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

there was a mild look of irritation flash across her face but she seemed to recover herself before she smiled politely at him.

“Yes, but we don’t see each other.”

“Why am I sensing there’s a story there?”

“Because there is. And it’s a long one.”

“Well.” David grabbed his jacket from the coat stand and picked up his keys off the small table by the door. “Why don’t you tell me all about it while we go.”

“Go where?” Emily asked, her arms folded. David smirked at her.

“To see my friend Oliver.”

The dark limousine pulled up outside a sky rise building. David got out and held the door open for Emily and held her hand as she stepped onto the sidewalk. When she stood up and looked around, her neck curved slightly and she had baby hairs scattered along her neckline. The space between her hairline and the material of her dress was just wide enough for David to slip his hand there. His fingers twitched against the urge to grab her neck and swoop her in his arms. Emily smiled at him, looking blissfully unaware of David’s thoughts. Does she really not understand how irresistible she is? He swallowed against the dryness in his mouth and cleared his throat. Henry passed him a bottle of water.

“Here, sir,” he said in a low voice. David took an appreciative gulp and looked around. Another car pulled up and the back door swung open. Joffrey and Robert climbed out and stood uniformly beside him. He nodded in acknowledgement.

“Shall we go?”

“Go where? We’re in a back alley,” Emily said through a laugh. David enjoyed watching her reactions and wondered what other things he could arrange just so he could watch Emily’s response.

“We don’t go in through the front entrance, too much attention. Besides, the back of the store is where the really good stuff is.”

Emily’s brow raised at him and she cocked her head to the side. He imagined placing his hand against her cheek and caressing her ear with his thumb. Snap out of it.

The group of them walked to the steel door in the back of the building and David tapped on it. The door clicked and swung open, revealing an elderly man wearing a silver-grey suit.

“David, this is a nice surprise,” he said mildly as he stepped back and David walked in. Oliver was an old friend of his father’s and had been providing jewelry for the Marks family for decades. He wouldn’t ever think to go to anyone else.

“Oliver, I would like to introduce you to my wife.” The words sent a flurry of excitement within his stomach. My wife. I like the sound of that.

As David walked further into the building, he stopped at a dark room, lined with glass cabinets with dim spotlights showcasing the contents. He heard Emily and Oliver exchange greetings and turned to see them shaking hands. Emily was so poised, refined as she pressed her lips together and held her hand out with confidence. Even in the dim light, her eyes shone.

“It is charming to meet you, Mrs. Marks. May I call you Emily?” Oliver said holding her hand with both of his.

Emily inclined her head. “Of course.” Her voice was light and rich, like a songbird, but David knew this was just one facet of her personality. His mind took him back to the night in her apartment. The real Emily has long wavy hair and wears bunny pjs. No, Emily wasn’t just a girl who loved to let her hair down and wear pjs. She was everything. Passionate and driven, quick-witted and ambitious. She could hold herself and carry her end of the conversation. Not intimidated by anyone, yet gentle as well.

“So what can I help you both with?” He noticed Oliver struggling to take his eyes off Emily.

I know the feeling.

“My grandmother’s birthday is coming up, and we are going to the island to celebrate with her. It’s the first time my family will be meeting Emily, and I would like to really make her shine. If you know what I mean.”

Oliver beamed at Emily, the admiration in his eyes was obvious as he squeezed her hands, with no apparent intention of letting them go.

“You, my dear, already shine,” he said gentlemanly. Emily’s cheeks flushed with color as she glanced at David. He wasn’t sure if she was loving the attention or planning her escape. There was something behind her eyes that made him think she was not entirely comfortable.

“Nevertheless, I have just the collection for you,” Oliver continued, finally allowing Emily’s hands to drop and he walked across the room. He motioned for Emily to follow.

She glided toward the cabinet and followed Oliver with her hands clasped behind her back. David’s eyes lowered and he stared at the nude open-toe shoes with a six-inch heel. He wondered how she could walk so easily while practically standing on tip-toes.

A vibration in his pocket snapped him out of his thoughts and he pulled out his phone.

“I just need to take this call, excuse me.”

“You go ahead, we’ll be fine.”

David caught sight of Emily staring at him with panicked eyes before she blinked and offered a gracious smile to Oliver.

“You can have whatever you want, darling.” He walked up and touched her arm briefly in reassurance. Her face had drained of color. He didn’t have time to think on it, though, as he put the phone to his ear and left the room.

“Father.”

“David. It’s your grandmother.”

Chapter Fifteen

Expensive Tastes

Emily stiffened as Oliver fastened the clasp of the necklace and it rested like an iron chain on her collarbone. Oliver held out a mirror and eyed her with anticipation.

“There, what do you think?” His voice was low and reverent. Emily stared at the yellow gemstones the size of grapes linked together in a chain.

“It is very pretty,” Emily offered, her voice was a little too high to be convincing. The weight of the necklace along with the darkness of the room had her feeling