Page 104 of The Billionaire's Bride
My phone dings and I pull it out, glance at the message she sent me. "Thanks, Summer."
"You’re welcome." She nods toward the front door, "Go girl, what are you waiting for?’
37
Baron
I glance at the view outside the window of my penthouse apartment. The lights of London twinkle back at me, their cold, silvery haloes a reflection of my surroundings. Chrome and steel, blacks and browns. The colors and lack of textures is perfect for how I feel.
I raise the glass of whiskey, drain it. Then head back to the bar to top up my glass. At this rate, I am going to become an alcoholic, which is probably not a bad idea. Though, even the alcohol is not helping me of late. The thoughts in my head, the visions of Ava laughing, dancing, teasing me… The images overwhelm me. Truthfully, I haven’t tried too hard to stop thinking of her. Why should I, when it is all I have left of our time together?
Sometimes I wonder if I imagined it all. Spending time with my best friend and my woman... It had been a special kind of heaven…and hell. Both, rolled into one. I had done the right thing...leaving her… So, maybe it had been cowardly. I hadn’t been able to face her, to tell her that I was giving her up. Hell, I’d been worried that if I saw her face, I’d lose all reasoning, that I’d plead with her to walk away with me. And she didn’t deserve that. She didn’t need me putting her on the spot again.
I slide my hand inside the pocket of my pants. My fingers brush something. I pull it out, glare at the purple hairband.Herpurple hairband that I've carried around with me, since the day I first met her outside her house. I bring it to my nose and sniff it. Instantly, the lingering scent of jasmine laced with raspberries fills my senses. My groin hardens, heat flushes my chest. Fuck. I'll never be rid of her. I'll never get of her... and she...? She loves Edward. I had seen the distress in her eyes, when she’d thought he was trapped inside the burning building. I’d seen the relief in her eyes when we had both staggered out. How she had run to him, and embraced him. And seeing them together had clarified everything for me. I’d done what was needed. I had taken care of her while Edward was away. And now… I need to get out of their way. They need to get on with their lives together… While me? I have to figure out how the hell I am going to live mine.
I stuff the hairtie back into my pocket.
One step in front of the other, soldier. Keep going. Don’t stop.Tunnel vision. Focus on…what? Making money? Yeah, that’s the one thing I’m good at. I may not have worked directly with the Seven the last few years, but I haven’t lost my touch for keeping on top of my investments. Truthfully, work is the only thing that has managed to distract me. When I am applying my mind to mathematical equations…and tinkering with the algorithm that Saint and Sinner invented to forecast the movements of the stock market… For those few hours, at least, I have been able to push her to the back of my mind… Kind of…
Frankly, she is always on my mind. The scent of her is entrapped in my skin, the taste of her, a remembrance on my palate. The memories of her coil in my heart. And I guard them jealously. If this is all I have to hold onto… Then I’d be a fool to forget a single moment of the time I had with her.
I drain my glass, reach for the bottle again, when the intercom buzzes.
I walk over, depress the button and the porter’s face appears. "I have a Ms. Ava Erikson here for you."
"Excuse me?"
"Ms. Ava—"
"Send her up."
I step back from the screen. What the—? What is Ava doing here? How had she found out where I’m staying? Probably, through one of the Seven… Or their wives. I shake my head. Why had Edward allowed her to come? Likely, he doesn’t know. He hasn’t been on the last few calls with the Seven either. I figured it’s because he needs time to concentrate on his new relationship. I have tried hard not to be angry or jealous about it… And have failed. In a way, it’s good that Ed hasn’t been on the calls. Likely, I wouldn’t have been able to disguise my bitterness. So, I had given her up. Doesn’t mean I have to be gracious about my loss, does it?
So, what the hell is she doing here? I head back to the bar, topping up my glass.
Behind me, I hear the elevator doors part. I hear the click of her heels against the marbled floors. Is she wearing the same purple tipped boots that I had seen her in so often? The scent of jasmine invades the air, and the blood rushes to my groin. Fuck. I haven’t even seen her, and already, my body is betraying me. I cannot think of her in this fashion, cannot allow her to play havoc with what little bit of restraint I have managed to hold onto.
"What are you doing here?" I growl.
She doesn’t answer, but the scent of jasmine intensifies. Her footsteps approach. I raise my glass to my lips, and damn it, my hand trembles. It actually trembles.
"Answer, the question," I snap.
"No, you answer mine first." Her voice cuts through the space.
I turn, look her up and down. "Making demands, are we?"
"Not in a good mood, are we?"
"I was, until you came through the door."
Her lips tighten. "Still the same old alphahole, I see."
"Leopard. Spots, and all that," I drawl. "Why did you come here, Ava?"
She glances around the space, then back at me, "Uh, nice place."
"It’s cold and boring."Everything you are not."Next?"
