Read The TROUBLE With BILLIONAIRES: Book 1 for Free Online Page B

company?”
                  He suddenly looked tired. “No. He retired a few years ago. It’s only me.”
                  “You miss him.” It wasn’t a question.
                  Mr. Jackman…Rawn yawned. “I do. He made work survivable, less tedious and more colorful. I don’t think there was a day he didn’t have a story for me. He never made it out of the lab, but that’s where he was happiest. And so was I. So it suited.”
                  This was a side to my midnight lover that I was enjoying. I kept the conversation going. “Where is he now?”
                  “California with my mother. They say the weather is better for their arthritis. I don’t think either of them actually have arthritis. I think they just wanted an excuse to leave.”
                  “But at least you have a private jet to visit them,” I supposed.
                  He looked down. “Not enough as I’d like. This job is time-consuming. It eats away at your life.”
                  “Then quit.”
                  Did I really just say that? Talk about lack of team spirit. I was suggesting one of Cepheus Scientific’s biggest assets walk out the door. Surely he wouldn’t let me get away with such a bold comment…
                  He did. “This is all I know. Since I was recruited right out of high school, I never went to college. And I’m restricted by a non-compete clause in my contract. I’d have to wait five years before I could work for a company even semi-similar to what Cepheus Scientific does.”
                  “Is that why you like to dominate?” I asked, surprising myself. “Because you can’t control your situation with the company?”
                  He smirked, his mood lightening. “I thought you wanted to keep things professional.”
                  “And I thought you were a self-indulged playboy, but we all get it wrong at times.”
                  “You didn’t,” he said, stoic. “That’s exactly what I am.”
                  I had jumped in the river. I might as well keep swimming. “How so?”
                  “I can show you if you like.” The hunger in his eyes was back, but this time I couldn’t fault him for it.
                  “No,” I said quickly. “My career is too important to me.”
                  He went rigid, overfilled, his posture matching his expression. “Then, I suggest we move on to something less sinful, because I don’t think I can resist you any longer.”
                  I spoke quickly, afraid I’d lose my ability to refuse him. “You said you were a Leo. All the constellations have their story, but those stories aren’t the same worldwide. For instance, in the West, there’s a faint constellation known as the Sculptor, but in China and other parts of the East, it’s called the Firebird, which I’ve always found fascinating given how indistinct it is. Leo, your sign, is no different. Its Chinese equivalent is the Vermillion Bird. However, China is the only place that comes to mind that does not recognize your particular cluster of stars as a lion. Everywhere else has, ancient and modern. From the Mesopotamians to the Indians to the Turks. Leo has always been full of strength and courage. It has always been the lion.”
                  He stared at me in wonder. “How can you possibly believe such notions will make me covet you any less? That didn’t help.”
                  “I know,” I said, feeling my own emotions rising. I wanted Rawn. I wanted him bad. But I couldn’t. Never again. So I turned my head.
                  Understanding, he unbuckled his seatbelt and stood, unable to hide the bulge protruding from his pants. “I think I need to rest. There are a few bedrooms. Feel free to