Read Online Sheltered by the Millionaire by Catherine Mann - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Catherine Mann
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my father would see me.” She sipped her wine and stared into the flames crackling in the fireplace.
“Your dad?” he prompted.
“My biological father wasn’t in my life. He made child support payments and sent a birthday card with a check each year, which puts him one step ahead of Evie’s dad, who hasn’t so much as bought her a pair of shoes.” She cleared her throat. “But back to my father. I know he saw the show because he mentioned it in my next birthday card. He’d noticed, but it didn’t change a thing.” She shrugged. “I found out later he was married. I worry about Evie, since her father’s chosen not to be a part of her life.”
“I imagine it doesn’t help to hear that missing even a minute with Evie is his loss.”
She held up a hand. “Stop, I don’t want sympathy. I love my daughter and I’ve worked hard to build this life. I just want her to have an easier path, to find a man who will value what a gift she is.”
“That makes sense.”
She leaned forward, elbows on the arm rest. “I’m not sure you’re hearing me though. I can’t afford to make another mistake in a relationship. I have to be a good example as her mother, as a woman.”
Was she tossing him on his ass before they even got started? He angled forward, and suddenly the space between them wasn’t so great after all. “That doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life.”
“I need to be careful for my daughter.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “So things like dating, especially now, need to be on hold.”
She half rose from the sofa and her mouth was a mere inch away from his as he sat in the leather chair beside her. Her pupils widened with unmistakable arousal. But she’d just said she wasn’t interested in dating. He had to be misreading her...unless...she wanted a one-night stand, which was ironic as hell since she was the first woman he’d had serious thoughts about dating in a very long time. Before he could wrap his brain around that thought—
She kissed him.
Five
S himmers of desire tingled through her.
Megan settled her mouth against his. It was no impulsive “thank you” this time. She’d thought it out, planning to make the most of this evening with Whit. She could indulge in this much before returning to everyday life and responsibilities.
She’d spent so much of the past three and a half years annoyed at Whit, resisting the attraction. Until now. She’d been tempted, seeing the altruistic side of him that she’d heard about but he’d done his best to keep hidden from her. Then watching him with her daughter totally slayed her.
Just one night. That’s all she could have. And she intended to make the most of it.
Her lips parted against his, encouraging...
Yes.
His tongue traced along her mouth, sweeping inside to meet hers. Kissing. She’d longed for a man’s kiss, the bold give and take, the hard planes of a masculine body.
Of his body.
Whit.
She’d been attracted to him from the start, and resented those feelings since they’d been at odds over the property dispute. Not to mention he wasn’t particularly known for being environmental friendly. She’d given him an earful once over his purchase of a piece of wetlands.
However, even if they hadn’t been adversaries, she’d been wary of dating because of her little girl, who was less than a year old then. The memory of Evie’s father’s betrayal had still been so fresh. She’d been struggling to put her life together and Whit had threatened to rock that. She’d been tempted though, then deeply disappointed when he quickly squelched those fantasies by being a ruthless land baron, causing her constant headaches.
The ache was lower now, pooling between her legs.
She thrust her fingers into his hair, and something seemed to snap inside of him. His muscular arms wrapped around her, hauling her closer until her chest pressed to his and she sat on his lap. She wriggled against him and straddled his legs, kneeling on the
“Your dad?” he prompted.
“My biological father wasn’t in my life. He made child support payments and sent a birthday card with a check each year, which puts him one step ahead of Evie’s dad, who hasn’t so much as bought her a pair of shoes.” She cleared her throat. “But back to my father. I know he saw the show because he mentioned it in my next birthday card. He’d noticed, but it didn’t change a thing.” She shrugged. “I found out later he was married. I worry about Evie, since her father’s chosen not to be a part of her life.”
“I imagine it doesn’t help to hear that missing even a minute with Evie is his loss.”
She held up a hand. “Stop, I don’t want sympathy. I love my daughter and I’ve worked hard to build this life. I just want her to have an easier path, to find a man who will value what a gift she is.”
“That makes sense.”
She leaned forward, elbows on the arm rest. “I’m not sure you’re hearing me though. I can’t afford to make another mistake in a relationship. I have to be a good example as her mother, as a woman.”
Was she tossing him on his ass before they even got started? He angled forward, and suddenly the space between them wasn’t so great after all. “That doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life.”
“I need to be careful for my daughter.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “So things like dating, especially now, need to be on hold.”
She half rose from the sofa and her mouth was a mere inch away from his as he sat in the leather chair beside her. Her pupils widened with unmistakable arousal. But she’d just said she wasn’t interested in dating. He had to be misreading her...unless...she wanted a one-night stand, which was ironic as hell since she was the first woman he’d had serious thoughts about dating in a very long time. Before he could wrap his brain around that thought—
She kissed him.
Five
S himmers of desire tingled through her.
Megan settled her mouth against his. It was no impulsive “thank you” this time. She’d thought it out, planning to make the most of this evening with Whit. She could indulge in this much before returning to everyday life and responsibilities.
She’d spent so much of the past three and a half years annoyed at Whit, resisting the attraction. Until now. She’d been tempted, seeing the altruistic side of him that she’d heard about but he’d done his best to keep hidden from her. Then watching him with her daughter totally slayed her.
Just one night. That’s all she could have. And she intended to make the most of it.
Her lips parted against his, encouraging...
Yes.
His tongue traced along her mouth, sweeping inside to meet hers. Kissing. She’d longed for a man’s kiss, the bold give and take, the hard planes of a masculine body.
Of his body.
Whit.
She’d been attracted to him from the start, and resented those feelings since they’d been at odds over the property dispute. Not to mention he wasn’t particularly known for being environmental friendly. She’d given him an earful once over his purchase of a piece of wetlands.
However, even if they hadn’t been adversaries, she’d been wary of dating because of her little girl, who was less than a year old then. The memory of Evie’s father’s betrayal had still been so fresh. She’d been struggling to put her life together and Whit had threatened to rock that. She’d been tempted though, then deeply disappointed when he quickly squelched those fantasies by being a ruthless land baron, causing her constant headaches.
The ache was lower now, pooling between her legs.
She thrust her fingers into his hair, and something seemed to snap inside of him. His muscular arms wrapped around her, hauling her closer until her chest pressed to his and she sat on his lap. She wriggled against him and straddled his legs, kneeling on the
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