Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3

by Laura Burton

  Emily looked up at him after popping a piece of salmon in her mouth, then slumped into her seat with a moan. She closed her eyes and shook her head, with a drunken smile on her face. “I told you,” she said between bites. “I’m starving.”

  David grinned, quite unaware of the steaming plate of food set before him. He stared at Emily as she made herself comfortable and devoured her meal. It stirred up emotions that he hadn’t experienced before; it was a bittersweet sensation. Happiness mingled with sadness. A sense of belonging mixed with regret. He fiddled with his watch and clenched his jaw as his mind battled.

  I should tell her the truth and get it over with… but then she’ll leave and never speak to me again.

  Emily opened her eyes and grinned at him as she chewed, her cheeks bulged like a hamster and her eyes sparkled. David wanted to rush over and scoop her up in his arms, kissing those cheeks and lose himself in her sparkling eyes forever.

  She’s too good for you, David. If she finds out what you’ve done, she will never forgive you.

  Chapter Nine

  A Growing Appetite

  “You’ve barely touched your food, everything okay?” Emily eyed David suspiciously while dabbing her mouth with her napkin. David averted his eyes and took a sip of his drink, perhaps to avoid answering the question. They ate in silence for a few minutes, when the chef reappeared. She placed on the table a warm plate of cinnamon buns drenched in white icing. Emily licked her lips and grinned at the chef.

  “These look delicious.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” She inclined her head with a slight bow. “I hope they live up to your expectations.”

  Emily picked up a cinnamon roll and took a bite. A gentle explosion of vanilla and cinnamon delivered on a fluffy bed of pastry sent Emily’s senses into a frenzy. She melted into her seat and gave a thumbs up as she made a noise of approval.

  “If you don’t hurry up and eat, David, I’m going to finish them all,” she teased. She shot a charming smile at the chef, who appeared unsure whether to apologize for not making enough or laugh along. She settled on another awkward bow with a faint smile and vacated the room in silence.

  “We have a lot to talk about,” Emily said as she finished her roll. She picked up her drink and swirled it in the glass absent-mindedly.

  “Yes, before we get to that, I have something for you.” David shifted in his seat and pulled out a little black box from his pocket. Emily inhaled as she stared at it. He flipped it open and a platinum ring, sporting a diamond the size of an almond, was staring at her.

  “David. This is… unexpected.”

  David shrugged.

  “We’re married now, might as well fit the part.” He lifted up his left hand to show a plain platinum band on his wedding finger. Emily bit her lip to stop herself from grinning, wondering how she didn’t notice it before. She reached out and he placed the ring on her finger. She stared at it, surprised at how heavy the diamond weighed on her hand. I’m going to get mugged on the subway with this rock on my finger.

  “It fits perfectly. How did you know my ring size?” David offered a broad smile with his back straight. Clearly proud of himself.

  “I have my secrets,” he said, while tapping his nose. Emily wriggled in her seat and rubbed her arms.

  “I have a confession to make,” she said. David raised his brows as he picked up his knife and fork. Emily glanced out of the huge pane of windows to see the city and took a moment to carefully choose her words. Now, would be a good time to come clean and tell him that she set him up. The dates were manipulated to get him to choose her so she could expand her company.

  “Okay, I’m listening,” David said, urging Emily to speak. She stared at him intently. His jawline jutted out and his face looked like it had been chiseled by an expert. She wanted to run her fingers along his brow and grab the back of his neck.

  “Sorry,” she blurted out, heat rising to her face. “What was I saying?” Lightheaded, Emily lost track of her thoughts as she took a sip of her drink to calm down.

  “You had a confession for me?”

  Emily was blushing fully now. His steady gaze was intense and burned through her soul.

  She couldn’t do it.

  “I like you,” she said without thinking. David smirked.

  “Thanks.”

  “No, I mean… I like you.” Emily sat up straighter and smoothed her hair. “I know this is an act… I know we haven’t known each other very long. But I want you to know that, I feel something,” Emily stammered. David continue to stare at her with a look of intensity. She couldn’t work out if he was having an inward conversation, or just taking time to register what she was saying. Before David could answer, Emily’s phone vibrated.

  “Sorry, I should check if that’s work,” she murmured as she pulled out her phone and glanced at it. It was a text message from Matthew.

  “Ah,” she said, her stomach tightening. “Are you free tonight? I need a favor.”

  David nodded. Apparently unable to find his voice.

  “I need to go to dinner with my investors, and they want to meet you.”

  “Me?”

  Emily hesitated. How do I explain this? “Well, the fact that I’m married may have come up in conversation, and they were keen to meet you.”

  “Okay, so this is really happening.” David puffed his cheeks out and exhaled. Emily smirked as she lifted her left hand up to him; the huge ring twinkled brighter than the chandeliers above their heads.

  “Well, yes.”

  David smirked back.

  “Okay. Now if we are to fool anyone that we’re a couple, we better get to know each other, fast.” Emily picked up another cinnamon roll and grinned. David picked one up too.

  “In that case, I think we’re going to need more of these.”

