Read Online The Academic Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book One by Lucy McConnell - Free Book Online Page A

guy, a pool company does the hot tub, and there’s a list of contractors I’ve worked with in the past if any repairs pop up. All the information is in here.” He clicked open a file. “You can read through it and let me know if you have any questions. I gave everyone the day off, so you could get settled in without a bunch of people around.”
    Janel nodded. “That’s very thoughtful of you, thanks.” She glanced at the computer screen, where a long list of spreadsheets and Word documents stared back.  Let the work begin.
    Nick’s phone chirped. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. “I really have to go. You can wander through the house and make yourself at home.” He waved his hand toward the boxes near the wall. “Unpack, grab some food. Whatever you want.” He put his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
    Janel went to the boxes and ripped the tape off the top of the closest one. When he didn’t leave, she asked, “Was there something else?”
    Nick ran his hand through his hair, messing it up just enough that he looked handsomely unpolished. Her older brother worked hard to get that look, and Nick came by it naturally.
    “I’m going.” He flipped around. She watched as his long strides took him to the door, where he paused and turned back to her. His forehead creased as he hesitated. “Bye?”
    She laughed and shooed him out the door. “I’ll be fine. Go.”
    He ducked his head and walked out. She waited until she heard his footsteps disappear down the stairs before she went back to her boxes. Looking around her room, she was amazed at the care he’d taken to help her feel comfortable in his house ... her house ... their house? Well, it wasn’t really her house, as her name wasn’t on the mortgage. And according to the papers she’d signed, it would never be hers officially.
    She looked at the bed. Still, this was her space, at least for the next year, and she loved it. The colors were perfect and she’d felt at home the moment she walked in. She paused as she placed a textbook on the middle shelf. If it was her room, then why did it feel empty when Nick left?

Chapter 10
     
    Nick cringed as Brenda came through the door preceded by the smell of Chinese takeout. As she arranged it on the buffet table on the far end of the room, he checked his phone for messages or texts. He’d put it on silent before entering the meeting, but he wondered if Janel was waiting on him to eat dinner and if she’d call to find out what was taking him so long.
    It wasn’t like they had a history of sharing meals besides lunch this afternoon, or that she’d miss him. He just felt this pull to be at home with her. Perhaps it was because his father rarely missed dinner with the family. It was one of the ways his parents built a solid foundation for him and his brothers. Not that Nick’s current situation was anything like the marriage his parents shared. Still, that pull wouldn’t let him relax.
    Then there was that strange feeling he got as he left this afternoon. Usually he thrived on work; there was nothing more exciting, captivating, or downright interesting than development meetings like this one that focused on a chip that would allow a gaming system to coordinate with 3D televisions. Only this time, when he got the call, he wanted to blow the whole thing off and show Janel around his home ... their home.
    Blowing off his biggest client would have been poor business. Blowing off Mr. James would have meant an end to business. Whatever circumstances had brought the executive into town, they also meant Mr. James wouldn’t be back for a month. It was now or never, and Nick couldn’t afford “never.”
    His mind wandered back to the house. He was proud of the floor plan, having worked tirelessly with the architect to create a home that would accommodate a family as well as entertain large numbers. That’s why there were two rooms at the top of the stairs. Janel’s was actually the master