Alpha Billionaire Series

BAILEY

The moment Jace’s lips crash against mine, it's like time stops. I'm completely swept away in the kiss and all rational though disappears.

Holy hell, can this man kiss.

His mouth moves against mine, firm and demanding, yet incredibly soft and sensual. And he tastes like raspberries and chocolate. Mmm. The moment my lips part, his tongue slides past and glides against mine.

Everything in me goes weak and I slide my hands up around his neck, pressing closer. My body leans into his firm one and when I feel the large bulge in his pants press against my center, a whimper escapes my throat.

This isn't supposed to be real.

Yet it feels very, very real. 'm in dangerous territory, getting swept away by the best damn kiss I've ever experienced. I let myself enjoy it a moment longer than I should. Even though I know that I should stop it and pull away, I can't. It's like he's oxygen and I need to breathe. Deeply.

A throat clears and we both pull away. I glance over and see a guest from the dinner party standing there, clearly wanting to use the bathroom.

“Sorry,” Jace replies gruffly, turning us sideways so the other man can pass by. He keeps me pressed to him and my heart is thundering in my chest.

Finally, I manage to take an unsteady step back. A million thoughts are swirling through my head. First and foremost, what the hell just happened? I'm so confused. I know he wants to put on a show, so maybe that's all this was and I'm making a way bigger deal out of it than I should.

“I'm over this party," Jace says in a low, husky voice. “Are you ready to go?”

Ind, not able to trust my voice. I'm scared itl crack or waver. How embarrassing. Jace slides his fingers through mine and guides me back into the dining room where he says a quick goodbye to Lex. As he pulls me away to go get our coats, Lex slants me a knowing look.

Oh, God.Is it that obvious? That we were making out? He probably thinks we're rushing out so we can go finish what we started and have some hot sex in the car. I slide my coat on and grab my purse. I may not know what exactly just happened, but it's clear that we put on one helluva show.

I don't say anything on the ride back to my place. All I do is start doubting and second-guessing everything that happened. First, Jace was a hot commodity tonight. He had two gorgeous women sitting on either side of him and vying for his attentior all throughout dinner, so I'm not sure how I was the one he ended up kissing. Every insecurity in me rears its ugly head and doubts flood me.

Is this real? Fake? What the hell is going on? I want answers, but I'm scared to ask. What if he laughs at me because I'm turning this into something it isn't? Am I blowing it out of proportion?

By the time we pull up to my apartment, I'm on the verge of a full-blown freak-out. Jace walks me up to the door and frowns atme.

“What's going on?” he demands, studying me closely.

I shake my head, not making eye contact. “Nothing.”

“You're acting weird. It was just a kiss, Bailey.”

Just a kiss. And there it is- the way he really feels. It meant nothing to him.

A small fissure cracks my heart, and my walls shoot up. “Exactly,” I say stiffly. “No big deal

Except it was a big deal. Humongous.

I pull my keys out and shove them into the lock, turning harder than necessary.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Fine, great. Goodnight, Jace," I say, not sounding at all convincing, and walk into my apartment. Before he can say another word, I close the door and slump against it, lifting my fingers up and touching my lips. I can still taste and feel his kiss.

And that is not good.

Dammit.When did lines start blurring? I can't believe that I caved in to his charms and kissed him. Even more so, I can’t believe how much I liked it. 'm sure Jace has kissed hundreds of women, but I can count on both hands how many guys I've kissed in my lifetime.

And no one made me feel the way he just did.

“Shit, shit, shit" I mutter and stalk through my living room, heading into my bedroom. I throw my purse on a chair, kick my heels off and pull my dress over my head. As I slip on some comfy plaid pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt, it occurs to me once again, like a dagger through my heart, that the kiss we shared meant absolutely nothing to Jace.

With a squeal of frustration, I fall back on my bed and throw an arm over my face. “This is not so good,” I tell myself.

Clearly, I need to pull back and not let myself fall for this guy. Stick to the arrangement, Bai. Don't let your emotions get the best of you.

