Riley’s Billionaire by Sunny Cole Read Free Book Online Page B

should arrive any minute.’
    Riley touched her gown. ‘This is lovely. Thank you.’
    Jack smiled. ‘I’m glad you like it. I was afraid you’d think it too...’ He shrugged.
    ‘Personal?’
    ‘Perhaps. I mean, we only met a few weeks ago.’ He grinned. ‘But we are married.’
    Riley chuckled. ‘You’ve purchased underwear for me — I’ve molested yours, as you said. For two people who seem to have opposite views on family values, I’d say we’re doing okay.’
    ‘Pardon?’ He looked offended. ‘Have I questioned your values? And what do you mean we differ on family?’
    Riley was tired and at the point where she didn’t much care what came out of her mouth. Her head was full of new memories, old pains, and questions with no answers. ‘Whenever you’re around Amelia, I sense your affection for her, yet you never talk about your own family in France, without giving short answers to my questions or changing the subject.’
    He cocked his head. ‘I wasn’t aware. So how is that different from your situation? You said you have no family.’
    ‘Didn’t say I didn’t want one. You have everything: living parents, brothers and a sister. Not to mention your strong connection with Amelia, which is more familial than friendly. I’d give anything to have that.’
    His voice was soft. ‘You have it now as my wife. You’ll meet the French connection soon enough. My mother and sister will probably fly here during planting season to spend a few weeks. They feel bad they couldn’t make it to our reception.’
    ‘When’s the last time you saw them?’
    Jack hesitated, seemingly reluctant to answer at first. ‘Maybe three years ago. I don’t exactly remember.’
    Riley was about to respond That’s my point — hardly close when someone knocked on their door.
    Soon Jack was back carrying a wooden tray with dessert and coffee. He poured them each a cup of the steaming liquid and placed her dessert before her. It looked delicious.
    ‘Janet, the chef, makes her own mascarpone, but she refuses to tell anyone how.’ He smiled, aiming his fork for his slice of cake.
    They ate in silence until they were almost finished. Then Jack wiped his lips with his napkin and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. ‘Do you mind?’
    ‘Not at all. I may even join you.’ Riley shoved her plate aside.
    ‘I wasn’t aware you smoked.’ He lit two cigarettes and passed her one.
    Riley accepted the cigarette and inhaled — too sharply — and coughed. ‘I just started.’
    It was Jack’s turn to choke. ‘Why in on earth would you do that?’
    Riley wasn’t willing to admit that she wanted something to do with her hands so she wouldn’t feel so inadequate just sitting there doing nothing. ‘Why not? You’re doing it.’ She tried taking another drag, but her heart wasn’t in it, and her throat rebelled against the smoke.
    Jack’s free hand reached for one of hers. ‘Riley, don’t change because you think it will please me. Trust me, chérie, you are perfect as you are.’
    She felt anything but. She wasn’t accustomed to the ungodly amounts of money these people seemed to possess. She’d never slept in a bedroom that was as big as the apartment she’d just vacated. And at the moment she felt exposed, even though her attire completely covered her bra-less breasts, torso, legs and ankles.
    ‘You’ve had quite a day.’ Jack stated the obvious. ‘Your first meeting with Amelia, she faints. Your first dinner with the family, and you’re put on the spot by Patrick.’
    Riley glanced up sharply. He’d noticed. She trembled, and it felt as if all colour drained from her body. ‘Yes.’
    ‘Riley, what was that all about? Do you have such a scar?’ He wasn’t probing, he sounded sincerely concerned.
    She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. How could she voice to Jack what had only occurred to her as she was changing clothes? As unlikely as it was, Patrick might know something about her she didn’t know