The Billionaire's Revenge.

Years

e doors of her boutique- at least, not wearing a tailored

nce wrapped in tailored charcoal gray. His presence turned heads instantly, commanding atten

trick of her imagination. But he was

een him was the day she

whiskey, yet carrying an edge sharp enough to cu

nter, forcing her pulse to slow

h his eyes. "I figured I'd sto

dropped. "Wh

s. His cologne-rich, masculine, dangerously familiar-wrapped around her. "The on

stuttered. "

aid softly, venom beneath

er parents cut her off, after she lost everything but her pride. Kirkland Designs was built from

o this," she

ready

y, her throat ti

ted me in front of our families, the press, the entire damn worl

'd slapped her. "I do

his smile cold. "And I pl

-

office, the boutique quiet around her

ay. She just hadn't expected him to return wit

y

acquired controlling interest in her brand through a strategic buyou

d the email until

al, from a secret too dark to expose. And now? He wanted to mak

-

– Five Yea

ith trembling hands. Rosie had stood before the mirror, vei

as she placed it on his pillow: I'm sorry.

ldn't. Because the truth

legacy, even fabricated scandals ready for release. If Rosie married

disap

-

to Pr

boutique door rang a

Lucas said, strolling in like he own

straight. "What d

e a pro

t inter

er. "There's a gala next weekend. A Blake Enterprises

ant me to design yo

design *mine.* And

h parted

ter enemies. I want them to believe otherwise-for now. You

f I re

es, and you go back to selling off-

clear: six weeks of public appearanc

final clause th

y results in full asset tr

ered eve

he said tightl

He looked over his shoulder, smirking. "You should start design

-

That

t, contract in hand, win

n her and Lucas-not because she hated him, b

ry glance, every touch of sarcasm, mad

t because of his power, but becaus

her sketchpad,

thing red,

ick and precise. A vision formed- bol

anted a

Rosie Kirkland wasn't the same woman who'd

-

dress had to make a statement-not just for Lucas and his stupid, vindictive scheme-but for her. A scarle

If Lucas Blake thought he could parade her aro

buzzed.

orrow at 9. My off

hing to throw the phone across the room.

-

ke Enterprises, her heels clicking against polished marble

. Blake is expectin

rse he

red walls betraying none of her nerves. She'd dressed carefully: sle

ting, leaning casually against his desk. His da

sive," he said sm

erything you'd expect-spacious, minimalist, with floor-t

er portfolio onto his desk.

first. He opened the portfolio and examined her sketches. His

murmured. "And

t you wanted?"

unreadable flashing across his face. "Careful, Rosi

didn't lose anythin

the distance between them. "And now? You're making anot

arness sent a shiver down her spine. "Th

w and amused. "

id firmly. "This is busines

that made her pulse quicken. "Is t

ed, but she held

ment, Rosie couldn't tell if she wanted to s

. "Strictly business. The gala is in six day

door, glancing o

ence at the gala.

-

the building, her hea

power plays, the way he looked at her l

she hat

p, buried, and furiou

o the seat, fingers trembling

lake thought s

rkland had become... And th