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

by Laura Burton

  “Hello?” Emily peered around the clothes to see a very thin woman, wearing horn-rimmed glasses and an entirely black pant suit. Her auburn, straw-like hair was cut so severely around her face, it looked to Emily like a badly-made wig.

  The lady peered at Emily over her glasses and pursed her lips. “I can see why you called.”

  A chair scraped across the floor and the sound echoed around the room. Emily snapped her head back to see David dabbing his mouth with a napkin as he marched over to the woman.

  “Noelle, thank you for coming so fast.” He kissed her cheek and her thin lips curved upward as she closed her eyes.

  “Of course, David. When I heard you got married, I knew exactly what you needed me to do.” Noelle held out a hand to Emily, she took it and tried to suppress the urge to frown at her.

  “Emily Stewart, nice to meet––” Emily cut her words short at the sight of the woman’s expression. She glanced over at David who looked at her pointedly. “Sorry, Emily Marks, I’m still getting used to that.” She shook Noelle’s hand confidently and covered her mistake with a laugh. Emily didn’t realize they were telling everyone that they were married. She needed to think fast on her feet.

  “Nice to meet you, Emily, I’m Noelle, an old friend of David’s.” She patted David’s cheek with a wrinkly hand, her nails were painted black and had a dazzling shine to them. Emily forced a smile.

  “I’m here to make you look good.”

  “I think I can take care of myself,” Emily stated. But Noelle tutted and marched to her clothes rail, disregarding her as she spoke to David.

  “Your PA sent across the details of your grandmother’s party,” Noelle said as she stood up straight and held out three dresses to Emily. She raised each one out and squinted before tossing them aside.

  “No, no, no this will not do,” she muttered as she dove back into the endless supply of clothes. Emily pick up one of the discarded dresses that still had a price tag on it, which was more than her credit card balances combined.

  “I can leave you both to it. I should make some calls anyway.” David started to walk away, but Emily grabbed his arm and stared at him with pleading eyes.

  “Don’t leave me with her,” she whispered.

  David patted her hand gently. “It’ll be fine. Let her work her magic. She’ll make you look great, don’t worry.”

  That wasn’t what Emily was worried about. She stared helplessly at David as he strode out of the room and disappeared behind a door. Noelle reappeared again with a bundle of new dresses, probably weighing more than the woman herself.

  “Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  First Class Feelings

  After making some important calls for work, David fell into an exhausted heap on his bed and slept the rest of the morning away. Orange sunlight flooded his room and he basked in its golden rays. He stretched his arms and yawned loudly. A babble of voices pricked his ears up and he marched over to his bedroom door. He re-entered the lounge area and his jaw dropped to the floor.

  Emily stood up on a stool wearing a knee-length wraparound dress. The nude material sat snug on her form and gathered at her left hip. David’s eyes followed the line of the dress up to the plain bodice and looked up at Emily’s face. Her eyes lingered on him and she gave him a wry smile. Noelle was circling Emily unintelligibly muttering to herself—one of her many quirky traits. She was the family dressmaker and designer for as long as he could remember. How she kept her job working for the Marks family, David had no idea. It must have had something to do with the fact that she was brilliant.

  David walked over to them and applauded slowly, still staring at Emily in wonderment.

  “You look….”

  “Like your wife, yes, David. That was the idea.” She interjected, grinning at him with her hands on her hips. Her tanned arms were enhanced by the nude shade of her dress. And her long hair was swept up into a loose knot at the back of her head. Strays of flyaway hairs softened her face and her plump lips sported a fresh layer of rose lipstick. She was staring at him with a confident smile. Her sassy attitude was back, and David loved it. He wanted to collapse to his knees and declare his feelings, but Noelle was hovering around like a bad smell.

  “Did you find everything you need?”

  “Of course, she did,” Noelle snapped before Emily could reply. David opened his mouth, but Noelle wasn’t finished speaking. “She has enough to keep her going for now, but I’ll be back with a collection tomorrow. Her neck looks rather bare.” She gave him a pointed look. “You would do you well to pay Oliver a visit.”

