Beauty and the Billionaire

“I’ll need to change.” I glance down at my yoga pants and baggy shirt that belongs to Ace. “And I should call Ace and give him a heads-up. I’m spending the night with him tonight.”

“Same. I’ll need to call Knox,” Whitney says, draining the noodles.

I dial Ace’s number, wanting to hear his voice. I have a feeling he’s not going to want me to go to the party. I don’t think we ever went to one without each other. Before Whitney came along, Ace was my best friend. We did everything together. We still do, but it’s nice to have a girl who understands you more at times.

The phone rings and rings before eventually going to his voicemail. I try again, this time switching it over to facetime so I can see him. Ace looks damn sexy when he wears a suit. The line finally connects.

A pretty brunette’s face comes on the screen. She’s got eyelashes most girls would kill for. “Mr. King’s phone. How may I help you?”

“Where is Ace?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. King is busy at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?” I try not to get snippy with the girl, but my jealousy seems to be rearing its head.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Tiffany. Mr. King’s assistant. Who are you?” she asks.

“Faith,” I respond. Her face shows no reaction, like she’s never heard my name before.

“Would you like to leave a message for Mr. King?” She smirks. I swear if I could reach through this phone, I’d wipe that look off her face myself.

“Tell him his girlfriend called,” I say before ending the call super annoyed. Why the hell is someone answering his cell phone? I get someone answering his office phone but not his freaking personal phone. That shit is private.

I shoot Ace a text before I change my clothes and pull my hair down from the ponytail. I give it a small fluff before adding some lip gloss and mascara.

“What are you wearing?” Whitney asks, walking into our bedroom.

“I was thinking jean shorts with flats. I can’t go to a party in a dress and heels like Step and Morgan. Especially if I’m not sure what kind of party this is going to be.”

“Good point.” We finish getting ready and are out the door thirty minutes later.

I know Ace is going to be annoyed that I went to a party without talking to him first, but that’s his fault. Still, he’ll be pissed. Wonder what he’ll do about it? My body starts to heat as I think of all the different scenarios. The ones I often fantasize about him doing.

I suppose I’ll find out soon enough.

4

ACE

“I think we should hire him.” I flip the folder over for Roman to see. He picks it up, reading it over.

“He’s young” is the first thing he says. He is.

“He’s not only brilliant, he's a fresh mind. No one has molded him or put their own ideas into his head.”

“If you think we should, then do it.” He hands me the folder back before checking his watch. I glance around. I must have left my phone in my office. “Let’s call it a night,” Roman says before I can excuse myself to go get my phone.

I head back toward my office. Tiffany pops up as I pass her desk. “I told you that you could go home hours ago.”

“You might need something. Like dinner? Should I order something?” she suggests.

“No, I’m going to eat dinner with Faith.” She follows me into my office. “I sent you the reports you asked for and set up the meeting like you asked. I added it to your calendar.”

“Thanks.” I snag my phone off my desk. “Did you touch my phone?”

“I was going to see if your phone and your office calendar linked up, but it rang while I was doing it.”

“On what planet is it okay to touch anyone’s cell phone without asking?”

Her face flushes. “I was trying to be helpful.” I click my phone to see who called. Shit, I missed a facetime call from Faith.

“What would have been more helpful is if you would have left when I told you to go.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. King.” Maybe I’m overreacting. I’ve been on edge all week. As crazy as it sounds, I think I’m going through some kind of withdrawal from Faith. I’m so used to seeing her all day every day that I haven’t been adjusting well to barely seeing her.

“Don’t ever touch my phone again.” She nods and turns to leave. “Tiffany,” I call, stopping her. She spins back around to face me. “If Faith ever calls this office or any line for that matter, you get me on the line. I don’t care what I’m doing. She’s priority number one for me.”

Her lips purse, but she nods in agreement.