.” I can’t shake this strange sense pervading me.

“I know,” she whispers, hugging her arms around her.

“So…”

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