  David nodded and muttered his thanks. And like that, Noelle collected her belongings and pushed the clothes rail out of the room. Emily stepped down from the stool and spun around on the spot.

  “What do you think of my new dress?”

  “What do you think of it? That’s all that matters.”

  Emily frowned at him. “Actually, you’re paying for it, so I think your opinion matters.”

  “I’m happy if you’re happy,” he said, trying to be diplomatic. He couldn’t think of anything to say. Would it be too creepy to admit he found her the sexiest woman alive in that dress? Or that it was the perfect blend between professional and drop-dead-gorgeous? Even in his thoughts, that sounded weird.

  “I’m happy.” Emily twirled again and swaggered her hips as she crossed the room to grab a drink.

  “For what it’s worth, I think you look amazing,” David said, finding his courage again. His heart pounded in his chest and his ears were ringing. Emily shook her head to herself as she took a sip of her drink.

  “See? Was that really so hard?” She glanced at her phone on the breakfast bar; it vibrated loudly against the granite and she reached out for it. David thought she was going to take the call, but instead she rolled her eyes and put it down again.

  “Don’t you need to get that?”

  Emily took another sip of her drink. “No, it’s just my sister,” she said after she swallowed.

  “Ah, you have a sister. Does she live in New York too?”

  David thought there was a mild look of irritation flash across her face but she seemed to recover herself before she smiled politely at him.

  “Yes, but we don’t see each other.”

  “Why am I sensing there’s a story there?”

  “Because there is. And it’s a long one.”

  “Well.” David grabbed his jacket from the coat stand and picked up his keys off the small table by the door. “Why don’t you tell me all about it while we go.”

  “Go where?” Emily asked, her arms folded. David smirked at her.

  “To see my friend Oliver.”

  The dark limousine pulled up outside a sky rise building. David got out and held the door open for Emily and held her hand as she stepped onto the sidewalk. When she stood up and looked around, her neck curved slightly and she had baby hairs scattered along her neckline. The space between her hairline and the material of her dress was just wide enough for David to slip his hand there. His fingers twitched against the urge to grab her neck and swoop her in his arms. Emily smiled at him, looking blissfully unaware of David’s thoughts. Does she really not understand how irresistible she is? He swallowed against the dryness in his mouth and cleared his throat. Henry passed him a bottle of water.

  “Here, sir,” he said in a low voice. David took an appreciative gulp and looked around. Another car pulled up and the back door swung open. Joffrey and Robert climbed out and stood uniformly beside him. He nodded in acknowledgement.

  “Shall we go?”

  “Go where? We’re in a back alley,” Emily said through a laugh. David enjoyed watching her reactions and wondered what other things he could arrange just so he could watch Emily’s response.

  “We don’t go in through the front entrance, too much attention. Besides, the back of the store is where the really good stuff is.”

  Emily’s brow raised at him a
nd she cocked her head to the side. He imagined placing his hand against her cheek and caressing her ear with his thumb. Snap out of it.

  The group of them walked to the steel door in the back of the building and David tapped on it. The door clicked and swung open, revealing an elderly man wearing a silver-grey suit.

  “David, this is a nice surprise,” he said mildly as he stepped back and David walked in. Oliver was an old friend of his father’s and had been providing jewelry for the Marks family for decades. He wouldn’t ever think to go to anyone else.

  “Oliver, I would like to introduce you to my wife.” The words sent a flurry of excitement within his stomach. My wife. I like the sound of that.

  As David walked further into the building, he stopped at a dark room, lined with glass cabinets with dim spotlights showcasing the contents. He heard Emily and Oliver exchange greetings and turned to see them shaking hands. Emily was so poised, refined as she pressed her lips together and held her hand out with confidence. Even in the dim light, her eyes shone.

  “It is charming to meet you, Mrs. Marks. May I call you Emily?” Oliver said holding her hand with both of his.

