The Billionaire's Embrace (The Silver Cross Club) by Bec Linder Read Free Book Online Page B

fire—and I was determined to make as much money as possible while I still had the opportunity.
    My savings account had hit five figures the week before. I’d never had that much money in my life.
    Carter probably spent that much on your average Tuesday afternoon.
    That wasn’t fair. I hadn’t actually seen him do anything particularly extravagant. His apartment was really nice—the skylights, the big windows—but it only had one bedroom, and the furnishings were obviously well-made but not flashy. No gold-plated statues of baby angels or anything. And there was the car and driver, and the nice restaurants, and the expensive suits, but I didn’t think any of those things were out of the ordinary for a billionaire. He ran a multinational corporation; he probably had to maintain appearances to some extent. Play the part to keep his investors happy. I didn’t know for sure if investors cared about that sort of thing, but I had a feeling they did.
    He was rich, and he lived like a rich person, but he didn’t have a pet tiger or diamond-encrusted silverware. He had the things that I would probably want to have, if I were rich.
    I rubbed my temples. Too much thinking before noon. I dragged myself out of bed and turned on the coffee maker. Everything would make more sense once I had some caffeine.
    While I was waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, I texted Carter. Dinner at 6:30. Sadie lives in Carroll Gardens so we can meet there. There was no reason for him to come all the way to my neighborhood and then backtrack to Sadie’s place. I typed in her address and hit send.
    He didn’t respond until I was settled on the couch with my coffee, making my usual morning rounds of blogs and email. Don’t be silly. I’ll come pick you up. What should I bring? Wine?
    I thought about it. Wine was usually a safe bet, but Sadie had said Indian food, and I didn’t know what else she had planned. I’ll have her call you if that’s okay .
    Sure. I’m in meetings all morning, but she can leave a message. Can’t wait to see you tonight.
    I bit my lip to hold back a foolish grin. That was the problem with Carter: my brain told me that it couldn’t last, that it would end in sorrow and suffering, but my heart wanted him so much that it bloomed in my chest, an extravagant flower, with the slightest provocation. He was kind, and thoughtful, and good , a fundamentally decent person, and that was why I hadn’t bailed yet. He gave me hope. His earnest belief that the world was a good and worthwhile place was contagious. Being around him made me feel like everything would turn out okay.
    Foolishness. False dreams. I looked around my apartment, grounding myself in reality. Dirty dishes, overflowing hamper, drug addicts yelling outside. Real life. The way that real people lived.
    Well, real people didn’t have to live in filth. I spent the day cleaning, and then realized it was already 5:00, and Carter would be ringing my doorbell in less than an hour. Panicked, I hopped in the shower, and then spent far too long trying to decide what I wanted to wear. A dress? Jeans and a nice top? A skirt and a slouchy t-shirt, for the casual-but-classy look? I had finally settled on skinny jeans and a silky blouse when my doorbell rang.
    My hair was still wet, and I hadn’t put on an ounce of makeup. I swore a blue streak. Whatever. Sadie and Ben had seen me looking worse, and Carter would just have to cope. I pulled on my coat and clattered down the stairs.
    Carter was waiting for me in the vestibule. He was wearing—oh God—his usual outfit of wool slacks and a dress shirt, overcoat slung over his arm. At least his sleeves were rolled up. I should have told him to dress down. We were just going to dinner at Sadie’s apartment; he didn’t need to look so fancy.
    I opened the door. “You’re early,” I said. “I mean, you’re not early, you’re right on time, but I lost track of time, and—I didn’t have time to do my hair, or—”
    He