Page 8 of The Billionaire Dating Game

“However.” Mrs. Harper cleared her throat. “You and your friend are in breach of contract.”

Candice wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t sign anything.”

“Your friend did when she accepted the terms of the date on the Holidates App—” Mrs. Ford held up her hand to stop Candice’s protest—“before you and she decided to change the terms of the agreement without my client’s knowledge.”

The lawyer pulled out a yellow notepad and vigorously scribbled across the front. That tactic had worked in the past, more often than not, and Alexei tried to appear unfazed. No one liked to see a growing tally of their misdeeds scribbled on a legal pad, and based on Candice Harper’s widening eyes, she was no exception.

Watching her smile and charm the guests at the fundraiser, he could tell she genuinely liked to please people, putting those around her at ease and in turn, people seemed to sincerely like her. Except for his ex who wore a sour face the entire evening, and he had enjoyed every second of Jasmine’s discomfort. Let her feel what it was like to be talked about. It was a small sample of what was to come.

“I was going home, but it wasn’t to renege on anything.”

“No?” he asked, skeptical.

“You wanted Anna. I mean, who wouldn’t want Anna by their side. She’s got all the things you’re looking for to charm your rich friends.” She glanced at the lawyer. “I was going home to get Anna and—”

His mood darkened another notch. “Don’t discount your qualities, Candice. I would have sent you packing if you didn’t handle yourself so well with Jasmine.” She was also witty and astute, and more than once last night he had found himself smiling at her dry sense of humor.

“Yeah,” she said, rolling her eyes. “So many great qualities. Is that why you’re upset you didn’t get, Anna? I admit, she would have been the perfect upgrade to make Jasmine jealous…” Candice flushed, not finishing her remark.

If he looked anything like he felt, caged, barely restrained, then he must look beastly to her as he dared her to continue to berate herself. Just then, he wanted to wipe the sarcasm from her mouth by plundering it with his tongue.

Everything she said was true. But he’d also chosen Anna because as beautiful as she appeared, she did nothing for him. Anna reminded him of betrayal. Her sole purpose was to get under his ex’s skin. Candice on the other hand was down to earth. Refreshing. The woman standing before him tempted Alexei in ways that would make her run if she knew the thoughts racing through his head.Did she not know how endearing she was?

“It doesn’t matter. My business is no longer with Anna,” he said. “It’s withyou.”

She shivered, and it made his mouth water.

Mrs. Ford cleared her throat. “So we are clear,” the lawyer said, “you can return the down payment by the end of the day, or I’ll be forced to take legal action against you for fraud.”

“I don’t have your money,” she whispered.

Alexei shrugged. After the fundraiser, Stephen performed a thorough background check and Alexei knew where most of the money went.

“I paid my outstanding balance for my last semester,” she said, probably hoping for sympathy.

“The school might be interested in knowing how you acquired those funds, wouldn't they?” He held her gaze and watched her eyes widen.

“You wouldn’t…”

“Mr. Popova means if you continue the pretense for the summer, you can resume your life.”

Candice chewed her bottom lip, but he knew she couldn't afford to repay him. Yet he waited silently for her answer. He was a patient man.

“Fine,” she finally said. “I’ll be your party pal for the next eight weeks—”

Alexei abruptly stood, closing the distance between them and tilting her chin until she peered into his eyes.

“Aye, dios mio,” she squealed.

He wanted no illusions between them. “Let’s get something straight. I’m not your pal or your bro. I’m not your college sweetheart.” He tilted her chin higher, his gaze seizing on her quivering lips. Alexei couldn’t help himself. He ran his thumb down the center of her slightly parted mouth, his dick hardening as moisture gathered on the pad of his finger. Moisture he craved to taste. “For the next two months, you are mine.Only mine.”

“My jailer,” she offered without conviction.

“Your everything.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Candice

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