Page 58 of The Billionaire Is Back

Fuck.

I cross my arms in front of my chest. It’s my go-to stance, but all my arms want to do is wrap around his waist and let him hold me for a few hours while caressing my hair and telling me how much he wants me. ButI’min charge of these arms. They’re staying right where they are. In front of my chest. In Beacon Harbor.

“Well, I’m not willing to move to New York,” I say, and it definitely sounds like I mean it.

Grady sighs again. This must be some advanced negotiating technique they teach at Wharton because I am losing my resolve. And then he places those magnificent hands of his on his hips, and I’m hearing the intro to “Empire State of Mind” in my head.

“I understand,” he says. “I’m not asking you to do that. But people with far fewer resources than I have manage all kinds of long-distance arrangements. I don’t know exactly what it will look like yet, but we can figure it out together.” He looks me straight in the eyes. “I want to. Ineedto.”

God, he’s good.

But I’m better.

I have to be.

“That’s not what I want. It’s definitely not what I need.” I stop short of telling him my heart can’t handle only having half of him. I don’t know this for a fact, but it sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

He looks like I just knocked the wind out of him.

Did I just crush him?

I place my hands on either side of his head because I don’t want to hurt him. I couldn’t possibly have that kind of power, could I? It must be that he’s afraid of losing that big deal.

He instinctively pulls me to him, hands on my waist, and it takes all the strength I have left to push him away again.

Clearing my throat, I straighten myself up and get back on track. “But I will help you with your business deal. I will go to New York with you to attend this gala. As yourpretendgirlfriend. I will do this in return for theloanyou will be giving me so that I can renovate my bakery.” I punctuate that sentence with one firm nod. My face and body language screamprofessionalism. My lady parts are screaming something else entirely, but they were not invited to this meeting.

The shrewdness returns to Grady’s expression. His posture projects all the confidence a man can have without being cocky. His eyes narrow. “I’m giving you the money for the renovations, Claire. You don’t have to pay me back.”

God, I really don’t want to take on any more debt. “We can discuss the details later.” I place my hands on my hips, just like he did earlier. “But I need you to understand that me going to New York as your date is just about business. My business and yours. It isstrictlybusiness.”

All tension vanishes from his face and body. His beautiful hands slide into the pockets of his fancy pants. The hint of a grin forms. You’d think it would make me feel relaxed as well. Instead, it’s slightly terrifying. And more than a little sexy. This is the Grady Barber who always gets what he wants and knows it.

“We have a deal,” he says evenly.

“Good,” I say, trying to sound like the confident businesswoman that I know I could be.

I may not get whatever I want in life, but all of a sudden I’m getting more than I ever thought possible.

He extends his hand, and we shake on it.

But he doesn’t let go.

He leans in.

I can’t stop myself from tilting my chin up so I can stare into his damned beautiful eyes.

“I want you to know that I’m coming after you,” he whispers.

My mouth goes dry and I’m finding it difficult toswallow. “Excuse me?” I squeak.

“I’m going to seduce you, Sweeney.WhenI do, I don’t want you to accuse me of skulking around and being underhanded or two-faced.” He brushes a strand of hair from my forehead. “When I make you mine, I want you to know that I did it head-on.”

Meep!

He continues. “I want you to know that so you’re not confused.” He’s doing an excellent job of ignoring how sweaty my hand has become. “I’m coming after you, Claire.Billionaireis just a word to you. But you really don’t understand what it means.” His mouth is kissing distance from mine, and Christ Almighty, he is fucking my ears so hard with this speech. “You really think you can travel with me to New York, experience everything I have to offer you—more than you could ever imagine—andresistme?” He practically growls that last part.

Does he growl like that in business meetings?

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