Billionaire's Contract Engagement by Maya Banks Page A

if she’d tell him to back off but then she relaxed with a sigh and melted into his arms once more.
    “You were fantastic at lunch today,” he said against her ear.“I never thought my father would become such a fan. He’s typically a stodgy, conservative chauvinist.”
    Her shoulders shook with laughter. “He’d fit in quite well with my family then. My father and brothers think my sole ambition in life should be to look pretty and let them take care of me.”
    “I’m going to admit something,” he said gravely.
    She turned her face up, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Oh, do tell. Is this where you divulge your deepest, darkest secrets?”
    “You could try to express an appropriate amount of appreciation for my confiding in you,” he huffed.
    “Very well. Let me just bat my eyelashes in adoration, but be quick or I’ll mess up my mascara.”
    He shook his head as helpless laughter escaped. “What I was going to admit was that while I truly appreciate and agree with everything you had to say, there is a caveman lurking underneath my civilized exterior. I can see why your family wants to protect and take care of you. I think if you were mine, I’d feel much the same way.”
    Her lips parted, and she stared at him with the oddest expression. There was no anger or condemnation. Interest and something else gleamed in her emerald eyes.
    “And sometimes I think if you were mine, I just might let you,” she said huskily.
    His entire body tightened. His hand raced up her spine and he curled his fingers gently at her nape. Their eyes were locked together and all he had to do was lean down. Just a bit. He could taste her already.
    His head lowered. Her eyes narrowed to slits and she let out a breathy, feminine sigh of anticipation.
    “Evan, you’ve monopolized her long enough.”
    His father’s voice boomed in his ears and Evan jumped, sending Celia away from him for a brief moment.
    Marshall stood there expectantly. “Going to let me cut in?”
    Evan slipped Celia’s hand into his father’s. “Of course. Just don’t keep her for long.”
    Marshall chuckled as he spirited Celia away. “One dance won’t kill you, son.”
    Evan watched his dad whirl Celia across the floor. In a word, she was magnificent. She laughed at something he said and her smile lit up the entire room. She sparkled.
    “Quite a woman,” Mitchell drawled.
    Evan stiffened and turned to see his brother standing there, drink in hand.
    “Where’s the bride-to-be?” Evan asked. “Didn’t figure she’d let you out of her sight until the vows are spoken.”
    Mitchell shrugged. “She’s over with Mom, talking about the honeymoon arrangements.” He looked again at Celia and their father. “You’re marrying her for real?”
    “Is there some reason I shouldn’t?” Evan asked mildly.
    “Doesn’t seem your type.”
    Evan regarded his brother with curiosity. “And what is my type?”
    “Someone like Bettina. You seemed pretty hung up on her.”
    “I think it’s safe to say I’m not hung up on Bettina.”
    “I can see why you’re attracted to her,” Mitchell said.
    “Who?” Evan demanded sharply.
    “Celia.”
    Both men stared across the room to where Celia danced with Marshall.
    “She’s a beautiful woman. I bet she’s awesome in bed.”
    Evan rounded furiously on his brother. “You shut the hell up. Don’t even breathe her name again. You got it?”
    Mitchell smiled and backed away, holding his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay, I get it. You’re awfully touchy about her. Funny, you weren’t that pissed when you found out about Bettina.”
    Mitchell sauntered off and Evan turned away, angry that he’d let his brother goad him.
    “Evan, there you are.”
    He sighed when his mom latched on to his arm and dragged him over to introduce him to people he had zero interest in and would never see again in his life. After several minutes of pleasantries, Evan grew restless. The song ended, and he turned in search of