Page 55 of Alice and the Billionaire Boss

We don’t speak as the car sinks to the ground floor. There are several other people in with us, and anyway, I can’t think of anything to say. I want to blurt out my surname and where I live and tell him to call me, but what’s the point? I need to sever this neatly, because I’m sure it’ll make it easier than hanging onto hope that one day in a year or two’s time, we’ll somehow have a fairy tale ending.

The doors open, and we walk into the lobby. Halfway across, we stop and turn to one another.

“Thank you,” I tell him. “I’ve had a fantastic time, and you were amazing. I really appreciate you being so patient and kind.”

He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Thank you for letting me be your first.” He brushes his thumb across my lips. “Can I give you a last kiss?”

I hesitate, because I know I should say no, but the word won’t form. Taking that as affirmation, he slips a hand to the nape of my neck. He’s wearing his glasses, but he lifts them onto his hair, then moves up close and lowers his lips to mine, and we exchange a long, slow kiss that sends tingles through me from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes.

As he lifts his head and replaces his glasses, my gaze slides past him and falls on my sister, sitting near the front desk, watching us with shock and delight.

“Oh fuck,” I mutter.

“What?”

“Charlie’s here.” I watch her get up and bring her suitcase over to us.

He turns and smiles as she walks up, and holds out a hand. “Hello, Charlie. I’m Kip.”

“Hello, Kip.” She shakes his hand, running her gaze down him, then glances at me with much amusement. “Have a good evening?”

He grins as I flush scarlet. “I hear you have a long journey ahead of you,” he says and looks at me. “Will you text me when you get home so I know you got there safely?”

“Um…” Not expecting that, I flush even more.

He takes out his phone. “What’s your number?”

I meet his eyes. He lifts his eyebrows, then looks at Charlie.

She reels off my number, and I glare at her as he programs it in. He types briefly, and then my phone buzzes in my back pocket. I take it out. He’s sent me a message that says,Sorry, but it had to be done. That’s becoming his catchphrase.

“You’ve got my number now, anyway,” he states. He looks at Charlie. “Make sure she texts me when you arrive.”

She nods, and he smiles. “All right. Have a good journey.”

I stare at him, because it suddenly occurs to me that I won’t see him again. A wave of sorrow sweeps over me, taking my breath away.

He’s watching my face, and his brows draw together. He walks up, puts his arms around me, gives me a big hug, then a fierce kiss on the mouth, before he turns and walks away, striding across the lobby and out through the door without looking back.

I watch him go, then press my fingers to my mouth as I fight not to cry.

“Oh no,” Charlie says, and she puts her arms around me. “Oh, Alice.”

“I’m okay.” But my voice is a squeak.

She squeezes me, then moves back and looks at me. “So it went well, then?”

I nod and rub my nose. “He was lovely.”

“He was gorgeous. You lucky thing. So you… you know? Took him up to your room?”

Tears tip over my lashes. “Yeah. He was amazing.” I dash the tears away. “I’m not going to regret it. It was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Of course you won’t regret it. But you haven’t agreed to see him again?”

“How, Charlie? I live nine hours away from him. How is that going to work, exactly?”

“Couldn’t you see him when you come to Wellington?”

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