Free Her Billionaire Secret Part 1: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Jenna Chase, Elise Kelby Page A

straight at her from the printed page. There was something about the way the photograph was taken that made it look as if he only had eyes for her. Dragging her attention from his mesmerising gaze, Claire scanned the article quickly.
    “What are you looking for?”
    She looked up at Fran. “I want to know who took this. It’s a great image.”
    “Claire! Only you would ignore one of the most eligible bachelors in London to find out who the photographer is.”
    “I’m not interested in men. I am interested in furthering my career. If I could get someone to look into my camera like that, I’d make a fortune.”
    “Don’t sell yourself short, I’ve seen your work. It’s great. Besides, if Tevis Drummond looks as though he’s making love to the camera, there has to be a woman on the other side of it.” Fran stood and picked up her bag. “Take the magazine with you and read it in the taxi, you ought to know who you are meeting.”
    “I’m not   meeting   him. I’m delivering a package.”
    “Shame, because he’s a hell of a sexy man.”
    Yes, he was. Claire could see the attraction in the photograph. He was precisely the type of man she kept well away from. Confident, assured, and well aware of his appeal to women. She’d seen what a man like Tevis Drummond could do.
    “I suppose he is,” she responded, not wanting the conversation to take this turn. She felt uncomfortable about it.
    “He’s been connected with Eloise Grace.”
    “The singer?”
    “Yes, you innocent. The singer. I think there’s also something on Eloise in that magazine.”
    “Oh.” Now Claire wanted to be out of there. She hated celebrity gossip with a passion, but Fran kept on, not noticing her reticence. She grabbed the magazine out of Claire’s loose grip and flicked over more pages before handing it back.
    “There’s a whole article about Eloise. She’s been missing for three weeks. Her management team have no idea where she is. They’re going crazy looking for her, she’s supposed to be picking up some award this weekend.” Fran’s face was animated. Claire had only known her for six months but she knew Fran lived for gossip about celebrities. 
    The fragile face of Eloise Grace stared back at her. Claire didn’t want to be a voyeur to the young singer’s life but she knew Fran was expecting her to say something.
    “Perhaps she wants some quiet time. Celebrity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” She tried to pass the magazine back to Fran, but her friend didn’t get the hint.
    “No, take it. Read it in the taxi.”
    “Okay, thanks.” Claire had no intention of reading the magazine but she didn’t want to offend Fran. She stuffed it into her bag with the package. She’d leave it on Fran’s desk when she got into work on Wednesday morning.  
    Giving her desk a final check to make sure she’d left nothing behind, she slung her bag over her shoulder and with a quick last smile to Fran, walked out of the office.
    An hour, two hours at the worst, and she’d have four days all to herself.
    The last of the summer day’s heat hit her as she walked out of the air-conditioned glass building. Most people had left the office almost an hour ago, many going straight to local pubs to have a quick drink with colleagues before heading home for the weekend. Claire had never got into the habit, saving every penny earned for her tour of Europe.
    The crisp notes from Isabella were an added bonus, and the reason she hadn’t refused to deliver the package. That, along with valuing the temping job which paid more than most. She might not want to do it, but the money would be useful. If she only took a taxi to Belgravia and then used the underground to go home, she could add a little more to her savings.
    She waved at the black cab heading down the street towards her. As he pulled to the kerb, Claire heaved a sigh of relief. Friday nights were often the most difficult to get a passing cab.
    Even though she’d been lucky in