LOVE ON PAPER: A BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE

PTE

ATHA

tter reminder of the task at hand. My father's ultimatum echoed in my mind: marry or watch the company fall into the hands of my stepbro

ways been a gamble with high stakes and even higher losses. I wasn't about to roll the dice on something as fickle as

orld of blunt instruments. She was the perfect candidate to stand by my side, to be the face t

eyes, those eyes

the most alluring sce

us brown chestnut hair that shines

e of her curves in those s

d that's all tha

e. No, I mean, I'd marry her

y and hard in my

make her understand it's just for a while

d with the reality of my situation. Alex's absence from her desk was a silent testament to the chasm that had opened between us. Her fear-or wa

of her building would be collateral damage in this war of wills. I could almost hear the echo of their

unearth the owner of Alex's apartment building. A phone call, an offer well above market value, and the

rs right now?" I pressed

sound of papers shuffling through

here do we meet?" I asked,

ned, a hint of sur

firmed, my tone br

uilding is at, I stay on the

my hands. "Oh, you stay right there? Cool, get the documents rea

s arrival, and I stepped in, descending from my tower of solitude. The security guard nodded as I pa

ambition and desperation. The drive to the building was a blur, my mind racing with plans and contingencie

my way to the building's entrance, a part of me, with luck, wanted to see if I could maybe get a glance at Alex. Or maybe I

ht to hear from her again and not act mean. Mentally r

nts stung my nostrils, an ominous prelude to th

s before a figure appeared fr

" the short-fi

r question,

with a questioning look, scanning me from

've got an idea when s

in. My heart sank; the fire had ravaged her home, leaving behind nothing but the skeleton of a life once lived. "but she's currently in a lodge down the

of was if she'd been hurt by the fire or something. I got into my car, and the engines roared to life as I turne

eption and was greeted wa

. She would have checked in recently," I fibbed

ticism etched on her face. "Your sister? Perhaps you

ton with exaggerated disappointment. "Ah, it's

onfirmation, I can't assist you

e kind that had opened more doors than keys ever could. Her

her?" she suggested, curi

face and warm brown eyes," I described, watching her closely to see if recognition d

ured, a smile blooming across her face. "Now that you mention

the last room down the corridor, on the left.

a few dollar notes across the counter. I strode dow

roplets echoing like a promise. Her clothes were neatly folded at the foot of the bed, a plush robe laid bes

wrapped in steam and vulnerability. Our eyes locked, a silent conversation in a single glanc

see were a perfectly toned body, silky skin, and a flat stomach. She was neat, hairless, dripping, and sexy, with the nices