  Emily studied her face in the bathroom, looking for flaws. Apart from the faint line between her brows and the corners of her eyes, she could have been mistaken for a twenty-year-old. She curled the last lock of straight hair and plucked out a tiny grey strand. She then stood back and admired her work. Masses of soft brown curls covered her shoulders and fanned out like a mermaid. She tugged on the towel wrapped around her body and held it in place as she trudged into her bedroom wearing her pink bunny slippers. Now that her hair and make-up were perfect, all she had to do was pick an outfit.

  What do you wear to a dinner with your fake husband and potential investors? She eyed a long, figure-hugging nude gown, designed by Vivienne Westwood. It was easily the most expensive item in her wardrobe, but perhaps not the best idea when you’re looking to have people invest in your company. She wanted to appear tasteful and accomplished, but didn’t scream money. She opted for a pastel pink lace Ted Baker dress. The soft, feminine style worked well with her curly hair and she decided it was the perfect blend between tasteful and yet ordinary. She slipped on the dress and expertly zipped it up, looking like a contortionist with her arms flung back to work the zipper. She ran her hands down the material. The dress hugged her curves and fit like a glove, moving with her easily, as if it were an extra layer of skin. She grabbed her favorite bottle of perfume and sprayed it liberally into the air and walked into the fragrant plume. She tried to remember everything David told her at lunch. Thankfully, after all these years of meeting clients and matchmaking, memory recall became a strength. She was able to collect facts and store them better than anyone.

  David was born in London and went to boarding school. His height made him clumsy, and he was known for dropping things or tripping up and was bullied mercilessly for it. High school was better, having made a few close friends and the other students became aware of his family’s fortune. Kids would try to befriend him because their parents wanted to get to know his family. He graduated university and set up his own company as a freelance architect. His family’s high-profile connections landed him a lot of work. All of the Marks Hotels built after 2005 were designed by David. His favorite color was blue, he liked his steak rar
e—she remembered that from their first “date.”

  She jumped on one foot as she fastened her sandal. He’s a fan of basketball, but not baseball. She secured a diamanté slide into her hair. He hates jeans. He doesn’t even own a pair. The doorbell rang and she grabbed her purse, stuffing it with her phone, keys, and wallet. The doorbell rang again, Emily hurried to the door and pressed the button on the intercom.

  “Yes, Emily Stewart.”

  “I think you mean Emily Marks.”

  Emily sucked in the air through her teeth. The sound of his voice echoing around the apartment sent shivers of excitement running through her veins, a nervous excitement. And she liked it.

  “I’ll be right down.” She ran back to her dresser and picked up the platinum ring, sliding it onto her finger and marveled at it for a moment. She always wondered what it would feel like to wear a beautiful diamond ring and walk around with a man on her arm. Now that it was happening, none of it seemed real. Which is true, none of it IS real, Emily. Don’t forget it. She shook her head and hurried out of her apartment, ignoring the twinge of sadness deep within her stomach.

  “Wow, you look—” David broke off and held his hand to his heart with a look of admiration. Emily’s cheeks warmed and she couldn’t stop a beam spreading across her face at his reaction.

  “Thanks, you don’t look too bad either.” She linked her arm with his and traced a line along the cuff of his white shirt. A silver cufflink caught her eye; she leaned closer to study the detail. It was a tiny scroll.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Marks, good evening.”

  Emily jumped at the welcome to see Henry standing beside the limousine as they approached. Emily glanced at David with a knowing smile. She was sure news would spread quickly now that everyone in David’s inner circle knew. Emily wondered whether she should tell her family. Isn’t this the type of thing you’d tell your sister about? She could offer some advice or talk it through. Emily inwardly scoffed at the thought. When was the last time she or even my parents called me? They don’t care. Emily brushed away her thoughts and took David’s hand as he helped her into the back of the limousine.

  “I like your car,” she said, pushing herself deeper into the squishy leather seat. David settled into his seat and turned to look at her, matching her expression.

  “Thanks. Now, tell me about these investors we are about to meet.”

  “Honestly, there’s not much to tell.” Emily shrugged. “Matthew is my contact. I’m not even sure who he is. He’s kept the identity of these investors under wraps, so I’m a bit in the dark about them.”

  “Interesting, and what exactly is your plan?”

  “Sorry?”

  “What do you need money for?”

  Emily clenched her jaw and swallowed. So far, she had made a good show… acted like she didn’t have want for anything.

  “I want to open up a new office in LA.”

  “LA?”

  “Yes, well it’s a hot spot for actors. I think a matchmaking business will do well there.”

  “No doubt, that’s true. It’s a wise business decision.”

  Emily looked at him with surprise. She had not expected David to have a positive opinion on it.

  “Thanks.”

  “How much are you asking for?”

  “Two-hundred and fifty thousand.”

  “Is that all?”

  Well, sure, a quarter of a million dollars is peanuts when you’re a billionaire. Emily resisted the urge to huff and roll her eyes. Instead, she pressed her lips together and nodded.

  “Why don’t you just take out a loan? I’m guessing these people will want a percentage of your business for their investment. Why give it away?”

