Page 8 of Billionaire's Bookworm

“My apologies for the presumptuous remarks,” Wade said slowly. “You’re right, it seems you’re a woman of more discerning tastes than I first realized.”

I scoffed. “Is that supposed to be a compliment? Because I’m still waiting for you to say something thatdoesn’tmake you sound like an arrogant jerkwad.”

This time, definite amusement flashed in his eyes. “Duly noted. I meant no disrespect, despite evidence to the contrary. Maybe we could start over?” He extended his hand. “Wade James. And you are...?”

I eyed his hand. He seemed sincere enough, but I wasn’t ready to let down my guard just yet. First impressions mattered, and frankly, his sucked. I could still feel my blood boiling over his lewd insinuations.

Like I had interest inanyman’s money.

I grudgingly bit out, “I’m Emma,” and ignored his outstretched hand. I knew it was rude, but I didn’t care.

Lunging forward, I grabbed Porky by his collar before he could dart off again, dragging him behind me as I stormed back in the direction of my cottage with a huff, fuming and fighting the blush I could feel suffusing every cell of my body. Porky of course, maddening floof that he was, dug his feet in every five steps, making the job of getting him home a million times harder than necessary.

“Porky!” I jerked his collar again and gave him my sternest Batman voice. It seemed to do the trick because he stopped fighting me and trailed behind me obediently, his ears drooping. I could still feel my neighbor’s gaze resting on us, burning a hole in my backside.

I only hoped my butt cheeks weren’t showing.

How infuriating,I fumed.

I jerked Porky along, engaging in a mental rant as we walked.

Assuming I’m some gold digger just because I wandered onto his property.

But there was something else, too—something in the way he looked at me that made my pulse race and my skin tingle. I didn’t want to admit it, but part of me liked that attention. Which only served to make me even more irate.

What the hell is wrong with you, Emma?You’re not some swooning damsel, and you definitely aren’t interested in some arrogant billionaire.

Right?

* * *

Wade

I watched her go,a reluctant grin curving my lips. There was fire and spirit to match her quick wit. And in that retort about my ego... a not so subtle hint she found me far less than charming.

Unexpected. And wholly intriguing.

She was different.

Not at all what I expected when I first saw her storming through my garden in those ridiculous slippers. Most women I encountered in my world were predictable, easily charmed or intimidated by my status.

But not her. She didn’t give a damn about my money, and that was... refreshing.

Maddening, but refreshing.

I should have been annoyed—hell, Iwasannoyed—but beneath that irritation was a spark of something else, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Was it possible I wanted to see her again?

The woman––Emma––half-jogged, half-stomped away, struggling to persuade her demented fur ball to leave my tasty garden behind. I admired her ass peeking out from beneath her shorts for a few minutes before my gaze fell on something odd and fuzzy sticking up in the sandy grass pathway a few feet from me.

A slipper.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

A dog-shaped one, no less.

I wonder how long it’ll take Cinderella in boy shorts to realize she’s left it behind.

The thought barely crossed my mind before I watched her throw up her hands in aggravation. That monstrous beast she calls a dog turned tail and bounded back toward my flower garden, its tongue flapping and teeth flashing white in the moonlight, nothing else showing but the whites of its eyes. The effect was an expression on its face that looked almost… gleeful.

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