Free The Billionaire's Deal: The Complete Story: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Crystal Kaswell

much better than any other alternative.
    There's someone in my way. Declan, the first guy I met here. He waves.
    "Hey, Kat. Blake is about to give his speech."
    "I'm just going to get some air," I say.
    He pats my shoulder. "Nonsense." He leans in close and whispers. "I have it on good authority that he mentions you in it."
    There's this twinkle in his eye, like he knows more than he's letting on. Okay, fine. I'm the ingénue. I'll play along.
    I follow him into the main room. Oh, a server passing around a tray of champagne. Yes, please. The drink gets better with every glass. Really, it tastes like money.
    Declan pats me on the back. He nods to a small stage. Blake is standing there. He's holding up his own glass of champagne like he's about to give a toast.
    I must have missed something in the bathroom.
    He scans the crowd, his eyes resting on me. He smiles, a big smile, but I can't tell if it's real or pretend.
    "I know we're all very excited about the new Photos feature, but before I praise the dev team—you're all great, but this is a party." Blake holds up his glass. "Let's talk about something interesting, huh?"
    There's laughter, some genuine, some sucking up to the boss. Everyone with a glass toasts. Well, when in Rome. I polish off my glass in one very long sip.
    Blake does the same. Not like him. The real him anyway. He wipes a few drops from his face. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that he's nervous. But that could be an act, too.
    He makes eye contact with me. Something passes between us—something real—but I can't place it. The flutter in me goes into full effect. Concentration, gone. I'll miss it.
    "There's something I want to capture forever." He steps off the stage. "Something even better than Sterling Tech."
    The crowd parts until it's a straight shot between Blake and me. Good thing his mic is cordless, because I can't move a muscle. He walks to me slowly. Someone takes his champagne glass out of his hand.
    The expression in his eyes is pure love. He's a damn good actor.
    He takes my hand and strokes my fingers. "Kat, I love you more than I've ever loved anyone."
    Flutters, oh they're everywhere. My stupid body still hasn't gotten the message that this is all a lie. I nod like I know what's going on. His touch is so light on my hand. It's comforting even if it's bullshit.
    "You make the happiest man alive." He drops to one knee.
    Holy crap.
    Blake pulls a ring box out of his pocket. "Will you marry me?"
    He pulls it open, revealing an enormous diamond. It's a solitaire on a platinum band. Four carats, five maybe. Sleek, like everything else he owns.
    The room goes quiet. Every ounce of attention is on us. I catch glances from his mother. Her mouth is hanging open, but there's no mistaking the joy on her face.
    There's no mistaking my options.
    I go for a big smile. I throw my hands over my mouth like I can't believe my luck. "Of course."
    His eyes stay glued to mine. He slides the engagement ring over my finger and rises to his feet.
    Blake leans into a kiss. Our lips meet and fireworks explode inside my body. Fake, fake, fake. All of this is fake! Everything except the ring.
    Lights go off around us. Cameras and camera phones. Everyone wants to talk to us. Everyone has questions.
    I'm engaged to Blake Sterling.
    This is either the best decision I've ever made or the biggest mistake of my life.
    To Be Continued...

Episode Two

Chapter Seven
    The lights won't stop flashing. We're a spectacle. Juicy gossip. The reserved billionaire and his blushing bride. Oh, God, I'm the blushing bride. I'm blushing now. Hard to blame me with all of this attention. Any reasonable person would feel shy under the circumstances.
    Of course, Blake is not a reasonable person. He shows no signs of shyness. No signs of anything except cool composure.
    He waves at the crowd. "If you'll excuse me, my fiancée and I would like to be alone. To celebrate."
    Some people laugh. A few cheer. Everyone knows celebrate is code for