Read Online The Billionaire's Forbidden Desire by Nadia Lee - Free Book Online Page A

Pryce mansion was just as stunning as the outside with gorgeous portraits—done with actual paint—on the paper-covered walls. Everything was gleaming marble, hardwood and plushy rugs. Chandeliers dripped with fat crystals hung from the ceiling, and Sophia couldn’t help but admire the beautiful home. The display of wealth should’ve been gaudy, but there was just enough restraint to keep it classy somehow.
    Al stopped in the middle of the hall and opened a door to his right. “Miss Sophia Reed, sir.”
    “Thanks, Al,” came a soft voice.
    She went inside; the door closed with a loud click behind her. Al had disappeared, leaving her alone with Salazar Pryce.
    His dark hair was slicked back, damp from a recent shower. Silver streaked his temples, and he watched her with polite curiosity.
    Her mother hadn’t exaggerated at all. He had to be at least sixty, but he was still extremely handsome. His skin was even and smooth except for some small lines around his eyes and mouth, and his blue gaze was steady and sharp.
    Something about his appearance tickled her memory. He seemed familiar somehow, but she had to be imagining things. She’d never met him before.
    He adjusted his starch-stiffened collar and flashed her a quick grin. “Sophia Reed, huh? Nice to finally meet you in person. How are you?”
    “Good, thanks.”
    “Please, sit down.” He waved at an empty chair.
    She sat with her knees pressed together. This was it.
    “What can I do for you?”
    “Um, well…” Her cheeks grew hot, and she found that she didn’t know how to broach the subject. How much had Betsy told him?
    He laughed. “Shall I help you out? I’m sure Rick could’ve left his estate in better financial health. Is that why you’re here?”
    She parted her mouth, then shut it. What was there to say?
    “Have I embarrassed you, dear? If so, I apologize.” He spread his hands. “But why else would a distant relative—are we even considered relatives?—show up on my doorstep a few months after her father’s death?”
    If only the ground would open up and swallow her whole… “Didn’t my mom call?”
    “She might have. But I haven’t been answering any calls for the last several days.”
    She cringed. Most likely he was just trying to be kind, and her mother as usual had forgotten. Sophia had never been a priority for Betsy. “I’m sorry, but… I need some help getting back on my feet.”
    “Help, huh?” Salazar rested his chin on one hand. “Are you here to proposition me?”
    The question sucker punched her, leaving her gaping at him. Finally she said, “
Excuse me?
”
    “What? It’s a perfectly reasonable question. A lot of women have tried…” he gave her a gleaming, good-humored smile, “…most of them not as pretty as you.”
    She clenched her hands as humiliation coursed through her. She should’ve known better than to listen to her mother’s advice. Hoping Salazar wouldn’t try to force himself on her with his butler in the house, she got up stiffly. “Sorry for wasting both of our time. I’m not at all interested.”
    He waved her back into the chair. “Sit down, for christssake. I’m not going to grab you. Jeez. I do have some standards, and I never had anything against your father. He’s not the one who hurt my sister.” He gestured at the chair again. “Please.” He waited until she perched gingerly back on the edge of her seat. “Of course I’ll help. After all, you’re family. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”
    She studied him, looking for any clues of sarcasm or insincerity. The talk of “family” rang hollow when he hadn’t bothered to come to her father’s funeral. On the other hand, he had offered to help. “Thank you.”
    “Least I can do. You have a place to stay in the city?”
    “No, but—”
    “I’ll have Al prepare one of the guest wings for your use.” When she opened her mouth, he raised a hand. “No, you won’t say anything except ‘thank