Page 11 of The Billionaire's Christmas Wish

Her perfume fills the air as she grabs a brush, reminding me of our night together last New Year’s Eve.

Pulling away from her after we kissed still makes me feel sick, but what choice did I have? All hell broke loose when our parents discovered what happened in the garden. They forced me to back off, insisting it was best for Audrey even though they never supplied a good reason. They were hell-bent on keeping us apart, as if loving each other was a crime.

Audrey’s close to her family and never upsets her parents. While I wouldn’t say I liked following orders, I only agreed because I thought it was best for her. But in the background, I was biding my time and planning on making a move when the dust settled.

When my father told me she was engaged, my world fell apart. I alienated friends and family, shutting out anyone who tried to “fix” me, but there was nothing anyone could do. In a last-ditch effort to maintain my sanity, I packed my bags and moved overseas.

I bought a secluded cabin in Rorvik, a small Northern European country. The sun barely shone in that frigid, barren place - a fitting match for my frozen heart. It was my personal hell, but the only place that made sense without her.

I wallowed in despair, drifting into darkness for months, unable to function. My career hit a standstill.

The chance to see Audrey arose like a flicker of light in the dark. Nick Saint, a producer I’d never heard of, offered me a job on The Naughty List. It isn’t my preferred style of movie, but I accepted it when I found out Audrey was on the crew.

I needed to see her again before losing it and ending up in a padded cell. Although I lost her once, I won’t make the same mistake.

Carpe diemand all that.

“Luca. Do you copy?” The assistant director’s voice crackles from the comms unit, interrupting our conversation.

It’s the private channel reserved for the director and assistant director. After unclipping it from my belt, I hold it, thumb hovering over the push-to-talk button.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Audrey quizzes.

Unable to take my eyes off Audrey, my grip tightens, my thumb closing over the button. Annoyed on account of being interrupted, my tone is unnecessarily gruff. “Copy.”

“All cast and crew accounted for. Over,” the AD says.

That’s great news because I don’t need to leave the trailer. “Thanks. Confirming all clear. No change to tomorrow’s call time. Over.”

“Night, boss,” the Assistant Director says, sounding relieved. She can go home now.

“Is everything okay?” Audrey asks.

I turn off the radio and catch her reflection. I give her a terse nod.

I’m here if she needs emotional support or a listening ear. I’m invested in her well-being, not just the parts that directly benefit me. That said, I’m relieved she didn’t share her breakup story. I can’t guarantee I’d have handled it well.

I’m not an asshole, but I’m jealous and possessive. So yeah, maybe that makes me an asshole.

“Everything’s fine on set, but how about you, Auds? I’m sorry about your engagement. Are you okay?”

A bright smile lights up her face but doesn’t reach her eyes. She waves her hand, dismissing the issue. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

* * *

Audrey

Luca’s thigh brushes against mine. The light touch is electrifying. A sharp inhale fills my nose with the musky scent of his cologne. I hold my breath as if trying to capture his essence.

Goddamn this man. His dark eyes search mine, intense and probing. Our parents encouraged us to treat each other as siblings when we were young. But Luca’s staring the way a brother never would.

When I lick my lips, his gaze drops to my mouth. His hooded eyes tease me with promises, melting what little self-control I have left. If he asked me to strip down right here, I’d do it without hesitation. It's definitely not something I’d do for a brother.

I’ve waited so long for this moment. I'm done with waiting. Right now, I’d give my right arm to go home with him so I could wake up to those eyes.

“Now,” Luca says.

“Now? As in, right now?” I ask, surprised by his urgency.

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