Read Online For Business...Or Marriage? by Jules Bennett - Free Book Online Page A

and tell him we need to talk. I’d rather discuss this in person, though. We also need to talk about changing the name of the resort.”
    Drawing her knee up in the leather seat, Abbyshifted even more to face him. “He didn’t know you were coming here?”
    He threw her a glance, one that said it was none of her business, but she didn’t back down.
    “Cade,” she began in a soft, understanding tone. “I know how important this is to you, this moving into other countries, but your father left this legacy to you and Brady. He has a right to know sooner rather than later.”
    He wasn’t listening. Abby watched his eyes wander to her bent knee in the seat and she jerked it back down. Lord, she’d completely forgotten she was wearing a sundress. Granted, it wasn’t short, but the hemline did hit right at her knees, so he’d seen her bare thigh.
    Had the driver forgotten to turn the air on?
    “Where are we staying?” she asked, praying to God he took the hint and didn’t try to kiss her or anything else inappropriate while in public. Because, heaven help her, if he offered, she’d concede.
    His dark gaze traveled back up her heated body. “I booked us at a little bed-and-breakfast down the way. They are few and far between anymore and I figured you’d like the change of scenery, so I cancelled the reservations you had previously made.”
    Abby smiled at the idea he’d thought of her. “Thank you.”
    “It’s the least I could do,” he smiled. “After all, you found this deal of a lifetime for me. I intend to take you to a nice dinner tonight to celebrate.”
    Dinner? Alone with Cade? Oh, God. Who wasdoing the seducing here? And was he really just thanking her for stumbling across the diamond-in-the-rough piece of property or was he starting to have feelings for her?
    Was it too much to hope that Cade might see just how well they blended together? How could he overlook the fact that they made a great team? What one didn’t think of, the other did.
    “There’s no need to thank me,” she told him, righting her skirt over her knees. “I’m part of this company, too. I want to see it thrive just like your father intended.”
    Cade smiled, reached for her hand and squeezed. “When he hired you, he kept telling Brady and me what an asset you’d be.”
    Shocked that Mr. Stone had said that about her, Abby returned Cade’s smile. “That’s quite a compliment coming from such a prominent businessman. I’m just sorry I didn’t get to know him better before he passed.”
    “Me, too. He was the greatest man I’ve ever known.”
    Because she didn’t want him dwelling on hardship, she turned the topic back around. “So, where are we going for dinner?”
    “I have a little something planned,” he assured her. “Trust me, though. You’ll like it.”
    Trust him? A flutter of excitement and giddiness flooded through her. She trusted Cade with every fiber of her being. Even her heart. Especially her heart.
    He had no clue just how much of a hold he had over her. Even though Abby prided herself on being independent and strong, she knew she’d crumble at the first sign Cade had indeed turned his feelings toward something more personal, more intimate.
    Fifteen minutes later the driver pulled up in front of a two-story white stucco home with vines and greenery darting up each side of the doorway.
    Abby loved the fact Cade knew her well enough to pick something so laid-back and simple. Even with his life of leisure and jet-setting, he had never acted like he was too good for anything or anyone.
    But even if Cade Stone was a janitor at a high school or earning minimum wage, Abby would still want to spend the rest of her life with him. She’d never had much money, but she didn’t even consider his bank account one of his characteristics.
    No, in her mind money was only a small part of Cade’s life. He wouldn’t even have that money if he wasn’t powerful, hardworking, driven to take what he wanted…and Abby