  Emily inclined her head. “Of course.” Her voice was light and rich, like a songbird, but David knew this was just one facet of her personality. His mind took him back to the night in her apartment. The real Emily has long wavy hair and wears bunny pjs. No, Emily wasn’t just a girl who loved to let her hair down and wear pjs. She was everything. Passionate and driven, quick-witted and ambitious. She could hold herself and carry her end of the conversation. Not intimidated by anyone, yet gentle as well.

  “So what can I help you both with?” He noticed Oliver struggling to take his eyes off Emily.

  I know the feeling.

  “My grandmother’s birthday is coming up, and we are going to the island to celebrate with her. It’s the first time my family will be meeting Emily, and I would like to really make her shine. If you know what I mean.”

  Oliver beamed at Emily, the admiration in his eyes was obvious as he squeezed her hands, with no apparent intention of letting them go.

  “You, my dear, already shine,” he said gentlemanly. Emily’s cheeks flushed with color as she glanced at David. He wasn’t sure if she was loving the attention or planning her escape. There was something behind her eyes that made him think she was not entirely comfortable.

  “Nevertheless, I have just the collection for you,” Oliver continued, finally allowing Emily’s hands to drop and he walked across the room. He motioned for Emily to follow.

  She glided toward the cabinet and followed Oliver with her hands clasped behind her back. David’s eyes lowered and he stared at the nude open-toe shoes with a six-inch heel. He wondered how she could walk so easily while practically standing on tip-toes.

  A vibration in his pocket snapped him out of his thoughts and he pulled out his phone.

  “I just need to take this call, excuse me.”

  “You go ahead, we’ll be fine.”

  David caught sight of Emily staring at him with panicked eyes before she blinked and offered a gracious smile to Oliver.

  “You can have whatever you want, darling.” He walked up and touched her arm briefly in reassurance. Her face had drained of color. He didn’t have time to think on it, though, as he put the phone to his ear and left the room.

  “Father.”

  “David. It’s your grandmother.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Expensive Tastes

  Emily stiffened as Oliver fastened the clasp of the necklace and it rested like an iron chain on her collarbone. Oliver held out a mirror and eyed her with anticipation.

  “There, what do you think?” His voice was low and reverent. Emily stared at the yellow gemstones the size of grapes linked together in a chain.

  “It is very pretty,” Emily offered, her voice was a little too high to be convincing. The weight of the necklace along with the darkness of the room had her feeling claustrophobic. She wanted to tear it off and run out into the street.

  “They are sapphire gemstones and the metal is twenty-four karat gold.” An assistant entered the room and Oliver nodded to him.

  “Do you have anything… more subtle?” Emily asked as she chewed her lip. Twenty-four karat gold? Sapphires? She dared not ask how much it was, and there was no price tag. Of course, there’s no price tag. Emily was no stranger to expensive clothes and jewelry. But this was on an entirely different level.

  Oliver surveyed her for a moment, then motioned for his assistant. The young man sped to his side and leaned in for Oliver to whisper something into his ear. Emily watched on curiously and swayed side to side slightly on her heels. Noelle had given her the most unpractical pair of shoes and insisted she wear them. She longed to kick them off and walk around barefoot, though she would never do that in public.

  “Here, let’s see how this does?” Oliver unfastened the sapphire necklace and handed it to his assistant, who gingerly held it in his nimble hands. Oliver turned and held out a delicate string of white and yellow diamonds. Emily admired the way it sparkled in the spotlights.

  “They look like sunflowers,” she said barely above a whisper. Oliver nodded.

  “Yes, that is because they are sunflowers,” he said as he fastened the back. He stood away and held up the mirror. Emily touched the necklace lightly and stared at the mirror in wonderment.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, mostly to herself. The necklace was light, and a string of sunflowers danced across her collarbone.

  “How much?” she asked. Thinking she would buy it herself. David had already paid for her clothes. She didn’t feel comfortable letting him buy her expensive jewelry too.

