Page 32 of The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

“You’d need a lot more time and an expertly qualified psych degree to figure that out.” She shrugs. “They care about reputations. Their wealth. Their prestige. They look down on anyone who’s not famous or rich, deeming them unworthy—”

I bark out a hard laugh full of disdain. “That’s, like, the majority of the world.”

Another shrug. “I’m just telling you it how it is. They’re rigid on what is acceptable in life, and since I was a child, I was held to their exacting expectations and had to follow their rules.”

“Including a marriage to that guy?” I can’t hide my anger.

“Jeremy knew how to appease them. He appealed to them, agreeing with what they thought I should do as a girlfriend, fiancée, and wife. My mother mapped out my entire life from the moment I was born, and my father was the machination to make it happen to ensure I was their perfect, precious daughter molded from their values and dreams.”

I shake my head. I’m no stranger to wealth. I’ve grown up with millions and since my father’s leadership, billions. But I’ve never considered a confining life like what she describes. Sure, I’ve faced expectations from my father and my grandparents, too, when they were alive.

It’s unfathomable, but I’ve met enough of the super-rich to realize it’s probably more common than I’d like to think.

“But he’s only going to use you,” I protest. “You know that, right?”

She sharpens her gaze on me, getting defensive. “I’m not stupid. Or blind.”

“Then you’re aware he’s only after you for money.” I shake my head. “I understand the desire to please your parents and obey them, but—”

“No.” She cuts me off and stands. “I don’t want to please them. I’m simply expected to.”

I stand, scowling down at her. I refuse to understand how anyone could be that stuck, but I know I’m an outsider. I haven’t experienced it to have any say and any right to lecture her.

“You’re worth way more than what Jeremy thinks.”

She turns from me, mumbling under her breath and shaking her head. “Like you would know. You don’t know me, Caleb.”

“I want to.”

“No. You see me as an easy lay. Nothing more.”

“That’s not true.” I dash around her, gripping her upper arms and wanting to shake her to make her see sense.

“Fine. You still don’t know me.”

“I want—” I lick my lips.

“You want me?” She smirks, sassy. “Join the club. Jeremy wants my money and I doubted he was ever really interested in sleeping with me. Whereas you, after knowing me for days, decided you don’t care about my wealth but want to screw all night while you’re on vacation. Stellar options I’ve got there, huh?”

Again, I’m turned on and captivated by her anger. She’s snarky and strong, so bold and sexy when she’s mad, but I can’t act on it. Not now. Not ever, it seems.

“I know—”

She raises on her tiptoes to get in my face. “You know nothing.”

I’ll be damned if she tries that. I break my resolve and crash my lips to hers. They’re soft and sweet, just like I imagined they would be. After her initial gasp of surprise, she softens against my mouth, releasing something that sounds like a low moan.

I growl, clutching her close.

I’ve kissed many women, but none of them can measure up to Lauren. Nothing can compare to the addictive heat she spreads through me. It’s such an incredible moment, I’m nearly knocked off my feet. It’s likely the reason why I’m unprepared for the sudden break of her lips on mine.

She steps back, panting and staring at me as I commit her to memory. I’ll take this image of her to the grave, relishing her wild look of barely controlled desire. Not only that, but the outrage that shines in her eyes. Her lips remain parted, glistening from my kiss, and I swallow hard.

Before I can speak, she furrows her brow and wipes her mouth with her sleeve.

“That can’t ever happen again,” she declares with vehemence before she rushes to the steps and jogs toward her cottage.

Chapter 13

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