Read Online Kidnapping the Brazilian Tycoon by Carmen Falcone - Free Book Online Page B

direction of the ocean. “Or maybe you hoped the blinding sun would fry my brains and I’d just agree with whatever you said?”
    Bruno studied his surroundings. Locals enjoyed coconut water and seafood pastries and occupied the kiosks lining the crowded beach. How he envied the simplicity. “Addie, I need you to marry me.”
    “Why?”
    “Pai told me once I’d never get married and be happy like he was with my mother,” he offered, a touch of bitterness in his voice. His father had been right, hadn’t he? Plenty of women chose him for his sexual skills or to enjoy the perks of dating a billionaire. Throughout all those years, when had a kindhearted person ever shown interest?
    “You’re doing this for spite? To show him there was a woman out there crazy enough to put up with you?”
    “I wanted to show him I could, yes, but more because I knew that was what he wanted. We’ve always had a different relationship.”
    She drummed her fingers on her neck. “Then let’s get hitched. But you don’t sell Toca do Tigre.”
    “He’s asked me to.”
    A frown wrinkled her forehead. “Bruno, we had an agreement. Bound by a contract. You can’t go back on your word.”
    “I won’t. I can’t tell him about not selling Toca do Tigre for months. There’s no need to upset him during his final weeks, or days.
    Frustration crossed her face. “You’d deceive your dying father?”
    Wasn’t it too late for a guilt trip? “Isn’t that what we’re already doing with the marriage charade?”
    “That’s different. He didn’t ask you to get married. He asked you to sell. You should just tell him you’re not going to.”
    “There’s more to it. That land represents the first real estate I purchased after I made money. I bought it to get back at someone. For revenge. My father thinks if I’m to marry you, I should also get rid of lingering emotions. The remains of the person I used to be.”
    She plopped down on a concrete bench. “What kind of person is that?”
    He joined her on the bench but scooted away so their limbs didn’t rub. The last thing he needed was to add to the tension between them. “That’s not relevant to you. I’m doing what I’m doing for personal reasons. You’re doing it for the Kwanis.”
    She lifted her eyes to him, and a coy smile formed on her lips. Time froze, and an unexpected ardor rushed through him—different from the familiar stir of libido.
    “True. I just don’t react well when people change the rules on me. You’re making it hard for me to trust you, Bruno.”
    “What will it take?”
    “How can I trust you if I don’t know you?” She frowned. “You say you’ll give me what we’ve discussed, but what if you change your mind? You’re lying to your father, the man whose approval you seek. Therefore, the last person you should lie to. How can I believe you’re not doing the same right now?”
    He cracked his knuckles. “You know enough about me.”
    “No. You tell me you had a sketchy reason to buy that land, and you won’t tell me what it is.”
    “Has it ever occurred to you that I don’t trust you?” And could never, ever trust her. The last woman he opened his heart to bolted when she unveiled his corrupted soul.
    She shrugged.
    “I gave you my word, and I’ll keep it. I won’t sell the land right away. But, Addie, you must marry me and play the part. And stop digging.” With all her questions and nosy attitude, Addie proved to be a bigger problem than planned. In fact, was she still the solution? Partially. Marrying her would grant him the closure he always sought, but keeping her away from his personal affairs was going to be a real feat. He’d worked hard to bury his past. Damn it, he had too much to lose.
    “Okay,” she whispered.
    A skinny mutt walked by, sniffing an empty soda can on the ground. Addie stretched her closed hand and the dog sniffed it, then licked it. With a giggle, she produced a granola bar from her bag and offered it to the