It's hard for me, though, because I lead with my heart. I love love. The ironic thing is I've helped a lot of people find and fall for each other, but I've never experienced it myself. Sure, I have an ex-boyfriend, but I was never in love with Evan Lyons. We didn't even date that long- just long enough for me to realize that he wasn't my person.

For the next 45 minutes, I lay there, trying to talk myself out of liking Jace Montgomery. I even consider canceling our whole deal, but I can't do that. Saving Head Over Heels is my first priority. And besides, when I check my email, I see that he kept his word and paid his invoice upfront. That will help me pay off all of my current bills. Thank God. For a moment, I can breathe and not stress about finances.

What it comes down to is me burying my emotions down deep and ignoring the tingle that Jace gives me every single time h touches me.

Honestly, he doesn't even have to touch me. All throughout dinner, we kept glancing at each other and, unless I'm imagining things, there was some heat building. It's what led to that spicy kiss in the hallway.

I really need to get this under control fast. Otherwise, I'm the one who's going to end up hurt. Not him. He'll move on and be spotted with the next up and coming, hot young thing while I'll be wallowing here, curled up in a ball and sobbing my eyes out.

“Suck it up I tell myself in a firm voice. “Jace is a client and nothing more."

I hear my phone vibrate over in my purse and sit up. With a heavy sigh, I get up, dig it out and see a text from Jace. Ohmygod Sucking in a deep breath, I read it: Stop freaking out.

Frowning, I hit respond and type out, “I am fine."

Yeah, that doesn't sound like a lie or anything. I delete that and instead write: You're a presumptuous a*s.

Before I can think too hard about it, I hit send. It annoys me that he knows I'm sitting here obsessing over that kiss.

My phone rings in my hand and I jump. It's him, of course. “Yes?” I answer coolly.

“A presumptuous ass?” he repeats. I can hear the smirk in his voice.

“That's right," I say, not wanting him to know how I really feel and doing my best to sound indifferent. “Why would you think was freaking out?”

“You were very quiet on the ride back. I just wanted to make sure you're okay and not in your head about what happened. It was just a kiss. No big deal”

I swallow down the lump in my throat, wondering how many times he's going to downplay what happened. “Exactly. It didn’t mean anything. But that doesn’t mean it's happening again.’ My voice turns firm, and I cover any angst with fierceness. “Fron now on, save the show for an audience. There will be no more stolen, meaningless kisses. I'm not your girlfriend, so if you need someone in that capacity then I suggest you find someone. Because I will not be taking care of your, ah, needs.”

“Duly noted,” he responds. “I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.”

I'squeeze my eyes shut. He made me feel a lot of things and uncomfortable really wasn't one of them. Silently cursing, I wan to throw my phone across the room. While he plays it off as insignificant, I feel the complete opposite. Kissing Jace was huge because he stirred up emotions that I've never felt before. His dismissal of the kiss forces me to open my eyes, though. I need to pull back and protect myself.

Whether he likes it or not, from this point forward, whatever happens between us is for show only. Otherwise, I'm going to bi risking my heart and that's a terrible idea.

“It's fine," I say between gritted teeth. “Just understand that for the next few weeks, we can put on a show in public, but in private that won't be happening.”

“Right”

Now it sounds like he's talking between clenched teeth. I roll my eyes. Sorry, buddy, you can't have your cake and eat it, too, “Wonderful. I'm glad we're on the same page. It should make everything much smoother moving forward,” I say.

“Agreed.

Again, the whole clenched teeth thing is going on and I wonder what his problem is now. Whatever. “Goodnight then.”

Keep things short and sweet. No need to get personal.

“Again, I'm sorry. Goodnight, Bailey."

“Don’t be sorry," I tell him. “just don't do it again” And then I hang up before he can respond.

The week flies by and luckily Jace is super busy with work, so he hasn't asked me to attend any more functions with him. Ou last conversation was so strained that I think he might be avoiding me, but that's a good thing. The less I see him, the better Because apparently, I lose all self-control around the man.

And that isn't good.

