Billionaires in New York Boxed Set: Billionaires in the City Books 1-3

by Laura Burton

  “She’s Anthony’s cousin,” he said in a gravely whisper. Apparently unable to bring himself to say the words properly in case someone should hear him.

  “What’s the big deal?” Edward motioned to open the car door, but Sam grabbed his arm with a hiss.

  “This game you want to play… you can’t involve Catherine. It breaks the code.”

  “What? The bro code?”

  “Have you forgotten?” Sam gave him a hard look. Edward let out a light laugh.

  “Anthony is technically your friend mate, not mine. This doesn’t count.”

  “And when he finds out about the deal?”

  Edward hummed in thought. Realization dawned on him that Sam was not really concerned about Catherine’s feelings, or breaking a code. He was worried about how Anthony would react when he found out the two of them had planned to play his cousin in a wager. Edward patted Sam’s hand patronizingly.

  “Fine. Let’s call it off. I didn’t want to give up my apartment anyway. Allow me to pursue things with Catherine. I’ll tell her the truth about who I am.”

  Sam laughed derisively.

  “Right, whisk her off to Europe and buy her a chateau in France. She won’t be able to resist you.”

  Edward’s nostrils flared as Sam’s word stung. He had assumed the challenge was devised on a whim. He didn’t think he was serious.

  “You really do think I need money to win a woman’s affections, don’t you?”

  Sam raised his hands in the air and puffed air out of his cheeks.

  “Hey, you said it. Not me.”

  Edward huffed and shifted in his seat as Sam’s words grew like weeds inside his mind and sprouted doubt.

  Is it possible for a woman to love me… for being me?

  If he told Catherine who he was, how could he ever know her feelings––if she were to develop any for him––were genuine?

  Had that not been the problem? Every girlfriend he had, fleeced him for whatever agenda they had. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Iceland. A VIP dinner with their favorite celebrity. A luxurious shopping spree at Tiffany’s. The women came and went like buses. No one stuck around long enough to show any genuine interest in who Edward was. Sam was right, Edward did flash the cash. It was all he knew. Treating a woman like a queen made him feel good about himself.

  “I’ve got to do the challenge. But Sam, I’m going to need your help.”

  Sam shook his head so fast his neatly combed hair tousled in front of his eyes.

  “I told you, it breaks the code. Not Catherine.”

  Edward pushed open the car door and got out of the limousine. Sam followed. The two gentlemen stood face to face in the moonlit street.

  “I feel a connection with her. I want to find out if there’s something there. And I want to be… me. Just me.”

  Sam folded his arms and glanced up at the moon as if having a private conversation with it.

  “No lying. She can’t know you’re rich, but everything else you have to be real about,” he said as he wagged a finger at him. A smile grew on Edward’s face as he nodded along, excited.

  “Right. In that case, the limo is all yours, and the Bentley. I’m going to need your keys.”

  “To the T-bird?”

  Edward nodded.

  “Yeah, she’s a classic car, it’ll be the perfect cover up.”

  “No lies remember?” Sam warned. Edward scratched his neck. He did that when he was troubled. He traced a finger along the sore ridges along his skin, a sign he had been nervously scratching all evening.

  “How am I supposed to convince her I’m not loaded with this?” He gestured to the shiny limousine idling beside them. Sam followed his line of sight, the deep line between his brows appearing again.

  “Look, an undercover cop has to tell a few white lies to make sure his cover doesn’t get blown.”

  “Fine.” Sam turned to him, thrust his hand in his pocket and handed him his keys. “Don’t ride the clutch hard and she’s just had a respray, so be careful with the paintwork.”

  Edward retrieved his luggage from the trunk of the limousine and offered Sam a salute.

  “Here’s to the next nine days.”

  Sam shook his head to himself and climbed the steps outside Edward’s apartment.

  “Good luck. You’re going to need it. Oh, and by the way––” He stopped at the top of the steps. “The alarm is faulty, so don’t bother trying to set it.”

  “Got it.”

