Page 18 of The Billionaire’s Betrayal (Billionaires of Paris #2)

TRISTAN

I was immersed in reading a financial report when a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in!" I said without looking up.

The familiar sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor made me glance up.

Audrey walked in, a stack of files tucked under her arm.

Her dress, more form-fitting than usual, accentuated her silhouette with a calculated elegance.

I noticed how her outfits, always professional, had grown subtly bolder over the past few weeks.

That realization unsettled me. Since when had I been paying such close attention to these details?

"I finished the report you asked for on Monday," she said, her smile brightening the room.

"Already?" I asked, impressed by her efficiency yet distracted by her presence.

She set the files on my desk, the graceful motion catching my eye despite myself.

"I’ll leave them here. You can take a look whenever you have a moment."

She turned to leave, and an unexpected pang of disappointment crept in something I had no business feeling. "Wait, Audrey." The words left my mouth before I could stop them. "I actually have a few minutes now. Why don’t you walk me through it? We can review it together."

"Of course," she said, her enthusiasm warming me in a way I wasn’t prepared for.

I opened the first file as she stepped closer.

Her scent enveloped me instantly, subtle yet intoxicating.

When she leaned slightly over the desk to explain her work, I had to make a conscious effort to keep my eyes on the documents in front of me.

My mind drifted, captivated by her presence, her soft voice fading into a distant hum.

"It’s perfect," I finally said, my voice rougher than I intended.

"Let me know if you have any other questions," she replied, her smile carrying a thousand unspoken promises.

Only when the door clicked shut behind her did reality hit me like a freight train.

I had deliberately sought her presence, created an unnecessary moment of intimacy.

Up until now, I had ignored the signs, lied to myself.

But sitting there in my office, still wrapped in the lingering traces of her perfume, I could no longer deny the truth: I was drawn to Audrey.

On the private jet to New York, I tried to focus on my work. Audrey’s presence, though silent, filled the space. She was absorbed in her laptop, yet every movement, every subtle rustle of fabric, reminded me she was there. A quiet tension settled between us, one I struggled to ignore.

It only got worse in the limousine waiting for us at the airport. I did my best to focus on the Manhattan skyline stretching against the evening sky rather than the warmth radiating from her body beside me.

Arriving at our New York office was a relief, breaking the forced intimacy.

Meetings followed in quick succession, and I welcomed the distraction.

But Audrey remained impossible to overlook.

True to herself, she proved to be a valuable asset—her insights always precise, her professionalism disarming even the toughest negotiators.

Then came the unexpected invitation.

"We’re throwing a housewarming party for our new offices tonight," a partner announced. "You both should come celebrate with us."

"Oh, let’s go, Tristan!" Audrey urged, her eyes alight with excitement, almost childlike in its purity.

I agreed, and we headed back to our hotel, a luxurious high-rise in the heart of the city, to freshen up before the evening.

The hotel’s entrance, with its sparkling chandeliers and polished marble, stood in stark contrast to the city’s restless energy. In my suite, I took a quick shower to wash away the fatigue of the day. I was buttoning up my shirt when a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," I called.

The sight of Audrey in her red dress stole my breath. The fabric draped over her like liquid, revealing and concealing in equal measure. Her neckline was bold without crossing into vulgarity, making my throat dry.

"What do you think, Tristan?" she asked, her voice soft, almost vulnerable.

The unexpected fragility in her tone disarmed me completely.

"You’re breathtaking," I admitted, my voice rough with something I didn’t want to name.

"Thank you," she replied, a shy smile touching her crimson lips. "I have a small problem—I forgot the necklace that goes with this dress. Do you think the hotel reception might have something I could borrow?"

I saw the flicker of concern in her eyes and immediately wanted to erase it.

"I have a better idea," I said, eager to please her. "I noticed a jewelry store just around the corner. Let’s go find something that does you justice."

Her smile widened as we headed toward the elevator.

Outside, the city lights gleamed as we stepped into the boutique. The soft chime above the door rang as we entered, and Audrey’s gaze swept over the displays, landing on an elegant pendant.

"This one," she murmured, eyes gleaming. "It’s perfect, isn’t it?"

The jeweler approached with a professional smile, ready to assist. Audrey asked me to clasp the necklace around her neck, and the effect was immediate, it completed her look flawlessly, accentuating her beauty.

"It’s stunning," I said, captivated by the way the stones shimmered against her skin. "We’ll take it."

I didn’t hesitate as I paid, and when Audrey looked at me with gratitude, a rush of exhilaration surged through me.

That night, Audrey was a vision. She drew every gaze in the room effortlessly. No matter their age or status, people gravitated toward her, desperate to steal a moment of her attention. I watched from a distance, whiskey in hand, mesmerized by the way she commanded the space.

She moved between groups with disarming ease, her laughter ringing out like a melody, turning heads in its wake.

The men watched her hungrily, undoubtedly imagining what it would be like to have her in their bed.

And me, despite all my efforts to maintain a professional distance, felt a sharp pang of jealousy when she lingered too long with one of them.

The three days in New York passed in a feverish blur.

Meetings came one after another, each success leaving us more exhilarated.

The city’s energy amplified our emotions, making every victory more intoxicating, every shared moment more intense.

A dangerous complicity settled between us, fueled by the thrill of closed deals and the forced intimacy of long limousine rides.

On the flight home, Audrey took the seat beside me. As we debriefed the success of our trip, our bodies brushed occasionally, as if engaged in a silent conversation of their own. The lingering euphoria of our stay mixed with a more troubling undercurrent, an emotion I wasn’t ready to name.