Page 25 of Undercover Billionaire

"It wouldn’t be nice to show you up near your hometown.” He winked. “Especially with you being my boss and all."

They both knew he didn’t treat anyone like his boss. "I did win the right to plan tonight’s date, remember? But if you’re scared, I can plan something gentler like cloud watching, counting the stars, observing the grass sway in the wind–"

"Ma’am, I’m not scared of anything." His gaze turned serious, and slightly wicked. “What I want I get.”

Her breath hitched. Were they still discussing skating? “So do I.”

"Then you’re on."

They placed the camera in a locker and traveled to the front of the arena, where several dozen people had already gathered to partake in the weekly ice-skating competition sheoftenjoined. Had she forgotten to mention that to her competitor, or that she’d been dubbed local champion five years in a row? Although Greenfield wasn’t the most competitive of places, she skated better than average and usually won the local ritual.

A small balding man with warm eyes and a bright smile came to the front of the crowd. Dressed in a t-shirt that read, "Ice skating isn't for the weak," he greeted most participants by name. The conversation quieted as he took out a small microphone.

"He’s the owner," she whispered. "Bet you don’t see too many business owners like that in the big city."

Drake smiled. "Sure you do, except most of them wear t-shirts that say 'Managing thousands of people isn’t for the weak.'"

“Naturally,” she teased. “And I assume you manage thousands of people.”

“Of course, I do.”

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman." The owner’s voice reverberated through the cavernous hall. "It's time for our weekly ice-skating competition. There are seven games, with a first, second and third place in each. You get three points for winning first, two for second and one for third. The person with the most points at the end of the night wins. Is everybody ready?"

An enthusiastic cheer rose from the crowd, and the owner laughed. "Then let the games begin. But watch out – I spied a local champion in the back."

Kaitlyn smiled as the crowd cast glances her way. They were mostly acquaintances, so she didn’t have to explain Drake to them. As for explaining them to Drake…

"What did he mean by that?" Drake’s voice was calm, yet held the ever-present tinge of danger. This man missed nothing.

She blinked at him. "Mean by what?"

He drew himself taller, forcing Kaitlyn to tilt her head back to see him. Pure male force, his muscles stretched his clothing, flexing and releasing with unconcealed power. Green eyes sheened with intelligence, strength, and, for the moment, suspicion. Most people would not stand up to this man, yet she held as much strength as he. "Oh, that," she calmly remarked. "Did I forget to mention I win most of these competitions?" She tried to repress the smile… failed. "Oops."

He folded his arms across his chest. "Then I suppose I must also say oops."

She stilled. "What do you mean?"

"Did I forget to mention I was Ice Hockey MVP three years in a row when I was at Harvard?"

"Harvard?" Her employee was a Harvard graduate? As in one of the most prestigious – and expensive – schools in the country?

Who was this man?

A muscle ticked in Drake's jaw. "Community college. Harvard Community College – you know, the one in Idaho. You must have heard of it."

She narrowed her eyes.

He swiftly continued, "Seems like we got ourselves a little competition. Care to put a friendly wager on it?"

Harvard Community College?She shook her head to clear it. "Are you sure you want to do that, seeing as how I destroyed you the last bet?"

"A one-time occurrence, and I wouldn't say destroyed." He slanted his gaze. "I have an excellent winning percentage, and I don’t intend to lose again. However, if you’re scared..."

"Now you can stop right there. You’re on, and I don’t intend to lose, either." The manipulation was clear, yet she couldn’t help herself. At the rink, they were preparing for the first event, signaling their time was up. "We have to hurry. What are the terms?"

"How about higher stakes?" he offered. "Take a real chance?" Her heart did a triple flip, as the danger notched higher. "If I win, I get what I really want, and if you win, you get what you really want."

A kiss. A thousand kisses. No, not just kisses.

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