  “And I expect you to come to my gig this week. Don’t bail on me for a chick, okay?”

  Edward waved and made to walk down the street when Sam called out to him again. He stopped and turned.

  “Anthony can’t know about any of this. If she tells him about you, he’ll blow everything up.”

  Edward frowned.

  “Right,” he said. He walked down to the parking garage deep in thought. He would have to convince Catherine he was a normal guy, but get her to fall in love with him, and convince her to keep their dates secret from her cousin––who she appeared to be close to.

  Piece of cake, he thought.

  A 1994 maroon Thunderbird flashed its lights after Edward clicked the key fob. He grinned.

  “At least I’ll get to drive in style,” he thought as he climbed into the driver’s seat and caressed the leather steering wheel. With a satisfied sigh, he rested a hand on the firm gear stick. Then fastened his seatbelt, turned on the ignition and drove out of the garage. Heading for what would be his home for the next nine days.

  Chapter Five

  It’s only Brunch

  “Cathy. Do you like my slime Cathy?” The dark-haired male asked softly from her laptop as he stretched a gloopy pile of red slime between his fingers. Catherine inwardly cringed but smiled despite herself. She hated slime but did not have the heart to quash his excitement.

  “I like it very much, Johnny,” she lied. “What are you up to today?” she asked, as she combed her long hair, glancing at the mirror sitting behind her laptop.

  “Ma is going to take me to the zoo. I’m going to see the lions.” Johnny’s watery eyes sparkled as they turned into tiny slits. A huge beam spread across his pale face. He put down his slime and clapped, interlocking his stubby fingers. Catherine’s heart swelled. She wanted to reach into the screen and squeeze his cheeks and plant a kiss on his head. Johnny had the ability to make the world seem simple and happy. She was envious of his charming innocence and happy attitude. His routine was strict. Each morning, they would Facetime and talk about their plans for the day. Without fail. It was her most favorite time of the day.

  “What are you doing today?” he asked. “Will you sing it to me?”

  Catherine put her brush down and studied the expectant smile on Johnny’s face.

  “What? Oh Johnny, no I won’t sing my plans,” she said with a laugh. “I have a date.”

  “A date,” he repeated, his rosy cheeks flushing even more than usual. He clapped. “Ma, Cathy has a date. She just told me.”

  Catherine heard a woman’s voice reply from far away.

  “Yes, she is, she just said she has a date,” he said indignantly.

  A mature woman’s face appeared into view, her hazel eyes mirrored Catherine’s and seemed to bury into Catherine’s brain and judge her.

  “Are you sure you think it’s a good idea to date so soon? After Calvin, I mean.”

  Catherine straightened her back and chewed the inside of her cheek.

  “It’s only brunch.”

  “But you said it was a date, Cathy.” Johnny piped up, as he craned his head under his mother’s arm to look at the screen. Catherine studied the worried look on her mother’s face.

  “Who is he? What’s his name?”

  Catherine hissed at the sight of her mother picking up a pen and notepad, primed and ready to write down the details. Probably so she could search the mysterious man up after they hung up the call.

  “He’s called Edward and he is a perfect gentlema
n. He gave me gas when I broke down yesterday.”

  Johnny hiccupped as he chuckled.

  “Gas,” he said to himself, amused. Catherine tilted her head and warmed to the memory of Edward’s awkwardness.

  “I’ve always got gas.”

  The memory sent a ripple of laughter through her core up to her chest.

  Johnny proceeded to ask a hundred questions. Some of them he repeated multiple times. Catherine applied a final touch of lipstick and looked at Johnny with a sigh.

  “Well, I’ve got to go. I’m running late.”

  “Oh dear,” Johnny said, his face crestfallen as he looked around with worry.

  “I didn’t mean I was late, sorry. I just mean I best go so I make it on time.”

  “You don’t want to be late for your date Cathy,” Johnny said, clapping his hands nervously. Catherine picked up her bag and pulled on her jacket.

  “Well, wish me luck. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Enjoy the lions.” She waved and Johnny’s face had a sunny disposition once more.

