Free Take me if you dare: Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Secret Matchmaker Book 4) by L.N. Pearl, S.K. Lee

1 - Lila
    I was done. Asher was in Dubai with Sofia, the woman we've pegged as his best match, and my relationship with him was over. Whatever had begun between us in the club more than a week ago had ended without so much as a bang.
    "Literally," I grumbled as I tugged my bag over my shoulder at the airport baggage claim. I glanced around at the various passengers, most of them hugging or kissing someone who had come to greet them. But not me. I was standing alone. My life as a loner was back on track.
    Having caught an earlier flight, I was back in L.A. several hours before my scheduled arrival and had told Jessie that I would get a taxi ride home.
    After grabbing a coffee near the exit, I walked out to the long line of cabs and climbed into the first one I could.
    "Where are you headed, Missy?" The cabbie turned and gave me a smile.
    Nowhere, apparently.
    I gave him my address and turned to look out the window, taking a sip of my coffee, and looking forward to getting home. It would feel good to be back in my own space, with my own things, and spending some time emerged in silence. This would help me to bleed out the sadness that sat so heavily on my heart.
    I would get through this. I was tough and this wasn’t the first time I’d been disappointed with men. Not that big of a deal.
    Then why do I feel so bad?
    My thoughts moved from moments that Asher and I had shared, to the vision of him with Sofia. The woman was incredibly gorgeous and so well suited for him. They had gone to the races that morning, and there was no doubt in my mind that she’d been dressed to impress.
    Between her wealth and her perfect bikini modeling physique, Asher was sure to be swept off his feet in no time.
    My heart ached and I pressed my hand to it, wanting so badly to push him from my thoughts, but unable to.
    "Here we are, madam." The driver turned and held up a small plastic sign. "We take all types of credit cards or cash. What will it be?"
    "Visa." I worked to get my card out of my wallet and handed it to him before glancing out my window to watch a lady walking three unruly dogs down the sidewalk.
    "Sign here please." He handed me the computerized pad and I signed, remembering my naïve thoughts that I might one day share his name.
    Sofia was a jewel, a beautiful addition to Asher's life. I was like a wayward teenager, stuck in the body of a woman who longed for something that would never truly come. Love avoided me like the plague, something about me seemed to repel it. My next course of action would be work on toughening up. 
    I thanked the cab driver and got out of the car, pausing to shift my bag onto my shoulder before moving to the sidewalk. It was cool, but not cold. Perfect for a long run.
    The laugher of a nearby couple caught my attention and I turned, watching them for a second before it was too much to bear. I walked into my apartment building and took the stairs without breaking a sweat.
    There was no dog or cat waiting on me, and certainly no significant other or sibling. I was an only child, so being alone had always been okay with me. Until now.
    The house was silent... too much so for my liking, but it was home. I dropped my bag on the floor by the front door and slipped my heels off before dropping on the couch.
    "Honey... I'm home," I called out to no one. "What are you up to, Asher? Are the races over? Are you snuggled up on the penthouse couch with your new toy? Is she funny like me? Interested in exploring herself with you like I was?"
    Tears burned my eyes and I forced my thoughts away. I didn't need this shit.
    A soft knock at the door caused me to jump up. My heart raced at the thought of seeing Asher behind the door, flowers in his hand and telling me I was the only one.
    Why would it be Asher? He's probably not even back from the races. Besides... He's not going to drop everything and come after you. You're not worth it. You did your job and found him the perfect woman, clearly it wasn’t you.
    I opened the