The Billionaire's Gamble

There’s a twinge in my chest. Maybe that’s why Dani feels so different to me. She didn’t know who I was when we met, so I’ve never been Nolan Coldwater, billionaire CEO and playboy to her. Just Nolan.

“Thanks, Sage.”

She grins, downing the rest of her coffee. “Anytime, boss. Go put on your penguin suit. Dani will be ready in about ten minutes—she chose the blue room. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks. Give my best to Clara,” I call after her.

It takes me no time at all to put on my tux. I’m in front of the blue room well before ten minutes are up. My hair is messy and my bow tie isn’t done, but I’ve waited all day to see her. I can’t wait anymore. I knock.

There’s a soft answer to come in, and as I push the door open, I’m glued to the spot.

Dani is standing by the window, highlighted in the evening light. Her hair has been curled and piled on top of her head, the dress that she’s wearing fits like a second skin over her breasts, and her eyes have me spellbound. I go instantly hard, and I don’t even try to hide it. She’s fucking gorgeous, and I think my mouth has dropped open. I wish I had a camera to capture this moment, but I don’t. Instead I try to memorize her. The way the sun is hitting her skin, showing off the blue in the dress. The way her necklace is so long that it dips in between her breasts. The way she’s looking at me, frozen and awed—the exact way I’m looking at her.

I realize neither of us has said anything yet. “You look unbelievable.”

She laughs softly, and the sound goes straight to my dick. “Is that a good thing?”

“Like I can’t believe that you’re real.”

“I’m not sure that I’m real right now either.”

Crossing the room, I take her in up close. The need to touch her is so real, so visceral. I cup my hand around the back of her neck. “I’m going to kiss you.”

“Believe me,” she says, “I don’t need you to make me anticipate this anymore.” She’s referencing our night in Vegas. “And you’re going to ruin my lipstick.”

“Too bad.”

Her kiss is like fire, and it spreads through my body. I thought I was hard before, and I was wrong. Her body goes soft and pliant against me, and I groan, loving the feel of her, wanting to tear this dress off right now. Fuck the plans I made. I could stay in this room and make her come until she couldn’t remember her own name. But no. Not yet. I promised to show her my favorite place in the city. And I want to show her that I didn’t drag her up to New York just for the sex. I want her to be here with me. I want to know why she makes me feel like I can rule the world.

I break our kiss. “We should go. We don’t want to be late.”

“Late for what?”

I smile as I take her hand. “I told you, it’s a surprise.”

14

Dani

“Is this the Empire State Building?” I ask as I step out of the car.

“Yes.” Nolan’s hand is on the small of my back as he guides me towards the doors. People are staring—of course they are. A woman in a ball gown and a guy in a tux stand out. It’s the middle of summer, and even I can see that this building is surrounded by tourists. There are cell phone cameras and I’m sure that when we come out of the building the paparazzi from outside Nolan’s building will have caught up with us.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

Nolan leads me through the lobby, gives two tickets to the attendant and ushers me into an elevator. “I promised that I would take you to my favorite place in the city,” he says.

“This is it?”

“Yes.”

I step out of the elevator and out the door onto the roof of the building, and I gasp. The entire city is laid out in front of me. I didn’t pay attention that much at Nolan’s office building this morning but I know that this is better. There’s a cool breeze coming across the roof and it catches my hair. I notice something then—there aren’t any people up here. Every picture I’ve ever seen of the building’s observation deck is swarming with people. “Where is everyone?”

“For now, it’s just us.”

My jaw drops. “You bought out the Empire State Building?”

“Only for an hour.”

“You’re insane.”

Nolan smirks. “Maybe.” He leads me over to the edge, where I look and see Central Park spread out in the distance. “My dad I used to come here when I was young,” he says softly. “He was a busy guy, but he always made time to come up here with me. He’d show me the landmarks through the viewers, and answer any questions I had about anything. It’s one of my best memories.” I reach out, place a hand on his arm. He’s looking out over the skyline, seemingly lost in the memory. “Went less as I got older, but even as I became an adult he tried to make time to come here with me every couple of months.”