Page 46 of Meet Jon, the Billionaire

“Amy?” He moved around me until I had to look at him.

“What?”

“What’s going on?”

I remained tight-lipped for a few more seconds, and then I caved in. “Oh all right, fine. I think, I mean… I hope that… there’s some evidence, some empirical, objective evidence, that Jonathon likes me for me and isn’t just trying to get the corner lot.”

Yerkov and Pedro exchanged glances. Something unsaid passed between them and then Pedro turned to me, a look of compassion and concern in his eyes.

“Miss Amy…” he sighed. “Guys like this Tiger Thompson dude, they’re… I mean, they’ve got that silver tongue thing going for them, you know what I mean?”

“No, I don't know what you mean. Sure he’s a good conversationalist, but I—”

“What Pedro tries to say is, Jonathon Tiger Man is just pretending to like you.”

I recoiled as if I’d been hit with a cold mackerel across the cheek. “What?”

“I was trying to put it a lot more gently,” Pedro growled, glaring at Yerkov. “But now that it’s out there…”

I made a frustrated grunt and turned my back on them, heading for the office.

“Oh come on, Amy,” Pedro said, following me into the office. “You have to at least accept that it’s a possibility, right? I mean, he’s slick. You’re a smart cookie, don’t get me wrong—”

“Was that a bakery joke?”

“—but you wouldn’t be the first smart girl to get suckered by a handsome face, a lot of money, and some honey-covered words.”

I bristled, but Pedro held his hand out, palm facing me.

“Please don’t be mad, Amy. I’m not saying this to hurt your feelings. I’m saying this because I care, you know? I care about you.”

He heaved a long sigh and put his hands on my shoulders. “Forget what I said before. We don’t need that corner lot.”

“What? Why are you saying this now?”

“Because I think maybe you might like this guy, and if you weren’t competing for the lot—”

“Forget it,” I snapped. “We’re getting that corner lot, Pedro, no matter who I have to kill.”

I pushed him out of the office and shut it behind him. Then I plopped down in my chair and sulked. I didn’t want to be mad at Pedro, but I felt like there should have been at least some smidge of belief that I might be of interest to a man like Jonathon.

I drummed my fingers on the desk, torn as to what to do next.

Should I listen to them? They might be right. Maybe Jonathon really is out of my league…

I thought of the way he’d touched me, when he held my hand, and how disappointed he’d been when I wouldn’t let him. I thought of the soft, azure heat of his unwavering gaze when he devoured me with his mind.

I just couldn’t believe he wasn’t into me, even if it were just a little and the rest were all acting.

I picked up my phone and almost called, then realized I was in no condition to speak to anyone. I sent a text instead.

What do you want from me?????

I stared at my phone for a moment. No response. Not even a checkmark that he’d read it. I almost set the phone down in despair when I saw those three little dots do their undulating dance. I waited, heart thudding in my chest, as he typed out his response. When the message popped up, I nearly dropped my phone before I could read it. I was that wound up.

I just want you, Amelia.

I leaned back in my seat and held the phone to my chest, staring up at the ceiling through a blurry sheen of tears.

---