Page 1 of Billion Dollar Vow (The Lincoln Brothers #4)

Prologue

Karley

The air is thick with the scent of freshly baked hors d’oeuvres and leather in the crowded living room of my brother Declan’s condo.

I say a quick hello before he’s deep in conversation with a couple. He suggested I attend his party tonight to spend some time together. After growing up with not much contact since I was eight, we’ve been trying to make up for that since we reunited when I was twenty-one, one year ago.

I grab a glass of champagne and walk around. Pausing to the side, I don’t initially see anyone I recognize until I spot Oliver, my brother’s best friend, across the room. My stomach drops. He has three girls practically draped over him, giggling at whatever words fall from his lips.

He looks the part of a player… Messy dark hair like he’s just rolled out of bed, a smirk that could melt steel, and that lazy way he leans against the kitchen island, like he doesn’t have to try.

Like everything just comes to him.

And maybe it does.

I glance at the girls around me. They’re beautiful, with glossy hair, manicured nails, designer jeans that show off their curves. I tug at the hem of my black tank, acutely aware of my paint-streaked jeans and Chucks. Even the thrifted sweater tied around my waist feels like it doesn’t belong.

Oliver’s eyes roam the room until his blue gaze lands on me. A wolfish grin spreads on his face, and it causes my stomach to flutter.

I shift my gaze to take in the house, and when I bring my eyes back to Oliver, he’s still looking at me. He leaves the group and heads my way. I let out a shaky exhale as nerves dance in my stomach. Needing to wet my mouth, I take a sip of my drink.

“Hey, Karley.” He winks as he stands in front of me, wearing black pants and a white shirt and tie.

“Hi, Oliver. How are you?”

His presence is all-consuming, and when he gives you his full attention, it feels like it’s just you and him in the room.

He’s holding a glass of amber liquid, and gives me a slow, sexy smile. “I’m good. It’s nice to see you again. How are you?”

I shift my weight, one arm crossing lightly over my stomach, as if I can settle the flutter there. I don’t want to seem flustered, but I feel heat creep up my neck anyway. “Truthfully? I want to go home. There are a lot of people in here.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got you.” He reaches out to rub my arm, the touch soft as the air crackles between us.

“Thanks, but I know you’re busy.” I notice the girls looking over, waiting for him to return. “I’ll leave in a few hours. I just wanted to see Declan.”

“You’ll see him, but talking to him?” Oliver shifts, dropping his arm, trying to locate Declan, but the crowd is in the way. “I don’t think either of us will get to spend much time with him. So you can’t bail on me.”

I smile, enjoying this conversation. Usually, we aren’t talking alone when Declan’s here, so this feels different.

“Okay, deal.”

“Who are all these people?” I ask, regarding the unfamiliar faces.

Oliver leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Mostly business associates, clients, ass kissers. Your brother knows how to network.”

“Always has,” I reply, sipping my drink. “Even as young kids, he was the social butterfly.”

“And you, I bet, were the quiet artist in the corner,” Oliver says, his blue eyes softening.

My heart skips. “I was.”

“I love that you know exactly who you are. That’s rare.” He steps closer. “Most people in these circles are just pretending.”

“And what about you? Are you pretending?” I ask boldly, eyebrows raised.

“Right now?” he says huskily. “Not even a little.”

Leaning even closer, his hand gently grips my waist. “Can I tell you something I’ve been thinking about for a while?”

His lips are right there. So damn close.

I don’t answer because when my mouth opens, I lose my words, and all I can muster is, “Mmmhmm.”

For one glorious second, I swear he’s about to meet me halfway. But then— “Whoa.” He jerks back, his hand dropping from my waist like I just burned him.

The rejection slams into me like a gut punch.

“I-I,” he stammers, his eyes darting around the room. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“No, no, I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.” I cover my mouth to hide the way my wobbly voice betrays me.

His expression eases, but that only makes it worse. There’s pity in his eyes now, and I’d rather he hated me than look at me like that. Like I’m fragile.

He shakes his head, sighing. “Look, I get it. But I’m the last thing you need.”

The words hit harder than they should.

No one wants someone who’s broken.

I shake my head, blinking hard against the sting at the back of my eyes. “I was just—” I swallow, stepping back. “Never mind. I’m heading out.”

“Wait—” He starts to say something, but I don’t let him finish.

I walk off, discarding my drink, forcing my steps to stay balanced, even though the ground feels a little too wobbly beneath me.

I have to focus on one foot, then the other, ignoring the burning in my chest, and the humiliating fact that I just made a complete fool of myself.

Because, of course it had to be my brother’s best friend.

The one guy I was never supposed to want… let alone try to kiss.