Page 26 of Undercover Billionaire

Something real.

She swallowed. "What do you want?"

"More dates."

For a moment, something within her rejoiced. In the next, it crashed into cold reality. “I can’t… we can’t. It’s impossible.”

She pivoted away, yet Drake’s murmured words stopped her before she could escape. "I’m as serious as a big city lawyer."

More dates.Every moment they were together, it affected her to an extent she dared not explore. How much more could she handle before emotions delved too far? Then a voice whispered, they already had. "We've already admitted we’re incompatible. You exasperate me, and I frustrate you. No offense, but you’re not my type."

"And what is your type?" Vibrant eyes flashed. "It’s certainly not that puppy dog you described, someone who will listen to your every whim, never question you. You're a strong woman, and you need a Rottweiler."

Heat engulfed her. "I know exactly what I want, Drake Alexander, and it’s not an overbearing, domineering man. I hired you as an employee to deceive my cousin, and our relationship will stay purely professional."

"Purely professional?" he contested. "That’s not how it seemed whenyouinitiated that kiss at the fairgrounds."

"I made a mistake,” she hissed, "but this has to stop now. Before… before…"

"Before what?" Drake challenged. "Before you realize something is there? Something neither of us expected, but can’t pull away from? Whether this wager materializes or not, somethingishappening."

Sensual fire heated her blood. He was right. A connection had formed, no matter how she fought it. Of course, they would have to remain close, hug, touch andkiss, at least when Cynthia arrived. She couldn't escape it.

Couldn’t escape him.

Was she really going to do this? She closed her eyes, opened them. "All right. I accept the wager. But here’s the deal. If I win, you become the man I wanted in the first place. No more standing up to me, no more challenges."

He snorted.

"Hey," she warned. "You asked what I really wanted, and that’s it. Take it or leave it."

He remained still for a moment. "Even though it's not what youreallywant, I'll take it. You've got yourself a deal." He stuck out his hand.

She hesitated. But it was too late to turn back without showing how much he affected her. She took his offering, and with a handshake, they sealed the deal.

Only if he won…

Could she handle something real?

Chapter 7

Cameron had sat in front row seats at the last Olympics. He befriended elite level athletes and held top tier tickets to the local sporting events. He himself played on numerous varsity level teams and had achieved black belts in several forms of martial arts, which he continued practicing to this day.

Yet nothing could compare to the anticipation of walking under neon lights and glittery plastic signs, hand in hand with the woman who was more enticing than a gold medal.

He’d admitted the truth to her. Not who he was, of course, but the connection he couldn’t stop, the attraction that was far more than physical. Not only that, but he’d revealed his true goal and his willingness to chase it. He had no intention of losing this competition.

No intention of losing her.

They marched towards the rink, where the other participants had already taken their positions and the announcer was explaining the rules. The first competition was freeze skate, a quasi-race in which the contestants had to stop skating when the official blew a whistle. Only those who came to a complete standstill would stay in the round. The game would repeat, eliminating skaters until only the winners remained.

Kaitlyn and Cameron both started out well, displaying their years of ice skating experience. They remained contenders when ten were left, stayed as the field narrowed to six and then four. Finally, only the two of them remained, and when the final whistle blew, Cameron wobbled just the slightest, and Kaitlyn won the event.

"Congratulations." Cameron took Kaitlyn's chilled fingers in his. The desire to warm, comfort and take care of her fired, and he rubbed her hands vigorously to create warmth. It created more than one type of heat as her cheeks turned pink. He leaned in, whispered, "The competition has only just begun. Next time, it's my turn to win."

And it was. In the following event, he took first while she took second. Thus set the rhythm of the competition. In each event, Kaitlyn and Cameron came in either first or second, alternating until the sixth event concluded, and they had scored an identical number of points. It came down to the last event, a six-lap race around the rink.

This was more stressful than the corporate espionage case Cameron fought a few years back. If he won, he would explore more of what was between them, but if he didn't win… well, that was simply unacceptable.

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