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Piper sighed and nodded He was right—she was up to her neck in practical probleracious, not stupid, and accept his offer of help “So what’s your plan?”

“Today we need to dig out your car, and toetting you photographed for the launch caallery event We’re completely booked”

“H to wear, unless you’ve already been shopping”

She could feel herself bristle “I’ I can wear that won’t completely shame you”

“It’s not ood chance there will be a lot of cameras and a few fa if you blend in with the rich list”

He was right, but she wasn’t going to let hihly in her life and she hated things like weddings at the best of tih without having to endure people looking down their noses at her for not being sive up, you take over My brain can’t cope with all this”

He smiled and bit down onto the hot toast he’d just buttered “You won’t regret it, I proht

Piper felt dizzy as she slumped down into her own sofa for what see, of course, but her nor life had been superseded by a ind of activity and new experiences with a man who quite literally took her breath away Not only was he the sexiest, most charis and exasperating in the way he went about everything Matt was the ulti seeured it was a characteristic of high achievers with high intelligence He must’ve been super sht, if he wasn’t lying about his age And she didn’t think he was lying about his age He was totally fit and there wasn’t a hint of gray in those lustrous black locks A few delicious laughter lines around the eyes, but definitely under thirty

He’d sent a twenty-four-hour furnace specialist to her condo and settled the bill without her even knohat had been done and how much it had cost, and now she and Aspen, fresh fro The car had been recovered from a snowdrift by another of Matt’s nition coils and spark plugs replaced It was terrifying to think she could have been frozen solid inside that car if she hadn’t been rescued

Being paraphed by the hippest studio in the county had also been a revelation She’d been made to feel like a filh they’d had to work at top speed to get enough shots in tin There was asome of her best jewelry pieces, too, all sultry and sophisticated—right up there with the best of the glossy azine ads She could never have afforded to have it done on her own Things were certainly going better than she had ever i shopping bags and boxes piled up in the hall: at least three brand new designer outfits, down to the underwear to unpack andwith her, but had sent her off in a chauffeured car with the promised company credit card and strict instructions not to economize She felt exhausted, but in spite of herself, pretty happy Spending other people’sof it No wonder her wedding planner friend, Mel, loved her job soas she re to the opening of a prestigious new art gallery It had cost way beyond anything she would even dreauided her through all her choices was adamant that she’d been briefed to deliver the absolute best There had been soive in and not argue After all, the woood at her job and the co deal to her

And the finished result, even if clichéd, had blown her away Red hair, green eyes, and pale skin wasn’t the easiest combination to dress, but the ice-white silk, deep red, patent leather skyscraper heels, andShe’d have to ask Matt if she’d get to keep the best outfit she’d ever set eyes on when their deal was at an end Her instinct was that he wouldn’t even bat an eyelid, which just went to shohat different lives they led

Three hours later, the doorbell rang and she was ainst the outside railing as she opened the front door He looked as relaxed as a to chill He oozed sophistication and confidence in a jet-black dinner suit, like a panther with silk lapels and covered buttons on the cuffs A snohite shirt did little to ta effect of a thin black tie loosened at the neck, the top button of his shirt undone, screa suppressed rebellion His dark hair had been artfully tousled into filht line as he looked her up and down as well

He let out a lohistle of appreciation and excitement ricocheted up her spine

“Will I do?” she said, and was surprised at how sexy her voice had sounded for a second Dear God, did a pheroo weak at the knees?

He eased his body away fro “I think we’d better step inside before I drool all over your steps”

She laughed “You have such a ords, DeLeo You’d better co tendencies”

He closed the front door behind him and slid his arms around her waist before she could turn round “You look incredible, Piper I don’t think I can share you with anyone tonight looking so hot and sexy Noto be able to keep his eyes off you It could spell trouble”

“We have to go,” she said firled around to face him “Business is business That’s why you spent a small fortune on all this silk and leather, remember? To make me suitable arm candy for the workaholic billionaire playboy?”