Married by Midnight (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series, #12) by Judy Angelo Read Free Book Online Page B

glad he’d insisted on her answer before she’d left his office.  If she’d gone home to think about it as she’d said, with all that pressure from her stepfather, he probably would never have seen her again.
    “Well, I won’t let him.  The nerve of that bloody beast.”  Sharon was glaring now, obviously taking the whole thing to heart.
    Reed almost laughed.  He’d expected Sharon to play the mother role to the girl but not like this.  “Come on, Sharon.  There’s nothing you or I can do about this except make sure she’s gainfully employed at this firm.  Whatever goes on at her home is her personal business, not ours.
    Sharon grimaced then she sighed.  “I know.  I just hate it when someone’s being taken advantage of.  And she’s such a sweetie.  That’s why he feels he can bully her and get away with it.”
    “As I said, Sharon, her problem, not ours.  If she doesn’t bring this up again just leave it alone, all right?”
    She nodded, looking far from pleased.
    “So how’s she doing so far?”  Reed asked, steering the subject toward safer waters.  “Trainable?”
    “Oh, she’s very knowledgeable.  In fact, she surprised me.”  Sharon’s eyes were glowing. “I thought she would be totally green but she’s had some experience working in the administrative office of a nursing home.  She obviously paid attention while she was there because it wasn’t just me training her.  She ended up teaching me a couple of things, too.  The filing system they use at the nursing home is pretty good, I must say.”  She gripped the arms of her chair.  “Well, I’ve taken up more of your time than I’d planned so I’d better head back now.  Got to check up on my charge.”  At the door she stopped and looked back at him.  “After lunch I’ll send her in so you can bring her up to speed on the U.S. and France operations.”
    “Fine,” he said, his tone nonchalant as he turned his attention back to the file he’d been reviewing when Sharon walked in.  He was playing it cool but he was actually looking forward to talking with Golden.  There was just something that drew him to her.  Maybe it was his protective instinct.  She was like a fragile China doll to be handled with care.  And as much as he’d told Sharon they needed to mind their own business he planned to do the exact opposite.  There was a lot more to this girl than what they could see on the surface and he planned to get to the bottom of the mystery that was Golden Browne. 
    ***
    I t was with a huge sense of relief that Golden walked out of the office of Davidoff Fashions that Friday evening having completed her first week as a member of staff.  She’d made it.
    She’d been extremely nervous that first day wondering if she would fit in, if she would be able to manage the work or if she would end up making a fool of herself.  She was sure the people at Davidoff Fashions would all be snobs.  And then she’d met the delightful Sharon Crow and others like David Pearson from marketing and Lisa and Sienna from accounting.  They’d all been unbelievably friendly, putting her so much at ease that she began to gain confidence, even venturing to go out with them one evening to have drinks.
    Later she’d paid the price for that adventure.  Dunstan Manchester was waiting up for her and as soon as she walked in the door he began to bombard her with questions.  Why was she in so late?  Where had she been?  Had she been asked to work late?
    None of which was any of his business, of course, but Golden knew exactly what was behind his questions.  It was fear.  The fear that somehow, despite his efforts to keep her isolated, she’d developed an interest in someone of the opposite sex.
    And, as far as her stepfather was concerned, that was the worst thing that could ever happen.
    She’d always been a shy girl, never going out with boys, always staying close to home.  That had suited him just fine.  She’d even told her