To Charm A Billionaire (Men of Monaco Book 1) (13 page)

M
eet
me at the hotel. Eight o'clock. We need to talk.

Anna read the text message for the umpteenth time. She couldn't stop grinning.

"Sticking around for coffee? We're heading out to a café, afterward?" Leon asked. He'd modeled with her for the latest fashion spread.

Anna shook her head. "Thanks, but I've got an engagement."

She hopped on the motor scooter, fastened her helmet under her chin, and settled in for the chaotic ride to the hotel. Her mood stayed buoyant, as she thought about Damien and what she expected him to say. And what a beautiful night for the occasion—a night to remember.

The traffic lights, however, did their best to slow her down, as each turned red every time she pulled up to an intersection. Sitting on her bike, waiting for the light to change, offered the opportunity to admire all the treasured elements of her home city—the people, the historical buildings, along with the rise of a modern, cosmopolitan flavor.

Her beautiful city of Milan couldn't be replaced. And she didn't know where she'd end up, whether still in Milan or in Monaco. But it didn't matter because Damien held her heart and she held his.

Anna hurried into the hotel lobby and didn't slow down until she got to the elevators. She wished that her giddiness could be contagious for the grumpy sort whom she'd passed along the way.

She stepped onto the elevator and enjoyed the ride to the top floor. With an hour spare, she had time to wash up and get sexy for the night. They would celebrate Damien's TV interview and plan for the next campaign for his image.

After a good scrubbing in the shower, she finished off with a cool spray to tighten her skin. Then she emerged from the bathroom with her wet hair wrapped in the thick towel and her body cocooned by the complimentary robe.

With fifteen minutes left to get ready, she hurried around the hotel suite picking up her discarded clothing. Then she followed through with her idea for the tone of the evening and lit scented candles, which she placed in the bedroom. She couldn't decide if they would start in the living room and end in the spacious bed or go straight to the bedroom. The thought of lying in his arms warmed her body.

With plans to keep things romantic, she dialed room service and ordered two steak dinners and a bottle of champagne. For dessert, she picked one of every item off the menu. They'd need food to sustain them after the power lovemaking she knew they'd have. Damien had power over each of her body and soul.

She looked at her nails. Maybe she should have gotten them painted for the occasion. Out of time, she fluffed out her hair separating the damp locks with her fingers. She undid the robe and pulled out a sexy red dress and slipped it over her head. The handmade dress was a gift from Nandeera Singh, the first designer who had taken a chance on her. They'd remained close friends and now she was the godmother to Nandeera's child.

A knock on her door scattered all the wayward thoughts she'd entertained to pass the time. Almost skipping to the door, she swung it open and launched herself into Damien's arms ... well, not exactly arms, more like his chest, unyielding and a bit unwelcoming.

She took a step back to look directly into his eyes. Because a wall apparently had been erected between yesterday and today. Confused she waited for an explanation and closed the door for their privacy.

"We need to talk." His voice sounded like sandpaper against concrete.

"Certainly feels like we do." She stepped back to allow his further entrance and to continue watching him. Unease now did a skittish dance in her heart.

"I should have never agreed to go on Stephano's show." His eyes glittered with stormy accusation. "I started out really proud to be there. To have my platform to shine." Sadness replaced the anger that tightened his features with displeasure. "Not to shine for me, but to show off on your behalf." He sat in the single chair with his hands interlocked but not relaxed.

"I don't need you to be anything else but you." She approached and sat on the floor in front of him. Her hands ached to touch his and offer comfort against whatever demons tore at his soul.

"Today, like most days, I felt like a man with too many faults." He now looked at her, and continued, "An imperfect man. Too imperfect for a woman with a lot to lose."

"Stop."

"My suitability didn't fit you when you broke our engagement for your benefit. And then you returned to my life again for your benefit."

Anna grabbed hold of his hands, holding on despite the slight tug from him.

"Nothing has changed. It's still me. That man you wisely left to his own devices. Meanwhile, you have continued to be a stellar model of a good citizen and Good Samaritan."

"You're exaggerating everything." She bent over his hand and kissed each on the top.

"You've always been optimistic. A beautiful trait that doesn't need to be wasted on me."

She refused to listen to his rationale any further. "Are you breaking up with me? Quitting?"

His chest rose and fell. His expression never shifted from its morose. "Yes, I feel it is best."

Anna snatched away her hands and got up from the floor. "It would be easy for me to tell you to leave. An easy departure for a coward. But you're not a coward and never had been."

 He shook his head in disagreement.

Anna wanted to pound common sense into him. "What can I say to make you understand how much you mean to me? How deep my love has grown for you. I don't believe love is an emotion that comes in a neat, set size. It lives and breathes and can die. Doesn't my love mean anything to you?"

"Love is not enough to survive. My father's love life is lesson enough."

"Don't let fear rule your life because that's what this all about. It's not about the interview or the stupid information from the interview that was put in your head. It's fear. Enough of the bullshit woe-is-me. I'll fight your crazy mindset to win you back."

