Page 47 of The Billionaire's Ride

I smack my forehead with my palm, and a sharp pain ripples over my head. Ouch! That’s not the only thing that hurts. The muscles in my back, hips, and legs are all sore. Pilates doesn’t even get me this achy. Who knew sex could be such an amazing workout?

I splash cold water over my face and look in the mirror. My eyes are pink with smudged mascara shadowed beneath them. I dig out myin case of emergencyaspirins from my mini clutch and scoop sips of water into my mouth. Using the few resources I have at my disposal, I fashion myself as presentable as possible. But I could really use a brush. Wild sex and sleek hair don’t mix.

Back in the bedroom, I take in the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. London is awake but Drew’s still asleep. I set his white button-down on the bed, even though I’m tempted to take it with me as a souvenir. Snatching my stilettos from the floor, I tiptoe toward the door.

“Good morning,” Drew utters in a sexy, groggy voice just before I cross over into the hall. “You sneaking out on me?”

My stance stiffens. Yes. I slowly turn back. “No, I just didn’t want to wake you.”

He’s lying on his side, propped up with his arm. White linens cover his lower half. His cut six-pack looks even more defined in the morning sun. And those tattoos. Damn, why is he so freaking sexy? Sexy for me.

Drew pats the mattress. “Why don’t you come back to bed for a while?” That intense, hungered look reflects in his eyes. It’s so tempting. How can I say no tothat? Besides, who needs an investor when I can be naked with him again instead?

But I can’t skip out on the meeting. That would be like breaking twenty million rules at once. For the first time, I’m actually torn between business andbusiness.

Drew slides the sheet over, revealing he’s stiff as a board. I wet my bottom lip.

Screw it. I need his hands on my body.

I drop my snakeskin heels and lunge into his arms. We embrace in a warm, morning-mouth kiss. His cologne has faded, but his natural smell is even more intoxicating. He yanks the belt strap and pushes my trench coat off my shoulders. It’s early. I’m tired. Hungover. And still, heat radiates beneath my ruby lace thong.

My body’s ripe and ready for him now. He throws me back on the mattress, kissing my neck. I tilt my head back, looking out onto the view of a busy metropolitan city. It’s Monday morning. All of London is working.

Drew is about to work me, but I can’t shake the warning thought. I’m here in England for a reason. A very important reason, and it’s not to have crazy amazing sex with a man I just met. Though it’s been an unexpected perk. I’m here to save my brand and my store. If I skip or reschedule this meeting, I can pretty much kiss the Kate Golden Lingerie London store goodbye.

“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath.

Drew stops nibbling my neck and gives me a perplexed look. “What’s wrong?”

“I have to go,” I grumble with an exaggerated frown.

“Why? I’m just getting started,” he says with that smile I can’t resist. And I wouldlovefor him to finish. I want to finish. Again. And again. And again. He’s already proven he can make that happen.

I let out a sigh. “I have a really important meeting with a potential investor in a few hours. I spent all day yesterday sewing so I need time to prepare.”

“Oh.” He sits up, looking like I just snatched away his favorite plaything. “Why are you meeting with an investor?”

I find my coat dangling off the edge of the bed and cover myself again. “My company’s revenue has been falling since I took a break, and the London store isn’t performing the way it should. I have a plan to save the brand, but I need more capital to do it.”

“How much do you need?” he asks.

“Twenty million is ideal.” Why am I telling him this? Only a handful of people even know I’m scrambling for more cash, and none of them are strangers. Okay, Drew’s not exactly a stranger, but we hardly know each other. We just met.

Drew narrows his eyes in thought, then lets out a stiff breath through his nose with a serious look. “How about I give you the money? You can cancel your meeting and stay here with me today.” He takes my hand and pecks a kiss near my ring.

“Oh sure, you’re going to give me twenty mil just so I can stay in bed with you,” I say with a slight eye roll.

“I’m serious,” he says.

Holy crap. I think he is serious.

“Hold on,” I say, raising a hand. “You really have that kind of money?”

He shrugs. “Yeah.”

“And you would just give it to me?” Who is this guy? Aside from being the orgasm-whisperer?

“Yes.” His eyes bulge like he doesn’t see what the big deal is.

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