Billionaire on the Loose by Jessica Clare Page B

gorgeous teeth. Actually she was pretty sure he had gorgeous everything. Not that she was going to do more than hit it and quit it. Taylor had made that vow to herself before she’d even asked if he had condoms. This was not a guy in her league. This was not
boyfriend for nerds
material. This was
DEAR GOD DON’T ASK QUESTIONS JUST NAIL IT AND BE THANKFUL
material.
    So she was going to nail it and not ask questions.
    The elevator ride up to her apartment was awkward as heck, though. Taylor shifted uncomfortably as the small, dirty elevator climbed slowly up the jillion floors to hers. This probably wasn’t his regular scene, and she mentally winced at the thought of the dirty clothes on the floor of her tiny studio apartment, along with the stacks of dirty cereal bowls next to her computers. To be fair, she hadn’t been expecting company or she’d have cleaned up. She considered making him wait in the hallway for a few minutes while she frantically straightened. It wasn’t the worst idea.
    â€œSo how long have you lived in New York?” Loch asked, breaking the silence.
    â€œMe?”
    â€œNo, the others in the elevator,” he said, grinning and pretending to look around at the empty elevator.
    A hot flush crept over her cheeks. “Since college. I’m actually from South Carolina. Very small town. I wanted to get away, though. Not much opportunity there. So I’ve been here about five . . . six years.” Wow. Looking back, it was a little embarrassing. Six years and the best job she had with her computer science degree was tech support? Dang, that was disappointing. “Um, how about you? How long are you in the city for?”
    He shrugged. “Until I grow weary of it, I suppose.”
    â€œAh.” Must have been nice to not have to worry about money. New York wasn’t exactly the cheapest place to just hang about. “And you’re like, Griffin’s cousin, right?” She’d met him once, at a party. “Isn’t he an earl? Does that make you a duke?”
    He looked down at her, frowning slightly. “Bellissime only gives out titles to the royal family, and I’m actually a baron. Why?”
    She shrugged. She had the vague impression he wasn’t too keen on discussing himself. “Baron sounds kind of badass. Do you get anything cool with that title?”
    His smile tugged up again. “Just a coat of arms.”
    â€œOh man, your own coat of arms. I’d be throwing that shit on everything.” She grinned. “Personal checks, phone case, you name it.”
    Loch laughed. “It’s really quite ugly.”
    â€œDoesn’t matter. It’s just badass that you have one.” He made a sound in his throat that sounded like vague agreement, and she winced. “Am I making you uncomfortable? I can shut up at any point.”
    â€œIt’s fine.”
    â€œYou can back out at any time, you know. No hard feelings.”
    His smile remained but his brows drew together. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Taylor?”
    â€œNo! Not at all! I’m just saying that if you ran away screaming at the sight of my
Doctor Who
decorating theme, I wouldn’t blame you.”
    This time, his laugh was genuine. “Forewarned is forearmed. I promise not to scream in too much horror.”
    â€œYou say that now, but wait until you see it.” The elevator dinged, signaling her floor, and she got out, pulling her keys from a clip in her pocket. “I have to warn you that I wasn’t expecting company and I’m a bit of a slob.”
    â€œAs long as you don’t make me sleep on the floor, I’m sure it’ll be charming.”
    â€œYou can’t sleep on the floor. That’s where I keep all my laundry.”
    He laughed again, and she moved to her apartment door quickly. She was down at the end of the hall, and she prayed like heck none of her neighbors would come out and see her