Page 63 of The Sexy Billionaire

“Honestly, I didn’t think we would ever see each other again.” I vowed to myself that we never would when I was younger, but now that I’m older and a little wiser, I don’t know. “You have a life in Italy, and I have mine here. Never thought the two would meet.”

He nods in understanding and looks like he might be sad about my comments and that isn’t at all how I want him to feel, especially because he’s flown halfway across the world to check in on me. Not just me, he has work too, but still he took the time out to have dinner with us all. I reach out and touch his arm; his dark eyes narrow on where I’m touching him. His skin is hot and soft, and with every second my hand stays against his, my heartbeats faster, my skin tingles, and my cheeks feel like they are warming up.

“I’m so happy you are here,” I say as he looks up from my hand, and those deep, chocolatey eyes begin to swallow me up. The elevator shrinks even more, every movement and breath is amplified. He then reaches out and cups my face; his thumb slides down my flushed cheek and my body shivers, taking me back to a time in my life when he used to touch me like that, with my body now reacting the same way it used to all those years ago.

“I’m so happy to see you, too.”

Is he going to kiss me?Feels like it. No. Do I want him to?Um, yes, no, maybe.We’re friends, old acquaintances even. He’s Italian; they talk with their hands. He’s just talking with his hands, nothing more.You’re reading too much into this, Paige.

The elevator stops and the doors open. His hand falls from my face and I feel its loss instantly, and I don’t know how I feel about that. I told myself when I was younger that I never wanted to see him again and yet here he is. It’s confusing, especially the way my body is reacting to him.It’s the wine.I follow him silently into the foyer, where we stop again. Why is this awkward? It doesn’t have to be. I’m getting inside my own head. We are adults.

“Would you like to catch up again?” I ask him. That wasn’t supposed to come out of my mouth. He seems surprised by my request as his eyes widen, and his brows shoot high up on his face. I swallow hard, feeling like an idiot for saying it. What the hell was I thinking?

“I’d like that,” he answers.

He would?

“Only problem is …”

He wants to but he can’t, I get it. It’s the polite rejection.

“… we have to catch up at my apartment.”

Oh.

“The media don’t know Giada and I have split, so seeing me at dinner with a beautiful woman would start rumors,” he explains.

Oh.

Wait. Did he just call me beautiful?

“Would that be, okay? I understand if you don’t want to come to my apartment, if you want to meet somewhere public?—”

“No, that’s fine.” I shake my head. “Might be safer,” I add.

His mouth falls open, and he realizes I’m talking about Michael and his demeanor changes. He tenses as anger rolls through him.

“Hey,” I say, reaching out again to reassure him. “I’m going to be okay. He won’t get to me again, I promise.”

His hand closes over mine and it’s nice, familiar even. “I’ll make sure he never touches you again.”

He almost growls the sentiment, and I shouldn’t feel hot and flustered by his comment, but I do. I need to start using my vibrator again, but it’s a long time since I’ve used it. It’s hard as my brother and I have been living in such close quarters, and he’s a noisy bitch, but I need to do something because my body is on fire, and I need to control it if we are going to catch up again. I nod, not sure what more I can say to that declaration.

“My driver is here. Thanks again for a great night,” he says, reaching out and hugging me good night. I suck in a deep breath of his aftershave and let my fingers absorb his taunt body before letting go. I give him a wave and watch him walk out of the building. I head back up to Smith’s apartment and I know it’s going to be a game of twenty questions where I’m in the hot seat.

As soon as I open the door, it starts.

“Did he kiss you?” Savannah asks.

“What? No,” I answer, flustered.

“Did you want him to kiss you?” she presses.

“No,” I answer as I frantically look between everyone.

“Bullshit.” She chuckles.

“Is there something going on between the two of you?” Smith questions me.

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