The Billionaire's Secret Read Online Free

into you, Miss
Burke.”
    The combination of his double meaning and
her own thoughts brought a blush of pink to her cheeks as she
removed her hand from his and clutched her purse ever so tightly. Stop thinking of his strong, warm hands, broad shoulders, and
the rippling muscles sadly hidden beneath that tuxedo jacket. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Vinchi,” she said in the most professional
tone she could muster at the moment. Small talk, something,
anything . . . “Do you attend many of these events?” she asked. Of course he does. These events are full of the Who's
Who, the cream of society, and he definitely fits that bill .
She preferred a man who dressed more casually. Picturing what he
would look like in jeans and a fitted T-shirt that showed off what
promised to be a rock-hard chest only made it worse . You’re here
on business, Lizette, she reminded herself. Focus.
    “No, I don’t normally attend these things. I
am here tonight fulfilling a business obligation.”
    Odd answer, she thought. Since he
wasn’t in any of the photos she had been provided, maybe his boss
had sent him as well. “My boss, Ms. Manning, was ill and could not
attend this evening. So I’m also here tonight fulfilling a business
obligation. Seems we have something in common,” she said.
    “So it seems, Ms. Burke.”
    Mr. Vinchi was staring at her. Make small
talk, she reminded herself. “I don’t know how people do this
all the time,” Lizette said as she glanced around the crowd. “Who
wouldn’t rather be soaking in a bubble bath than be here?” Her hand
flew to cover her lips as she realized what she had said. What’s
wrong with me? That’s not small talk! She reprimanded
herself . Pull yourself together.
    A smile crossed his face and his eyes
softened as he said, “The thought of that is appealing. However, I
believe we are both stuck here for the evening. May I take a rain
check?”
    “It wasn’t a . . .” She stumbled over her
words as her cheeks turned from pink to red in embarrassment. “I
didn’t mean to . . . what I meant was . . . well, it didn’t come
out exactly the way I meant it. I wanted to say, I am sure there
are places we both wish we could be besides here.”
    “Miss Burke, relax. I was only joking.”
    “Yes, yes, of course, I knew you were,” she
said, but there was something in his eyes and the way he was
looking at her that told her otherwise.
    “Would you care to join me for a glass of
champagne?”
    Lizette paused, debating his offer. Tempting, but no, she thought.
    As though he felt her hesitation, Jon
stepped even closer. “I don’t bite,” he whispered in her ear so no
one could overhear.
    His hot breath sent a chill down her spine
as she thought, How about a nibble? How she wished her body
did not betray her private thoughts as her cheeks flushed again.
She prided herself on self-control in all situations, but sadly she
was losing the battle at the moment. It’s not like she hadn’t
talked to handsome men before. What was it about him that drove her
to such sweet thoughts? Was it his voice, his eyes, his rippling
muscles? She was sure it was the combination of it all, but this
wasn’t the time or place to analyze the depth of this sexual
attraction. She was here on business, and she was sure this wasn’t
what Elaine had had in mind when she’d said she should enjoy
herself. No longer trusting her voice, she merely nodded. Jon
offered her his arm; without hesitation, she gently linked her arm
in his. She was going to mingle later.
    They made their way to a quieter spot in the
ballroom. Was it her imagination or were the men and women they
passed trying to catch Jon’s attention? She stole a quick look at
him, but he seemed oblivious to the crowd as he guided them away
from the crowd of people, far enough away to be able talk
privately, but not far enough to be considered private. He motioned
for a waiter carrying a tray of champagne, who quickly delivered
their drinks.
    As they stood