The Billionaire's Claim: Obsession

“Always well, thanks to you.” She gestures at me. “Have you met my date, Dominic King?”

Zhao studies me. “I don’t believe I have.”

Elizabeth quickly handles the introductions, her demeanor all warmth and high-society gloss. “Dominic is a brilliant businessman,” she adds. “He’s built a huge empire on his own in ten years.”

Zhao looks at me over his sunglasses, his gaze speculative.

“Excuse me, but I see one of the major supporters of the foundation.” Elizabeth puts a hand on Zhao’s forearm. “I really should go and say hello. I’ve been meaning to thank him in person for months.”

“Of course,” Zhao says. “You come see me before the party’s over. I owe you a drink.”

“Of course.” She leaves, taking Ming Ming with her.

I’m grateful for the privacy. Although a beach party isn’t where I expected to meet a Chinese government official, I’m not about to let the opportunity go.

“So, Mr. King,” Zhao says, “what is your industry?”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Elizabeth

Ming Ming loops her arm around mine and drags me toward the bar. “You’ve been holding out on me, girlfriend.”

I give her an innocent “who, me?” look over my sunglasses.

“Yes, you.”

She finishes what’s left of her margarita—which isn’t much—while I take a mai tai from one of the three bartenders who are working nonstop to keep everyone at the party well imbibed. Ming Ming is a big believer in the “lubricating power” of limitless alcohol.

One of them hands her another margarita. She’s not too fond of mai tais, even though she appreciates some of the other aspects of Hawaii, such as the gorgeous blue waves and whale watching and kayaking and its men…the surfers in particular.

I suck down half the drink since I’m going to need it to face Ming Ming’s inquisition. “I told you I was bringing a date.”

“But you didn’t tell me he was so hot. H-O-T. Hot.” Fanning herself, she leans closer. “So you’re seeing him seriously, right?” A mischievous gleam lightens her eyes. “Or is it, like, a short fling?”

“It’s nothing. He and I are nothing.” The words hurt.

Don’t dwell on it.

She blinks at me, her fake lashes moving rapidly. “Really? So I can have him?”

No. “I thought you were dating Nicki.” Nicki Cao’s a popular actor and singer from Hong Kong. Handsome with a voice like whipped cream, he’s considered one of the most desirable men in China.

“Yeah…but in case it doesn’t go anywhere. You and that man… It isn’t because of Nate, is it?”

I frown. “Nate and I aren’t an item.”

“No way. You guys are like…this!” Ming Ming crosses her fingers. “Tight.”

“Yes, but then so are you and I. And we aren’t dating, are we?”

What about the proposal?

Nate didn’t have a ring. He probably didn’t mean it. He’s undoubtedly glad I didn’t jump up and down with joy.

Ming Ming deflates a bit. Nothing brings her down like a refusal to join in on gossip. “So tell me everything about Dominic.”

I shrug, not wanting to get into the events from ten years ago and ruin the festive mood. “There’s nothing much to tell. He and I ran into each other again at the charity dinner I hosted with Nate.”