The Billionaire's Deal: The Complete Story: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Crystal Kaswell Page A

to eat or drink.
    He draws a bath. Like I can't handle the task. I would complain, but soaking in hot water sounds heavenly.
    I slip into the sudsy water. Muscles I didn't even know were stiff relax. Standing in heels for hours is torture. I have renewed respect for actresses who smile their way through red carpet events. It's not easy pretending it's fun being scrutinized.
    Blake enters the bathroom, holding a tray of snacks. Grapes, berries, crackers, cheese, and dark chocolate. Expensive stuff. He's in jeans and a t-shirt. He looks positively normal. Well, if it's possible to look out of this world hot and positively normal at the same time.
    I move to the edge of the tub facing him. "Can I ask you something?"
    He nods.
    "Why do you always wear a suit?"
    "What should I wear?"
    "That," I draw a circle around him like I'm highlighting his outfit. "Isn't that how programmers usually dress?"
    "I'm not much of a programmer these days."
    I pop a raspberry into my mouth. I never buy berries. Too expensive. It's better than I remember. Tart, sweet, perfect. "Do you miss it?"
    "At times."
    "Do you do anything for fun?" I sink my teeth into the chocolate. If only this conversation were as easy as biting into a perfect square of something this rich and sweet.
    "Chess."
    " Chess?"
    " That too." He glances at the plate. "Do you want something more substantial?"
    "Not in the bath." I push back to the wall—the tub really is that big. "What I'd like is an explanation."
    He nods. Then nothing.
    "That was your cue to start the explanation," I say.
    He nods to a glass of water. I roll my eyes but I drink the entire glass.
    "Don't do that," he says.
    "Follow your instructions?"
    "Roll your eyes."
    "Or what? Will you punish me for being bad?"
    "I'm going to do what I can to respect you, Kat. I expect the same from you." His gaze is intense. "Understood?"
    "Yes, sir." I fight an eye roll.
    He frowns. Hey, at least I'm making him feel something. It's annoyance, sure, but that's better than apathy. It's probably better than apathy. Maybe a little better.
    "I don't appreciate the condescending attitude," he says.
    I wiggle my left hand. The ring catches every beam of light in the room. "Apparently, you appreciate everything about me."
    "You like it." It's a statement, not a question.
    "Does it matter?" I stare at the ring. I do like it, though I'd like it a lot more if it was from someone who cared about me. If it symbolized love instead of a big, fat lie.
    "Yes." He kneels next to the bath, bringing us eye to eye. "It suits you."
    "What? I'm expensive and showy?"
    "You're beautiful and understated." He offers his hand. "I want this to be easy for you."
    "It's not going to be easy." I dip my head into the water. I feel cleaner instantly. Like the bath is washing away all the hair product and makeup. All the stuff that makes me Blake's pretty, fake fiancée and not Kat.
    I run a hand through my hair. Still stiff. Still saturated with sprays and gels.
    Blake stares at me. Studying me again. He must have made a very good student with this attitude.
    I wipe the makeup from under my eyes. "Why did you ask me to marry you?"
    "The same reason I asked you to play my girlfriend."
    Very helpful. Thanks, Blake. Great student, horrible teacher. "And why was that?"
    "To make someone happy."
    "You're going to have to do better than that if you want me to keep playing your girlfriend. Fiancée, I guess." I squeeze shampoo into my hands and lather.
    Blake motions come here . I do, and he combs the shampoo through my hair. What the hell?
    "I can do that," I say.
    "Let someone else help you for once."
    "I don't need help."
    He doesn't stop. He runs his hands through my hair. It's soft. Gentle. Not at all like our previous sexual encounters. Or like his Goddamn attitude for that matter.
    "You remember my mother?" His voice drops.
    "Meryl. Yeah. She was really sweet."
    "And weak. She could barely stand." He lets out a sigh. "She's not supposed to drink with her