Million Dollar Devil (Million Dollar #1)(77)

I open the door and am looking outside, thinking I might faint, when I feel a presence behind me.

I whirl.

James.

Oh god. Why does he take my breath away, every time? I’ve never seen him look more elegant, more built for this role.

I reach over and straighten his already-straight tie. “You’re amazing,” I breathe, tears pricking the corners of my eyes.

He sees them, brings a hand to my cheek, gently blots them away with the pad of his thumb. “You’re beautiful.”

I smile at him. His gaze is as penetrating and moving as always, but there’s something sad in the way he looks at me. Maybe because our contract is near its completion. We can talk about extending it, of course. My father will want me to, because sales have been so good. But I guess there’s all this uncertainty there. We don’t know what will happen next.

All I know is I want “next” to include him.

However it can.

I open my mouth to say that to him as LB squeezes through the doors. He looks at James, brushes his sleeve. “You two ready?”

I nod.

LB smiles. “Well, it’s certainly been a whirlwind. I have to say I had my doubts. But James, you came through in high style. I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.”

I’m a little shocked to realize LB sounds genuine.

Cool as a cucumber, James nods and winks at him. “You can make that check for two hundred thou out to James Rowan,” he says, lifting his chin.

LB’s eyes grow as wide as platters.

James ignores him, extending his crooked arm to me. “Shall we?”

I smile. “We shall.”

Then he opens the door for me, and we make our way to the ballroom.

The room is packed—everyone who is anyone in the city is here. All the movers and shakers. The most influential reporters, bloggers, you name it. I grip his arm tighter as he leads me into the ballroom of the five-star hotel we rented out for the launch. I suppose I’m more nervous than he is. I glance up to my left and see his chiseled profile, and my stomach clutches. He has a face that—until now—only existed in my dreams. Hard jaw, sculpted to perfection. Firm, plush, kissable lips. Sharp, pristine blue eyes that feel like lasers zeroing in on me. He catches my gaze, and the devil’s smile suddenly playing on his lips is worth a million bucks.

That’s exactly how much it cost me. What this guy cost me. I would’ve paid so much more.

It’s like he’s the only man in the room. Like he belongs here. Confidence oozes out of his every pore. Masculinity envelops him as perfectly as his custom black suit. He walks like he owns the place. My heart beats harder and harder for him.

I can’t believe I got him to agree.

Women are vying for his attention. His moves are smooth. Sophisticated. Elegant.

“An autograph?” a young woman asks shyly.

He takes the notepad and pen she extends and scribbles his name, his voice low and rough. “There you go.” Beneath all that polish is his raw masculine energy. The determination that brought him here.

“James . . .” I halt him before we go any farther. “Whatever happens . . .”

He looks at me. A thousand words lingering in his look. “I know.”

But does he? I’ve fallen in love with my own creation. I polished a diamond, and now it’s flawless. Perfect. But it’s not mine to keep.

He is not mine to keep.

“I’m feeling a little woozy,” I tell him as we descend the staircase. “I think I’ll just go to my table for a moment.”

He nods and takes me to the table, pulls out my chair, and helps me into it like he’s been doing it all his life. His breath is warm on my cheek as he leans over. “You going to be okay?”

I’m not sure. I don’t think I will ever recover if things go badly tonight. That’s what it feels like. Like this night won’t just make or break Banks. It’ll make or break my entire life. Like if I walk out of here without him, I’ll be losing the best thing that ever happened to me.

And I’m scared to death.

“A lot of people want to speak with you. You should make the rounds,” I tell him. “And then, at eight, I’ll make the official announcement. Sound good?”

He nods, stroking my bare shoulder with his finger, and then he’s off.

I watch him go, thinking of that old saying If you love something, set it free.

I love him. I love James. I love Jimmy. Both of them. I love every little part of him, no matter who he is. Rich, poor. It doesn’t matter.

And after this contract ends tonight, he is free.

Whether he comes back to me is up to him. But if he doesn’t, I know one thing for certain: I will never meet another man who makes me feel the way he does.

I’m watching him make his way around the room, drinking water as if it’s going out of style, when Jeanine sits next to me. She’s wearing a gold gown and has her shiny hair piled atop her head like a blonde goddess. “He’s something,” she breathes.

“I know.” Clearly I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’d be hard pressed to find another woman who isn’t taken by him.

“And you created him. How does it feel?”

I shake my head. “I didn’t create anything. He was already amazing on his own.”