Page 23 of My Forbidden Billionaire

I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as we continue our conversation, each topic bringing us closer together. It’s easy to talk to Jacob, and I find myself opening up to him. As he speaks, I can’t help but notice the way his eyes sparkle in the dim lighting of the room. The way his lips curl into a smile as he talks about his daughter. The way his suit fits him perfectly, highlighting every muscle in his arms and chest.

He’s, without a doubt, the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

We fall into a comfortable silence as the meeting kicks into gear. Our Headmaster, Mr. Thornton, gives a kind speech that is received with deserved applause from parents, students, and teachers alike. Right behind him, I can see Ms. Abadie almost clapping her way off the chair, in her thirst to suck up to him, but Mr. Thornton doesn’t seem to pay attention.

“Perhaps this is a reach on my part. But does she have feelings for him?” Jacob whispers to me.

“Honestly, it’s hard to imagine Ms. Abadie having a crush on anyone. She doesn’t really strike me as the loving type, wouldn’t you agree? No, she just wants a promotion. She wants to become Deputy Director.”

“Ah, now I understand. But she’s such a difficult woman … Clementine tells me the worst stories about her. Nobody at school likes her. As a CEO, I can’t really imagine promoting someone who has the kind of reputation she does.”

I smile politely and gloss over the fact that he has just casually dropped into conversation that he’s a CEO as if he’s talking about making sandwiches. I try to remain calm and steady, but his quiet sense of power and confidence is making me slowly tremble inside.

“Really? And what does Clementine tell you about me?”

I say these words and realize that I’m flirting with Jacob. And I feel so self-conscious now, my cheeks are burning, and I can only imagine how they must look when bright red. Which only serves to make me even more nervous.

Jacob turns his head toward me and grins. He can see that I’ve gone beet red, no doubt. “She tells me … hmm … I can’t say.”

“Why not?” I fall right into his charming trap.

“Well, I can’t say it out loud with all these people around us. Lean in a little closer.”

Without even thinking about what I’m doing, I lean in and almost glue my cheek to his. We’re not actually touching, but I’m so close to his face now that I can feel the heat radiating off him. I can smell his cologne, a delicious blend of dark vanilla, amber, and tobacco. It’s intoxicating and my head grows dizzy with desire. He turns a little more toward me, his mouth dangerously close to mine. I feel his lips forming the words but now I can barely concentrate.

“She says that you’re her favorite. You’re mine as well…”

I put my hand on the back of his chair to steady myself. The room is out of focus for a few seconds. What just happened? We didn’t do anything. And yet … I feel as if I just had the most intense experience of my life. My heart is beating faster than a hummingbird’s as I straighten myself in my chair and try to catch my breath.

He speaks again but I continue to look forward, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

At the front of the room, sitting at the teachers’ table, Ms. Abadie is scribbling in her notepad, furiously. No doubt about the meeting. No doubt.

Chapter Nine

Jacob

As my limousine comes to a slow halt in front of Jameson Juniper Hall, I observe an ocean of students occupying the front garden of the school. I get out and begin to look for Clem.

In the crowd, I spot Josephine, sunny and warm as always, directing the waves of children pushing into each other. I make my way toward her, and I can already see a gigantic smile blooming on her face when she notices me.

What I wouldn’t give to see this smile every single day.

“Hello, Miss Andrews!”

“Mr. Carlton…” She smiles.

“How was school today? Have you been a Miss Honey or a Ms. Trunchbull?”

As soon as the question leaves my lips, I can see her face change. It’s as if a ray of light illuminates her from within and Josephine becomes more alive than I’ve ever seen her.

“Oh, you know Matilda? That’s so funny, I was just thinking about this book the other day!” she says. “That’s such a coincidence.” As she speaks, her sparkling eyes are fixed on mine.

“I don’t really believe in coincidence, Miss Andrews.” I wink at her.

“Is that so? What do you believe in, then … Mr. Carlton?”

Her suave, dulcet tone of voice makes my insides simmer. All I want to do is wrap my arms around her and whisk her away—as far away from here as possible. Preferably somewhere tropical.

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