Page 56 of Marrying a Billionaire

The man stopped and looked her up and down. He must have taken pity on her because he reached into his suit coat and handed over one. “Make it quick,” he said.

Lillian nodded as she dialed Reed’s number.

It took four rings for him to answer.

“Hello?”

Butterflies erupted in Lillian’s stomach. His voice was so familiar. The cadence cause shivers to race across her skin. At this moment, all she wanted to do was see him.

“Hey, Reed.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Lillian? Whose phone are you calling me from?”

She glanced over at the balding man who raised his eyebrows as if to signify he was running out a patience. “A really nice man on the side of the street.”

He scoffed and motioned for her to finish up.

Reed cleared his throat. “Where’s Joshua?”

Lillian chewed her lip. “He’s. . . gone.”

“Gone?”

She closed her eyes, praying that he’d go along with what she was asking. “Can you come get me?”

More silence. “Where are you?”

After giving him the cross streets from where she stood, Reed said he’d been there in a few minutes and hung up. The man took his phone and left here standing there, in the rain.

Now alone, she had minutes to regret just what she’d done. Why did she call Reed? What was she going to say to him? She shivered as she pushed herself farther under the building behind her. Fearing what Reed would do if she left to find more protection, she stayed.

Finally, his car pulled up to the sidewalk and he jumped out of his car. Running over to her, his gaze ran over her. “What are you doing out in the rain?” he asked, shrugging off his coat and lifting it over her head.

“I had to talk to you.” She glanced up at him, hoping he’d see just what she was trying to say.

He hesitated, meeting her gaze. “What about?”

“I didn’t take the money,” she blurted out.

Water dripped off Reed’s hair as he continued to study her. She probably looked like a drowned rat, but she wasn’t going to move. She had Reed right where she wanted him and there was no way she was going to let this moment pass. She was going to tell him just how she felt.

“Why?” he asked.

She stepped closer to him, judging his reaction. He didn’t move to get away from her which she took as a good sign.

“Because it didn’t feel right. To me, there was no more contract.” She took another step toward him. “Because I fell in love with you.” She raised her gaze to meet his. What she saw took her breath away.

Reed’s forehead was furrowed as he studied her. As if he were trying to digest the information.

“Reed, I love you,” she repeated. Why wasn’t he saying anything?

He ran his hand through his hair as he glanced to the side. She watched as he squinted. Then he turned to look at her. “Are you sure?” He looked hopeful but also nervous. As if she held the fate of his heart in her hands.

She stepped up to him, this time, closing the gap between their bodies. She reached out and rested her hands on his chest. She could feel his pounding heart against her hands. Relief flooded her body. He was just as nervous as she was. When she peeked up at him, she saw that his expression had turned serious.

“I loved you from the moment I saw you standing in your little apartment.” He bent closer to her, his lips hovering just above hers.

---