Page 22 of Undercover Billionaire

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she realized she'd been turned around. Strong arms tightened, pulling her closer, melding her to him. The sound of feminine laughter sounded as if from miles away, and the rest of the world melted into nothingness under the onslaught of the kiss.

The sensual haze grew as Kaitlyn fought for control. She could not think beyond the kiss, could not pull away from the passion surrounding her. She never would have gained the ability if he hadn't slowly stopped moving, if he hadn't hesitantly pulled away. She heaved in deep breaths as she stared at him, until she realized… the path to the exit was clear.

Before she said a word, Drake put an arm around her shoulders. She did not protest as he drew her to the exit, past curious onlookers and grinning guests and into the sunny parking lot. They did not stop until they came to the car, or speak until safely inside.

"Did they see us?" she immediately asked.

He looked back at the entrance, but thankfully it stood empty. "I don't think so."

They had actually gotten away with it? "That was a great plan. People tend to see what they want to see, and since they know I don't have a boyfriend, they didn't recognize me."

His eyes flashed, questions and challenge tangling in their swirling depths. "A great plan," he echoed lowly. "Was that all it was?"

Yes. No. Not even a little.Yet if she admitted the truth… " Why else do you think I returned the kiss? I wanted it to be authentic."

He held the steering wheel, yet made no move to start the car. “That's the only reason you kissed me back?"

"Of course. Did you think I wanted you to kiss me?"

"Actually, that's exactly what I think."

Oh.

Somehow, he discovered the truth she could never voice. Yet it was unwise, risky and far too dangerous. She pressed forward. "Ready to go to the movie theater?"

For a moment, Drake didn’t say anything. He then inclined his head, with challenge in his gaze. This conversation was not over.

He revved the engine, pulled out of the parking lot and glided onto the main road. They were silent as they drove, and twenty minutes later, they arrived at a tall building with movie star cut-outs and a giant marquee. They changed clothes and posed for shots, taking care not to stand in front of any of the current movie posters. After a few decent angles, they swiftly moved on.

They made a quick stop for refreshments and then raced to the fairgrounds. Although no carnival lit the quiet grounds, a few permanent games stood by the main building. If were careful, Cynthia wouldn’t realize they were at an empty park instead of a busy carnival. After setting the camera to timer, they posed in front of a game.

"Hold on a moment." Drake returned to the camera and shut off the timer. "This isn’t going to work. What type of boyfriend am I going to look like if you’re empty handed?"

"Empty handed?" Kaitlyn cocked an eyebrow. "What do you want me to do? Borrow a bunch of kids to pose next to us?"

He laughed. "Not that kind of empty-handed. Besides–" He grasped her hand. "I think we should wait a few years before children, don’t you?"

Her heart stuttered to a stop, then slammed into the wall of her chest. It was a joke, a lighthearted comment in response to her own, yet somehow it elicited images, longings. She had to stay focused. "You’re impossible." She swiped at him. He deftly caught her hand, and the world melted into the warm breeze. Dark emerald eyes ensnared her, wielded by the man who held her physically and mentally captive. As the air sizzled with a magnetic pull that defied the laws of physics, she moved closer.

This time there were no giggling women to hide from, no ruse to protect. This time it was all about desire. Their lips met and then…

Magic.

Borne of pure chemistry, the kiss consumed her. She moved without thought, powerless to resist the delectable man. Their lips tangled, soft and pliant, sensual caresses with delicious pressure. Shivers streaked throughout her body, sensitizing her skin and weakening her limbs. Time lost all meaning in the sweetness of the embrace.

Yet ever so slowly common sense forced its way into her mind. She couldn't be with a man who stole all control, couldn’t give up the independence she’d worked so hard to claim. Using all her strength, she finally pulled back. She touched swollen lips, stared at the man who did not appear unaffected. His breathing was labored, and his eyes mirrored her own hunger.

"Kaitlyn." He squeezed her hand.

"No." She edged back, broke contact. "This was a mistake."

"A mistake?" His expression was unreadable, his tone fathomless. Then he shook his head. "Yes, you’re right. We cannot do this."

"Of course not." Kaitlyn paced, her body charged with waves of energy struggling to escape. "We do not belong together."

"How would it even work?" he asked. "You are a small-town entrepreneur…"

"And you’re used to big cities. You travel, and I stay put. I’m your boss…"

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