Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brewer by Rachel Lyndhurst Page B

hall: at least three brand new designer outfits, down to the underwear to
     unpack and marvel over. Matt hadn’t insisted on coming shopping with her, but had
     sent her off in a chauffeured car with the promised company credit card and strict
     instructions not to economize. She felt exhausted, but in spite of herself, pretty
     happy. Spending other people’s money was fabulous once you got the hang of it. No
     wonder her wedding planner friend, Mel, loved her job so much.
    She closed her eyes and gave herself a little hug as she remembered the white silk
     pantsuit she’d be wearing that evening to the opening of a prestigious new art gallery.
     It had cost way beyond anything she would even dream of paying for an outfit, but
     the store manager who’d guided her through all her choices was adamant that she’d
     been briefed to deliver the absolute best. There had been something about the woman
     that persuaded Piper to just give in and not argue. After all, the woman was good
     at her job and the commission on this would probably be a big deal to her.
    And the finished result, even if clichéd, had blown her away. Red hair, green eyes,
     and pale skin wasn’t the easiest combination to dress, but the ice-white silk, deep
     red, patent leather skyscraper heels, and matching glittery clutch ensemble was amazing.
     She’d have to ask Matt if she’d get to keep the best outfit she’d ever set eyes on
     when their deal was at an end. Her instinct was that he wouldn’t even bat an eyelid,
     which just went to show what different lives they led.
    Three hours later, the doorbell rang and she was more than ready to go out and party.
     Matt lounged against the outside railing as she opened the front door. He looked as
     relaxed as a tomcat lazing in the sun in spite of the biting chill. He oozed sophistication
     and confidence in a jet-black dinner suit, like a panther with silk lapels and covered
     buttons on the cuffs. A snow-white shirt did little to tame the striking effect of
     a thin black tie loosened at the neck, the top button of his shirt undone, screaming
     suppressed rebellion. His dark hair had been artfully tousled into film-star nonchalance
     and his full lips formed a straight line as he looked her up and down as well.
    He let out a low whistle of appreciation and excitement ricocheted up her spine.
    “Will I do?” she said, and was surprised at how sexy her voice had sounded for a second.
     Dear God, did a pheromone spike do that to a woman as well as make her go weak at
     the knees?
    He eased his body away from the railing. “I think we’d better step inside before I
     drool all over your steps.”
    She laughed. “You have such a way with words, DeLeo. You’d better come in and get
     over your dog tendencies.”
    He closed the front door behind him and slid his arms around her waist before she
     could turn round. “You look incredible, Piper. I don’t think I can share you with
     anyone tonight looking so hot and sexy. No man in his right mind is going to be able
     to keep his eyes off you. It could spell trouble.”
    “We have to go,” she said firmly and wriggled around to face him. “Business is business.
     That’s why you spent a small fortune on all this silk and leather, remember? To make
     me suitable arm candy for the workaholic billionaire playboy?”
    Dark brown eyes so large they only just fit into the arc of his eyebrows stared down
     at her and she shivered. His eyelashes were indecently long and dark for a man, and
     he should be made illegal for exploiting their lost little boy charm and making her
     insides turn to jelly. And then he kissed her, long and slow, and there was nothing
     she could do to resist him. Firm lips melted to soft and longing, tongue gently probing
     as he ran his hands up the sleek silk of her jacket, and she moaned a little with
     the delicious pleasure of being wanted by a man who had women falling at his feet
     on a minute-by-minute basis.
    She broke