Free Romancing the Billionaire by Jessica Clare Page A

for his own means.
    She glared icily at him when he smiled back at her, determined not to be swayed by his charm. “So now you’re going to drag me off to London, I take it?”
    His exuberant expression died slowly, his face smoothing. “Unless you think we should start with Egypt?”
    Violet shrugged. “I’m just the hired help. You’re the one calling the shots.”
    He nodded, lost in thought, and tucked his letter into his jacket. He turned back to the owner of the house and gave her another charming smile. “I cannot thank you enough, madam.”
    â€œYou could give me one of those fancy cars you sell,” she told him, and then tittered behind a liver-spotted hand, her curlers jiggling.
    He bowed over her hand as if responding to a command. “It’s done. I’ll have one delivered.”
    Her eyes widened into two circles. “I—Mr. Lyons, I didn’t mean—I was just teasing—”
    â€œI know,” he said. “But I shall insist.” He took her hand in his, kissed the back of it, and grinned. “Cherry red?”
    She gave him an awestruck nod.
    Again, Violet had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. If the man was going to give a car to every person he ran across, he’d be broke in days. That was no way to run a business, Violet thought grumpily.
    They thanked the woman once more and Jonathan texted her information to his assistant, and then they headed back out to the waiting car.
    Once they were inside, Jonathan grabbed her and dragged her across the seat toward him.
    â€œJonathan—”
    His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her again. Shocked, Violet remained frozen as he pulled her against him and his lips coaxed hers apart. Memories blasted through her, along with his kiss. Memories of his excitement on the dig; he’d never been more turned on than when they had an breathtaking discovery. Adrenaline made him hard as a rock, whether it was from archaeology or something else. It appeared that adrenaline was pumping through him right now, and he’d forgotten that she hated him.
    She tried to pull away, but his tongue slicked against hers, and she weakened. It coaxed into her mouth, firm, decisive thrusts that were just as intense as the man himself. His hand moved to her nape and he held her against him, groaning her name between hot, fevered kisses. “Violet. God, Violet.”
    The way he said her name made her nipples harden. Her mouth parted under his and she fell into his spell. The flavor of him was sweet against her mouth, tasting faintly of mint. His lips were firm against hers, as insistent as his grip on her. When his tongue thrust into her mouth and then curled along her own, she moaned. Oh, God, he’d always been such a good kisser. He knew just how to push her buttons—
    Violet gasped, realizing what she was doing. She was kissing the man she hated above all other men. The man who had betrayed her and left her, without a care in the world.
    She jerked away from him, hauling backward. “No, Jonathan!”
    â€œViolet,” he murmured, and the look in his eyes was sleepy with lust.
    She slapped him across the face.
    That got his attention. He pulled away, clearly surprised at her violent response. He released her and his hand went to his jaw. “My apologies. I didn’t realize you were so unwilling.”
    â€œI will
always
be unwilling with you,” she hissed. “You think you can just waltz back into my life and throw me into your bed like nothing has happened?”
    The look in his eyes grew intense again. “If I could throw you into my bed this moment and know you would stay there? I would in a heartbeat, Violet.”
    â€œNo,” she cried furiously. “You don’t get to touch me! Ever again!”
    He raked a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “I realize we parted badly, Violet, but fuck. We were two stupid kids. Can’t we be adults