Caught on Camera with the CEO by Natalie Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

references and skills were brilliant. The personal issue between them had blown it. So he owed her.
    But what made him determined to truly see for himself that she was OK was the expression he’d seen—the vulnerability in the elevator. In those brief moments when the façade had dropped, he’d seen the fear in her eyes. And he’d seen it again at the counter of the hostel. She was isolated and alone.
    The protective male bit in him dominated the direction of his thoughts. ‘Do you have any friends here?’
    The answer was obvious and she didn’t even bother voicing it.
    â€˜Do you know anyone ?’
    Her chin lifted. ‘I only arrived in the country two weeks ago and got straight to work the minute I could. Sadly I didn’t have the time to make friends there.’ She got in a little dig.
    Why was she in New Zealand anyway? He turned; there was time to find that out later. What mattered now was settling her in someplace else. Someplace safer. ‘Let’s go.’
    â€˜I’m not leaving here with you. I’m fine.’ Her feet were firmly planted shoulder width apart; she looked as if she was about to declare that he’d have to carry her out forcibly.
    And he felt like it. But instead of obeying the urge of his body, he softened his words with a smile. ‘Face it, Danielle, you don’t really have a choice. You’re not getting paid tomorrow because you got paid when you left the agency. You could only pay for one more night here. You have no money, no friends to call on. And you’re obviously not fine, because if you were you never would have been so worked up that you had to come and see me today.’
    Her eyes were huge in her face now. He saw her blinkingfast a couple of times and gentled his tone even more. ‘Get your things. I’ll take you to a hotel or something.’
    For another long moment he thought she was going to refuse. But then he saw her swallow and turn, bending to pull her pack from the bed. He moved to help her but was lanced through with her glare.
    His lips twitched but he managed to bite back the smile as he froze. She had to accept his help anyway and she hated it. She’d hate him more if he showed his amusement. So he looked away, checking the cupboard beside her bed was bare. Just as he turned to go he caught sight of something under the bunk, and bent to see what it was. A little candle, deep red in colour and new—the tip of the wick was still white. He picked it up and sniffed. The fragrance was delectable. Edible.
    â€˜This yours?’ He held it out as she turned, the pack now on her back.
    Soft colour rose in her cheeks. Interesting.
    â€˜Yes,’ she answered shortly and took it from him.
    Alex watched her tuck it into the pocket of her handbag. So beneath the snappy defensiveness there was a feminine side—she liked pretty candles with sweet smells. The kind of scent he could handle in his sheets.
    No, Alex.
    His moment of irresponsibility in the lift last week had caused her trouble enough already. She might be attractive, but he wasn’t going to mess around with her more. He’d see her right and then run far, far away. He had enough to deal with without lust fogging up his brain—and that was exactly what was happening every minute he was near her. The fog blurred everything—especially his reason. So the sooner he had her sorted, the better it would be, because he had far bigger issues to stomach.
    He glanced at his watch, surprised to see how late in the afternoon it was. Lorenzo would be waiting for him. He might as well take her home and figure out what to do from there.
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    Dani watched the sky-high metal gates in front of them roll back and then Alex drove the car into the garage. Only once the engine and his seat belt were off did he look at her, brows lifting. ‘Safe at last.’
    Oh, yeah. Real safe. She listened as the heavy garage door sealed shut. So here