Seduced by the Billionaire

5

If there’s one thing I hate more than buttercream disasters, it’s being made into a meme.

And thanks to Evan Novell’s little stunt at my shop, my face was plastered all over the internet.

Cupcake Queen Conquered!

Novell’s Sweetheart?

When Billionaires Buy Bakeries (and Hearts).

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw my phone in the oven and slam the door shut.

Instead, I did something even more reckless.

I marched into the lion’s den.

Novell Tower.

The gleaming skyscraper pierced the clouds, steel and glass reflecting the entire city like it belonged to him. Which, in a way, it did.

The moment I walked through the gold-trimmed revolving doors, I regretted everything.

Marble floors. Crystal chandeliers. Receptionists with smiles sharp enough to cut glass. And men in suits everywhere.

But I squared my shoulders, marched to the desk, and slapped my hands on the counter.

“Carina DeLuca. I need to see Evan Novell. Now.”

The receptionist blinked, polite but unshaken. “Do you have an appointment, ma’am?”

“No.” I leaned closer. “Tell him it’s the woman whose shop he hijacked yesterday. Trust me, he’ll want to see me.”

Her brows flicked up. She pressed a sleek earpiece. “Mr. Novell? There’s a Ms. DeLuca here demanding ” Pause. Nod. “Yes, sir.”

She turned back to me, her perfect smile never faltering. “Mr. Novell will see you. Top floor.”

I barely managed not to gape. I was bluffing. He wasn’t supposed to

“Elevator’s to your left,” she said sweetly.

I swallowed hard and marched that way, muttering under my breath. “i***t. i***t. Idiot.”

The elevator ride was endless. By the time the doors opened, my palms were sweating.

And then his office.

It wasn’t an office. It was an empire. Floor-to-ceiling windows. A skyline view that made me dizzy. Shelves lined with leather-bound books. A desk big enough to land a helicopter.

And him.

Evan Novell, lounging in a tailored black suit, jacket off, sleeves rolled, tie loosened just enough to look sinful.

“Carina,” he drawled, standing. “You came.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I stalked forward. “I came to tell you to stop. Stop showing up at my shop. Stop turning me into your personal headline. Stop ”

“Stop making the world see the truth?” he interrupted, circling the desk like a predator.

“There is no truth!” I snapped. “We’re not whatever you think we are!”

His smirk was lethal. “Not yet.”

I froze. Heat shot down my spine. Damn him.

“You arrogant ”

Before I could finish, the door burst open. A man in a pinstripe suit rushed in, tablet in hand. “Mr. Novell, the investors from London are on the ”

He stopped dead when he saw me. Blinked. Then looked between us with dawning realization.

Oh. No.

Evan didn’t miss a beat. He slid an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

“This is Carina DeLuca,” he said smoothly. “The woman who’s about to change everything.”

The investor’s eyes widened. “Ah. I see. Well… shall we reschedule the call?”

“Yes,” Evan said without hesitation. “Tell them I’m busy.”

“Of course, sir.” The man ducked out, shutting the door behind him.

I shoved at Evan’s chest the second we were alone. “Are you insane?”

His grip tightened, holding me against him. “Insane for you, maybe.”

“Let go!”

“No.” His voice was low, dangerous. “Because every time I touch you, Carina, you tremble. You burn. And you hate that you can’t hide it.”

My heart thundered. My knees betrayed me, weakening under his stare.

“Admit it,” he murmured, his mouth inches from mine. “Admit you feel it too.”

I shoved him again, harder this time, breaking free. “You are out of your damn mind!”

His smirk returned, sharper than ever. “Maybe. But at least I’m honest about what I want. Can you say the same?”

I glared at him, chest heaving, refusing to answer.

Because the truth was carved into every rapid beat of my pulse.

And he knew it.

By the time I stormed out of Novell Tower, my reputation was officially doomed.

Because everyone in that lobby saw me leave his private elevator.

Everyone saw the smirk he wore when he followed me to the doors.

And everyone would talk.

Which meant my war with Evan Novell had only just begun.