The Billionaire's Masquerade Page 0,10

softly. “Power and money?”

She thought about her two best friends she’d known from elementary school all the way through college, Nikki and Brianna, both of whom had struggled just as hard as she had over the years. Brianna was a reporter who loved reporting on the beauty in the world, even if it was a garden party or the latest society wedding. And Nikki was a sweet, kind, gentle, dynamo school teacher who loved her job but not all the abuse she had to take from the parents who liked to push her around. She thought of her parents who had lost their house because of a corrupt mortgage company. The error had been rectified, but not before they’d been kicked out of their house.

She straightened her shoulders and stiffened her spine, refusing to go back to her old life. “Yes. I want power and money.” She didn’t go into the reasons now, but her chin jutted out defensively. “I know some people think that desire is shallow, but I don’t care.”

“Do I look like I have a lot of money?” he teased.

Rachel’s eyes focused on the man, coming back to the present. She shrugged one shoulder and took another sip of lemonade. “Anyone can have hidden wealth. I try hard not to judge someone by the way they dress or what they do.”

He was impressed. In his experience, most people in the investing community dismissed laborers as unimportant. People that provided a service would be beneath their acknowledgement.

Feeling awkward all of a sudden, Rachel stood up. “I’d better let you get back to your work,” she said, feeling uncomfortable, especially when he stood up as well. He was closer than she’d thought and she looked up at him nervously.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he said and put a hand to the small of her back.

“No need,” she said, hating the tremor in her voice. She needed to get away from this man. She felt something for him, something strange that she didn’t completely understand nor would she allow this…vulnerability. And whatever it was that pulled her towards him, she didn’t have time for it. She was here on a mission. Discovering fascinating, muscle-covered gorgeous men was not on the agenda for the weekend.

“What’s the rush?” he asked when she started walking quickly back to her car.

“I’m just…”

Thankfully, her car was right around the next bush and she breathed a sigh of relief. “Here it is,” she said and turned around to face him, her car keys in front of her like a shield. “Thank you for the water. And the lemonade,” she said, thinking of his conversation. It occurred to her that she should probably thank him for the spectacular view of his chest as well but suppressed that thought as possibly coming out wrong. She wasn’t exactly sure how to thank a man for being buff anyway.

“You’re very welcome,” Emerson replied, thinking about how soft her lips looked.

She stood there, feeling like she should say something, anything. There was a long, awkward silence while she bit her lower lip, wondering what it would be like to kiss those hard lips or touch his fascinating chest.

She actually jerked backwards slightly when she realized what she was thinking. Goodness! Why had she let that thought form? How rude! She glanced at his mouth, then hurriedly away. She barely knew this man! She should not be thinking about kissing him!

“Well, thank you,” she said awkwardly again.

She turned around and was fumbling with her keys, trying very hard to get the key into the lock. His large, strong hand reached out and took the keys from her. Instead of unlocking the door, he took her hand in his, examining her nails. “You don’t get your nails manicured every week?” he asked softly.

She wanted to curl her fingers up into a ball so he couldn’t see her nails. It wasn’t that they were messy. But she did her own nails, filing them on Thursday nights and painting them carefully with clear nail polish. She didn’t need fabulous red or maroon nails. She didn’t think it was something to waste her time on. But now, with him looking down at her nails, she desperately wished she’d taken a moment to get her nails done by someone who knew what they were doing.

“No. I don’t really…,” she was flustered by his touch. And he was so tall! Even in her killer heels she still only came up to his chin. “You’re too tall,” she