Read Online Resisting the Billionaire by C. C. Snow - Free Book Online Page B

was no angry shout
from Jake, I planted my butt back in my seat. The supermodel threw me a
triumphant look over her shoulders before she shut the door.
    I stared at the door for a long moment, battling the bizarre
rush of emotions. If Jake was shallow enough to overlook her character flaws
because she was beautiful, then maybe they deserved each other.
    I shook my head at that thought. A few weeks ago, I would
have said that the arrogant woman was a perfect match for His Exaltedness, but
that had all changed. I hadn’t call Jake that nickname in weeks. He was still
infuriating, but he didn’t deserve someone like Carolina Oliveira.
    I refused to acknowledge the other emotion scratching at the
edges of my consciousness. I rubbed my forehead. This morning was just all
around shitty. My thoughts veered toward my fight with Marcus and I almost gave
in to another bout of tears.
    “So when are you going to let me take you out to lunch?”
    I groaned at the sound of Troy’s voice. I so didn’t want to
deal with him today and raised my head to tell him so.
    “Hey, what’s wrong, Cora?” The look of surprise and
compassion on his face drove away my irritation. Apparently, my face still
showed the ravages of my crying jag.
    I flapped my hand in dismissal. “It’s nothing.”
    His lips thinned in determination. Marching behind my desk,
he clasped my arm. “That’s it. You’re going to come to lunch with me and tell
me all about it.”
    “Troy! I can’t. I’ve got work to do!”
    “It will be waiting for you in an hour.”
    He snagged my purse and stuffed it into my arms and tugged
me behind him. Unless I was willing to cause a scene and kick and scream, I
felt helpless. I had to lengthen my stride or risk being dragged.
    “What about Jake?” I gasped, desperate for an excuse to stop
him.
    “Jake, I’m taking Cora to lunch!” Troy bellowed and hustled
me out of the office. I heard the faint sound of Jake stomping through the
office, but we were already at the elevator, the doors sliding closed. The last
thing I saw was Jake’s scowling face glaring at us.
    “Oh God! He’s going to be so mad.”
    “Fuck it! Why would he be mad? You obviously need a break
and he can’t deny you a lunch hour.”
    I wasn’t about to tell him his brother warned me to stay
away from him. Jake was probably going to fire me for this.
    Troy took me to a quiet Italian restaurant and got us a
table in the back. Against my protests, he ordered us both glasses of wine and
the house special.
    “Railroading people is a Weston trait, I see,” I said dryly.
Somewhere along the way, I had given in. I had no fight left in me today.
    Not offended one whit by my comment, Troy responded mildly,
“We Weston men have many wonderful and unique traits. And yes railroading is
one of our more renowned talents.” His eyes widened as if he were sharing
something worthy of awe.
    To my surprise, a giggle escaped. Then I was full on
laughing. It was a nice release after this morning’s build-up of negativity.
    He grinned, his blue-green eyes dancing. “See, I knew I could
cheer you up. So tell me all about it.”
    I shook my head, a smile still on my lips. “Nothing to tell.
Just a fight with my brother.” And an encounter with your brother’s lover.
    “Yup, I know all about those. What was it about?”
    I considered his offer for a moment, but I finally shook my
head. “No, let’s not talk about it. It’ll blow over.”
    “I may not look like it, but I’m a good listener.”
    “I’m sure you are.” There was something very open and warm
about the younger Weston brother that put me at ease. I touched his arm and
smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but really, it’s just sibling stuff.”
    He must have decided I wasn’t going to budge and nodded in
understanding. “When Jake and I were kids, we fought over everything. I’m
surprised my mom isn’t in an asylum. We drove her crazy with our antics.”
    Jake was always so self-contained, it