Read Online The Billioniare's Bought Bride (Contemporary Romance) by Michele Dunaway - Free Book Online

that summer when I had to beg my parents for money to buy you ice cream, I can well afford to indulge your every whim.”
    “It was never about money.”
    “That’s because until this year, you’ve always had it. You have no idea what it’s like being on the outside looking in.”
    He dropped her hand, her skin cooling as the contact ceased. He eased back in his chair and his face darkened, a frown crossing briefly. He reined in his emotions and the poker facade again shuttered down. 
    Madison stared, failing to understand this man to whom she had committed her future, and that of Summerhaven. “You know, I’m not really hungry anymore.”
    Dylan took a long sip of his champagne. “If it helps you eat, envision yourself handing the clerk in the county assessor’s office a cashier’s check for the back taxes. That should greatly cheer you up.”
    Their food arrived, and so did the well wishers . Many of her grandfather’s friends stopped by to congratulate them. In the course of two hours, Maddy and Dylan received invitations to several dinners and parties, and Forrest Smith had even invited Dylan to play eighteen holes of golf. 
    “You’ve certainly charmed them,” she said as she attacked her dessert. The kitchen had sent them complimentary homemade apple pie.
    Dylan wrapped his mouth around the spoon. “I’ve been trying to meet with Forrest Smith for more than a year.”
    “And because you’re marrying me, you are.”
    He smiled slightly. “Yes. You and I will be quite the social success.”
    “So you’re using me for my name.”
    “And you for my money. Works out well.” Dylan paused as someone else came up to congratulate them.
    Maddy swallowed another bite, the delicious dessert providing more calories than comfort. She was going to marry Dylan Blackwater.
    Instead of all those dreams, she would possess the real deal. But the man she had loved at sixteen was a stranger, and this was a business deal. He wanted the old money in-crowd. She saw her role—she was his foot in the proverbial door.
    She smiled as someone else came forward, and finally she and Dylan made their way home. Once back at Summerhaven, he escorted her to the door. Moths flickered against the dusk-to-dawn light that illuminated the driveway, and the yellow light bulb by the back door cast muted shadows.
    “I…” Maddy paused, uncertain as to what to do. This wasn’t a date, and she hadn’t had a good time.
    “I’ll be over tomorrow to discuss arrangements,” Dylan said.
    “Arrangements?”
    “Yes. For our wedding. For lodge renovations. For a host of other details that I’ll oversee personally from this point forward.”
    “Your company…”
    “Has a second in command who is quite capable of handling things during my absence. He’s already been briefed on the situation. You are now my number one priority.”
    “Really, it’s not necessary,” she began, but he stepped into her space and his lips hovered mere inches above hers. His breath warmed her cheek, and combined with the cooler night air, made for a blatant invitation. 
    “It’s very necessary. I personally want to walk through the lodge and surrounding buildings and assess everything that needs to be done. I’ll have contractors on site within the week. Starting tomorrow and until the repairs are complete, you’ll stay on North Star.”
    “With you?”
    His lips curved into a Rhett Butler smile. “You’re going to be my wife. But don’t worry, you won’t have to lock your door. Unlike your fiancé, I can wait until our wedding night. Although, one little taste, just as a teaser can’t hurt.”
    He swooped the rest of the way down and his lips found hers. Heat flared immediately, and his mastery left her knees weak and her body hot and ready. His lips teased, pulled and pleasured, and his tongue wet her flesh before he slipped inside to explore and conquer.
    She whimpered her satisfaction, her kittenish cry almost a purr as all rational thought