Read Online Bought by a Millionaire by Heidi Betts - Free Book Online Page A

taking care of people—or one particular person, at least. And for the next little while, he fully intended to take exceptional care of her.
    Back in her pajamas and huddled beneath the blankets he’d carried her from her apartment in, she curled up against the car door, her feet tucked up on the seat. The tip of her nose was red from her cold, her cheeks brighter than usual, and her hair a mass of tangled auburn curls.
    Most women of his acquaintance wouldn’t be caught dead—or might only be caught dead—in such disarray. But Shannon seemed either not to notice or not to care. She was sick and hadn’t given a second thought to her appearance. She hadn’t run to apply makeup the minute she woke up in the hospital, hadn’t demanded someone run out and buy her a new outfit so she wouldn’t be seen in her old flannel pajamas as so many other women he knew would have.
    He liked that about her. Maybe more than he cared to admit.
    â€œFeeling any better?” he asked, studying her from the opposite side of the car.
    â€œMuch. I’m still tired, but it will probably take a couple days to really bounce back.”
    â€œWe’ll be home soon. You can climb into bed and sleep for a week, if you want.”
    A small smile curved her lips, even as her eyes drifted shut. “I just might.”
    At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and cradle her as he had when she was nearly unconscious. He didn’t think she’d be quite so acquiescent about it this time around, however. And since he planned to carry her up to his penthouse when they arrived, whether sheliked it or not, he might as well save his strength for that particular battle.
    â€œDo you drive?” she asked, out of the blue. Her eyes remained closed, but she was apparently awake and in the mood to chat.
    The question caught him off guard and he found himself wondering what she was talking about. “Drive what?”
    Her lashes fluttered open at that and one corner of her mouth quirked upwards. “A car, a motorcycle, a scooter…anything.”
    His brows pulled together. “Of course I drive. What kind of question is that?”
    â€œI was just curious. You always seem to travel in a limousine, so I wondered if you ever drove yourself anywhere or even owned a car.”
    â€œFor your information, I own several cars. A Mercedes, a Jaguar convertible, the Town Car I sent over to your place…I use the limo most of the time, though, because it’s convenient. It allows me a certain amount of privacy, and I can concentrate on work instead of the road.”
    â€œI’ve never seen you working.”
    He shot her a surprised glance. Her tone and expression claimed innocence, but the glint in her eye told him the question held more than a little devilment. “That’s because when I’m with you, you’re my only job.”
    Her attempted chuckled turned into a cough. Burke slid across the seat, offering her a tissue from the nearby console as he slipped his arm around her back and tugged her close.
    â€œIn that case,” she said when she could speak again, “you deserve a raise. I’m supposed to be working for you, making your life easier. Instead, I’ve been nothing but trouble.”
    He opened his mouth to respond, but didn’t know what to say. The truth was, she’d been anything but a problem. He’dfelt more alive in the past month than he could ever remember. Accompanying her to doctor appointments, envisioning his child’s birth and first days, looking forward to their frequent phone conversations so he could not only find out how her pregnancy was progressing, but also hear the soft, feminine lilt of her voice.
    Even tonight, when he’d had to break down her apartment door and rush her to the hospital, he couldn’t find it in him to care about the meetings he’d missed or the work he hadn’t