Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3 by Laura Burton (learn to read books .TXT) 📕

dabbing her mouth with her napkin. David averted his eyes and took a sip of his drink, perhaps to avoid answering the question. They ate in silence for a few minutes, when the chef reappeared. She placed on the table a warm plate of cinnamon buns drenched in white icing. Emily licked her lips and grinned at the chef.

“These look delicious.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” She inclined her head with a slight bow. “I hope they live up to your expectations.”

Emily picked up a cinnamon roll and took a bite. A gentle explosion of vanilla and cinnamon delivered on a fluffy bed of pastry sent Emily’s senses into a frenzy. She melted into her seat and gave a thumbs up as she made a noise of approval.

“If you don’t hurry up and eat, David, I’m going to finish them all,” she teased. She shot a charming smile at the chef, who appeared unsure whether to apologize for not making enough or laugh along. She settled on another awkward bow with a faint smile and vacated the room in silence.

“We have a lot to talk about,” Emily said as she finished her roll. She picked up her drink and swirled it in the glass absent-mindedly.

“Yes, before we get to that, I have something for you.” David shifted in his seat and pulled out a little black box from his pocket. Emily inhaled as she stared at it. He flipped it open and a platinum ring, sporting a diamond the size of an almond, was staring at her.

“David. This is… unexpected.”

David shrugged.

“We’re married now, might as well fit the part.” He lifted up his left hand to show a plain platinum band on his wedding finger. Emily bit her lip to stop herself from grinning, wondering how she didn’t notice it before. She reached out and he placed the ring on her finger. She stared at it, surprised at how heavy the diamond weighed on her hand. I’m going to get mugged on the subway with this rock on my finger.

“It fits perfectly. How did you know my ring size?” David offered a broad smile with his back straight. Clearly proud of himself.

“I have my secrets,” he said, while tapping his nose. Emily wriggled in her seat and rubbed her arms.

“I have a confession to make,” she said. David raised his brows as he picked up his knife and fork. Emily glanced out of the huge pane of windows to see the city and took a moment to carefully choose her words. Now, would be a good time to come clean and tell him that she set him up. The dates were manipulated to get him to choose her so she could expand her company.

“Okay, I’m listening,” David said, urging Emily to speak. She stared at him intently. His jawline jutted out and his face looked like it had been chiseled by an expert. She wanted to run her fingers along his brow and grab the back of his neck.

“Sorry,” she blurted out, heat rising to her face. “What was I saying?” Lightheaded, Emily lost track of her thoughts as she took a sip of her drink to calm down.

“You had a confession for me?”

Emily was blushing fully now. His steady gaze was intense and burned through her soul.

She couldn’t do it.

“I like you,” she said without thinking. David smirked.

“Thanks.”

“No, I mean… I like you.” Emily sat up straighter and smoothed her hair. “I know this is an act… I know we haven’t known each other very long. But I want you to know that, I feel something,” Emily stammered. David continue to stare at her with a look of intensity. She couldn’t work out if he was having an inward conversation, or just taking time to register what she was saying. Before David could answer, Emily’s phone vibrated.

“Sorry, I should check if that’s work,” she murmured as she pulled out her phone and glanced at it. It was a text message from Matthew.

“Ah,” she said, her stomach tightening. “Are you free tonight? I need a favor.”

David nodded. Apparently unable to find his voice.

“I need to go to dinner with my investors, and they want to meet you.”

“Me?”

Emily hesitated. How do I explain this? “Well, the fact that I’m married may have come up in conversation, and they were keen to meet you.”

“Okay, so this is really happening.” David puffed his cheeks out and exhaled. Emily smirked as she lifted her left hand up to him; the huge ring twinkled brighter than the chandeliers above their heads.

“Well, yes.”

David smirked back.

“Okay. Now if we are to fool anyone that we’re a couple, we better get to know each other, fast.” Emily picked up another cinnamon roll and grinned. David picked one up too.

“In that case, I think we’re going to need more of these.”

Emily studied her face in the bathroom, looking for flaws. Apart from the faint line between her brows and the corners of her eyes, she could have been mistaken for a twenty-year-old. She curled the last lock of straight hair and plucked out a tiny grey strand. She then stood back and admired her work. Masses of soft brown curls covered her shoulders and fanned out like a mermaid. She tugged on the towel wrapped around her body and held it in place as she trudged into her bedroom wearing her pink bunny slippers. Now that her hair and make-up were perfect, all she had to do was pick an outfit.

What do you wear to a dinner with your fake husband and potential investors? She eyed a long, figure-hugging nude gown, designed by Vivienne Westwood. It was easily the most expensive item in her wardrobe, but perhaps not the best idea when you’re looking to have people invest in your company. She wanted to appear tasteful and accomplished, but didn’t scream money. She opted for a pastel pink lace Ted Baker dress. The soft, feminine style worked well with her curly hair and she decided it was the perfect blend