ng with precision. Cooking had always been her escape, her sanctuary. And now, in J

ignoring the way his pr

o perceptive,

he had agr

mo

llionaire who made her pulse r

rply, forcing h

used mashed potatoes and a red wine reduction-was one of her pers

ve herself, she would do it

ng the

red steak filled the kitchen,

ached for the plated

enough that she could feel the h

red, his voice sending an invo

how much he affected her. "It's a classic,"

approval. "We'l

late and settling into one of the

hing as he lifted th

rst bite hit his

urprise. The way his j

s imp

he'd ever

wn deliberately, meeti

rms. "Not bad? That's

I don't believe in excessiv

eve in false humility. If some

g on the counter. "Alright, Celeste. It

compliment caug

would let h

chin. "That's

sent a strange warmth through her. "I ha

d. "You ha

ed into the guest suite J

than her ent

balcony overlooking the city, and an en-suite bathro

e the luxury, s

't used

used

tery-calculating, intense

t six months, she wa

breath, running a h

made her

ust had to

e early, slipping into the ki

eparing breakfast when

son," he remarked as he walked in,

d, eyes widen

w-slung sweatpants and a fitted blac

ent like this. Less

to the stove. "I like

ng himself a cup of c

lated breakfast-fluffy scrambled eggs,

island, watching as she se

me," he mused, pi

a brow. "You're

, nodding in appro

ter, crossing her arms. "Wh

tings. A charity event tonigh

ked. "Ex

. "I need a date for the event. And since yo

him. "I'm your che

"You're whatever

ed. "That wasn't

g. "Technically, it was. You agreed to acc

ed her jaw

agreed

expected it to

houghts. "Wear something nice, Celest

er with the same effortless co

sharply, gripp

ng this was onl

re she was ready

her guest suite, smoothing down the fabric of the sl

s exp

ht places. The deep V-neckline wasn't scandalous, but it was

nched h

a date. I

another task on her cont

t her-elegant, sophisticated, and very different from the

e door pulled her o

n," she

, dressed in a tailored black tuxedo that

ng him, it p

ng slightly before he schooled h

led her eye

thing, stepping forward an

ion of a second before lo

't have

ct had ens

t shake the feeling that she was about to step into s

st prestigious venues, a grand ballroom drippin

been to an event

sts looked at her-whispering behind th

htened her

hem s

't here

or had made it clear that he owned

his role, she was going

as they entered the ballroom, guiding her to

ng-icy blue eyes, red lips, and the kind of confidence that came

sion didn't cha

ked to Celeste, asses

. "Celeste Bennett. My

perfectly sculpted

polite smile. "

she turned back to Jayden, leaning in slight

curved slightl

clenched

idn't

ouldn'

ke to Jayden-like she knew him, like she

pagne from a passing waiter, needi

amusement flickering

ffed. "

deepened.

agne. "You really think hig

and rich. "I just c

Whatever helps you sle

respond, anoth

yde

ed, and her

, with salt-and-pepper hair and the ki

es locked onto Ja

ly, the ai

entire bo

ask he always wore didn

e said, his

eyes widen

s his

her, his expression unre

er waist tightened

slowly. "Your late

could respond, Jayden's voice c

ul, Ri

Relax, son. I'm just

a billionaire in his own right. But she had never seen Jayden like this

hing

moment before turning back to

jaw ticke

didn't fade. "Don

ed away, disappear

slow breath. "Well

ng a hand over his ja

d. "What was

o her, something unread

to worry about,"

r eyes. "That's

's the only one

ther, the music shifted,

t his hand. "D

linked. "

a charity gala, sweethear

hesi

nte who had been train

t to let Jayden McG

she placed he

dance floor with ease, h

w my lead,"

her waist. But it was impossible. Jayden moved with effortless grace, his body impossibly