He blinked in surprise and stunned into momentary silence.

"Living carefully doesn't stop bad things from occurring. Doesn't attract the good things either. And you've never been spineless. I always liked my Laurent bad boy."

Damien shook his head throughout her speech.

"And by the way, Gabriel Stephano is an ass. If you were on top of your game, you'd have been in his face. Instead, he played you like a piece on a game board."

Still, he said nothing.

"I want you. I need you. I love you. But if you walk out that door, then you do not come back in."  She drained her glass, picked up the bottle and walked into her bedroom. "If running is your thing, then have a nice life. Make sure my door is closed after you leave. I'll be in my bedroom." Anna took her wine and walked into the room. She kicked the door closed with her heel.

On the other side of the door, she leaned her back against the panel. Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed and tried to subdue the sobs on the verge of erupting. Her heart broke into jagged pieces.

The front door opened.

She gasped and bit her lip to keep from calling out.

The door closed.

Her knees buckled and she sank down to the floor. This wasn't at all how she'd imagined the evening to go. Crying and not caring how she looked or sound, she got up and barely made to the bed before falling onto the bed and burying her head in the pillow.

Her ultimatum was supposed to sway him to a decision, just not the one he chose. Pulling several sheets of tissue from the box at her bedside, she dried her eyes and blew her nose. She needed time to decide on what to do next. Giving up wasn't in her blood.

Now under the covers, she remained in bed unmotivated to anything. The room had descended into darkness with the help of the drawn drapes. She'd canceled the food order to save from having to get out of bed.

Slowly she pulled the covers over her head until she was sealed in its cocoon. The world, at this moment, held no interest. No, she'd stay in this bed until her tears stopped flowing and her heartbreak diminished to a dull ache.

T
he door knob
.
Turn it
.
And push open the door
.

Damien didn't know how long he stayed in the foyer of Anna's hotel room. He'd planned to say what he had to say and then leave. In his scenario, Anna understood what he meant and what he aimed to do. But his explanation had taken a wild detour with an unknown destination.

Guilt hit harder than expected.

Anna's plea hurt because he had to be strong enough to ignore what she'd said.

But he couldn't ignore and walk away. God knows, he tried when he opened the front door and all he had to do was take a step into the hallway and let the door shut behind him.

No. Whether he'd said the word aloud or it was his conscience trying to rescue him from his own mess, he listened.

Now he was in front of her bedroom door. Was it too late for a third chance?

Taking a deep breath that did little to disperse the nerves, he opened the door and paused in the wedge of light from the living room. As he looked into the room, on the bed, he saw Anna's covered shape.

"Anna, I came back." He walked into the room until he was near the bed. "I never left."

Her body moved under the covers. Slowly he reached out and peeled back the comforter. In the darkness, he couldn't tell if she was looking at him. But he sat on the edge of the bed and gently smoothed her hair back and out of her face.

"I'm damaged goods, baby. Anxieties galore." He took a deep breath. "But I am taking control of each part of my life. Going off to develop my own career, taking care of me, and now wanting to spend my time with you is what I'll be doing. That is if you'll allow me." He climbed into the bed, sliding under the covers until their foreheads touched.

"Yes," she said, with a soft sigh. "I bet you didn't realize that you didn't have any anxiety attacks during your interview. And you've never had one with me." Her breath brushed his lips as if she had kissed him. "We're a mighty force."

"Damn, you're right."

She kissed him.

"You're my perfect, imperfect man who I can't stop loving."

"Don't ever stop ... please don't. I've got parts of my life that still need fine-tuning." He set the open box with the ring glittering in the semi-darkness and knelt in front of her. "With all of my heart and every bit of my soul, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Oh Damien, I've been waiting to hear those words. Yes!"

They stayed in bed holding each other, whispering about their desires, dreams, and future.

She'd succeeded in charming her billionaire.

<<  >>

To Tempt A Billionaire
: Meet Dane Laurent. Enemies to lovers? Unlikely. The rules of engagement—pretend to negotiate, sway with compromise, seduce with a takeover of the body and soul.
September 2016

To Seduce A Billionaire
: Meet Dallon Laurent. Some promises must be broken for hearts to heal and for love to grow.
September 2016

Thanks for reading
To Charm A Billionaire
. I hope you enjoyed it!

I'm thrilled that you are a part of this creative journey. It was truly my pleasure sharing the first of the Men of Monaco – Laurent Brothers – series.

I'd appreciate your review and, if inclined, your recommendation to another romance bookaholic to add
To Charm A Billionaire
to her reading list.

Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews.

About The Author

MICHELLE MONKOU is a multi-published USA TODAY Best Selling author with over 20 books in print and digital. She began her writing career in 2002 and writes contemporary romances, paranormal/urban fantasy, new adult and young adult. She also writes as Michelle Rhys for explicit/erotic stories. Her stories speak to the heart and offer that happy ever after ending for the romance fiction reader. Michelle is also an active participant with romance writers' advocacy efforts. She resides in Maryland writing many more stories to fill the hands and e-readers of romantic bookaholics.

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