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

of the phone prompted her to continue. She exhaled. “I graduated from Oxford university with honors in psychology, focusing on family and relationships. I also studied business, so when I left university, I decided to combine my skills and knowledge and start up a match-making business here in New York.”

“If I wanted to know about your education and career, I would have read your resume.” Matthew’s tone of voice sat like an anvil on Emily’s chest.

“Note taken, then what is it you want to know about me?”

“Tell me about your hobbies, your family… what makes you, Emily Stewart?”

Emily looked up at the white ceiling and opened her mouth in surprise. Now that’s a question. What makes me… me? Emily chewed her lip anxiously.

“I am a people person; it’s why I love what I do. I am too busy for hobbies. My work is my hobby. When I’m not meeting with clients and potential matches, I am writing up documentation, studying the market, and networking with other business owners.”

“Are you married?”

“No, I’m––”

“So, you’re in a long-term relationship, I gather?”

Emily’s brows furrowed as she pouted at the hand receiver.

“No, no, I’m far too busy to maintain a relationship of my own.” She laughed in an attempt to sound lighthearted. Matthew mumbled something incoherent.

“As you have seen in my proposal, Find My Companion has been in business for almost ten years. We have twelve employees and an extensive client list. I am confident that opening a site in LA is the best move to expand and dramatically grow our business. I assure you; this business opportunity is quite lucrative; market research has shown––”

“I’m just curious….” Matthew’s firm voice stopped Emily in her tracks, and she fell silent.

“Yes?”

“What do you know about love?” Matthew’s words hit Emily squarely between the eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she spluttered, now digging her claw-like false nails into the edge of her desk.

“You’re not married… you’re not in a relationship. It doesn’t sound like a good image for someone who sells love.”

“I would have you know that I have a vast number of happy clients who have found—”

“I’m going to make this simple,” Matthew said frankly. “Get yourself a husband, then we’ll talk about investing.”

Emily bit her lip firmly.

“You’re not going to invest because I’m not married?” Emily asked incredulously, she surveyed the bare ring finger on her left hand as she spoke.

“If you want to increase your brand and maximize exposure, you need to look the part.”

“So, I need to be married?” I can’t believe this! Emily fumed.

“Ideally, yes.”

“Right, so I just go out and get myself a husband and we’ll talk again?” Emily glared into the phone.

“Hey, finding a match is what you do, isn’t it?” Matthew chortled.

Emily forced a smile as she spun around in her chair and stared out at the sky rise across the road. The large office windows reflected the sunshine, shielding the image of the thousands of faceless workers going about their day.

“Right, piece of cake,” she mumbled after she and Mathew exchanged their goodbyes and she hung up the phone.

“Jaqueline!” The cream door swung open and Jaqueline’s narrow frame appeared in the doorway.

“Yes, Ms. Stewart?” she asked quickly.

“Bring me the file of our eligible bachelors, and I need you to get me a cinnamon bun from that donut place across the street.”

“Actually, Ms. Stewart, someone is sitting in the waiting room for you,” Jaqueline said furtively.

“What? Who is it? I told you to cancel my appointments.”

“Yes, Ms. Stewart, but this man very much wants to speak with you. He says it’s urgent.”

Emily stared at Jaqueline’s hazel eyes and took a moment to process the news.

“Okay, fine. Send him in.” She sighed as Jaqueline nodded and left the room again.

Emily stood up and straightened her pencil skirt and stared at the door as she prepared for the unexpected visitor to walk through. Soon enough, the door opened again and in walked the tallest man Emily had ever seen. He ducked gracefully as he walked across the threshold and as he stood up straight again, his dark wavy hair flicked back as if in slow motion. Emily stared at him with wide eyes, dazzled by his charming smile while their eyes locked. It took a few moments for her to realize that his mouth was opening and closing when her ears finally decided to tune in.

“… I do appreciate you allowing me to impose on your schedule at such short notice.” His voice was low and silky. He had an English school-boy accent. Emily’s breath caught in her chest and she grinned widely as she stared at him with sheer delight. His broad shoulders bulged from beneath his designer grey suit and a flash of light by his wrist caught her attention. Is that a Rolex?

“I hope you don’t mind, this is Robert and Joffrey.” He motioned behind him. Emily leaned to the side and caught sight of two huge men standing by the door. One of them was balding at the sides, the other had a full red beard.

“Hello, I’m so sorry I didn’t catch your name.” Emily stretched out her hand and offered it to the gentleman. He took hers in a firm hold, and she looked down to see the watch on his wrist. Definitely a Rolex.

“David,” he said softly. They broke contact and Emily gestured to the two white couches sitting across a coffee table in the center of her office.

“Come and take a seat, David.” They sat across from each other, while the two men stood motionless by the door.

“I’m a friend of one of your former clients…,” David began, offering her a bashful smile. That was normal, most of Emily’s clients were nervous during their consultation visit.

“Oh! That’s lovely, who?”

“Harold. He said you would be able to help me with my situation.”

“If it’s love you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place,” Emily said cheerfully.

David smiled broadly at her and then his smile faded as he eyed her seriously. “I require this to be dealt with… sensitively,” he