Page 36 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

Did he have any idea what my tiny bedroom back home looked like? How often Carla and I ate ramen noodles dressed up because we paid rent and bills and had little money left for food? But no, he didn’t have any idea.

He had grown up rich and he’d made a solid fortune of his own in the past decade. He’d never had to check his account balance before buying groceries, not that he did any of his own shopping. It was such a different life than the one I knew.

We lived in the same world, the same country, the same city, but he was a god while I was an ant just trying not to get stepped on.

I nodded mutely, unable to force words past the tightness in my throat. I wouldn’t cry in front of him. I couldn’t. Not in front of a man who would never understand going to bed hungry. No, I was going to keep myself composed, though my head swam with the opulence around me.

He must have sensed my mood shift because he took a step closer, frowning slightly. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice softer than I’d expected. “Did I say the wrong thing?”

I shook my head quickly, my jaw clenched against the emotion threatening to spill over.

His frown deepened. “Can I get you something? Sparkling water?”

I shook my head again, looking away. I was going to turn into a blubbering mess at any second.

Then, suddenly, his hand was on my shoulder. The contact immediately had my attention. I was no longer thinking about crying. It was like getting zapped by electricity. His thumb tipped my chin up gently, forcing me to meet his gaze. His hazel eyes locked onto mine, disarming me completely.

“Tell me what you need, Kaira,” he said, his voice low and intimate.

That was all it took for a tear to escape. I cursed myself silently, but before I could pull away, he caught it with his thumb, brushing it away with a tenderness I didn’t think he possessed.

I turned my face, trying to put distance between us, but his hand remained steady. Instead of letting me retreat, he stepped closer, and before I realized what was happening, his arms wrapped around me in a steadying embrace.

At first, I was too shocked to react. But then the exhaustion, frustration, and relief of the past few days broke through my defenses. I sank into his arms, resting my head against his chest. His cologne was warm and woodsy, comforting in a way I hadn’t expected. I felt the tension in my body start to unravel, even as tears soaked his expensive shirt.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, my voice muffled. “I’m being such a baby. I just, well, I guess I really needed life to give me a break, and it finally did.”

He held me. “Sounds like we found each other at the right time.”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

His hand moved up my back, a slow, soothing motion that sent a rush of heat through me. My breath hitched and I tilted my head back to look at him. His eyes searched mine, something softer and more vulnerable than I’d ever seen flickering there. I had to look at him to make sure it was really him offering such comfort. The man I was convinced was nothing but solid ice under the hard body was acting human.

Maybe he had some chocolate chips in him after all.

My heart pounded. My body felt too warm, too aware of the man standing so close. His gaze flicked to my lips.

What was he doing?

“Roman…” I whispered, unsure if it was a warning or a plea.

And then he kissed me.

His lips were warm and firm, his touch commanding yet careful. I melted into him, my body responding instinctively as his arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. A part of me screamed that this was a terrible idea, but I couldn’t stop. His kiss ignited something deep and primal inside me, something I hadn’t felt in years.

This can’t be happening.

I let myself fall into the sensation for a moment longer before reality crashed back down. What was I doing? I couldn’t let myself get carried away by him of all people.

I pulled back abruptly, pressing my fingers to my tingling lips. “I… I have to go,” I stammered.

“Kaira—”

“I have to go,” I repeated, stepping away before he could stop me.

I turned and fled. My footsteps echoed through the massive house as I passed the library without sparing it a second glance. My heart raced for an entirely different reason now.

Roman’s driver was waiting by the sleek black car and he opened the door for me without a word. I climbed in, slamming the door harder than I meant to.