Page 58 of Most Eligible Billionaire

“So entitled,” I breathe, finally mustering up the strength to shove away his hand.

He pins me with his gaze. “I’ll wait. I can bide my time.”

“Well, you’re going to have to wind your watch to infinity.”

A baffled light appears in his eyes. Like a baffled light of wonder. That’s probably fake, too. Fake fake fake. I’m not interested in his fake seduction.

I pull out my phone. “So what is this groundbreaking thing?”

He takes a ragged breath. Like he’s so overwhelmed he can’t talk for a bit.

I roll my eyes. “Seriously?” But inside, where he can’t see, I’m shaking with need for him.

In a rough voice, he tells me about the facility, and how getting a reputation in high-tech research could lead to some important jobs.

Eighteen

Vicky

The groundbreaking turnsout to be a lot of people in their Sunday best standing on bare dirt inside a fenced-in lot that takes up nearly an entire block.

And cameras. Lots of cameras.

I put Smuckers on his long retractable leash and let him run around and receive petting from his minions. I smile and laugh and discreetly lower my sunglasses.

But I can’t help wonder what Henry had planned. What if I had said yes? Would we be at a hotel right now instead of here? Butterflies whirl in my belly every time I look over at him.

Brett comes over and presents Smuckers with a plastic squeaky shovel in Locke blue and everybody’s taking pictures of him running around with it in his mouth.

Then the people involved with the facility get a silver shovel with a blue handle and they all take turns digging bits of dirt out of the ground.

When it’s Henry’s turn, he takes off his suit jacket, rolls up his shirtsleeves, and digs up a massive shovelful of earth, heaving it aside. Everybody’s clapping, and he’s standing in the sunshine with his wicked, billion-dollar Henry Locke smile. He jams the shovel into the dirt and grabs his suit coat, slings it over his shoulder.

When the applause dies down, he shoots a sly glance my way. He pretends to wind his watch.

He’s mouthing a word.Infinity.

My face flares hot. But I just shake my head. Like I’m immune.

Brett has his own shtick. He holds Smuckers in his arms as if they’re wielding the shovel together. Afterward, people close in and pet Smuckers. I realize that Henry never pets Smuckers just for the pleasure of it.

“You guys got him a little Locke shovel,” I say once we’re back in the limo. “Nice optics.”

“I meant what I said,” he says. “I’m waiting.”

“For me to come and kiss you,” I say.

“And then all bets are off, Vicky.”

My mouth goes dry. “I heard you the first time.” I try to think how to change the mood. I want to kiss him. Right now. In this place. “Do you not like dogs?”

He frowns. “I like dogs.”

“I don’t think you do. The only time you ever pet Smuckers is…for a purpose. You want to make him paddle his legs or calm down or something. You never just pet him out of fun.”

“He’s just a dog, Vicky.” He doesn’t deny it, and I feel a little sorry for him right then.

“You hardly ever even say his name.”

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