Page 6 of Interview with the Billionaire

Ollie

The bottom line is that I’m the asshole.

Then again, so is Ollie McKee.

But tonight was mostly on me. Still, she’s mine, dammit.

Nikki.

The woman I’ve yearned for since the first moment I saw her. A woman with whom I’d connected instantly, as if we’d known each other forever. I couldn’t have her then in Texas—we’d had to wait six years to find each other again—but now that we have, she is mine. I’ve claimed her.

Hell, I love her.

But so does fucking Ollie McKee.

And even though I know that Nikki only thinks of him as a friend, I made an ass of myself. Hell, I put myself—and my temper—on display at The Rooftop, a club for fuck’s sake. And won’t that be all over the tabloids tomorrow?

Frankly, I’m surprised I didn’t punch him. God knows he deserves it, abusing his position at the firm. Digging into my business. Yes, he deserved it. And the only reason I’ve cut him any slack is that I know he’s only looking out for her. That wins him a pass. One pass.

But I did embarrass Nikki. More than that, she thinks I came because I didn’t trust her. I do. I don’t trust Ollie, but I trust Nikki without reservation. But trust wasn’t even the heart of it.

Dammit. The idea of hurting her—of causing her any pain—is enough to destroy me. And yet it was my own damn temper—no, jealousy—leading the show. Sending me hurtling across town simply so I could see her. Could pull her into my arms.

Could assure myself that she was still mine.

Millions at my fingertips and an entire empire at my command, and when it comes to Nikki, I lose myself completely. It makes sense, I suppose. Because I would be lost without her.

I think I was before.

No, I’m sure of it.

And the miracle is that she feels the same.

I know that none of this is Ollie’s fault, but I hate knowing he’s held her. Comforted her. And yet at the same time, I’m so grateful that he was there when she was in pain. I may have been the one who kicked that asshole Kurt to the curb, but it was Ollie who held her after Kurt hurt her. I am so grateful to him for that. And yet I will resent him until eternity.

I’m not jealous of Jamie. I shouldn’t be jealous of him. He’s just a friend. From Nikki’s side, anyway.

But I see the truth. He’s in love with her. I think he has been for years. And for that alone, I feel sorry for him. Because I know what it’s like to love her and not have her.

But she is mine now.

And Ollie, my man, it is time for you to move on.

I would have sought you out. Count on it, Mrs. Stark. We’re part of each other, Nikki. We’re inevitable, you and I.

- Lost With Me

Chapter 3: Blast from the Past

As Damien started down the stairs, he heard the sound of Gregory, his long-time house manager, opening the door.

“Good morning, ma’am. Mr. Stark is on his way. If you could just wait here,” he added, and Damien saw his arm indicate the sofa in the first floor great room. “Can I get you some coffee?”

“I’d love some. Thank you.”

Damien frowned. The open door was blocking his view of the woman, but there was something familiar about the woman’s voice. Something he couldn’t quite place.

Perhaps she’d interviewed him before or they’d met at a function. Except that didn’t seem right either. He’d paused midway down the staircase instead of continuing down to greet her immediately, and something told him to trust that instinct.