Page 37 of The Billionaire's Fascination

“Go away.”

He sat back stubbornly. “Calm down. I only tried to help—”

“No, you didn’t. You put me down and tried to embarrass me. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

Ben appeared and glared at Gunnar. “Nadia?”

“I’m moving my seat,” I mumbled to Ben.

“No, I’ll move.” Gunnar moved across the aisle with his laptop, and Ben sat next to me.

“You okay, Nadia? I’m sorry if he was rude toward you,” Ben said.

“Rude…I’m not sure if you’d call what Gunnar said as rude, Ben. Obnoxious? Arrogant? Thoughtless? In his mind, he spoke only the truth without any regard for the delivery. After all, he’s done it before. Many times.”

Ben looked chagrined at that, and I knew it wasn’t really fair to vent my anger toward him. “Sorry, Ben, that was uncalled for.”

“No, it’s fine, Nadia. As you know, in any job, there are some elements, some circumstances, that are not as appealing as others.”Very diplomatic, Ben. Well done.He picked up a book and settled in to read quietly.

That’s when I was left inside my head again, mulling over everything Gunnar had justofferedme.Asshole.Mom had been right though.His family thinks of me as someone beneath them. Paul didn’t really want me anyway, so I should leave. Yet, my family needed money.What am I going to do?Become someone else’s sugar baby? All I have to offer is sex; that’s all I’m good for, just like Nora. For all I know, she was told the same thing after Justus. But she ended up homeless with me.I bet Gunnar had a few places for me to go after Paul.Probably with him.

The two-hour flight went by quickly. My pulse increased as the seatbelt light went out, signaling us to leave the plane. Ben went up to the pilot.

When I stood, Gunnar blocked my path in the aisle.

“I’ll tell Paul what I offered you.”

I snorted. “It doesn’t matter. I’m gone. You all won.”

“I wasn’t trying to hurt you—”

“But you did,” I gritted. “Please, just stop talking to me.”

Gunnar gestured for me to walk ahead, but I glared at him and didn’t move.Go away.

After all, Gunnar didn’t have to act like a gentleman. No matter how kind he pretended to be, he still treated me like a whore, offering me money to disappear.

“Paul’s life was set the moment he was born. He will marry again. I have no doubt after seeing you, his mom is at a matchmaker right now, scared shitless. Aubrey couldn’t handle luxury and tried to bring him down to make herself comfortable. But as you can see, Paullovesthe good life.”

I knew that.Paul’s not visiting me at the dorms if I return or do what I can afford. He’ll get the society lady who’s used to his lifestyle.

“I’d marry you today.”

His crazy offer interrupted my thoughts. I narrowed my gaze at him. He actually looked serious. “You think you’re funny?”

“No. You already know I’m bad at jokes.”

“I don’t like you, Gunnar.”

“So? What’s liking each other have to do with marriage? I find nothing hotter than a woman who can’t stand me.”

“You’re insane.”

“I am. But I’d be good to you. I know your past, and I don’t give a damn. No contracts. You can do whatever the hell you want, and I’d break anyone who treated you like anything other than perfect.”

I narrowed my eyes.Had he heard himself?“Youjust did.”

“No. I gave you a dose of reality so you can learn to approach your life practically. An incredibly beautiful woman like yourself is never at a loss for options. And Paul’s been the only man to touch you. Sweetheart, you could rule New York City if you played it right.”

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