  “For you, Mrs. Marks, I wouldn’t accept anything more than the cost price.” The skin around Oliver’s eyes creased as he smiled at Emily with his hands pressed together. “Three hundred thousand.”

  Emily resisted the urge laugh. Three hundred thousand dollars? Suddenly, the necklace weighed heavy on her chest as anxiety flooded her veins. Act natural. You’re a billionaire housewife, remember? That’s like pocket change for the Marks family. She couldn’t stand the thought of having David pay for this necklace. The price tag was the same as her mortgage. There was no way she could raise enough money. How could she keep up the act that she was David’s wife and get out of the jewelers without the necklace?

  Emily did not have to worry, because the door flung open and David charged in. His brows heavy set and his face in a brooding expression.

  “Sorry, Oliver, we need to leave.” He nodded to Joffrey and Robert who walked out of the room. Emily’s hands shot up to the necklace and she fumbled with the clasp.

  “I hope everything is okay?” Oliver asked mildly as he carefully took the necklace from her hands.

  Emily didn’t wait another moment. This was her opportunity to get out of there. “Thank you for your help. I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer,” she said politely and made for the door. David stayed behind.

  “Can I see that?” she heard him say to Oliver just before the door swung shut.

  Having come from a dark room, the sunlight was blinding and Emily squinted to allow her eyes to adjust. The busy rush of the New York traffic flooded her ears and she basked in the sound for a few moments, taking a deep breath of taxi fumes in the air.

  “Mrs. Marks.” Emily’s eyes snapped open and she blinked looking for the owner of the voice. Robert was standing in front of her and shifted to the side to block the sunshine from hitting her eyes.

  “Please, will you call me Emily,” she said exasperated. The bodyguards knew this was a charade. They didn’t need to make her feel any more uncomfortable. Robert inclined his head.

  “As you wish. Mr. Marks has asked me to take you to the car.” Emily nodded to him and followed him into the limousine idling a few feet away. As she lowered herself into the car, she caught sight of David approaching, hot on his heels.

  “Everything okay?” she asked, once
they were both seated and the car door closed.

  “I need you to do me another favor.” David’s look was severe. His eyes bore into hers and sent flurries of excitement through her.

  “What is it?” she asked, wondering what he could possibly need from her.

  “Henry, take us to the registry office. Robert should have given you the address.”

  Henry nodded and a small divider raised to the ceiling and hid the front of the car from view. David turned back to Emily, she cocked a brow at him.

  “I need you to marry me. Today.”

  Emily’s mouth fell open.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Big Promises

  David’s heart was racing. He stared into Emily’s dark eyes and searched for a sign. He wasn’t sure what kind of sign he was looking for, exactly. Happiness? Excitement? Fear? Emily’s expressive face was a mixture between forlorn and sympathy. Not exactly the response he was hoping for. But time had run out. If they didn’t do this quick, everything would be in vain.

  David took a breath and told Emily the news. His grandmother had taken a bad turn and was requesting for everyone to come. Her anticipated birthday party was going to take place as soon as the guests arrived. That wasn’t all. David’s father explained that his grandmother’s lawyer would require evidence of David’s marriage to Emily. Faking a relationship wasn’t enough.

  Emily graciously agreed. David clenched his jaw and silently berated himself. This was not going the way he planned. Now that he had developed feelings for Emily, he wanted to make things right. Tell her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He wanted to have an honest relationship with her. They were on the way to the justice of the peace to get married, and there was no time to explain why he needed the share in the family business. How he’d known of her. The promise he made to his father. All of it. And yet he told her nothing. Even on the car ride to the office, his brain buzzing with thoughts and his heart pounding in his chest. He could have grabbed her hands and told her everything there and then. And pray that she found it in her heart to forgive him, to understand his situation and to go ahead with the nuptials. But the risks were too high. She’d need time to think about it. To process all that information—but they didn’t have time.