Love in a billionaire's world

the guts to tell me to kneel and apolog

row. "What do you thi

counter. Ryder's departure had left the rest

o style seemed to match her gloomy prediction. "I think he's going to write

r, a dire prophecy that se

, Danielle," I warned, trying

ontinued chewing her gum,

spat, her anger still simmering. "I shoul

arm. "Don't you think that

defeat. "Now what are we going to do?" sh

ewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of soft music drifting from the livin

y?" she asked, concer

the day's events settle onto my shoulders. "You have no i

"Well, I think I know just the thing to take your mind

trigued despite myself. "

eard about this amazing one downtown, and

t as I looked at Maya's enthusiastic face, I

ile. Maya, on the other hand, had a different approach in mind. She slipped into

ar faces overwhelmed me. Maya, however, dove right in, greeting

's been ages!" They chatted enthusiastically, reminiscing about old t

d I forced a weak smile. "And this is...?"

m, Ashley." Duke's handshake was warm and firm. "Ni

lied, feeling a

le. She opted for an alcoholic beverage, while I chose a juice. "So," I began, c

in a high school play together. He was the Duke, and I was the Duchess." She grinned m

days. My own experiences, on the other hand, were a different story. I had taken on a parental role, caring f

eyes screamed one thing: he wanted to get close to her, very close. I ro

illed for your friend," a

the piercing grey eyes and di

I asked, curiosity ge

f his vodka. "Honestly? They'

brow, taken aback

ly blunt, aren't yo

pretty straightforward

Trust me, I'm

igued, and set his drink dow

trying to place him. "You know, you look v

s crinkling at the c

o figure out how I knew him. "You k

wavered. "But I li

row, surprised. "H

, and...gorgeous." My dark skin hid the blush sprea

he continued, his e

What?" I asked, my voi

. "Oh, I'm sorry, I meant m

get it,"

d really like someone

d an eyeb

I don't know, ju

versation. "Oh, my wife is calling me,

ed, trying to process

"I should head home

oughing. "It was nice meeting you," he s

I managed to say,

to meet you. See you." Wi

home, its late, " I said looking at anything but them, " oh ok. Just give me a minute. " She said and I nodded and hurried out of there

person said, and I t

Blackwood standing before me, a

, his voice dripping with sar

spine as he gazed at me, his

g here?" I asked, tr

"I could ask you