Bought by a Millionaire by Heidi Betts Read Free Book Online Page B

her every need and comfort. She didn’t have a problem with most of Burke’s requests concerning their agreement, but it was hard for her to let him do for her when she was too used to doing for herself.
    They took the stairs to the second floor and followed the short hallway to her apartment. Sliding the key into the lock, she opened the door and invited Burke in. He stepped just inside, setting the pizza on the counter that separated the living/bedroom area from the tiny kitchen.
    She held her breath, waiting for him to look around and find her home lacking. It had to be, considering his extreme wealth. His office alone proved he had expensive tastes. And while she liked her apartment well enough, it was small and somewhat cramped. But it was also the nicest she could afford at the moment.
    There was no bedroom, so a twin mattress on a simple iron frame against one wall doubled as a sofa during the day. She had a desk for studying, an old television for relaxing, and a couple of potted plants on a set of old, wobbly bookshelves she’d bought at a local thrift shop.
    But either he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundingsor he was too polite to comment on them, because his gaze remained on her.
    â€œThank you again for dinner. The pizzas really hit the spot.”
    â€œI’m glad.” He slid a business card and ballpoint pen from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and leaned on the kitchen counter to write. “And I hope you know I meant what I said earlier. If you need anything, at any time, I want you to call me. Don’t even think twice about it.” Handing her the card, he said, “These are all the numbers where I can be reached, including cell phone, pager and my private home number.”
    Inclining her head, she took the card. She doubted she would call him about pickle and tofu cravings at 3:00 a.m., but it couldn’t hurt to know how to contact him, just in case.
    Then, in a move that slowed her heartbeat to a snail-like crawl, he lifted his arm and cupped the side of her face in his hand. The heat emanating from his palm threatened to burn the large, masculine impression of his fingers into her flesh.
    Sighing softly, she turned her face ever so slightly into his warm caress and prayed he didn’t notice. She was having enough trouble tamping down her attraction to him; she would never survive the next seven months if he started touching her.
    â€œI’m very happy things are working out this way. I don’t think I expected you to get pregnant right away, but…I’m very happy.”
    She could tell. If he were a more demonstrative man, he’d probably be doing cartwheels.
    â€œI’m glad, too,” she said, offering him a small smile.
    â€œCall me if you need anything, all right?”
    She inclined her head, and her grip tightened reflexively on the card he’d given her.
    And then he leaned forward, pressed a light kiss to her cheek and left without another word.
    Closing the door behind him, she twisted the lock beforeletting her forehead drop against the cool wood. She’d never met a more charming man in her life. Never met another man who could make her nerve endings stand up and take notice the way they did when Burke was around.
    And now she was carrying his child. She was contractually obligated to him for the duration of her pregnancy. Seven more months of being with him, talking with him, running the risk of touching him again. Or having him touch her.
    Which wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t expect her heart to be broken by the time she and Burke parted ways.

Four
    B urke slammed down the telephone receiver, cursing under his breath at the busy signal still buzzing on Shannon’s end of the line. He’d been trying to get in touch with her all week, but even the driver he’d sent to escort her anywhere she needed to go said he hadn’t seen her since late Friday night, when he’d dropped her off