Bargaining for the Billionaire Read Free Page B

street urchin he’d once been, eating out of the garbage and begging for money in order to make it through the day. He’d worked damn hard, too, to make sure Arthur never regretted bringing him home that night.
    “I’ve said it before, Gray, and I’ll say it again. Anyone who holds your past against you isn’t worth it.” She smiled and her dark brown eyes filled with a familiar, mischievous glint. “You do realize when she finds out, she isn’t just going to be mad. If she’s a typical redhead, she’s likely to lop your balls off and hang them from the top of the Space Needle.”
    He grinned. She was right, of course. If you were on her good side, Maddie could be as sweet as they came. If you were on her bad side…well, Maddie tended to hold a grudge.
    He chuckled and transferred his laptop to the couch beside him. “Yes, and I look forward to the challenge.”
    He let his wounded pride get in the way last time. He’d let her go, and he wouldn’t do it again. This time, he had to tell her what she really meant to him, that he loved her. Because he missed her. He regretted not fighting for her when he had the chance. That weekend three years ago, he’d planned a romantic getaway for the two of them, a little cabin on the coast. He’d planned to tell her everything and let the cards fall where they may but had hoped she’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
    Then that blasted newspaper article printed, spouting half-truths. They too had suggested that he hadn’t earned his position. Had even gone so far as to accuse him of trying to con a kind old man. When he’d threatened to sue for defamation of character, they’d printed a retraction a week later, but the result was still the same. Maddie wouldn’t so much as give him the time of day, and he’d been so hurt, he’d convinced himself he didn’t need her.
    A musical ping sounded from his laptop, signaling an incoming message, and Maddie’s Gchat box popped onto his screen. Of course, he knew it was her. While working alongside her three years ago, they’d spent a lot of time e-mailing and chatting. Somewhere buried on his laptop, he had well over a year’s worth of e-mails saved. He’d know that username in his sleep.
    Cassie frowned and shook her head.
    “That’s my cue to go. I have a dinner date. I also have no desire to watch you dig your own grave.” She crossed the room and bent over him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and squeezing. “Don’t let this drag out. Tell her. Soon.”
    When she pulled back, he smiled at her. “She’ll find out at the auction. That’s the whole idea. I want her to get to know me again, and that won’t happen if she knows it’s me. She’ll shut me down before I even get a word out. At least this way, I have a fighting chance.”
    Cassie furrowed her brow as she straightened and shoved a stern finger at him. “Balls, Gray. Mark my words, you’re going to lose yours.” She leaned over to peck his cheek, then shook her head and made her way to the front door, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floors. “Dinner. Soon. You owe me.”
    He set his laptop on his knees again and darted a glance over his shoulder. “Tomorrow night good for you? I’ll even let you pick the place.”
    “Tomorrow is wonderful. I should be home by seven.” The door opened with a soft crack and a whoosh of air. “And something expensive.”
    Grayson chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for the poor bastard you end up with. He’s going to need deep pockets.”
    It was almost an insult, but he knew Cassie wouldn’t be offended. It was a playful conversation they’d had before. He preferred simple, cheap food. Old habits died hard. A good burger was a good burger, and he couldn’t see spending fifty bucks for one because the establishment called itself “upscale.” Cassie, however, had grown up spoiled. Her father owned a small chain of Greek Restaurants and had doted on her. Cassie, jewelry designer extraordinaire,