The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Seemed.   Who knew what would come out of his mouth next.
    "What sort of dilemma?"
    "The kind that could cost me billions."   His chest rises a little quicker as he nervously eyes the way my fingers fiddle with my fork.   The knot in my stomach tightens.
    "Shoot," I mutter under my breath.   "You're engaged?"   I scoot my chair back.
    "NO."   Rex waves a hand.   "No, of course I'm not engaged ."
    "Then what?"
    "My mum."
    I twist my lips, wildly confused.
    "My mum has had enough I'm afraid," he continued.   "I've been given a deadline."
    "For?"   I knew what he was getting at, but I needed him to spell it out.   My jaw drops.
    "Marriage," he softly replies.   "My father's company needs the promise of a prosperous future, and that means a continuing bloodline to pass on the business."
    "So you need to get engaged by a certain date or your parents will . . ."
    "Well," Rex sighs.   "My mum hasn't exactly dissolved my inheritance or anything, but I have no doubt she will start with her horrid tricks when my deadline passes."
    "Wow."   But what I really meant to say was and you're asking me to marry into that?
    "Yeah," Rex quietly breathes.   "Sorry to spring this on you but I find myself having to speed things up and . . . well, I'm very fond of you Kat."   I blush, glancing down at my heels.
    "Well," I gulp.   "I'd be lying if said I didn't feel the same way."   I glance at the glowing color of his eyes.   They lure me in, telling me I'm safe within the walls of this room.   The knot in my stomach squeezes my insides and reminds me of an unknown detail.   "Uh . . . sorry but I have to ask.   When is your deadline?"   Rex bites his lip as if hoping I'd forget him mentioning that part.
    "Three weeks."
    My brain flies through the days on my mental calendar.   A fall wedding.   I never thought my chance at actually following through with the pact I made years ago would spring on me this fast.   Then again I didn't think I'd ever lie awake at night stressing about the fact that I would be single on my thirtieth birthday either.
    "Please say something," Rex clears his throat and studies my expression.
    "You're joking."   I smile uncomfortably, still waiting for a hidden camera man to jump out from behind the french doors.   Rex shakes his head just as I discreetly scratch the side of my arm.   A sharp pain shoots up my bicep.   I was definitely awake.
    "I'm afraid not."   He takes a long sip of his wine.   This is what I'd been waiting for.   What I'd dreamed about night after night.   I could hear Holly yelling in my head.   Who cares!   Kiss him and seal the deal!   I take a deep breath and compose myself, sneaking a glance at Rex's tan skin and perfectly wide set shoulders.   I could be happy waking up next him every morning.   Eating a handmade croissant from a delicate china plate for breakfast, and never having to pop and bandage a blister on the sole of my foot from a week of extra shifts.
    "Okay," I respond.   Rex's eyes go wide as he puts down his now empty wine glass.
    "Okay?"
    "Yeah, I said okay.   If three weeks pass and you're still fond of me, I'll agree to an engagement."   Now I was the one being forward.
    "And you're sure you're okay with this?"
    I sigh, standing up and gripping the railing on the terrace.   The cool breeze did wonders for my burning cheeks.   I wasn't getting any younger and I wasn't getting any richer.   My savings account was pretty pathetic, as if that weren't apparent by the size of my apartment.   "It's not the traditional way of doing things, that's for sure.   But yeah.   I'm okay with this."   Rex stands up.   His spicy cologne wafts through my nose as he walks closer.   My heart drums as I imagine the two of us engaged - toasting to each other at a lavish party complete with caviar and golden utensils.
    "Honestly," Rex quietly remarks.   "I was expecting one of two things."   He smiles.   "You tearing the piss out of me and storming off or