Page 30 of The Billionaire Dating Game

Candice frowned. She’d never bailed on paying her rent. Never.

“Miss Harper, I was hoping you would have called me back by now. I’m sorry to say I can’t rent to you knowing you owe another apartment back rent.”

Oak Ridge Properties?She’d never lived there but that didn’t mean a name change hadn’t happened to one of her previous residences. Still, they claimed Candice owed money. She could barely afford a decent place, how was she going to fight against having the credit she’d worked hard to build ruined?

Her hands shook as she maneuvered through her contacts to find the one person already in Lousiana who could help on such short notice. She didn’t want to call Anna, especially after their last conversation, but it was too late to call her parents.

“Hey, girl,” Anna said, breathlessly. “You have the worst timing,”

Candice flushed. Two things made her friend winded, exercise and sex. At this hour, the latter was a safe bet. “I didn’t find a place yet and hoped I could crash at your place when I get back,” she asked.

“Uh…it’s a one-bedroom, but sure you can stay.”

Candice closed her eyes at hearing the hesitation in Anna’s voice. Not having a place complicated her final semester. She was going to stay with Anna long enough to have her things sent to her parents’ house. “It wouldn’t be more than a night or two.” Her eyes snapped open as Alexei entered the room. His bowtie was loose, and he’d already removed his jacket. “I’ll call you later, thanks.” She hung up.

“What’s the matter?”

Oh no, she wasn’t going to start asking Alexei for favors…

“You’re worrying your lip again.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Tell me.”

After a brief hesitation, she told him about the call. “I’m confused. I never heard of Oak Ridge before now.”

“You can stay with me.”

She shook her head. Nope. She wasn’t that girl anymore. “I’ll go home to my parents until I can call the property.”

He swiped his hand roughly through his hair, pulling at the strands. “You wouldn’t reach anyone.”

Wait. What?“Of course I’ll reach someone. I have to get the debt removed from my credit.”

“No one will pick up your call because it’s an umbrella company.”

Her skin prickled.

“My company,” he clarified.

“You did this to me…intentionally?”Why?She’d played by his rules, done everything he’d asked and more. She’d smiled at his events, spoken to, and sweet-talked his investors.

Hurt stabbed her heart.

He moved toward her, and she stepped back. “I wanted you with me. I still do.” His teeth clenched, but he didn’t try to crowd her space.

“You didn’t need manipulation, Alexei.” She took a steadying breath. “How long?”

His jaw clenched again.

“You showing up at my apartment on Anna’s moving day wasn’t a coincidence, was it?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Can you deny there is something real between us?”

“You don’t want me, Alexei. You want someone to manage.”

This time he crowded her until her back pressed against the wall. “Do I look like a man who doesn’t know what he wants? I wanted you the moment you dared to leave the hotel in Paris.”

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