Page 4 of Owned By a Billionaire

Now that life had taken a nicer turn, however, I enjoyed being desired by the right men. The powerful ones. The rich ones. And on occasion, the sexy ones. But they were only a dalliance, an irresistible dessert I allowed myself on certain occasions. But I would never allow myself to fall for anyone with less than eight zeroes in their bank account.

Despite believing that women could run the world—and do a better job of it, as history had showed—I also appreciated having my physical attractions to fall back on. What else did I have? I couldn’t exactly sell myself on wit alone. Not yet.

That would come. Education would see to that.

Speaking of, Alice raised an eyebrow. “What about Ben? He’s absolutely besotted.”

“He’s not my type.” I sighed.If only.He was as wealthy as they came. “A little too studious for me.”

She laughed. “This coming from ‘sorry, can’t go to the pub—I’ve got an assignment I want to work on.’”

I had to smile at how wedded I’d become to my studies. They were a gift. I loved being at that hallowed college and absorbing the resonance of brilliance seeping from those chiseled halls. When I first arrived, I was almost breathless, like some gushing teenager. Only my idols weren’t pop stars but former Oxford alumni like Aldous Huxley or Robert Graves.

“Harry’s throwing a party on Saturday at Mayfair. You should come. Everyone will be there. It will be such a hoot,” Alice said.

Now that sounded like fun.

Rey heard, of course. Supersonic ears and eyes, that man.

Harry smiled. “You should both come. Please do.” He looked from Rey to me, and my heart missed a beat.

Rey nodded. “I don’t have a lot on. So thank you, that sounds entertaining.”

“We’re off now.” Harry glanced down at his Rolex. “Drinks with a distant aunt.” He turned to Rey. “Why don’t we do lunch? I’d love to meet your people at the Swiss end.”

“Sounds good to me,” my benefactor said.

After they left, Rey turned to me and performed a subtle slant of head toward the door, which Harry was holding open for Alice. “That’s your future husband right there.”

My eyebrows headed for my hairline. “But he’s already taken.”

“Mm… I saw how he looked at you.”

“Harry’s smitten with Alice. They’re inseparable. You’re imagining things, Rey.”

“And you’re not interested?” He cocked his head, wearing a faint smile.

“He’s gorgeous, and sweet. And…”

“Filthy-fucking-rich. Old money. The best kind.”

“But they’re engaged.”

“She told you?” His look of disappointment confirmed just how invested Rey had become in this marriage idea.

I nodded. “Just then. She’s also a friend.”

“No one’s a friend. Remember that. Just acquaintances.”

Our eyes met, his locking onto mine to emphasize that point. For a twenty-two-year-old, he reminded me of an old man.

Then Rey glanced over my shoulder and nodded at someone.

I turned and saw Helmut, one of his many close associates who’d been foisted upon me and whom I refused to fuck again. Our first time was a little rougher than I liked. And by that, I didn’t mean passionate, slam-against-a-wall sex. He wanted to do anal, which was not my thing, and I ended up having to bolt before it got nasty.

Rey must have noticed my eye roll. “Play nice.”

“I won’t go with him, Rey. Remember the deal? Only if I can stomach them?”

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