Next Door Billionaire

Lila

The last thing I expected at the poetry reading was to fall into the lap of my billionaire neighbor.

Caleb Mendez's breath hitched. Mine stopped. The scent of sandalwood and soap clung to him.

I should’ve scrambled away, laughed it off. But I didn’t. I sat there with my heart thumping as I realized by the hard line of his body how much he wanted me.

Now the neighbors think we’re together. And instead of denying it, we go along with the lie. My aunt asked him to be by my side. He needs a softer image to close a deal.

A fake date to keep it simple. Pretend smiles. Staged touches that feel too real.

But I’ve already kissed him, as if it meant something. Clung to him when the tornado sirens screamed, and the world turned green.

In three weeks, the fake-date contract ends.

I want something real. How do I unlock his heart?