Taken by the Billionaire Wolf by Julia Sparks Read Free Book Online

Taken by the Billionaire Wolf
    “Joanna, have I got a story for you.”
         Seated behind her plain wooden desk at The Benington Bugle, Joanna Brighton sat up at once to acknowledge the entrance of Penelope Pryce; the tall blonde editor in chief who invaded her office space with a booming voice and a broad beam.
         “What’s up, Penelope?” she asked, running an absent hand through her frazzled dark hair as she settled the curves of her rubenesque figure in the depths of her cushioned chair.  “As much as I appreciate the assignment, my plate is already pretty full right now.  I have an interview set up today with the executive director of the Benington Chamber of Commerce about the upcoming car show fund-raiser, and tomorrow evening I’m covering an organizational meeting for next week’s charity art show…”
         “Well actually this relates to the art show,” Penelope interrupted, adding with a meaningful smile in Joanna’s direction, “It also relates to an exclusive and very intimate interview with the most gorgeous man in Benington.”
         Joanna arched her eyebrows.
         “Did I accidentally and very foolishly say that my plate was full?” she asked, adding as she laid a firm grip on her pen and notebook, “How utterly ridiculous of me—my schedule is as clear as friggin’ Saran Wrap, newly bought.  When can I meet him?”
         Penelope laughed.
         “Down, Girl,” she advised Joanna, adding as she perched her petite form on the edge of Joanna’s desk, “Just be aware that this dude is not a bachelor—well, not exactly, anyway.  He and his fiancée live in a huge McMansion on the edge of town.  And while they made their fortune through the establishment of a winery on their property—one that, or so I can testify, produces some blasted good brews—they are now doing double time as wildlife artists.  They have an exhibit planned at the art show, and are planning to donate proceeds from all sales to the Paws for Effect animal shelter at the edge of town.”
         Joanna smiled.
         “Well as royally bummed as I am to find out his marital status, I am thrilled to learn that he’s helping out the shelter where I volunteer,” she enthused, adding as she rose from her seat, “So what’s his name?”
         Penelope grinned.
         “His name is Rafe Cole,” she said, adding as she commandeered Joanna’s much used notepad and scribbled away on an empty page, “And you’ll be meeting him this afternoon at this address.”
         Her wide brown eyes perusing the page that contained the noted address, Joanna nodded knowingly as she said, “Ah yes.  That’s the part of Benington where the low end houses cost more than the estimated construction costs of most sacred Egyptian temples, bronze statuary figures and peasant common areas included.  Figures he would live there.  And I for one can’t wait to meet him.”
     
         “I cannot believe that you invited her here.  Are you completely insane?”
         Rafe Cole stood in the confines of his mirrored, crisp tiled entryway, face to face with his worst nightmare.  And unfortunately for him, his worst nightmare was a woman who shared his home, his heart and his toothpaste dispenser.
         And at this point, he was ready to take back all three.
         “Ariel,” he released on a sigh, extending his arms in the direction of the petite raven haired woman who stood before him, hands planted staunch on her narrow hips as she pinned him with a piercing glare.  “If we’re going to raise money for the animal shelter, we’ll need publicity.  How are people going to know about the art show if we do nothing to advertise it?”
         His fiancée sighed.
         “They’ve been running announcements in the paper all week, and we’ve been posting fliers all over town,” she reasoned.
         Rafe shook his head.
         “Neither of which featured