Taming The Bad Boy Billionaire Box Set 1 (Taming The Bad Boy Billionaire 1-3)

Ella stood up quickly.

“Oh...of course.”

I pushed to my feet—yanking Nick up along with me—and extended my hand to shake.

“Thank you so much for taking the time. We’ll definitely put you on the short list—”

“What’s the point?” Nick interjected.

I froze momentarily, then shot him a look.

No need to say it in front of her. I know she’s deranged, but have a heart.

“The point is, we want to explore all our options, but Ella’s been so sweet.” My smile tightened dangerously. “We most definitely want to keep her in mind—”

“No, I mean, what’s the point of having a short list?” With an ease and charm that took my breath away, he slipped an arm around her waist. “I think we’ve found our girl.”

“You’re kidding!” Ella squealed, jumping up and down.

“You’re kidding,” I repeated, feeling like the walls were closing in.

Nick flashed me

a devilish grin, ignoring the bimbo beside him—leaping for the sky.

“Not at all. When you bring me such a qualified candidate, how can I possibly say no?”

By shaking your head? By sending her away? By showing an ounce of mercy and sparing me from the horrors I’d so foolishly set upon you?

“Well, that’s...” I swallowed back the taste of bile, and started again, “that’s wonderful.”

“Isn’t it though?” Nick flashed me another grin, before turning to Ella. “You’re going to love Abby—she’s simply the best. In fact,” he grabbed a pen off the receptionist’s counter, “I’m going to give you her private cell—just to make sure you can get a hold of her. Day and night.”

My world got a little darker with every number he scribbled. Where was Oklahoma from here anyway? Maybe they had room for one more...?

“Well, thank you both so much for meeting me.” Ella actually leaned in and gave me a tight hug—leaving what was sure to be two silicone-shaped bruises on my collarbone. “I’ll be sure to give you a call—I know I’m going to have a lot of questions.”

Kill me now.

“No problem, Ella. Thanks for coming in.”

“And you.” She turned to Nick with a chilling smile. “I think you and I are going to have a lot of fun together.” She stretched up on her toes and whispered in his ear. “A lot of fun.”

When she pulled away, she left a ring of bright pink lip gloss on his skin. He seemed determined not to think about it. He just focused on me instead.

“I can’t wait.”

She left without another word. Left us standing—ironically—in front of a tank where the sushi bar kept its lobster. The same lobster that had gotten us into this mess in the first place.

“Well this has to be a first,” Nick murmured, watching as her cab shot away into traffic.

I followed his gaze for a moment, before turning back—suddenly remembering that I had left my butter knife back on the table. “What’s a first?”

He folded his arms across his chest with a dangerous smile.

“It looks like you’ve got some explaining to do...”

Chapter 16