Read Online At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? by Rachel Bailey - Free Book Online Page A

shoulders. She took a deep breath and held it. She had to stop letting her mind drift to sexual thoughts about her boss. He was attractive, sure. Exceedingly. And he could kiss like the devil himself. But he wasn’t like other men. He wanted her hand in marriage to buy a company. Things were far too complicated to let herself be sidetracked by attraction. The stakes were too high to let her guard down in case she found herself married to him before she realized it had happened. If anyone could do that to her, it would be this man.
    He finished stretching and lifted his feet to rest his crossed ankles on the corner of his desk. “How are the plans for the trip to Sydney?”
    â€œThey’re on track. I’d write you a report, but…”
    â€œI wouldn’t read it,” he finished for her and smiled. “Macy, I know you were reluctant to take this trip with me, but I assure you, I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
    â€œI know you will,” she admitted. She knew it was the truth—not that it would help with her own reactions.
    â€œHowever,” he said with a gleam in his eye, “if you change your mind during the trip, I’ll be ready and waiting.”
    She hesitated, not quite trusting that gleam. One thingwasn’t in doubt—he had a remarkable ability to surprise her and she was quickly learning not to take anything at face value where her boss was concerned.
    She cocked her head to the side and met his gaze. “Change my mind about marrying you?”
    He shrugged one of his well-muscled shoulders. “That, or about your rule of keeping my distance. I’d be more than happy to repeat our date. Or,” he said, voice deeper, “our kiss.”
    Images of that kiss came flooding back once more and filled her mind, her body, but she pushed them away and lifted her chin as she replied. “What would be the point of becoming involved when you want it to lead in a direction that I’ll never go?”
    â€œI can think of several reasons.” His warm brown eyes smoldered. “Starting with how mind-blowing that kiss was.”
    It was as if champagne had been let loose in her bloodstream—despite her efforts to hold it back, now the effervescence flowed from her fingers to her toes and all the places in between. If he hadn’t made that deal with her father, she could stop fighting and let their attraction take its natural course. But he had. And she couldn’t give in. Once again she banked the fire that he so easily lit inside her and brought her body back under control.
    That deal between Ryder and her father was creating grief on so many levels. She’d thought about it endlessly, and one thing still intrigued her.
    She uncrossed her legs and sat a little straighter. “Will you tell me something?”
    â€œAnything,” he said, not bothering to hide that he was drawing his attention from her legs back to her face.
    â€œYou’ve put your wedding vows, yourself on the marketfor the sake of your business, for money. Why would you let yourself be sold like that?”
    His body snapped to attention. “Sold?”
    â€œTo get access to my father’s company, you’re willing to give up your chance to find a wife you love. Or—” she tapped a finger against her cheek “—are you thinking that our marriage would only last until the company is yours?”
    He stood and moved to the front of his desk, leaning his weight back on it as he took her hands. His eyes—which only moments before had sizzled with sensual intent—were now serious. “Marriage vows are sacred. Once given they shouldn’t be broken without a damn good reason.”
    She’d suspected he’d think that way after growing up with a father who hadn’t taken his own vows seriously. Which made it all the more strange that he’d agreed to this plan.
    She retracted her hands from his and stood, pacing to