Page 15 of The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy

“Thank you.”

She didn’t necessarily wish to go and connect herself to Maren. So they would have to convene when they could.

And she was grateful in some ways that this moment was hers and hers alone.

She loved her sister. Her sister was never tempted to bask in these sorts of moments. She was never tempted to glory in the wrong things. Jessie couldn’t say the same for herself.

And when she looked at Ewan Kincaid, she felt like indulging in the wicked even more than usual.

Her heart was thundering hard. She had bet herself. Her body. She had known she wouldn’t lose. With almost complete certainty.

There was that possibility. That small possibility. That she might’ve lost. And she would’ve honored the bet.

The very idea sent a jolt of something sensual through her.

She had never been touched intimately by a man before.

Had never kissed one.

She wanted to.

She and Maren had worked so hard, all this time, and Maren had been very clear they needed to draw lines, and Jessie agreed. She did.

But she was tempted. And this was the last night, the last hurrah. The last window.

She should be overjoyed to walk away, and while on some level she was, while she was buzzing with the absolute triumph of all that she had just achieved, she felt sorrow as well. For this was where she shone.

It was where she was the best. She wasn’t afraid here. She wasn’t small. Not the insignificant unwanted daughter of a crime lord who had wanted a son, but had seen value in herself and her sister because of their minds.

No, she was using her mind on her own terms, and using it to benefit her.

It made her feel good. She could admit that now, without her sister close by her.

It thrilled her. Hell, a win like this turned her on.

And sitting across from the man who had ignited her imagination from the moment she had first seen him...

This was it. She would never run into him again. She would have no reason to. But tonight she would have reason to convene with him privately regarding her win. They would be alone...

“Shall we adjourn?” she said.

“Anxious?” he asked.

His manner was smooth. Unruffled. He didn’t seem to care that he had just lost...everything.

“Yes. I would hate for you to back out. You seem awfully resigned for a man who has just lost his title and his estate.”

The corner of his mouth lifted upward. “You assume that I care about those things.”

“I suppose when you have so much it’s easy to disavow the care of something others would find essential.”

He ignored that.

“I have a suite of rooms upstairs. You will join me there. Perhaps for a drink as well as a discussion.”

“Yes. I would like that.”

He stood, and her mouth went dry. She had forgotten how tall he was. How broad.

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