Her Billionaire Secret Part 2: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Jenna Chase, Elise Kelby Read Free Book Online Page B

Christine who was smiling at her oddly; as if she knew something but wasn’t about to reveal it. Claire glanced at Tevis but he didn’t say a word.
    Whatever it was, it looked like neither of them were about to reveal their secret. Christine turned to the bed and began emptying the contents of the bags.
    For the next hour it was like being in some high end fashion salon. Except she wasn’t the one getting much say about the clothes held up in front of her. Tevis had a fixed opinion on what he thought suitable. As soon as she objected, Christine backed him up. It seemed as though they’d planned to block every objection she had, particularly when she thought something was too revealing, too expensive or downright show stealing. Having spent years in jeans and tee shirts she appeared to be acquiring a wardrobe of designer clothes. Almost every item, was the opposite of her everyday personality.
    “I’m not a Barbie doll,” she exploded when it was all getting too much.
    “You know how much I love spoiling you,” Tevis pulled her towards him to give her a gentle kiss.
    ‘I’ll pay you back’, her eyes told him.
    His said, ‘You can try,’ as his lips brushed hers. He didn’t linger and he turned his attention back to his personal shopper. If he had, then she would have been tempted to bite his lip in retribution.
    “Christine has excellent taste,” he smiled at the older woman, who was now watching them gooey-eyed as if she was witnessing a lover’s tiff.
    What is up with these people?
    “She also knows what you need for tonight’s little party and understands I want to show you off.” He squeezed her hand, warning her not to object.
    “Party?” she queried. It didn’t sound good. She wasn’t the partying kind. “I didn’t know there was going to be a party?”
    “It’s a surprise for… our guests.”
    If this was the secret Tevis and Christine had been keeping, did Christine have any idea that one of the guests was Eloise Grace? It seem not. Tevi’s eyes and his tightening grip told her not to reveal anything. If he'd taken the time to let her in on this, it would have been much easier. It seemed he was giving out information on a ‘need to know basis’.
    Did he plan to do this for the whole four days? How good an actress did he expect her to be if she didn’t get any warning?
    “Oh, that’s nice,” she responded lamely. “Where is it to be?”
    “Here. Don’t worry, it’s all organised.”
    Christine unzipped a garment holder, “ This is the dress I’ve selected for this evening. Another dress will be delivered tomorrow for the event on Monday.”
    Claire couldn’t speak as Christine held up the silky green dress. She hadn’t been so close to anything as exquisite in more than ten years. Christine was looking at her with concern. Claire knew her eyes were glistening, but she couldn’t stop the emotion. The memory was so strong, she could swear a drift of her mother’s favourite perfume floated in the air.
    Tevis turned to her, aware the atmosphere had changed. Claire gave him a weak smile.
    “Don’t you like it? Christine can get you something else.”
    “No, that’s not it. I love it.” She brushed away a single tear praying she could prevent the gush that threatened. “It reminded me of someone, that’s all,” she said, hoping that would be the end of the subject.
    “Someone special?” He was looking at her quizzically.
    “Yes. Someone special,” she answered, closing down the topic with her next words to Christine. “Are there shoes to match?”
    Neither Tevis nor Christine commented on her sudden interest in accessories.

Chapter Two
    TEVIS
    “Don’t you have anything else to do?” Claire sounded exasperated and her fingers tapped a rhythm on her knee.
    Good, because he was determined to get some sort of emotion out of her after she shut down over the dress. It had been like a mask going on and he intended to remove it. He preferred the smiling, antsy Claire