Page 76 of The Billionaires' Gamble

Counting on my fingers, I calculate the time in Croatia, then reach for my phone and shoot off a text to Marko.

Kingston: Thanks for pushing me to come back.

I think for a minute about what else I want to say. Things are going well here? I mean, that’s mostly true. If you don’t count the last twenty-four hours.

Ultimately, I settle for telling him not to hold my job.

The message feels prophetic. Like hitting send is a wish to the universe.

That said, sometimes you’ve gotta help the universe along.

After pulling my clothes on, I find my shoes and then head across the yard. The light in Katherine’s room is still extinguished. I bound up the few terrace steps and cross to the back door. The handle doesn’t budge.

Well, crap.

I try the door on the other side of the kitchen. Of course, they’re not going to leave things unlocked. Thank goodness. But also dang.

Now I’m lurking in the darkness like a creeper, staring up at Katherine’s second-story window. The pale curtain flaps in the breeze. Why is her window open?

Unease prickles the back of my neck. I look around for a handhold. There’s a window below Wildfire’s, and I lever myself up onto the ledge. Thank goodness for all those grip exercises. Wedging a foot against the side of the porch, I shimmy my way up the corner, using pressure and leverage until I reach her windowsill.

It feels good to use my muscles like this.

Everything looks normal, although I don’t know what my brain expected to see. Gouge marks from climbing gear?

Come on, King.

Pushing the curtain aside, I blink into the darkness. Between the exterior lighting and pool lights, it takes my eyes a moment to adjust. Silently, I swing my feet over the sill, trying to keep the lip of the window from biting into my ass.

The room is pitch black, but still. Silent. Burglar-free.

Unless you count me. And I fully intend to steal a kiss.

Not gonna lie. I’ve totally fantasized about sneaking in here before. That was years ago, when I was rethinking past choices. But as I tiptoe across the plush rug, moving from memory, my heart beats out a wild rhythm. All those years of friendship, and we’ve finally taken that next step.

We’re not going back.

At the edge of her bed, I second-guess myself. I should let her sleep. I don’t want to be the asshole who wakes her up or scares her. And despite my history, I can control myself around her. Sort of…

Still, I can’t help myself. Our connection is real.

Just like it was all those days ago, pulling and tugging at me from halfway around the world. Back to where I belong. To where, maybe, I always belonged.

The feeling of rightness in my chest is amazing, even after this shitty day. Holding her and feeling her arms around me, finally giving freedom to my feelings, the soft skin of her hand in mine on the ride over here. It’s these quiet moments I love. Just as much as the sex and the adventures.

Being with her, soaking in her presence, quiets the craziness in my head.

Reaching out, I coast a hand over her hip. “Sweet dreams, Wildfire,” I whisper.

She shifts beneath my palm.Explodesis more like it. She twists, bolting upright.

Something clocks me in the face. Pain blasts through my head, and I slap a hand over my throbbing cheekbone.

“Ow,” I whisper-shout.

A lamp on the other side of the room flicks on. “What’s going o—King?”

Katherine blinks over at me from the other side of the bed.