My Billionaire Fling by Maci Dillon
SOPHIA
Gabe arrives with a minute to spare. He hates tardiness, and I was beginning to think he’d forgotten.
“Can we have a minute to talk before we go in?”
“What’s the matter?” I don’t like the expression on Gabe’s face. “Is it the wedding date? You saw the news report, I assume.”
He takes my hand, shaking his head. “The date is perfect. Figure it gives me enough time to make you fall in love with me.”
I chuckle. “You do, do you?”
His mood lightens, and I tuck my arm in his. “Whatever you need to discuss, can it wait? We really should get inside and face the questions.”
Groaning, he says, “Something tells me their questions will far outweigh those of nosey reporters.”
You got that right, Mr. Lugreno. Buckle up for the onslaught.
The last time Gabe and I descended the stairs at Maximum, it was my fortieth birthday. I was dressed in a slutty corset, and Gabe wore a gangster suit and fedora hat. The reception we received from my family was less than inviting, and it had nothing to do with my barely-there choice of costume. It had everything to do with the man on my arm.
The same man I’m now engaged to for all intents and purposes.
A man who declared his love for me and willingly uprooted his life to protect me and my reputation.
At what point will I allow myself to give in to his pull over my heart?
“Ahh, here’s the happy couple.” Kassidy grins, leaving the booth to greet us both with a kiss.
“It’s okay if I kiss you, right? I mean, we’re practically family now.” She taps Gabe playfully on the shoulder, and I’m grateful to her for lightening the mood.
Maxine is carrying a tray of drinks to customers in the booth behind ours, and greets us with a passing wink. “Congrats to the happy couple. Drinks are on the house tonight.”
I love the women in my life, they make up for the stubborn testosterone shared by my brothers. “Thanks, Max.”
“So far, so good,” Gabe whispers, adjusting his tie and taking the first step toward Roman and Jarett. Both of them remain seated in the booth with expectant expressions. I stare daggers at each of them, hoping they take the hint. Their congratulations and acceptance of this ruse while in a public setting needs to be believable.
Thankfully, they rise slowly from the table and shower us in their most genuine show of congratulations. Both offering a hand to Gabe, he takes them one by one and shares his gratitude with a bro hug. Jarett pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations, sis.” He holds me tightly, whispering in my ear for only me to hear, “I don’t like this, but for you, I’ll accept whatever decision you make.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite brother,” I whisper emotionally.
“I heard that.” Roman laughs when Jarett lets me go. “You know she tells me the same thing, J.” Rolling my eyes at them, I accept Roman’s embrace. “Who would’ve thought you’d be the first,” he gushes, squeezing me tightly. He looks me in the eyes, his hands cupping my shoulders when he pulls back from our hug. “Promise me you’ll do what’s right for you in the end.”
Tears spring to my eyes unexpectedly. “I promise.”
“Okay, let’s toast to this union and officially welcome Gabe to the family.” Roman’s announcement is unexpected, but I follow his gaze around the speakeasy and see we have the attention of most of the customers. Some with their phones in hand, cameras no doubt at the ready.
“Thank you,” I whisper, without moving my lips as I scoot into the booth between Roman and Gabe.
Right on time, Maxine joins us with a bottle of champagne and a glass for all.
Once we toast to our future together and Maxine and Kassidy have oohed and aahed over my cluster of diamonds, the crowd returns to their own business.
Now the real discussion begins.
“Did it occur to you to ask for my sister’s hand in marriage?” Roman glances around me to Gabe, his expression serious.
Gabe returns his glare with valor. “No, it did not. With all due respect, she’s not yours to give away.” A silent tension builds between them, and I’m literally stuck in the middle.
Roman breaks first, and his laughter replaces all the hostility surrounding us. Gabe follows suit, and lastly, Jarett joins them. Kassidy, Maxine, and I share an amused glance. “I like him, Soph. He can hold his own.” I sigh with relief and squeeze Gabe’s leg beneath the table.
