Page 18 of The Billionaire's Accidental Legacy

“What sort of man do you take me for that you think you might need to trade sex for safety?”

“A man.”

He took a step toward her, his eyes never leaving hers even as he took another drink of whiskey. “No. Darling, you’re welcome to give me your body because you wish to give it. Because you cannot say no to the desire that has taken you over. But you will not trade me for your safety. I am the most debauched man on the continent. I can have whoever I wish. Whenever I wish. I do not need a body offered to me as a sacrifice. I give you your safety. Freely. I do not want my estate. I lost it, and in the most scandalous way possible in order to destroy my father.”

“I won,” she said, aware that she sounded like a petulant child. Unable to do anything else.

“You did.”

“You couldn’t have beat me if you tried.”

“I have no trouble believing that. I chose to stay in the game when I knew that I would lose. But losing was the only thing on my cards tonight.”

She was shocked to discover the revelation didn’t diminish the thrill of her victory. She had beaten everyone in there tonight to get over to his table. He had his own game. But then, so did everyone.

It was the way of it.

If anything, this made it all the more exciting.

“Before anything,” he said. “Your name.”

She trembled. On a knife’s edge. Did she tell him? Or did she not?

The trouble was, she trusted him.

Even if she didn’t know why.

“Jessie,” she said. “Jessie Hargreave.Jessica, actually. So you had half the truth as it was.”

“You’re smart. Don’t deviate too far from the truth if you wish to create a convincing lie.”

“A very basic truth.”

“Your father wishes to hurt you?” he asked.

“He’s a dangerous man. Though I would say it’s more he doesn’t like to lose. And he lost me. He will want me back, I’m afraid.”

“He would be Mark Hargreave, I assume.”

She should have been prepared for that, and yet she wasn’t. “Yes. I’m not surprised that you’ve heard of him. And you can understand why I don’t let my name lead.”

“I do. And now you have my word, he will not find you. You will be protected.”

“Thank you.”

“Here’s the paperwork.”

He turned to a locked cabinet, produced a key from his pocket and proceeded to release it.

He opened the doors and brought a stack of papers out before her. “You will sign it. With your legal name. And you will be assured that it is yours.”

“All to get back at your father?”

He chuckled, and the sound made her body liquid. “I don’t think I’m the only one here with daddy issues.”

The word shimmered through her body.

The way that he looked at her, those enticing, unforgettable eyes looking into her.

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