Mad for the Billionaire by Charlotte DeCorte Read Free Book Online Page B

taking it. When his fingers curled around mine and didn’t let go, I didn’t fight it. And when Alexander lifted our entwined hands up to his mouth and kissed my fingertips, I didn’t pull away.
    Our silence continued on the ride back to MLM. Once in the parking garage, I made to get out as soon as he parked the car. Alexander stopped me with one hand.
    “Sophia.”
    “Yes?” My high-pitched voice thrummed with restrained excitement. I tried again, careful to modulate my tone. “What is it, Alexander?”
    “Lunch wasn’t long enough to hash out when we needed to. I’ll need you to stay late and come see me after six. I’m in the CEO’s office.”
    “Sure. Do you want me to bring Mark?”
    Alexander warm gaze frosted. “Absolutely not.”
    “I see.” I did and I liked what I saw. “You don’t want to talk MLM business then.”
    “No.”
    “Okay.” My body pulsed with forbidden excitement. Giddiness made me suddenly want to laugh. I controlled myself on the slimmest of margins.
    Once we got out Alexander walked me to the garage elevator but didn’t step in with me. “Aren’t you coming up?”
    “No. I’ll be up later.”
    I felt like an awkward teenage girl again. I barely resisted the urge to tuck my hair behind my ear. “You know Mark is going to grill me about my lunch with you.”
    “Really? What are you going to tell him?”
    “Just that we were catching up on small town gossip.”
    Alexander remained quiet, dark gaze inscrutable. I sensed he wasn’t entirely pleased with my answer. “Okay, I’ll see you after six.” I pressed the 7 th floor button.
    Alexander kept the doors from closing. “Come here, Sophia.”
    I stepped forward, nervous and curious. “What is it?” He regarded me in silence, his gaze suddenly filled with something so close to love that I couldn’t help but let my emotions bubble to the surface.
    “Did you enjoy your lunch with me, Sophia?”
    I nodded, unable to speak for the longing to touch Alexander again.
    “I enjoyed it too.” He smiled and let go of the doors. “Be a good girl and go to work, little chick. We’ll talk soon.”
    The silvered doors slid shut, giving me the privacy to sag against the wall.
    I shouldn’t want to feel this love but I did. God knows I did.
     

5
    Present Day and Time
     
    “ What do you think of me when you look back?”
    My words hung in the air. Courage faltered, leaving me to wish that I could take them back.
    Alexander’s hand petted me, going from the top of my crown to the bottom of my hair in long, steady strokes. It felt divine. My shoulders lost some of their tension as I relaxed my body against his leg. Only then did he speak.
    “I didn’t quite place you as a stalker, but I think you would’ve come close to meeting the current definition of one, don’t you? Every where I went, there you were. Like a little chick trailing after her momma.”
    I frowned, wishing I could share in his teasing amusement in how he came up with my nickname even as a thrill shot through me. All I could think of was that time “back then” was when I had unequivocally, positively, and for the rest of eternity been innocently mad for Alexander.
    Even my mother, the very one who had unceremoniously turned me over to my grandmother before leaving town with Alexander Whitman Draven Sr., had cautioned me to “have some dignity and pride” when it came to mooning over his son Alexander Monroe Draven II.
    “ A man likes a woman to have a bit of spine, Sophia. You left yours somewhere yonder. Must get that from your daddy because you sure as hell didn’t get it from me.”
    “I’m sorry. It’s so embarrassing. I can’t imagine how much trouble I caused for you.”
    “Aww, don’t be sad, Sophia. It was cute.” He tipped my chin up. “I eventually thought you would’ve dropped me once some jock got your attention. There was one in particular who wanted you to be his girl, remember?”
    “I didn’t want a jock. I wanted you. I