“Be good to her, and I’ll stay out of your business. We both will.” He emphasizes the last few words, his eyes darting to Jarett, who nods in agreement.
“I have to ask…” Jarett adds, his voice low, “… the ring, the public proposal, the wedding date announcement, it’s all part of the… show, right?”
Gabe covers my hand, interrupting me before I’m able to confirm or deny. “Where Sophia is concerned, yes. For me, it’s less for show and more about my true feelings. I’m in love with your sister, have been for over a year, and I won’t apologize for it.”
“I knew it!” Kassidy bounces, clapping her hands together.
“Calm down, love,” Jarett warns her sweetly.
“You made that comment to the press to strong-arm her into marrying you?” Jarett whispers harshly, leaning over the table, his hands clenched in fists and knuckles white with tension.
“Absolutely not, but you believe what you will.”
Roman remains quiet for a beat, staring between Gabe and me, ignoring Jarett’s reaction.
“Once you told the world you were marrying my sister, you what? Suddenly realized you wanted forever with her?”
Gabe chuckles softly. “I’ve been pushing for more for some time now, but your sister is loyal to the walls she’s built around her heart. I intend to break them down with mad love and proper intentions.” He lifts my hand to his mouth and brushes a tender kiss across my knuckles. Staring deep into my eyes, he adds, “You own my heart, and one day, I hope I’ll own yours.”
This makes Roman smile, Kassidy’s jaw drop, and I swoon from my head to my feet, falling a little deeper in lust with Gabe Lugreno.
And I do something I’ve never done before.
Taking Gabe’s face in my hands, I lower his lips to mine.
For the first time in my life, I let go of all expectations and inhibitions and follow my heart without a fuck in the world. And if it’s not the best feeling in the world, I’m done with life.
Losing myself in our kiss for a few long seconds, Roman clears his throat subtly behind me.
Gabe’s shit-eating grin brings me back to reality as we break apart. Yeah, he shattered another piece of my armor and weakened a thousand more.
Even the strongest walls are made to be broken.
“On that note, my break is over. I’ll be right back with cocktails for everyone.” Maxine dashes to the bar to put her exquisite craftsmanship to work, and this is about to become a real celebration.
“I believe Sophia has other news to share with you too.” Gabe hints, reminding me to share our new living arrangements before I heed more concerned calls about why I won’t open my door.
“Yes, Gabe… no, we, have moved.”
“Moved where?” Jarett bites out.
“Not too far, we’re still in the same area.” It’s one thing I’m grateful for. Gabe didn’t insist we move out of the area away from my family. He knows how important they are to me.
“Let’s just say we upgraded to a suite in the Sky Tower Resort in Shoreditch.”
“The residential tower for the insanely rich?” Kassidy asks, her eyes wide and dreamy.
“Let me guess, you’re not starting at the bottom and working your way up?” Jarett jokes, and Gabe has the audacity to look offended.
Laughing, I continue. “Yes, the Sky suite is their elite penthouse with rooftop garden access overlooking London. You all should come for dinner. Anyone know of a decent chef?”
Now it’s Roman’s turn to let out an offended gasp.
“Sounds like a plan,” Maxine says, handing out the black beers for the guys and the decadent cocktails for Kassidy and me. “Cheers guys, I’m really happy for you both.” A familiar look shared between her and Roman reminds me he has news of his own to share.
“Okay, enough about us. Roman, what’s your news?”
His relaxed demeanor spikes a notch or two on the tension scale, and he glances again at Max. The table is silent, waiting for him to speak.
“Actually, I’m waiting on confirmation before I divulge the top-secret news. I expected it today, but this time next week, I hope I’ll have an exciting announcement of my own.” His grin appears off, perhaps a little staged, and it’s hard to miss the disappointment in Maxine’s eyes as she excuses herself and returns to the bar.
“What was that all about?”
Roman shrugs. “Like I said, I need a few more days to secure the details.”