  “Bye, baby sister,” he said waving both hands.

  “Bye, big brother. Love you,” Catherine said as she blew him kisses, then she ended the call and Johnny’s happy face disappeared.

  Catherine sat in her empty apartment for a moment, staring at the blank screen. Then she sighed. She missed home. Her family settled just outside the city, in the suburbs, while Catherine rented a place near Times Square.

  She thought about what her mother said. Was it wise to date so soon after Calvin?

  Calvin Whitehead was––until a month ago––Catherine’s boyfriend. They had only been together for a few months, but they were some of the most intense months of her life. He wanted to move in together and offered an ultimatum; move in or break up. When she told him she needed more time to think about it, he punched a wall. That made the decision easy for Catherine.

  She cut ties with Calvin and the timing worked out. A couple of days later and she was on her tour. But being back in the city was stressful; she had to keep her guard up and flinched every time the doorbell rang. Having blocked him on social media and deleted his number, she knew he was out of her life, but there was still the nagging thought that he knew where she lived.

  Could she really take up Louis’ offer, knowing how on-edge she felt about being in New York? And what was she doing going on a date with Edward so soon? If he knew how much emotional baggage she had surely, he would run for the hills at the first chance?

  “It’s only brunch,” she said to the empty room, decidedly. What harm would it do? Besides, Edward did help her out, she owed him a drink at least. And she promised to go out with him if Fate brought them together again.

  Now she truly was running late. She picked up her bag and without another thought, headed for the door.

  Catherine pushed her way through the bustling crowd of people outside the busiest coffee shop in the city. Every table was filled, and a long line ran from the counter to the door.

  “Catherine, over here.”

  Edward was on his feet, with his fingertips on the metal table in front of him. Two steaming mugs sat waiting as Catherine shouldered her way through the people and joined him. Edward wore a relaxed shirt and a pair of light denim jeans. His defined, muscular forearms were oil stained, and the stubble on his face made his chin look dirty. She couldn’t decide if he was going for a particular look, or he didn’t care about looking smart for their date.

  Or maybe this isn’t a date, and I’m an idiot.

  “Hey there,” he said with a charming look on his face. He leaned in and brushed his smooth lips to Catherine’s cheek; his stubble grazed her skin. Then they both took a seat. For a moment, the two of them just stared at each other.

  Catherine decided she was overdressed for the occasion. She had carefully pressed her skirt and fished out her most professional-looking chiffon blouse from the back of her closet. Her dark hair hung to her shoulders in soft waves and she had spent far too long perfecting the shape of her brows. Edward looked like he had just walked off the set of a Fast and Furious movie. His bright eyes twinkled at her, and she couldn’t help but notice how sexy and rugged he was.

  “I ordered you a hot chocolate,” he said gesturing to the steaming mug before her.

  “Thanks… but if this isn’t made with soy, I can’t drink it,” Catherine said hesitantly. The fact he took the liberty to order her drink without asking what she would like irritated her. It was the sort of thing Calvin would do. Was Edward just another controlling alpha male? If so, then this really was “just brunch” and she wouldn’t be seeing Edward again.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said. His face paled and he dragged a hand across his face. “I’m such an idiot. Let me––” he rose from his seat, but Catherine shook her head and he stopped mid-rise.

  “Please don’t, I can order a drink myself.”

  Edward lowered to his seat again and gripped his mug for dear life as he gave a weak smile. Seeing him appear off guard and unsure softened Catherine’s resolve. Perhaps he wasn’t so cocky after all, she wondered.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said as she left the table and joined the back of the line. It moved fast but not fast enough. She considered that now was her opportunity to get out unnoticed. In this crowded coffee shop, it would have been easy to slip through the people and escape. Never to see Edward again. She peered through the chattering crowd and caught a glimpse of Edward fidgeting in his seat. His eyes flickered outside and he kept rubbing the back of his neck.

  He’s nervous. How… adorable.

  “Ma’am, what can I get you?”