  Emily wanted to pout and fold her arms, insist that it was none of this was his business. Which was true, but did she need to tell him all about her finances? No. But the sincere look in his eye and the gentleness of his voice had Emily’s defenses lowering.

  “Honestly, I’m broke. I’m already up to my eyeballs in debt.”

  “How is that possible? I’ve seen your fees. Harold told me you have a whole team with a massive list of clients.”

  Emily scratched the back of her hand and looked away. She couldn’t look into David’s eyes for another moment. He didn’t get it. Hiring staff with New York expenses, the office alone cost her more than a mortgage payment and then there was getting top interior designers to make the office look trendy. The cost of living, wining and dining potential clients, keeping up with the image of a successful businesswoman. The finances snowballed out of control. But that’s why the LA business was going to be a game changer. She was sure she could get higher profile clients, increase profits, and with the help of the investors the slate would be wiped clean and she could start again.

  “Is this your first time dealing with investors?”

  Emily’s stomach tightened. Although his question seemed innocent enough, she sensed that he was questioning her abilities. Had she done anything like this before? No. She looked back at David and remained quiet, listening to the faint rumble of the limousine as they traveled through the city streets. David placed his hand on hers.

  “Okay, well I’m happy to help any way I can.”

  “Have you got two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars lying around?”

  David bowed his head as he laughed, then said, “Well....”

  “I was joking,” Emily added. She looked down at their hands and sat in wonderment of how normal it felt to have David touching her.

  “I try not to mix business with pleasure,” he said in a low voice. A smile crept across his face as they locked eyes. Emily threw her head back and sighed.

  “So, tell me, am I business or pleasure to you?”

  David rubbed his chin in thought—one of the gestures she was figuring out about her “husband.”

  “You mean business,” he began, “but being with you is my pleasure.”

  Emily cocked a brow at him and considered his response. She wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but she had no time to find out because the car came to a stop and David announced, “We’re here. Are you ready to schmooze these investors?”

  Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach and Emily swallowed nervously.

  “Let’s do this.”

  Chapter Ten

  Dinner and Plans

  “So, David. Tell me, what do you do?”

  David swallowed the last of his drink and placed the glass down on the white table linen; a waiter appeared out of nowhere to top off his glass. David looked up at the large man who addressed him. Mathew was not at all what he pictured. His cheeks were permanently rosy and the veins in his neck were bulging. His Texan slur was the only indication to his hometown. The two men sitting either side of him were quiet and immobile. Their eyes narrowed on him and paid no attention to Emily whatsoever. From the first moment they shook hands, David knew these men wouldn’t deal with a woman if they didn’t have to. The conversation was solely directed at David after the initial greeting, as if Emily didn’t exist. Emily Stewart, the sassy, brilliant, outrageously beautiful business owner, being left in the corner? The thought made David’s blood boil; he knew what he needed to do.

  “I’m so sorry, will you excuse me for a moment? I need to make a quick call.” Without waiting for an answer, David got to his feet and offered an apologetic smile to Emily. She nodded at him matter-of-factly and turned to the men across the table.

  “So, gentlemen, do any of you use a dating app?”

  David strolled across the quiet restaurant and hid behind the large aquarium tank sitting in the center of the room. How long should he give it? Five minutes? Ten? He peered through the murky water and squinted. Emily was flicking her hair back and laughing at something. The men were chuckling back at her.

  That’s it Emily, just be yourself, they’ll love you.

  A waiter stopped and asked David if anything was wrong. He waved him off and took his phone out of his pocket to pretend he was m
aking a call. He looked down to see his father’s name flash across the screen.

  “Father, I can’t speak right now, I’m at dinner.”

  “I need to speak with you.”

  “It’s going to have to wait. I’ll be flying into the island in three days, we can talk then.”

  “No, David, we need to talk now.”

  David scoffed and glanced up through the fish tank again. Emily’s back was straight as a board, and she had her hands resting on the table. She appeared deep in conversation now.

  “What is it?”

  “Not here, David. I have a car waiting outside the restaurant.”

  “How do you know where I am?”

  “You think you can hide from your father? Now, stop wasting time. This won’t take long.”

  David puffed out the air from his cheeks and strolled out of the restaurant, glancing nervously over his shoulder. Neither the investors nor Emily appeared to notice him leave.

  David walked out into the rain and was just about to raise a hand to shield his face, when Joffrey held out an umbrella for him.

  “Sorry, sir,” he muttered. “You know I’ve never been able to keep secrets from him.” David shot him a look and got into the back of the silver Rolls Royce.

  “Evening.”

  David shook the rain off his jacket and looked at the man sitting with his hands gently clasped together.

  “Make this quick, I need to get back inside.”

  “You don’t speak to me like that, David,” His father warned. “I’m here to remind you of our arrangement.”

  David looked down.

  “I haven’t forgotten.”

  “Good, because if your grandmother finds out….”

  “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “Have you spoken to your brother?”

  David snorted.

  “Have you? Has anyone?”

  “He’s family, David. And he misses you.”