Facade (Billionaire in Disguise 1)

She threw the window open, steadied me onto the fire escape, and away we went. We touched down onto the ground, and she shoved me into the brick wall, listening for any signs of shooting. When she was satisfied, she took my hand and led me to the main road. The commotion was still inside as she led me toward a car I didn’t recognize.

She opened the door for me to get in, but I paused.

“Whose car is this?” I asked.

“Get the fuck in, Mr. Steele,” Griggs said.

I slid into the car before she dipped in next to me. My eyes roamed her body as I reached for the champagne in the back of the car. I popped the top and started chugging, trying to rid my mind of the events of tonight.

Fuck. I’d even left my award behind.

How the hell did this woman do this for a living? I was a mess, and I wasn’t afraid to admit it. At least three gunmen had been at this event, and I had no idea if anyone was safe. I downed half the bottle of champagne before I allowed it to swing between my legs.

But not Sam.

Sam was as put together as they came.

She had done all of that in a dress and heels, an elegant dress that accentuated the lilt of her hips. I refused to believe that kiss was planned or some part of a grand scheme to calm me down. It had been too delicate and too soft to be anything else. If she had been desperate for something, the kiss would’ve been desperate.

That much I knew about women.

We all rode in silence all the way back to my house. We went through the gate as Griggs drove us to my front door. I slid out of my door and tried to wrap around to open hers, but she was out and on her feet before I could jog around.

She escorted me to my door as Griggs sat there in the car.

“Thank you. For this evening,” I said. “I’m glad I hired you.”

“Maybe now you’ll listen to me,” Sam said.

“I’ll take that as your version of a ‘you’re welcome,’ ” I said.

We stood on the porch as her eyes roamed the house. I couldn’t tell if she was admiring it or studying it. I took out my keys and placed them into the lock. Then, I went to open the keypad I would have to type a code into in order to twist the key and get inside.

But Sam’s hand descended onto my arm, grabbing me and pulling me toward her.

I turned my body back to her, my arm dipping around her waist. He

r eyes were connected with mine, sparkling with their brooding stare. I glanced at her lips. Her pillowy lips that had been against mine only a half an hour ago.

I allowed my face to drop to hers before she put her finger against my lips.

“Do you hear that?” she asked.

I paused, but all I could hear was the sound of the wind caressing the trees on my property.

Just like her lips had caressed mine.

“Don’t leave,” she said. “Stay right here.”

“Anything for you,” I said. “After all, you did save my life.”

“Then hold onto that thought, because I’m about to do it again.”

Chapter 6

Sam

SOMEONE WAS IN THE house. I could hear them creeping around. I slipped my hand up my dress and grabbed my gun, arming myself as I released Derek’s arm.