An Unlikely Bride for the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas Read Free Book Online

love she had done anything he’d asked of her.
    â€˜You’re not going to tell me any more than that?’
    Curiosity sharpened his gaze, but it wasn’t the kind of avid, voyeuristic curiosity that made her want to crawl under a rock. It held a warmth and sympathy that almost undid her.
    Swallowing again, she shook her head. ‘It’s sordid and unpleasant and it’s in the past. According to the justice system, I’ve paid my debt to society. I won’t ever steal again. I’ll never break the law again. But I understand that in light of these circumstances my word isn’t worth much. I’ll completely understand if you’d prefer to deal with Nora rather than with me.’
    He didn’t say anything.
    â€˜You don’t need to worry about my job. You’ve done enough to ensure I won’t be fired...at least, not this week.’ She’d aimed for levity, but it fell flat.
    He lifted his chin. ‘I meant what I said—come and work for me.’
    She realised now what she’d known on a subconscious level after only ten minutes in his company—Dylan Fairweather was a good man.
    â€˜I appreciate the offer, I really do, but besides the fact that you don’t know me—’
    â€˜I know you have a good work ethic. If the way you’ve treated Carla is anything to go by, where clients are concerned nothing is too much trouble for you. They’re valuable assets in an employee.’
    â€˜According to Gordon I have a problem with authority.’
    He grinned, and leaned in so close she could smell the nutmeg warmth of his skin. ‘That’s something we have in common, then.’
    How was it possible for him to make her laugh when they were having such a serious conversation? She sobered, recalling her earlier impulsive, I think I just fell a little bit in love with you . She should never have said it. Instinct warned her that Dylan could wreak havoc on her heart if she let him.
    She couldn’t let him. She wasn’t giving any man that kind of power over her again.
    She pulled in a breath. ‘I was fortunate to be awarded this traineeship. The opportunity was given to me in good faith and I feel honour-bound to make the most of it.’
    â€˜Admirable.’
    It wasn’t admirable at all. She needed a job—a way to earn a living. For the two-year tenure of her traineeship she’d be in paid employment. Maybe at the end of that time she’d have proved herself worthy and someone would take a chance on employing her. She needed a way to support herself. After what she’d done she couldn’t ask the welfare system to support her.
    â€˜Do you have a passion for conservation?’
    â€˜Conservation is an important issue.’
    â€˜That’s not the same thing,’ he pointed out.
    Passion was dangerous. She’d done all she could to excise it from her life. Besides, busying herself with weed extermination programmes, soil erosion projects, and koala breeding strategies—plants, dirt and animals—meant she had minimal contact with people.
    And as far as she was concerned that was a very good thing.
    â€˜Here.’ He pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket. ‘This is the real reason I came back to the office.’
    Frowning, she took it, careful not to touch him as she did so.
    â€˜You said chocolate belonged in a class of its own and...’
    He shrugged, looking a little bit embarrassed, and something inside her started to melt.
    No melting !
    â€˜I wanted to thank you for your patience with both Carla and me today.’
    â€˜It’s—’
    â€˜I know—it’s your job, Mia.’
    Dear Lord, the way he said her name ...
    â€˜But good work should always be acknowledged. And...’ An irrepressible smile gathered at the corner of his mouth. ‘I fear more of the same will be asked of you tomorrow.’
    It took a moment for his words to sink in. ‘You