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

“Are you enjoying it?”

Julie turned her head, a little too quickly and her nose bumped against his cheek. She blushed and automatically raised her hand to Harry’s cheek. He wanted to close his eyes and savor the moment.

“Sorry,” she blurted and removed her hand. Harry swallowed against a dryness in his mouth. Catching her off guard, he took her hand and rubbed his thumb across her smooth knuckles. Bolts of electricity shot through his arms and straight to his heart. The chemistry between them was like nothing he had ever experienced before. Julie’s eyes widened as she looked at him, the two of them hovering within inches of each other. Harry didn’t blink. He didn’t want to miss a moment looking at Julie. She stared back, as if daring him to make a move.

Harry did not plan to make out with Julie—especially in the middle of the opera! She was a lady. He was a gentleman. He had morals and respect. But she was so tempting and right within his reach, just a breath away.

He was not sure if it was the romantic, heart-soaring music that melted his resolve, or dim lighting casting an ethereal glow around her. But something made Harry forget his surroundings, and he was pretty sure they could have been in the middle of a tropical storm and he wouldn’t have noticed. All he knew was that Julie had her eyes locked on him and nothing else mattered.

“Do you mind if I––?” Harry didn’t finish. There was no need. Julie leaned forward and claimed his lips in the sweetest kiss he had ever known. Her lip gloss tasted like cherry; it was addictive and her lips were softer than rose petals.

Harry pressed his forehead against Julie’s and the two of them sat like that with their eyes closed, absorbing every gorgeous moment. The symphony of music and Catherine Fisher’s melodic singing sent them away to their own magical world.

Harry was known to fall in love quickly. He promised himself that after last time, he would keep himself on guard—have fun, but be careful with his heart.

And yet here he was. With Julie’s delicate hand against his chest and her lips pressing against his temple. When she drew away and blinked slowly at him, her cheeks were rosy. Harry decided there was no hope left for him. She had his heart. Every part.

Before his rational mind could stop him. He found himself willfully obeying the impulsive, passionate side of his mind. Without any hesitation, not even a tiny moment of consideration, Harry slid out of his chair onto his knees and looked up at Julie with imploring eyes. He grabbed her hands in his and pressed them to his lips before looking up again.

“Marry me.”

Julie’s eyes grew wide. She blinked at him a few times in a stunned silence. Then, her entire face grew red. Suppressing the urge to jump to her feet and scream with joy, Julie said the first thing that came to mind.

“Sure. Why not?”

Chapter Nine

Madly in Love

Julie decided that the opera should come with a warning sticker.

Careful, heart-stirring music may lead to impromptu proposals.

In the moment, it seemed entirely ordinary to be proposed to. The fancy clothes. The gorgeous music. The mood lighting. It was all a perfect setting to pour out your heart in song and declare your true love.

Yet, Harry quite literally fell to Julie’s feet and said the last two words she thought he’d ever say. To her, at least.

“Marry me.”

And in her shock, she came out with the only thing that sprang to mind, which just so happened to sound like she accepted his proposal.

Rationale did not return at the end of the show. Nor did logic rear its head when Harry and Julie sat in the back of the limousine driving around New York. In fact, the romantic urges only intensified. Now they had some privacy, the heat ramped up and hands started to roam. They were two souls beautifully entwined as they followed wherever their passions took them. The limousine came to a stop outside Julie’s apartment and Harry and Julie broke apart panting and sweaty. Julie’s heart fluttered faster than the wings of a butterfly and she became dizzy, grinning at Harry, as if the pair of them had behaved like a pair of mischievous youths.

Harry hesitated. He looked like he was going to grab her behind the neck and pull her in for another kiss. But his hand froze in midair, and he shook his head with a casual smile.

“Are we crazy?” he asked.

Yes, completely crazy. But I don’t care, thought Julie as she surveyed his face. His hair was disheveled and there were blotches over his forehead.

“Maybe,” she said quietly.

“You know, I don’t even care,” Harry said with fervor, taking her hands in his. “I’ve never felt this good.”

Julie couldn’t argue. Sure, this was their second date and three days ago the two of them were complete strangers, but Harry’s hands were familiar. His kisses were grounding and equally thrilling. The tone of his deep voice and the warmth of his skin against hers made her feel like she had come home. She had never experienced anything like it before. It were as if she was Helen of Troy and he was Paris in a previous life, and they had found each other again.

“I feel like I know you,” Harry said, he gripped her hands tightly and stared at Julie with a total look of vulnerability. This was not just a pick-up line; she was sure of it. Julie’s heart soared.

“I know exactly what you mean,” she whispered, tracing a line down his neck to his collarbone. The touch seemed to lower Harry’s defenses once more and he lunged forward. Julie leaned back against the leather seat as Harry rested the palms of his hands on either side of her. His shoulders rounded and his face lingered millimeters away from