Billion Dollar Bad Boy (Big City Billionaires)(55)

Shoving him back on the desk, I kissed him while he was still stiff with shock. He'd expected a longer battle with me, for us to create new scars.

I spoke against the softness of his lips. “You did f*ck everything up. You tore my world apart and left me in pieces. But ever since you came back into my life... I've become someone braver, bolder, and more confident than I'd ever dared to be before.” My fingers linked with his. “How could I not love you for that?”

There was no hesitation in how he pulled me to him. We'd already been touching, but somehow, he compressed us until our hearts were fighting to become one. I wanted to laugh, to f*cking cry, to dance on the desk and then scream the news down at his employees.

I was in love with the man who'd destroyed me.

How fitting that he'd be the one to put me back together again.





- Chapter Twenty-four -


Silver

She entered the room like a princess from another time. It wasn't her dress—that was purple and hugged her tight—and it wasn't a crown—she hadn't even done her hair up. No, Alexis just glowed with the serenity of someone who could draw every eye and never even realize it.

As sweet as she looked, there was no hiding the womanly way she walked. My cock twitched when she brushed her hands down the front of the dress, accidentally revealing more cleavage.

It was a miracle I didn't rush across the room and take her right then.

She spotted me, taking in my tight black shirt and faded jeans. Her smile rose, then fell; I knew she was wondering if she'd over dressed.

One look around the large event hall, and she'd see it was just me who'd gone casual. This was a party for my company, I could wear whatever the hell I wanted. I wasn't meeting with buyers or big wigs or anything.

Tonight, I was planning to have fun.

“Silver,” she said when I got close. “Wait. Do I call you Keswick in here?”

Grinning, I scooped my arm around her middle. “It's probably better if you do.”

Tucking against me, she eyeballed the milling people. “You're not acting like we're a secret.”

“Because we're not. I want to make it obvious to every man in here that you're already mine.”

“Then what does it matter what I call you?”

Pulling her around so that she was facing me, I was surprised to see her cocky smile. It was contagious. “Fine. Call me Silver, I'll call you Pet, and we can wonder what everyone is thinking about us.”

“Alexis!” The woman who bounced our way was waving her arms frantically. In her yellow dress, her short dark hair made her look like a sunflower. I didn't need to ask her name—I knew this was Laralie.

I'd never claim I was a 'good' person. Lies came easy, especially the ones that kept you safe. Or kept others safe.

I knew everyone that was close to Alexis. I'd made it a point to research them and keep tabs. Early on, I'd justified it as a way to learn more about her... to understand her, and in that process, maybe understand why I'd become infatuated.

That hadn't worked. And so, I began sending her letters.

The dark-haired woman was still smiling, her eyes dancing between Alexis and me. “This place is beautiful!” she said, waving at the hanging lights and the long table of pastel colored snacks. “Am I crazy, or is that cake over there shaped like a giant dildo?”

Alexis patted Laralie on the shoulder, giving her a gentle shove. “No way it's—” Trailing off, she spotted the display for the first time. “What bakery made that thing?”

“They're a small business, but really talented. I've used them before,” I said. Turning towards Laralie, I tucked on my nicest smile. “I'm guessing you're the guest who insisted on meeting me in person.”

Laralie didn't even blush, she just shrugged. “I had to see if you were real.”

Narrowing my eyes, I glanced at Alexis. “I'm very real.”

“I'll say!” Winking, Laralie gave her friend a shove. “Okay, so, rich and hot?” Alexis turned beet red, but Laralie just went on. “You have any look-a-like friends you can hook me up with, Mister Very Real?”

Alexis covered her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. “Laralie, please.”

“It's fine,” I said, playing along. Spotting Florian across the room, I waved him over. “Here, this is my partner. He's a genius and painfully available.”

Florian scoffed, acting offended as he joined our group. He was almost my height, a slim man in a pale-grey coat and black slacks. He was clearly handsome enough, because Laralie stopped goofing with Alexis, her demeanor shifting.

In seconds, she went from silly to sultry. That yellow dress caught the lights when she cocked her hip. “Hey,” she said, offering a hand. “I'm Laralie, nice to meet you.”

“Florian, though I guess Keswick already announced that, among other things.” Chuckling, he shook her hand. I expected him to focus on her, but his eyes danced sideways, onto Alexis. “I saw you the other day, I didn't get your name.”

Recognition crossed her face. “Oh, right, you were sitting at a computer.”

“I usually am,” Florian said with a dramatic sigh.

Taking his hand, she squeezed. “I'm Alexis.”