Read Online The Teacher's Billionaire by Christina Tetreault - Free Book Online Page A

might have seemed like a date, but it wasn’t. He was only standing in as host for her father. Nothing more.
    Pulling her room card out of her purse, she waited for Dylan to say goodnight and leave. They’d already finalized what time she would arrive at Cliff House the next morning so there wasn’t really anything left for them to say except goodnight. Regardless, neither of them moved.
    “Thanks again. I had a lot fun today,” Callie said to fill the silence between them. It wasn’t necessarily a bad silence. Rather it felt like the awkward stage at the end of a first date when you’re trying to decide if a goodnight kiss would be appropriate. Although it would’ve been unlike her, she might have made the first move and kissed him if it had been a date. Since it wasn’t she remained rooted in place.
    “Me too. I haven’t just relaxed on the beach in a long time. I forgot how much I like it. I’m going to try to do it more often.”
    His reply surprised her. While it appeared as if he’d been having fun, she’d assumed it’d mostly been an act. After all he had been the one to insist they spend the day together. It wouldn’t have looked right if he looked miserable all day.
    Perhaps she’d been wrong though. Not that it really mattered. The day was over. It wasn’t as if they’d ever spend the day alone together again.
    Since it didn’t seem as if he would say it first, Callie decided she better. “Goodnight, Dylan. Thanks again.”
    Why couldn’t she seem to turn and open the door? She’d said goodnight. Now she just needed to turn and slip the key card into the slot. Simple. Yet somehow her brain couldn’t get the message to her feet. And he wasn’t helping matters. Instead of leaving he stood there looking down at her as if she was the only other person in the world.
    “Are you sure you don’t want me to send a car tomorrow to pick you up? It’s not a problem.” He’d already asked her that question on the ride back to her motel. “Or if you’d be more comfortable, I can come by in the morning to get you,” he offered taking a step closer to her.
    Callie smiled and shook her head. “Really, I’d rather drive myself. I remember how to get there.” She didn’t want to inconvenience him anymore than she already had that weekend.
    In slow motion Callie saw Dylan lower his head and lean toward her as if he intended to give her a goodnight kiss. Instantly her heart started hammering against her chest. Anticipation gathered in the pit of her stomach and spiraled downward. Then just like that she was sucker punched when he dropped a brotherly kiss on her check.
    “If you change your mind call me.” With his final comment he turned to walk away but suddenly stopped short. “Did you see that?” he asked looking back at her.
    Shrugging she asked, “See what?”
    “I thought I saw a flash of light. Must have been a car. Why don’t you go inside before I leave?”
    ***
    “I see you’re back from your date. Anything interesting happen?” Sara asked coming up behind him. Dylan had just entered the main foyer hoping to retreat to his room without running into his half sister. It had been a long couple of days between work issues and playing host. He wasn’t in the mood for another one of his sister’s childish tirades tonight.
    “Not now Sara.” Dylan walked around his sister and started up the stairs wishing he’d used the service staircase in the kitchen after grabbing his drink.
    Undeterred Sara followed him. “I can’t believe she had the audacity to show up here. Who does she think she is? I can’t wait till her face starts showing up on magazine covers and the media starts digging through her life. Then she’ll be sorry.”
    “Your father invited her. Remember? And maybe you should give her a chance. You might like her Sara.” Dylan opened the door to his room but didn’t go in.
    “Wow! That didn’t take long. She’s already gotten to you with her small town girl routine.