Page 1 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

Chapter one

~ADRIAN~

“Adrian, trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this. We’re on the brink of something huge, and your investment could skyrocket the returns.”

The owner of a chain of hotels, notorious for clandestine affairs, is desperately trying to lure me into throwing my money down the drain.

“Save the sales pitch for someone who doesn’t care about their money, Frank.” I snort.

“It’s a golden opportunity! You’d be a fool to pass this up.” I can practically imagine him begging on his knees. Pathetic prick.

“I don’t invest in fairy tales.” I’ve built my empire on discernment, not the wishful thinking of overconfident bastards.

“I can show you the business plan—”

“Convince me with results, not spreadsheets and empty promises. Until then, don’t waste my time.” I hang up abruptly. I’ve had enough of him.

With an aggravated sigh, I lean back into the soft leather seat of the black sedan as it glides through the city streets, the rhythmic hum of the engine muffling the soft music emanating from the speakers. I idly drum my fingers on my thigh as I watch the blurry skyline through the tinted window, impatience seeping into my veins as the familiar impotence of being a passenger washes over me. I meet my driver Mac’s warm eyes in the rearview mirror as he smiles, wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“Sir, I don’t mind being a passenger, but I’m not sure that’s what you’re paying me for,” he’d quipped with a wry smile after my persistent insistence on taking the wheel the night before.

Mac has been with me for over a decade. His salt-and-pepper hair, meticulously combed, is all I see now that he’s taken his eyes off the rearview mirror and back on the road. As we approach a red light, the sedan slows to a stop, and the music gains clarity. Through the tinted window, the panoramic skyline sharpens into focus, and so do the pedestrians crossing the busy sidewalk, reminding me how mercifully warm the first week of May has been.

As we approach Morgan Investments, I brace myself for the upcoming meeting with Ethan. A call from my best friend had summoned me out of a lunch discussion with potential partners. The urgency in his tone overshadowed the insufferable pair of bland eyes across the table, yammering on about a doomed investment I had no interest in un-dooming. Suddenly, my phone buzzes, and I look down at a text from my PA.

Ethan Turner is here to see you, sir.

I swiftly tap out a response, telling her to let him into my office, and then rest my phoneon my thigh. Melissa, a valued member of my team for over two years, stands out in a sea of predecessors who were more interested in navigating my bedroom than managing my affairs. Her competence and professionalism have been a breath of fresh air. Her response is almost immediate as she lets me know it’s been done. Good. I seldom grant access to my office, but for Ethan, who has been by my side for most of my conscious life, exceptions abound. In the face of his urgent plea to meet, I’m prepared to offer everything he’s ever trusted me with.

The sedan purrs to a stop in front of Morgan Investments as I signal for Mac to pull over.

“Mac, drop me off by the central complex today,” I say, a subtle shift in my usual routine. “Take the time off. I have a car I can take if I need to.”

“Yes, sir.” Mac nods as I open the door and step out.

My brisk strides carry me towards the ensemble of interconnected buildings, all part of Morgan Investment. The exterior is a canvas of glass and steel, each structure seamlessly flowing into the next.

As I approach, the central courtyard comes into view. The restaurant I had insisted on building heresits at the heart of the complex. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflect the flower beds surrounding them. I catch a glimpse of my reflection as I walk by. The sound of water trickling from the fountain in the center mingles with the clinking of cutlery and the faint sound of hushed conversations.

The cafe, bathed in sunlight, beckons with the aroma of coffee. I spot a few familiar faces as I swiftly scan the tables arranged around the side of the fountain. A commotion from one of the tables steals my attention. I narrow my eyes at a young woman, her expression contorted in pain. One hand clutches her mouth, while the other, gripping a book, desperately attempts to salvage the situation as the contents of her mug spill onto the small plate beneath. In reflex, she starts fanning her hand in front of her face and looks around the table. Frantically, she reaches for a handful of napkins, and I watch with subtle amusement as she begins to wipe away the spilled coffee.

The sun highlights the strands of her honey-blonde hair, casting a gentle glow around her. She brings her gaze up and looks around nervously; hereyes framed by long lashes are a captivating shade of green that flicker with embarrassment.

My body stiffens. I recognize those eyes. My brows knit together as I mentally scour my past for any trace of where I might have seen her. Nothing surfaces. I open my eyes to look back at her. The features of her face become clearer once she relaxes her mouth. Her mouth. Lush lips, the shade of a summer rose, draw my gaze for an instant longer than necessary. It triggers a fleeting wonder of what her lips would feel like wrapped around my c—

Fuck, stop. I peel my eyes off her and force myself to keep walking. Could she be… The notion that she might be a new intern flickers in my mind, prompting an instinct to verify.

From the corner of my eye, I spot a face I wish I hadn’t.

“Adrian!” My COO calls out after me, but I don’t bother stopping. Victoria’s recent behavior has left me with little patience for her whims. But as I try to make my way to the main building faster, the insistent clack of heels pursues me. I let out a deep sigh and turn around. Keep it civil and quick.

“Good afternoon, Victoria.” I know my tone borders annoyance, but I also know she can take it.

“Ever so formal,” she purrs.

“Do I have a reason to be anything but?” I challenge. As brilliant as she is, she’s just as insufferable.

“I just wanted to remind you about the exhibition tomorrow night.” Her red lips curve into a smile. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”