Page 101 of Most Eligible Billionaire CEO

“No.” His rigid posture suggests otherwise. “You were telling me about this house and your history in the Bronx.”

We’re changing the subject. Message received. “Yes. My grandmother used to be the housekeeper for a wealthy Jewish family that owns some of the best addresses in Manhattan. They adored my grandmother. Although the Efrons had a nurse to take care of their youngest son who was wheelchair-bound, my grandmother doted over the little guy as if he were her own son. The affection was mutual. Their son loved her. When the Efrons found out my grandma was renting a two-bedroom apartment for two adults, four boys, and a girl, in a not-so-great building, her employers offered she rent this home for a fraction of the going rate. When my grandma died, the Efrons were going to put it on the market, but my sister managed to sweet talk them into a private sale.”

“This house is part of your heritage.”

“It is! Given the relationship my grandma had with them, Ciara skipped any bidding wars.”

“Smart move on her part.”

“Ciara is a master negotiator.”

“Once she took possession of the house, did you have to renovate it?”

“Yes. It was a dated three-story house. There was no budget to renovate it. So, Ciara, Dad, Mom, the rest of Dad’s family, my grandparents, a few family members on Mom’s side, and I pooled our efforts to do it as a DIY family project. It took many months to complete. In fact, there are still things here and there that aren’t done. Once the bulk of the renos were done, I left my then rented apartment and moved in.” Six months before my world collapsed.

He nods, his eyes scanning the space.

We did a good enough job with the renovations, given our small budget. Ciara’s vision transformed a dated brownstone into a spacious, comfortable space I’m proud to call home. Still, I’m not delusional. This house will never be featured in a décor magazine.

His eyes lift to the ceiling.

“Ciara designed the lighting, of course,” I say.

“Your sister has an incredible eye for design, and she has impeccable taste. It’s a heartfelt story that she was able to buy this home your grandparents once rented. It adds so much more to the character of the house.”

I’m surprised by his words. “I feel the same way as well.”

He leans down and whispers in my ear, “I missed everything about you, Sofia. I saw red when I found out Todd booked you with another client. It drove me crazy to think of another man caressing your skin or kissing your lips. Of another man fucking you.” His blue eyes bore into mine. “Did you miss me?”

I place my hands on his forearms. “Desperately.”

He takes my lips in a fervent kiss that I feel all the way down to my tippy toes.

He growls into my mouth. “Where’s your bedroom?”

I’m so hungry for him. “Up the stairs, to the right.”

He lifts me in his strong arms, flings me over his shoulder, and walks up the stairs to my bedroom. He enters and drops me to my feet.

“Strip.”

He doesn’t have to ask twice.

With frantic hands, I remove my t-shirt, jeans and underwear.

I stand before him naked.

The burning desire in his eyes scares me and excites me at the same time. “I’m going to make up for the last two and a half weeks.”

“I might not survive this.”

“You might not, but you’ll remember who you belong to.”

Holy.

Fuck.

“Are you going to show me a little mercy?”

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