Page 78 of Enticing the Fixer

I stare at him, trying to understand how I let him get past my defenses. I was strong. I was prepared. I was conquering the world–alone. And then he stepped in with his wicked grin and dirty talking mouth, and I dropped my panties and my intelligence.

What’s wrong with me? I’m not a sixteen-year-old girl who believes in happily ever afters. “So, you forgot to tell me you were a billionaire?”

He inhales and bites his bottom lip. “No. I didn’t tell you on purpose. I liked that you didn’t know about my money and still wanted to spend time with me. And….” I swallow. “I didn’t want you to get a negative impression of me based on how I’ve been portrayed on social media. I was going to tell you a couple of times, but other things came up. Earlier today and on the way to Mark’s house. And the night at the bar when you said everyone has a past.”

“Don’t you dare say I stopped you from telling the truth.” I brace my hands on his chest and shove him with all my strength. “That’s total bullshit. If you wanted me to know, you would have told me.”

He clears his throat. “There’s more.”

“Fucking great.” She jams a hand into her hair.

“I made a bet with four of my friends.”

“What are you talking about?”

“One of my friends bet the rest of us that he could get a woman to fall in love with him before any of the rest of us could. The stipulation was that we couldn’t tell anyone who we were, and we couldn’t use our money. Each of us went in 100k.”

My head spins.Breathe. That’s it. Breathe. Don’t kill him.“Fuck you.”

“I don’t need the money. None of us do. We went along with it to humor him.”

“Well, fucking humor this.” I raise my middle finger and flip him off. “Get the fuck out of my building.”

“I can’t. I–”

“Then, I’ll get out of my building.” I spin on my heel and march to the door as the first tear slips down my cheek. I rotate to face him. “Did Carla see the video, or has she seen you up close and personal?”

He raises his hands in defense. “I’ve never touched her.”

“Bite me.” I stomp down the hallway, across the lobby, and out the front door as the first fat drop of rain falls from the sky. I stop and raise my face to the clouds.Thank you.I send up a quick prayer of thanks. I don’t cry for anyone. This way, I can keep up the illusion.

My hands ball into fists. What a fucking, lying asshole. I rip my cell phone out of my pocket.I don’t have my purse.I groan. And my keys are in my office. All I have is my cell phone and no way to get out of here.

Ann.

Seconds later, my fingers fly over the screen.

Me: Do you still have my extra keys?

Ann: Yes.

A crack of lightning shoots to the ground, causing me to jump.

Me: Bring them to me. I’m in the parking lot at the office.

Ann: Five minutes.

I slip around the corner of the building and lean against the brick façade. At least here, no one can see me, and the roof stretches a couple of feet beyond the side of the building, protecting me from the rain.

Thunder rumbles around me. The only person I can count on is Ann. Thank God I have a best friend who’ll drop everything to save me.

Chapter Forty-One

Kinsley

Six minutes later, Ann’s car zips into the parking lot and blows past the parked vehicles until she slams on the brakes, skidding to a stop in front of the building. Water splashes from the puddle she crashes through and coats the sidewalk with brown rainwater.

I speed walk from my hideout to her car, jerking the door open and falling into the seat. “Thanks.”

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