Page 55 of Fixer for the Billionaire

"Yeah, who knew?"

"I did, actually." She shakes her head, snorting lightly. "I knew that if you could just really focus on something—besides dating the cover models from the latest fashion magazines—you'd be great at it. And you are."

I give her my most arrogant smile, taking a step closer. "I see." I wait a beat. "Are you jealous of my dating history, Sanchez?"

She scoffs, but it sounds hollow. I take another step toward her, and she playfully pushes against my chest. "Sure. Keep dreaming, Casanova."

I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The musky warmth of her vanilla perfume mixes with the scent of fresh flowers in the hotel suite.

"Oh, I don't need to dream," I murmur, leaning in close enough to feel her breath on my lips. "I've got the real thing right here."

She rolls her eyes but lets me close the gap, our lips meeting in a soft kiss. Her body feels plush beneath my fingers, and I relish the sensation of her against me.

I'm getting harder, knowing it's just the two of us. No company offices. No party terraces. Just me and her.

I kiss her deeper, my tongue tangling with hers as I back her against the wall. She moans into my mouth, making me even more excited. But before things can escalate, she pulls away.

Clearing her throat, she creates space between us. "We should shower and get ready for dinner with Danity and her publicist. Plus, I'm filthy after the plane ride."

I check my watch. "We've got another hour, at least. Besides, I like you filthy." I tilt my head toward hers. "I like you any way I can get you, sweetheart."

As I lean in to kiss her again, she steps out of my embrace. "Save it for later, lover boy. We've got a dinner to attend and I don't want to show up looking like a hot mess."

I watch Carmina, noticing the stiffness in her spine, the shift in her eyes. I can almost hear the thoughts buzzing in her head.

I run a hand across my mouth. "Shit. That comment about the jealousy stuff—too much, huh? Fuck, I’m an idiot."

Carmina crosses her arms. "Oh please, you wish I was that easy to read."

I stare at her, my throat tightening. "Darling, you don't even know how easy you are to read for me. That 'lover boy' comment?" I frown. "Car, I swear: If there's anything I can do to make you feel secure, please tell me."

She looks at me for a moment before her shoulders sag. "There is." She motions toward one of the bathrooms. "You can start by getting ready for dinner. And I'll do the same."

Placing my hands in my pockets, I nod. "Alright. I'll see you in a bit then."

As she turns to retrieve the luggage the bag handler brought in earlier, it takes everything in my power not to reach for her again. There's a distance growing between us, and I don't know how to stop it. But for now, I'll play along with Carmina's request and give us some space.

I enter the bathroom, still feeling slightly frustrated and confused. I know that if I push too hard, she'll only pull further away. I take a deep breath as I head into the shower, trying to think of ways to make tonight go more smoothly than it’s going right now.

Chapter Twenty-Two

CARMINA

Inside the dimly lit luxury of our oversized SUV, I replay the evening in my head.

There we were, Quentin and I, dressed to the nines like we stepped out of a glossy magazine.

Yet beneath my meticulously chosen attire and expertly applied makeup, turbulence churned.

Dinner with Danity and her publicist felt like performing in a well-rehearsed play. Quentin and I played our parts flawlessly, but my heart wasn't in it.

Every polite laugh and casual exchange felt like a step further away from the raw, unexpected connection Quentin and I had stumbled into back at the hotel.

Now, as city lights zip past the tinted windows, the weight of the evening, Jenny's wedding, and everything else presses down on me.

After walking away from Quentin's kiss, I holed up in the hotel suite’s bathroom, doing the one thing that used to make me feel better: calling Jenny.

My best friend and soon-to-be bride picked up, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

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