the billionaire heartbeat

was the place to be, Manhattan'

and its excesses. There were po

neath crystal chandeliers, and

of SnowCorp, the host of the

ssed in a sleek, custom-tailore

s old, he had built a billion-do

, maybe with a bit of arrogant

was all about wealth, and a

the glitz and glamour. Standin

or style, Emma Brooks eyes the

ovides donations for homeless fa

help support her organization.

s that were held in a high-rise

pared for. She looked a little o

he reminded herself

paths crossing. Emma happened t

brushed past her. He had no

ht jolt. He turned, in preparati

tled eyes were flushed wit

he said, her face turning a dee

I didn't

e, but clipped, 'It's fine.' He

attire. Either she wasn't part o

ose customs he had heard about l

of interest,

ell, it's... different. Well, I

John caught the slight to

row. "I am sure this would be

t suppose I am 'most people,'"

budge from him, unflinching, w

e our non-profit work," she said

of stability; to offer the homele

." I guess... "It was not u

t it out of his eyes. He was a

out his success and his money.

ly cared, simply because he didn

you get that wo

questioning. Steady, she til

life than gett

en them, a challenge not said o

he intrigued him. No one had as

urned coolly and answered for s

eedom, it's power.

ma's face, but she made it disap

hat makes it last: what

is wasn't how things were suppo

The unshakable king of his own

t be daunted by his reputation,

ed by him...

teresting perspective.' He ex

ly; her grip was warm a

Emma was... different. When sh

heir right arm for his attenti

left a mark he

from across the room, satisfie

er, but she wasn't going to let

ething that would, in ways nei

d every part o