The Billionaire's Step - Complete Series (Forbidden Billionaire Stepbrother Romance) by Michaela Adams Page A

her with a large box wrapped in a silky white bow. Attached underneath the bow was a small white card, reading, “I’ll meet you downstairs at eight.”
                  Cora stood by the bed, freshly showered and in her soft hotel robe, as she gently stroked the expensive gown. She was almost too scared to try it on. It would undoubtedly be the most expensive item of clothing she had ever worn. But looking at it, Cora could tell it was perfectly her size.
                  How did he know?
                  Sucking in a breath for courage, Cora lifted the dress out of the box. Tonight she would be showing up to a highly publicized event on the arm of the Model Millionaire. She would be the one dancing and dining with Julian Benedict.
                  With a flutter of butterflies, Cora quickly threw off her robe.
     
     
                  Julian leaned against one of the hotel’s marble pillars as he waited for his evening’s date. He had no doubt in his mind who he would want to spend tonight with. No model or actress could capture his attention and his heart like Cora could and the proof was in his body. He could hardly stand still. He was actually eager to just see her. It was a feeling he hadn’t had towards a woman in a long, long time.
                  A swish of green caught his eye. Julian raised his head to look upon the most breathtaking sight he had yet to see in Paris. The formfitting gown swept across her lithe figure, enhancing every alluring curve. The strapless neckline accentuated her swell of creamy breasts. And the jewel tone green made her skin glow like white silk. Julian’s lips twitched as his gaze met her face. Although she had never looked so beautiful or so regal, he could see it was still his Cora. Her short spiky bob feathered around her face, making her still recognizably Cora.
                  Offering his arm, he smiled, “Shall we?”
                  Cora’s eyes glittered. Julian had never noticed how green they were before. The gown brought out the softly muted green-hazel of her sparkling eyes.
                  “Yes, let’s,” she grinned as she took his arm.

Twelve
                  The cameras had flashed like a blinding wave of light as Cora and Julian exited their limo. As they walked up the steps to a private gallery that was hosting the charity gala, cameras flashed and photographers shouted for one more pose, one more shot.
                  Cora had assumed Julian would want to ignore such attention and head straight inside. Most of his public photos were of him frowning as he guided his date towards whatever event they were attending.
                  But instead of leading her straight into the gala, Julian put an arm around her waist, stopping in front of the cameras to wave and pose. Cora tried not to let her jaw drop in front of the photographers.
                  These photos would be posted worldwide within a matter of hours. She would soon find herself on the cover of newspapers and magazines. Did Julian know what he was doing? The press would immediately label her as Julian Benedict’s new mystery woman when in fact, she was just his personal assistant. He was making a terrible mistake.
                  But when Cora looked up to warn him, he gave her a lazy, devastating smile. “A little camera-shy, are we?” he teased.
                  Cora looked into his warm gaze. He did know what he was doing. He was doing this on purpose . As an irresistible heat bloomed within her, she gave him a glinting smile. “Not at all,” she replied softly as she very obviously leaned her head on his shoulder in a very intimate and public gesture.
                  She could hear the paparazzi nearly climbing on each other to get a shot of the couple. Cora had wondered if Julian would immediately pull away