  Catherine stopped staring at Edward and flinched as she turned and locked eyes with the woman at the counter. The woman had a narrow frame, heavy eyeliner and a mass of brown curls pulled into a ponytail. She reminded Catherine of herself when she was a teenager. A smile crept across her face and she ordered her drink, glancing back at Edward who was now looking furtively in her direction.

  “Sorry about that,” Catherine said in a breathy voice as she returned to the table. Edward took a sip of his drink before he replied.

  “No, I’m a fool. I should have waited until you got here to order,” he said, defeated. “I’ll confess I don’t usually come to places like this, I wasn’t sure what to do.”

  Catherine blew on her drink as she eyed Edward with curiosity.

  “You don’t come to coffee shops?”

  “Well… no.” A dimple appeared on his left cheek, as he looked back at her bashfully. Catherine’s eyes lowered to his puckered lips, rosy from the heat of his drink. She became distracted by the way they opened and closed, and she watched him slide the tip of his tongue across his bottom lip, subconsciously licking her own. Catherine soon realized that he was speaking, but his voice was drowned out by the chattering crowd around them.

  “Sorry, what did you say?”

  Edward bit his lip and his eyes narrowed at her. A look of thought crossed his face.

  “Shall we get out of here?” he asked. Catherine glanced at the untouched drink in her hands and hummed. But before she could reply a chair dragged across the stone floor and she looked up to see Edward dashing across the shop to the counter.

  “What are you––hey!” Catherine said, surprised as Edward took her mug and poured the drink into a cardboard cup.

  “Here you go,” he handed her the drink. Catherine rose to her feet and clutched the warm coffee cup close to her person as she sidled past the table. Edward rested a hand on her back and politely asked people to move aside as they made their way for the door.

  “Where are we going?”

  Edward flashed her a grin, his eyes glinting as he marched forward. Catherine had to skip to keep up. Even though she was tall, her legs were no match for his. They crossed a busy road; a row of yellow taxi cabs honked their horns at them, and Catherine giggled as they hurried through the crowds. Her heart raced as she wondered what Edward had planned. Then they rounded a co
rner and walked through a narrow alleyway.

  “Okay, hold on,” Catherine stopped walking and peered at two dumpsters and piles of garbage bags sitting on the floor. A suspicious looking stain near Catherine’s feet sent her imagination into overdrive. It did not help that a faint smell of urine got caught in the back of her throat.

  Edward turned to look at her and cocked his head to the side. Then, as if he thought himself the star of a show, he reached out his hand.

  “Do you trust me?” he said.

  “No,” Catherine said with a laugh. Edward chuckled and nodded to the end of the alleyway.

  “Come on,” he said. “It’s just through here.”

  Catherine took a sip of her hot chocolate and followed Edward through the deserted alley. Finally, they stepped out onto a grassy verge.

  Catherine gasped.

  “I didn’t know a place like this even existed,” she said gazing out at the views. “Is that Central Park down there?”

  “Come over here, there’s a bench,” Edward said, gently tugging her elbow. She followed him to the edge of the verge to see the grass bank slope. A gorgeous scene played out before her. People and their dogs were running or walking by, the occasional tandem bicycle passed, and tall evergreen trees framed the view. The startlingly bright blue sky made the scene look almost too perfect.

  They settled side by side on the metal bench and looked out, enjoying the scenery in silence, sipping their drinks.

  “So, I’d love to know more about you. I obviously know you’re a talented singer… Do you have family here in New York? Do you have any hobbies?” Edward asked in a measured tone. There was something slightly off about his behavior that Catherine couldn’t put her finger on. She couldn’t decide if he was trying to sound formal or checking off an imaginary list in his head.

  “My family are pretty close by,” she said evenly. “As for hobbies…” She hung her head low and gave a self-deprecating laugh. “It’s silly.”

  Edward leaned in, carefully placed his fingertips underneath her chin and tipped her head to look at him.

  “What is it?” he asked softly. His breath tickled Catherine’s lips and the smoothness of his voice had her heartrate quicken again.