The Billionaire’s Fake Christmas Engagement - Leslie North

1

Las Vegas stretched out beneath the Top of the World restaurant, all glittering lights and flashing signs under a night sky tinged orange on the horizon by the glow rising from the city. Gabe Elkin sat back in his seat and took in the Christmastime glow of the city below. It was a great view. But it was nothing compared to his view of the woman who sat across from him—Anna Waters, the conference liaison who’d spent the last several weeks at his side.

The job they’d just completed had been a massive one for his company, and the adrenaline rush of the conference still lingered in Gabe’s veins. Tech leaders had gathered from across the country, and even the world, for the expo hosted at the Palazzo. Gabe’s own company had demoed a new app to rave reviews.

“We couldn’t have done it without you,” he told Anna. “Have I mentioned this was our most successful launch?”

She looked across at him and winked, the glow from the casinos nearby reflected on her face. “You might have mentioned it a couple of times. But I’m still impressed, don’t worry.”

“You should be impressed,” he teased. “You’re the one who’s seen this up close and personal, and now you’ll see how far we can take it.”

“Ooh,” she said. “Is it going to have an international presence, then? Are you going to be world-famous?”

They both laughed. Of course the app would have an international presence—in fact, Anna had been instrumental in planning for its introduction to colleagues from other countries. Honestly, she’d been a godsend, and that wasn’t something Gabe thought about many people. He had been his own godsend when he moved away from his family’s luxury ski resort in Colorado. He’d built his company and his own life, here in Las Vegas, much to the chagrin of those who thought he should have settled in the Silicon Valley. But now that the year’s final expo was over, a hollow feeling nagged him underneath all the adrenaline.

Which was why he’d wanted to take Anna out for one last dinner. They’d eaten together plenty of times in his office and at the conference hotel, tucked away by the pool or in the lobby. They’d spent so many late nights on the phone, planning the launch down to the last detail. And now he didn’t really have a reason to keep talking to her. She was, after all, a conference liaison, not his personal assistant.

And if she had been his personal assistant, he would have no business wondering where the night might lead.

The laughter settled. Gabe wrapped his hand around his wine glass. Anna’s dark chocolate eyes still lingered. Eyes that were a perfect complement to her hair, which reminded him of smooth toffee. He loved the dimple she sported on one cheek, one that far too many times he thought of kissing. And then there were those curves. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about those, either.

Gabe cleared his throat. “I wanted to thank you for everything you did.”

“You’re welcome.” Her smile got wider. “I take pleasure in a job well done.”

“It was a job very well done. I wish I could steal you away for my own company.”

She waved this off with a grin that tugged at something deep within his chest. “You promised—no work talk at the celebration dinner.”

“I would never promise that, and you know it.”

Anna laughed again, sending a bolt of joy straight into the middle of Gabe’s chest. Making her laugh—he was going to miss that most of all. It was a low, sweet sound, and he’d heard it plenty over the past few weeks, both over the phone and in person.

“Okay, fine.” She smoothed her napkin over her lap. “Can’t get anything by you.”

From the way she was looking at him now, all big eyes and pink cheeks, she didn’t want to get by him. Gabe wouldn’t mind taking her back to his penthouse apartment. He wouldn’t mind it at all. The air heated between them. Dinner was only half-done, but at the end of it, he had the feeling he wouldn’t be going home alone. Anna leaned forward, one hand beneath her chin, and watched him.

Yes.

Gabe’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Irritation quickly replaced the heady feeling of anticipation that had spilled over him like fine wine. Whoever it was could wait. He dipped a hand into his pocket and silenced the call.

But Anna had heard it, or she’d seen the movement, and her wide smile had turned to