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

and stretched his arm over the empty side of the bed. No, she’s not where I need her. His heart raced at the thought. Was this what it was like to fall for someone? He had been so sheltered and protected all his life, then thrown into his work, that he never got the opportunity to meet someone. Anyone. Even making friends was difficult. Now, for the first time in his life, his marital status required his full attention. He just never expected it to turn out like this. Amongst the web of lies lay something warm and authentic. Like a beating heart. Emily looked so casual, with her usually tamed hair frizzing at the ends, her make-up smudged under her eyes… and that outfit. David swallowed, then grinned so wide he felt it in his eyebrows. She is adorable. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her. Kiss her. Confess everything. He sensed she had feelings too. But could he bring himself to go there while he hid the truth from her? No. Their initial meeting was built on a bed of lies. He didn’t want a relationship to develop, only for her to wonder if any of it was real.

Maybe he could have it all? Emily was perfect. Of course, she’s perfect. His father scouted her out for him. David wrestled with his thoughts, biting down on his knuckles with frustration. He thought about marching across the hall, barging into Emily’s room, getting down on his knees, and telling her everything. Begging for her forgiveness. Declare his true feelings and… and what? He scoffed. Wake her up, invade her privacy, force her to forgive him. Not a good plan.

But maybe when the truth was out, the whole truth, along with his intense desire to make this relationship real… Maybe they could have it all? With that hopeful thought, David’s body finally relaxed, allowing him to sink into a dreamless sleep.

David pressed the palms of his hands against the marble tile and closed his eyes, allowing the muscles in his back to loosen against the warm spray of the shower. He inhaled, filling the lungs with menthol steam and turned the faucet. The heat faded and cold splashes drenched his body, extinguishing the intense passion that had woken him up.

Gritting his teeth, he stepped out of the shower and dried off. His brain wrestled with the thought of telling Emily about his father’s agreement, and how he’d heard of her. But not only that––more than anything––he wanted to admit the awkward truth, so he could tell her what he really wanted her to know. That my feelings are real. I need her.

David pulled on a pair of dark pants and flung a towel over his right shoulder. His ruffled his damp hair and brushed his teeth, all the while trying not to guess what Emily was doing at that moment. Every time his brain settled on thoughts of her, the heat and tension in his body rose.

“Omeba, schedule an emergency appointment with Noelle.”

“Sending Noelle Sunderland a message now. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Tell the kitchen to prepare breakfast.”

“Yes, Mr. Marks.”

Jitters ran up and down David’s body and he threw himself on the floor into a plank pose. He huffed and puffed as he did a handful of push ups and stood again, his heart rate thumped against his eardrums and his arms tingled. He only had a couple of hours of actual sleep, but he was buzzing with adrenaline.

After the quick fifteen-minute power workout, he strode across his room and pulled on a blue polo shirt. Taking a deep breath, he took a moment to compose himself, his hand hovering over the silver handle of his bedroom door. Then he pushed it open and walked out into the living area. The sunlight streamed through the large pane windows and cast a dreamy glow over the furniture in the room. His eyes darted around, searching for her. And there she was.

Emily sat hunched over the breakfast bar, her long dark hair was damp and left wet patches down the back of her cotton shirt. She was chewing her bottom lip while reading her phone. The sight of her sent David’s senses running wild again. He wondered how many cold showers were in his future.

He needed to tell her the truth, because he needed her.

Chapter Thirteen

A Billionaire Makeover

Emily looked up from her phone to see David standing across the room staring at her. His arms were bulging and his wet hair glistened.

“Morning.” She tucked her hair behind an ear. “You don’t have a hairdryer do you? I forgot to pack mine.” She tried to towel dry her hair the best she could without making it frizz, but without a dryer she knew she was fighting a losing battle.

David didn’t speak for a moment. Or move. Emily raised her brows and wondered whether he was in shock. Perhaps he had forgotten that she stayed over? Emily wasn’t sure. But something stopped him in his tracks and the look in his eyes was difficult to read. She jumped down from the high stool and placed her phone on the counter top.

“Are you okay?”

She walked barefoot across the floor, closing the space between them a little more with every step. Once she was close enough to see his pupils, he jumped into action.

“Morning, sorry. I think I’m still half asleep.”

His face transformed from a look of shock to a casual smile. He took a couple of steps forward and bent down to kiss Emily on the cheek. She touched his arm and turned her face to meet his lips but before they touched, David jumped back like he’d been electrocuted.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, everything is… I’m mean you’re… look at you.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed. She watched David awkwardly lean against the couch, stumbling as he slipped and swinging his arms to catch his balance. Is he nervous?

“You’re being weird,” she said frankly as she crossed her