Page 76 of Saved By the Billionaire

“Let me go,” she said, yanking at her wrist, which he immediately dropped.

But Roman was there, behind her, having caught up easily. She didn’t know if he’d run or not, perhaps his long legs were able to close the distance with a simple walk. Just her luck—there were no taxis in sight. She turned and started to walk in the opposite direction brusquely. At the next intersection, she spun around. Roman was right there, the same look in his eyes, his shoulders squared. “Do you plan to follow me home?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“You’re out of your goddamn mind if you think I’d let you touch me.”

“Just everyone else? What’s wrong with my money, Kate?”

She felt physically ill.

“I asked you to stay an extra night. You could have named your price, you know. I would have paid you so much more than any of these chumps to keep you in my bed.”

She gasped, the pain more excruciating than any she’d ever known. Because he wasn’t leaving her, he was destroying everything they’d ever shared. And it had been, she realised now, the most meaningful and important relationship of her life. She blinked away, watching the vestiges of it disappear into the sky, like tiny scraps of paper, gone forever. “Please,” she whispered. “Leave me alone.”

“I’ve paid for the night in advance.”

“The agency will refund it. Just call them tomorrow.”

“I don’t want a refund.”

“Well, I don’t want a thing to do with you.”

“Liar,” he said, leaning closer. “If I kissed you right now, you’d beg me to take you here, in the middle of the street.”

The lights began to beep, indicating it was safe to cross, and Kate turned and walked quickly, before he could do what he’d said, and prove how right he was. She hated herself that weakness, and she hated him for evoking it in her.

On the other side, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her to a stop. Sparks burst through her. She tried to yank it free but he held tight, pulling her close. Close enough that they were chest to chest. “Tell me why.”

She shook her head.

“Why would you sell your body rather than ask me for help?” He sounded…bleak. Despairing. She gaped, grief ripping through her.

“I would have given you the world.”

“That’s not true.” The world was Roman, and he never would have given her that. He wouldn’t give himself to anyone.

“I offered you money. I bought you jewellery.”

“I can’t be bought.”

“Present facts to the contrary?”

“Fuck you.”

He arched a brow. “Is that a request, sweetheart?”

She only realised she was crying when a tear landed against her breast. She glanced down, shocked by the reality of that. Shocked and appalled. She tried to spin away from him, but he still held her wrist.

“Kate.” Now it was his voice that sounded broken. Broken, and maybe even appalled, too?

“Don’t.” She jerked on her wrist and this time he let it go.

“Just tell me why,” he said, more urgently now.

She dashed at her cheeks, not caring about her eye makeup, not caring about anything. She sucked in a breath, trying to say what was in her heart, not her angry soul. “I’m not a goddamn hooker, Roman. Not that it’s any of your business.” She tilted her chin with angry defiance. “I’m an escort, there’s a difference. Believe me, I read my employment contract enough times to make absolutely sure that there are clear lines around what’s expected. Physical intimacy is forbidden with my clients—your booking form should state that in big, bold letters.” She waited to see if he’d nod his acknowledgement, but there was nothing. She breathed out quickly. “I date nice men who need company for a night. It’s completely above board and innocent.” She sniffed, unable to even look at his face now. “And okay, it’s not my dream job, and I don’t plan on doing it forever. But as you pointed out, it’s very well paid, and it will leave me free to study during the daytime and just maybe I’ll get my life back on track because of this opportunity. So don’t you dare stand there and accuse me of something you know nothing about. And to think, I really believed you knew me. I thought you saw me.”

He was silent, as if weighing up her words, working out if he should believe her. She couldn’t bear to wait and hear another word, though. “I meant what I said that day in New York. The time I spent with you was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. But today you’ve made me realise that you never knew me, and I clearly never really knew you. Because the Roman Hayes I fell completely head over heels in love with would never behave like this. Would never speak to anyone like this, let alone me. It was all an illusion. And I’d really rather be left alone now, thank you very much.”