The Billionaire Boyfriend Trap Read Free Page B

Ally. He's not a good guy." She stalked off
before the woman named Ally had a chance to respond, and was soon
swallowed up by the crowd.
    Becky joined her teacher, leaving me to watch
Reece. He stepped to one side just far enough away from Ally that
she had to drop her arm. She spoke quietly to him, her expression
serious, her gaze never leaving his face. He, however, didn't
appear to be listening. His gaze flitted around the room,
assessing. Within moments he seemed to have taken in the faces of
everyone there, including mine. He'd not lingered on a single one
for more than a split second. It was as if nobody was interesting
enough to waste even a moment longer on.
    The enormous task ahead of me just got even
harder. I was supposed to dazzle Reece with my efficiency and
skill, while flirting with him in front of his date and a roomful
of people who despised him, including my own sister. Worse, I
didn't even hold his interest with my figure-hugging pencil skirt
and great hair. I'd spent ages trying to get the long strands to
stay up in an elegantly messy knot. The guy might as well just hand
me a stick so I could poke myself in the eye with it. It would be
less painful than trying to get his attention.
    I had no idea how long he would stay so I
needed to make my move soon or risk losing the chance altogether.
He clearly wasn't welcome at the gallery, something Cassie's
students weren't hiding. They all glared daggers at him as she
spoke to them.
    Becky came up to me and reported back the
information I already knew. She could hardly get it out, her jaw
was so rigid. "Apparently Cassie's asshole of a brother sold off
the house to Kavanagh. He's going to destroy it." She didn't so
much as speak the words as spit them in Reece's direction. Neither
he nor Ally noticed. They were having a conversation, although his
gaze still wandered the room from time to time. Did she bore him or
was he simply the type who needed to work the room rather than be
still?
    "Can't Cassie just move the studio
elsewhere?" I asked. "I know the house will be a loss, but it's
just a house."
    "It was her grandmother's! Her sister died
there!" As if that explained everything. "It's Cassie's
inspiration. She loves that house, loves its location, the
atmosphere, everything. She said she couldn't afford to live in
Serendipity Bend if she had to rent or buy something else and she
needs the tranquility of the river to bring out her best work. To
find that tranquility again means moving out of Roxburg altogether.
We're going to lose her, Cleo." Tears filled her eyes, but didn't
spill. "All because of that asshole's greed."
    I thought she was referring to Cassie's
brother, but she focused all her negative energy on Reece. So much
so that he must have felt her hatred because he suddenly looked
directly at us. Then he approached. Ally, taken by surprise,
tottered in her heels to catch up.
    My pulse quickened, but I pulled myself
together and clamped down on my nervousness. This was no different
to any other job. I would not be reduced to a puddle of nerves from
a pair of frosty eyes and a handsome face.
    "Do I know you, ladies?" he asked in a voice
that slipped over me like silk.
    "No," Becky snapped. "I'm a student of
Cassie's."
    "Which are your pieces?"
    "None of your business."
    "I might want to buy them."
    Becky opened her mouth then shut it, clearly
unsure how to react to the ruthless businessman art lover. Her mind
was probably having trouble filtering it through her limited
experience with the Reece Kavanaghs of the world. Mine wasn't. I
knew people didn't always make sense. Drug dealers gave their money
away to poor kids, thieves handed back the expensive camera with
the personal photos on it, and asshole businessmen sometimes saw
beauty in art. People didn't always fit a stereotype.
    Becky's confusion gave me the opportunity I
needed. I thrust out my hand. "I'm Cleo Denny and this is my sister
Rebecca. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Kavanagh."
    Reece's brows