How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Read Online Free Page A

she might’ve been content to stay under the radar. That wouldn’t have netted her a billionaire but Ellyn wasn’t sold on that as a possibility, anyway.
    “How much longer do you have at school?”
    “Two semesters.”
    How did all of these lies roll of her tongue so easily? She should wash her own mouth out with soap. She glanced at her phone to see what time it was. Late. Later than she wanted to be.
    Her son would have her up early on a Saturday morning. That would be increasingly painful as the night went on. She might not get into bed before the sun came up. And if the sun was up, so was Derek.
    “You have to be somewhere?”
    “I have to be up early in the morning. Shalia, my friend, does not.”
    “I could give you a ride home if she’s not ready to leave.”
    A ride home? The last thing she wanted if for this man to see where she lived. Even if she wasn’t sure she was going to pursue him or his modeling gig, she wanted to leave her options open.
    “Uh, no. I wouldn’t want to tear you away.”
    “I’m ready to leave. I don’t mind.”
    She shook her head. She couldn’t think of a place he could drop her in the Bronx that might not look as bad as where she lived and she’d still feel safe walking home. Nope. This was not going to happen.
    “No, but thank you.” She was getting the impression that he didn’t want her to leave. She must be wrong. He’d been attentive and sweet and she didn’t want to be rude, but she really did have to get home.
    “Okay. I won’t push but think about it. I have a car that can take you back to where you live. May I ask where that is?”
    She bit her lip. She didn’t have a ready lie for that. “I just met you. Not sure you need to know that yet.”
    He waved a hand. “Right. Shouldn’t have asked.”
    “Not a problem.”
    “Shall I help you find your friend?”
    “Sure. That would be great,” Ellyn said.
    He rose and held out his hand for her. She took it. This was only the second time they touched and once again, his hand infused her with warmth. Part of her didn’t want him to break contact with him.
    He led her into the ballroom. Shalia was on the dance floor. Had they been dancing this whole time? Only her friend would dance with the host of the party that they crashed. Ellyn was not that brave.
    “Looks like they are having a good time. I’ll offer my car again; we can take you anywhere you want,” he said.
    Ellyn didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to travel home alone but she couldn’t seem to get Shalia’s attention. She and Doug were gazing into each other’s eyes. She’d have to suck it up and leave on her own. She sent a text from her phone to Shalia’s telling her that she left.
    “So what did you decide?” Colton said.
    “I’m leaving without her. I sent a text.”
    “She won’t be mad?”
    “No, she’ll understand. She knew I had to leave earlier than she did.”
    “So, a ride?”
    She smiled up at him and his eager expression. The idea that he liked her warmed her heart. Would this work? Could she pull of this charade? “I really appreciate your offer but I need to get back home and I’d rather do it alone.”
    He nodded. “Fair enough. I can walk you out.”
    ***
    Colton noticed that Ellyn stiffened at his third attempt. Her eyes said she wanted to stay and be with him, but her body said the opposite. She was hiding something, but everyone was. Or he made her uncomfortable. He knew his height could make him intimidating, but he’d tried to keep out of her personal space. Tried, being the operative word. She currently held onto his arm. She hadn’t let go yet and he didn’t want her to. Those incredible eyes turned to him. She bit her lip. What was she unsure about?
    He could send her in his car without him. He wouldn’t have to know where she lived. “How about you take my car and I’ll promise not to ask the driver where you live?”
    Her face showed a myriad of emotions but she wasn’t sure which one of