I'm getting nervous about going up to Buffalo and meeting his family. We're leaving this Saturday and it's only two days away Where the hell have the last two weeks gone? I wonder.

The evening before Jace and I leave the city, I invite Rae over and express my concerns. She's helping me pack for the trip and keeps trying to sneak sexy things into my suitcase which is starting to annoy me. 'm digging through the packed clothes and find a lacy nightie tucked away.

“Rae, I'm not going to need this," I say and toss it aside. “We're not hooking up."

Disappointed that I found the sexy lingerie, she crosses her arms. “Have you seen the gossip columns?”

“What?” I look up and pause my search for my thick winter socks that I wear to bed on freezing nights. I get cold easily and i his family doesn't like to turn the heat up, I need to be prepared. Sure, they aren't sexy, but they keep my feet toasty.

“You and Jace have been plastered all over them. Pictures of you guys from that night two weeks ago at the museum gala?” “50?” Itry to play it off, but it's intimidating to be seen out on Jace's arm. Kind of scary to know that people are taking notice of us, too. I've never been in the public spotlight for any reason before and I don't like it.

“5000..You guys look amazing together and everyone is saying exactly that!”

“Ugh,” I grumble and clutch my stomach. Suddenly, it hurts.

“What's wrong? Your plan is working brilliantly. Everyone thinks you two are a couple. You're going to be able to save Head Over Heels”

“Right,” I say and try to play it off as solely my nerves getting the best of me. “I'm just panicking a little. I mean, what if his family doesn't buy it?”

“Just put on a good show. An Oscar-winning performance. I mean, how hard can it be? He's hot as hell”

“Yeah, but...” My voice trails off.

“But what?”

“It's a slippery slope,” I say carefully.

“Ohhh, wow,” she exclaims in a low voice. “You're falling for him, aren't you?"

“Not I mean, I'm trying not to," I admit and scrunch up my nose. Rae studies me then smiles.

“Want my advice?” she finally asks.

“I don't know. Do I2” I ask warily.

“Yes, you do,” she informs me with a lofty grin. “Here's what I think. Whatever happens, happens. Just go with it."

“What kind of advice is that?" I ask and throw my hands up.

“You work too hard, always putting other people's relationships before your own, and if you're feeling, ahem, things- more specifically, tingles- toward Jace then maybe it's worth exploring. Just a bit. Test the waters, you know?”

Test the waters?Like I did when we kissed. But, God, that's dangerous territory. “Rae, the water feels good. I just don't want t drown.”

“So, take it very slowly. No need to jump right into the deep end." She gives me a wicked smile. “And, just in case...

I watch her tuck the sexy nightie back into my suitcase.

“Rae.”

She grins. “Better to be prepared than caught in those hideous socks and white cotton granny underwear, right?”

“I have no intention of wearing that. We're staying with his family,” I remind her primly. “And there's nothing wrong with my socks. They keep my feet quite warm."

“You're staying there as an engaged couple,” she reminds me right back. “They're going to expect to see some love and affection. Touching, kissing and long, lingering, lustful looks."

“I think I'm going to break out in hives.” I start scratching my neck. “What was I thinking when I agreed to this insanity?"

Rae chuckles. “You're going to be just fine and you're doing this to save your company. And also, maybe because he's a bit of a hottie which never hurts anything. Am I right?”

“I don’t know,” I say reluctantly. “Guess we'll find out.”

Rae gives me a big hug. “Merry Christmas! And if you find yourself under the mistletoe with a handsome billionaire, kiss him senseless, okay?”

I burst out laughing. “You're crazy, you know that?"

“All the best people are!”

After Rae leaves, I drop down on the couch and stare at my suitcase, knowing full well that there are several very lacy pieces of intimate apparel in there. A shiver races through me and my phone beeps with a text. I look down and see the last name I expect. It's Evan, my ex.

A frown tugs at my brow as I open his message and read: Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, B. I hate the way things ended, but please know that I'm here if you need anything. Don't hesitate to reach out.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

A sigh whispers past my lips and I slump back against the pillows. Now what the hell does that mean? I wonder.