Page 166 of The Rebel Billionaire

“One hundred,” I say, lying back on the carpet and throwing my hands above my head. “Oh. My…”

“I owe you big time,” he says, sitting next to me, his knees bent.

“No, you don’t. Isn’t that what friends and PAs are for?”

“You’re right, how could I forget?”

I turn my head to face him, bringing my arms down by my sides, my hair falling over my eyes.

He leans forward and sweeps it behind my ear, his hand hovering beside my face.

My breath hitches, and we sit in silence until he pulls away.

“Sorry. Look at the time,” he says.

“It’s fine,” I say, sitting up. “We got the main set done. I can come back, and we can finish the rest tomorrow.”

“It’s one in the morning,” he says. “You can stay here. There’s plenty of room. Gabbi’s room is fully kitted out, an entire St Clair wardrobe sitting there untouched, and I know the bathroom is full of supplies. She won’t mind. My sister is incredibly fond of you.”

“The feeling is mutual. I don’t want to put you out. I can get a taxi… sorry, cab, then come back in the morning,” I say.

He frowns. “It’s no trouble. The room is sitting empty, and I’d feel happier knowing you’re safe and not catching a cab in the middle of the night.”

“If you’re sure,” I say, not really wanting to venture out into the cold February night.

Alex smiles. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

We head up the internal spiral staircase.

“You have a pool?” I say, stating the obvious, as we reach the top step and look out onto a second balcony, this one housing an infinity pool.

“I do. It’s heated if you want to brave it. I personally prefer it in the summer months.”

I pause. As someone who could swim almost before I could walk, I find the idea incredibly tempting. That was the joy of having an older brother who competed at national level and came close to competing internationally. I was never one to be outdone. By the time I was seven, I was competing as well, but it was never my dream, so when Elijah stopped after his accident, I did too.

We walk to the far corner of the apartment.

“I think I’ll pass for tonight,” I say.

“Here you go.”

We step into the room that must be directly above his office, as it’s also a circular glass room. One side looks down onto the terrace below, the rest offering a panoramic view of New York.

“I’m not going to say ‘wow’ again, but ‘wow!’”

Alex chuckles behind me, so I turn to face him. “I’m supposed to sleep with all this to distract me?” I say.

He presses a button on the wall, and the glass becomes opaque.

“Nifty trick,” I say.

“The glass is tinted so no one can see in but making it opaque stops the sunlight from waking you at dawn, especially in the summer months.”

“You have a beautiful home,” I say.

“Thank you. The bathroom is through here. There are clean towels and new toothbrushes. Help yourself to anything you find.”

“Thank you.”