The Billionaire Next Door (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Collection) by Judy Angelo

the door but he slammed his palm against it, making a mockery of
her efforts.
    “Not so fast, mi amor .  I think you’d better
invite me in.”  He gave her another of his crooked grins.  “You don’t want to
have a scene right here on your doorstep, do you?  What would your neighbors
think?”
    Solie gave him another scowl as she took in his
self-assured expression, wondering why in the world she used to find that smile
so sexy.  Now that she knew the real Raul Escobar that smile just looked like
pure evil.
    She was contemplating the wisdom…or stupidity…of letting
him in when he grasped her by the upper arm, set her aside and pushed the
door.  Then he stepped in and closed the door behind him.
    “See how easy that was?” he asked, but this time when he
looked at her his smile was gone.  In its place was a look so cold it made her
shiver.  “You kept me waiting, mi amor .  That’s not good.”  He jerked
his head toward the hallway.  “Now let’s go relax in the living room and have a
chat.”  Before Solie could respond he grasped her by the shoulder, turned her
around and gave her a little shove, forcing her down the hallway ahead of him.
    Her skin prickling at his touch Solie walked, trying to get
as far away from his reach as possible.  She hated the idea of inviting him
into her home but if she let him say his piece maybe he would go.  Right then
her greatest wish was to have him gone, out of her house and out of her life,
but maybe she would have to suffer through his tirade first.  She just hoped it
would be a short one.
    In the living room Raul didn’t even wait to be invited
to have a seat.  He stepped past her as if he owned the place and went to
sprawl on her sofa, his head against the cushion, one leg halfway up.  A slimy
smile slid over his lips as, eyelids lowered, he watched her standing in the
doorway.  “Come on,” he said, his deep voice silky soft.  “Join me.”
    Solie stood right where she was.  Once upon a time that
seductive tone might have worked but not now.  She was way past any kind of
attraction to him.  Now all she felt was revulsion.
    She folded her arms across her chest.  “Just say what
you came to say then get out.”  She said the words through gritted teeth.  “I
have no time to entertain slime balls.”
    Raul threw back his head and laughed out loud.  “Was
that the best you could come up with?  You’re losing your touch, Solie. 
Where’s the fiery chica who used to match me word for word?  Where’s the
witty rejoinder?”
    Solie took a step forward and scowled at him.  “Listen,
you’re not welcome here.  You’re lucky I even let you in.  Just state your case
and leave.”
    That got her a look of amusement.  “You let me in?  How
droll.”  Then, as if tired of the game, he shifted and dropped his legs to the
floor.  He patted the seat beside him.  “Come on over and sit so we can talk.”
    Solie did not move.  The very idea made her skin crawl. 
Sit beside Raul so he could wrap his arms around her, maybe even force himself
on her?  She wasn’t that stupid.  “Just talk,” she said.  “Say what you have to
say and get out.”
    Raul sat back and regarded her, the amusement sliding
from his face.  “Oh, so that’s the way it is, is it?”
    “That’s the way it is.”
    “Fine.”  He slapped his hands on his knees and then sat
forward.  “Let’s get serious.”  He looked over at her, his smile gone.  “I want
you to come back to me.”
    Solie shook her head.  “I got that.  What I don’t get is
why in this world or the next you would think that would ever happen.  You’ve
gone mad or what?”
    Raul shrugged and this time the smile he gave her was
free of bravado.  It almost looked…genuine.  “Mad is right,” he said.  “Mad in
love with you.”
    “Raul,” Solie dropped her arms and jammed her fist on
her hips, “you said let’s get serious so why don’t you?”
    “I am