Mad for the Billionaire Read Online Free PDF

of Alexander Monroe Draven II.
    Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck!
    My cell rang. I answered it with a crisp, “Sophia Carter.”
    “You’re not going to make it.”
    I closed the door behind me and strode down the hall in a rapid clip. “How did you get this number?”
    “I’m paying for it. Remember?”
    My teeth ground against one another. “Don’t say it like that.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like I’m your kept woman.” Alexander’s laughter dissolved my pique. His humor made me feel warm and happy. “Stop laughing!” My tone bordered on flirtatious. I wanted to bite my tongue.
    “Oh, girl. ‘Kept woman?’ That is hilarious. What’s next? Are you going to accuse me of being improper for seeing you without a chaperone?”
    “Hush.” I nodded to passing coworkers and reached the receptionist. “I’m off to lunch, Gloria.”
    “Have a good one, Ms. Carter.”
    “Thanks. I will.” I entered the empty elevator with an emphatic “I said stop laughing!”
    “Not a chance.”
    I leaned against the wall, sleek phone pressed tightly to my ear, and admitted, “I was afraid to see you today.”
    “I can’t imagine why.”
    “I’m pretty sure you can.”
    Alexander soft voice seduced confidence. “Tell me.”
    “I’ve never—”
    The doors opened and with it the outside world intruded. I nodded politely to the older, sharply dressed gentleman getting in. I resumed a ruler-against-the-back posture. What was I doing talking to him like that, like we were friends or closer? Obviously my mind sneakily tried to continue down its downward spiral.
    “Sophia?”
    Stony-faced and staring blindly at the lights flashing above the doors, I answered him brusquely. “I’m still here. What parking deck are you in?”
    “I’ll wait for you at the entrance.”
    “No, I’ll come to you.”
    Alexander sighed, obviously irritated with my obstinacy. “I already told you what I was going to do, Sophia. No need to argue about it. See you in a few seconds.” He ended the call, leaving me to pocket my cell phone without another word.
    The elevator doors opened, freeing me to my upcoming fate. I nodded again to my companion, warmly thanking him for the courtly gesture indicating I should depart first. I strode across the marble lobby, keeping my eyes fixed on the bank of revolving doors.
    I’d need to curate my words with Alexander in order to keep my most important truths to myself.
    I’ve never forgotten you. I’ve never stopped loving you. I’ve never gotten over you.
    I slipped into the circular exit, unable to keep from contrasting it against my present circumstances. If I wasn’t careful I was bound to find myself walking in circles, trapped and unable to stop from repeating the same damned mistakes.
    The same mistakes being I’d be too attached to Alexander, too insecure of his feelings for me, and so furious because no matter how much I loved him, I wouldn’t be able to overcome the sins of my mother and his father.
    Cool air rushed out and caressed my face, bringing much needed relief to my flushed cheeks. My eyelids drifted down for a bit, shutting out the concrete vista, and letting the bustling world slow to a crawl.
    I don’t have to be so scared of this. Maybe this is the way it’s supposed to be. We’ll meet, reminisce, and then I can finally move on. Isn’t that really what I should want? Closure. Peace. Happiness.
    “You’re late! What are we going to do about that, Ms. Carter?”
    The world found its speed again. I opened my eyes, overwhelmed not by the living river of people flowing by, but the brilliance of Alexander’s liquid gaze. His smile taunted and teased, easily plucking the strings of my resolution loose.
    Alexander was right. I was late. I was late in realizing a sad, simple fact—I had already been caught.
    And there was nothing I could do about it except dangle on the hook.
     
     

3
    Present Day and Time
     
    “Come here.”
    I rationalized my defiance. I didn’t