Page 6 of Tempting the Billionaire
I balk a bit at the news that Ezra is married. I don’t remember seeing a ring on his finger the other day when I’d met him. But that doesn’t matter. “This is insane,” I say through another laugh.
“I want to see their pristine reputation ruined. I want the headlines to be littered with stories about how Ezra, the perfect face of Bishop Jewelers, cheated on his wife with a lowly sales associate.”
“Justin, people cheat all the time,” I say, rolling my eyes. “This isn’t going to ruin their business, and more importantly—it isn’t going to bring Stoll’s back.”
“I don’t care that it won’t ruin it—I still want it tarnished,” Justin presses.
I shake my head, growing tired of this conversation. “You know I’m not going toseduceanyone.”
“Oh yes, you are,” Justin says, his gaze darkening. “Andthisis why.” He pulls out his phone, pressing something and then holding it out for me to see.
It’s the sound that registers first. Moaning.
I’m confused at first, but then, all at once, it hits me. It’smyvoice. Moaning, whimpering, saying Justin’s name.
My eyes widen, and I lurch forward to catch a glimpse of mine and Justin’s naked bodies before he snatches the phone away from me.
“When did you take that?” My blood runs cold. I don’t ever remember us filming ourselves. At least, we’d never discussed filming ourselves. Had he done this … without telling me?
Obviously.
He smirks, turning off the video and sliding it into his pocket. “You turn Ezra Bishop into a dirty cheater, or I post this video on every social media platform in existence,” he says simply.
I feel like my body has been submerged in ice. I stare at Justin in disbelief. He can’t be serious. He can’t. Sure, Justin was an asshole, but he’d never do this. He wouldn’t.
“Justin,” I say slowly. “Please …”
He cocks his head. “The choice is yours, Em.”
Em. The word makes my blood boil coming from his mouth. “What if I can’t do it?” I ask. “It’s very likely he won’t fall for it.”
Justin shoots me a look. “Come on. A hot piece of meat like you? Any guy would trip over himself drooling just to get a good look at you. Flash him your tits, and you’re in.”
My face flushes red at the implications. “You know this won’t really hurt them. They’re an empire. It’ll only end up with me losing my job and Ezra losing his marriage,” I say, my voice choking.
“Well, I’d like to see you lose your job and Ezra lose his marriage, then,” he replies coldly.
I glare at him, running in circles in my mind trying to find a way out—and ending up stuck. Thereisno way out. If I don’t want that humiliating video out there for everyone to see; I have to do what Justin asks.
“I’ll call you next week to check in on your progress,” Justin says, turning toward the door.
I want to call out to him, to plead him to change his mind, to not make me do this, but I find that I’ve lost my voice. And besides, deep down, I know it’s no use.
The door slams behind him, and I’m left in the silence of my apartment. It isn’t until the shock and panic subside that I finally crumple to the floor in sobs.
Chapter 4
Ezra
I sit in my office at Bishop Jewelers, staring off, lost in thought. Through the doorway, I can see all the way to the front room where Rachel and Emma are speaking with a few customers. The store seems as busy as ever.
I glance back to my computer, to the new design mockups I’d been sent. They’re beautiful, but I’m just not feeling the pull I’d been hoping for. But I don’t know, maybe I’ve lost my touch. Maybe I’m looking for the wrong things. Part of me simply wants to find a new design to finally outsell theDiane, to get that stupid ring away from me—to never have to look at itagain. I’d love a reason to pull it completely, but with it being one of our bestsellers, I can’t justify it.
So if I could just come up with a better, more brilliant, more successful design, that could be my ticket. Get Diane, her ring, and her memory out of my life for good.
I scroll through the designs again. They’re all nice. Trendy. Elegant. Lots of emerald cuts and beautifully-shaped bands. We could do with a few more trendy items.
A noise from the doorway pulls my attention upward. I raise an eyebrow in surprise. “Emma,” I greet.
