Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 Laura Burton (books to read this summer .TXT) 📖

do you know Sam?” Catherine asked, despite herself. She bit her lip in retribution. Talking back was only going to fuel his ego.

“Oh, Sam and I had a nice little chat at the climate change event. He likes to drink, doesn’t he? Turns out, he can be quite talkative when he’s had a few.” Catherine inhaled sharply.

“What did he tell you?”

Calvin laughed wickedly now. Catherine could tell he was enjoying himself, but curiosity got the better of her. Edward had mentioned a deal back at her apartment. Was Calvin telling her the truth?

“Turns out, your new friend Edward, is a gambling man.”

A woman on the movie screamed, interrupting their conversation for a moment. Roars and rumbles followed.

“Where was I?” Calvin said. “Sam challenged Edward to get a woman to fall in love with him in ten days, without telling her he’s a billionaire. Quite a funny thought, if you think about it.”

Catherine frowned.

“Why ten days?” she asked.

“How should I know? I didn’t make up the rules,” Calvin burst out. Then he settled down again with a chuckle.

“He doesn’t really care about you. Don’t you get it? You were just an escapade. It turns out, Edward is a casanova with the ladies. He’s always buying his way into their… hearts.”

Catherine swallowed against the lump in her throat, unable to speak.

“I guess he got worried that no one would love him for who he was––you know, without the multi-million-dollar yacht.”

Another gunshot fired. Catherine jumped and let out a breath. Her hands were clammy and her nerves were racing back. Her moment of bravery had long passed, and this new information had her rattled. Had Edward been playing her all along? A twig snapped as Calvin stepped forward and he leaned in close to her ear.

“Now scream,” he whispered, raising the gun to her jawline. Catherine obeyed. Not because she was held at gunpoint, and not because Calvin told her to. She screamed out of fury and humiliation. Her whole being seemed to be on fire as she thought about the last week with Edward. Here she was, stuck between two men who thought so little of her, they treated her as a plaything.

“Good,” he whispered. Then, the gun clattered to the ground by Catherine’s foot and Calvin staggered back with his hands raised. Flashes of light flooded through the trees and Catherine shielded her eyes.

“She’s all yours,” Calvin shouted, laughing maniacally. A resounding whack echoed around the tree growth and a moan followed.

“Catherine, are you okay?” Edward’s baby blues shone in the LED lights as he reached out his hand for her. Catherine shakily took it. A flood of men entered and two of them had Calvin detained.

“The cops are on their way pal, say goodbye to freedom.”

Edward stooped down and picked Catherine up in his arms. Cheers and applause filled the air as Edward carried Catherine out of the hedge growth and back onto the path. Catherine looked up to see the credits rolling on the big screen and people were clapping.

“How did you find me?”

“We heard the gunshots, and then you screamed… do you know that even your scream is musical?” Edward explained, lowering her down. Catherine looked around bewildered, her arms still trembling. It was as if nothing untoward had taken place. It was just another movie night in Hamilton park and the local residents were making their way back to their houses. Catherine looked over to the historical band stand near them and pointed to it.

“Walk with me?” she asked, taking Edward’s hand. He grinned widely at her, his dimples on show again. Catherine glanced at the commotion of officers taking Calvin away. A huddle of men stood some way off in a circle. They appeared to be deep in conversation.

Catherine looked down as they walked hand in hand. Calvin wanted to be found. It all ended too easily. Was this part of his twisted plan? He had told her all about Edward’s deal. She wondered what he had to gain out of that. Obliterating her trust for Edward? Was that the closure he wanted? There were so many questions, that even the sight of Calvin being handcuffed by the police did not make her less troubled.

She stepped up into the bandstand and turned to look Edward in the eye. His looked like the most beautiful piece of art, sculpted by a master. His face was chiselled, with two dimples at his cheeks. The corners of his eyes creased, and those baby blues twinkled like stars at her. She sighed for a moment, lost in the blissful happiness of his countenance. Catherine didn’t want to ruin his joy just yet. Instead, she ran her hands up his arms and dragged them down his chest. Her fingertips traced his firm abs and she reached round to his upper back. His muscles clenched under her touch and she gasped as he pulled her in close, her hips pressed up against his.

“You keep saving me,” she whispered. Edward pressed his lips against her collarbone, his hands clutched her back and he moaned. “Edward, I have to tell you something.” Edward made a trail of kisses up to her jawline and pulled back to look in her eyes.

“What is it?” he asked, winded. Catherine stroked his cheek and tucked a tuft of dark hair behind his ear. His scent was so comforting and familiar. His touch set her senses wild. It was so odd to Catherine that something so wrong, could feel so right. This man had been playing with her from the beginning, yet she couldn’t deny the chemistry between them was strong. She tugged at his neck and stood on tip toes to meet his lips.

Fireworks exploded in the sky. More applause followed and Catherine moaned as she lost herself in Edward’s embrace. His lips warmed her entire face. They collapsed against each other, hands roaming every inch of their upper bodies. His warm breaths showered her bare skin, she sighed as he kissed her neck. And he groaned, as