Page 65 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

Mitch awakened something in her that she didn’t quite understand. It wasn’t the trappings of luxury—though those were nice. Something about his presence, the masculinity that rolled off him in waves, drove her wild. Every kiss spurred the need for ten more. Every touch of his fingers to her skin made her desperate for him to wrap his arms around her.

He made her needy and primal. Eager to submit to her baser desires.

The elevator doors whooshed open, and they breezed out, the epitome of refinement. They didn’t hold hands as they strode through the lobby, though her fingers itched to find the heat of his hand. She fought a grin the whole way as they walked past guests and wove around families oohing and aahing at the enormous Christmas tree, which was now fully decorated with all the special ornaments. This felt like a secret. Like a game that only they were playing while the rest of the world was none the wiser.

Had her mother played like this with her rich suitors? This didn’t seem so bad. In fact, it wasfun.

Until you find out about his secret wife and kids halfway across the world.

Her mother’s voice slammed through her, jostling her out of her great mood. When they stepped out into the frigid air of downtown Manhattan, all her thoughts blew away in the wind. She wrapped her coat around her, sliding into the backseat of the car with Mitch behind her. Once the toasty car was on the road, she snuggled into Mitch’s side.

“Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

She scoffed. “You and your surprises.”

“They’re one of life’s great pleasures.” His mysterious smile warmed her, and looking up at him in this moment was something she wanted to remember forever. Maybe it was the sparkle in his eye. The promise of a great evening. Or maybe it was the promise of what might simply exist between them. Where this make-believe mommy-and-daddy time could lead.

She didn’t like thinking about the future with him, because she knew it was a reckless idea. This thing between them—it was just convenience. It was for the holidays. It was because ofNoelle.

So why would she think that anything more could exist? After Christmas, they’d be back to their normal lives. Normal routines. Sans baby, the gala behind them. That’s all this was. A holiday dalliance. Something to pass the time and excite the senses.

She needed to remember that.

Ten minutes later, the car pulled up to the front doors of a little restaurant named GLOW. Mitch held the door open for her, and a cozy brick and steel-beam space awaited them.

Except the entire place was empty. Every single table bare, not even set or waiting for guests. A hostess greeted them a moment later, leading them toward the back of the restaurant.

“Is this place like, not open yet?” she whispered as they followed her.

“I bought it out for the evening.”

Her eyes widened. Now there was another significant bump to an already-expensive evening. First the dress, then the private rental of an entire restaurant? Her mind spun as the hostess seated them at a small table near a crackling fireplace. On the other side of the room, a musician was just sitting down at a baby grand piano.

“Oh my god,” she hissed as they eased into their chairs. “Did you hire him too?”

His mischievous smile told her everything she needed to know.

And at this point? All she could do was soak it up. It was all so outrageous, so over the top. Maybe this was what dating a billionaire felt like. And if that was the case, she’d have a lot to get used to.

Except no. She wasn’t dating a billionaire. This was temporary.

Nothing more than a bit of fun.

But as she looked up into Mitch’s warm blue gaze, she wasn’t so sure temporary was going to be enough.

13

MITCH

Dinner blurred by with soft classical music and exquisite plates of gourmet food. Six courses, two bottles of wine, and one amazing evening. By the time they left GLOW, Mitch felt like he himself was glowing.

And Jules sure was. He’d never seen her so loose, so alive. Sure, the wine probably helped that. But they’d burst out into raucous laughter more times than he could even count. They were on a date because he’d made it happen—because he’d brought her here. But he suspected they would be having an equally great time almost anywhere in the city.

Even if they’d decided to stay in the penthouse and order in.

The ride back to the hotel was spent in a perma-kiss, Mitch’s hands pushing the flowy hem of her skirt higher and higher up her thighs. By the time the car reached the front of the hotel, his hardon was embarrassingly obvious.

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