Cayton Yorke was an F-boy of epic proportions.
The man didn’t do relationships. He used beautiful, single women to suit his latest need.
According to interviews by anonymous friends and co-workers, past lovers, and even a couple unnamed relatives, Clayton would use the woman he was seen with for one of two reasons…
As eye-candy for the press or a warm and willing body in his bed.
But attempting an actual relationship with someone…one with real feelings and emotions or, God forbid, commitment…forget it.
Well hello there, Pot. Have you had the pleasure of meeting Kettle?
Okay, fine. But to be fair, Ro’s harsh judgement where Clayton’s love life was concerned had more to do with his revolving bedroom door and reported treatment of his former lovers than his unwillingness to settle down.
Truth be told, Ro couldn’t care less about the man’s sex life. It wasn’t like she was jealous or wanted him for herself. She looked at Clayton Yorke and felt…nothing.
Because you want someone very, very different. You’re just too afraid to go for it.
The same image from before filtered through her thoughts. A different man.
Taller.
Darker.
Sexier.
Deadlier.
She blinked, refocusing on the man standing in front of her and doing her best to ignore his predatorial gaze. “Hey, Clayton. Sorry, I didn’t see you there. How are you?”
“Much better now.” A slow, cocky smile lifted the billionaire’s scruff-framed lips. “And I spotted you the second I stepped through the door.”
Ro let her own smile grow just a smidge, unsure of how to appropriately respond to a comment like that. Even if she was flattered by the man’s blatant attraction toward her—which she wasnot—Clayton was her client.
With new advances being made in the world of graphic design and online marketing, an independent entrepreneur like herself was already about six dozen steps behind those who were part of the corporate world. She’d already worked too damn hard to destroy her small company by becoming just another notch in Yorke’s high-priced bedpost.
Besides, not mixing business with pleasure was a self-imposed rule Ro refused to break. The risks simply weren’t worth the cost. Not even with a handsome man as rich and powerful as Clayton Yorke.
Especially not with a man like him.
“Aurora? Are you…okay?”
“What? Oh, sorry,” she apologized with an awkward chuckle.
His gaze seemed a tad glazed, his speech the slightest bit stilted, and Ro couldn’t help but wonder if he’d partaken in something other than alcohol.
“I didn’t realize this was a hang-out of yours.”
“It’s not.” She shook her head, pointing a thumb behind her. “I’m just here celebrating a friend’s birthday.”
“Oh. Well, please be sure to pass along my wishes for a happy birthday to your friend.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Ro started to turn, thinking she’d gotten out of that a lot faster and easier than expected. She was wrong.
Stepping a long stride forward, Clayton shifted his stance, so he was no longer directly behind her, but rather beside her. “It’s good to see you getting out and doing something other than work. I know the long hours you put in, and even someone as successful as my father would tell you taking time for yourself is important.”
“He’d be right.” She maintained a perfect smile. “That’s why I decided to come tonight.”