The Billionaire's Challenging Beauty (Bold, Alaskan Men Book 2) by Elizabeth Lennox Read Free Book Online

industries that we enjoy.”
    She waited but he’d stopped.  “So what’s so hard?  Why do you need this place?”  She wasn’t yelling any longer.  And all of the pain and embarrassment she’d felt after that intense kiss and his apology the previous afternoon was gone, replaced by a surge of compassion for a part of this man she’d never seen before. 
    He looked at her and she thought he might just blow off the question.  Her muscles tensed, her eyes searching his. 
    “We need to know that there are good, hardworking people in the world.  People who aren’t going to stab us in the backs if we’re not watching, always on alert.”  That was the truth and he’d never thought to admit it to anyone. 
    Tyla looked up into his navy eyes and saw the sincerity, her heart once again melting for him.  “I see,” she said quietly, wishing she had the right to move into his arms and hug him, show him that she’d never betray him.  He was such a good person and the four of them had done so much for this rural community.  Now he was telling her that he needed this group of people more than they needed him.  It was a startling revelation. 
    The door to the bar swung open and a group of kids surged in, laughing and joking, pushing each other as they headed to the back towards the game room. 
    The moment was broken and she took a deep breath, feeling strangely… strange with his revelation. 
    “I’m going to go put my stuff in the locker now,” she said softly, not sure what to say.  Her heart ached for him and the other guys and she felt ashamed at her vehemence when she’d walked in a few minutes ago. 
    “About time,” he winked at her.  “You’re late.”  And he turned around to grab the other bottles, unaware of the surge of tenderness in her eyes. 
    Tyla stood up and pushed away, feeling like her world had just gone topsy turvy.  She still didn’t want to work tonight with Saeger so close, but at least… well, she’d gotten a small glimpse into who he was. 
    Unfortunately, that glimpse only caused her more confusion.  As the bar started to fill up, she wondered if he’d apologized for the kiss yesterday because he’d regretted kissing her or because of something she’d done.  Had she made him feel uncomfortable?  Had his refuge here in Winthrop gone sour because of their kiss? 
    The thoughts and possibilities swirling around in her head didn’t make any sense and she didn’t have answers.  But at least he wasn’t snapping at her tonight. 
    In fact, every time she turned around, he was looking at her but not with… not with regret! 
    And that only made her more confused.  Nothing made sense! 
    Tyla realized that she was just a simple country girl at heart.  She liked to get up in the morning, see her friends, and work on her website, build up her portfolio of clients.  Maybe someday, she’d be a famous graphic artist who was called upon by all of the biggest, baddest companies.  Probably not, she thought with amusement as she set another round of beers down at one of the back tables. 
    Nope.  First of all, she didn’t think that one particular graphic artist could be that much in demand… and she was okay with that.  She had a slowly growing list of clients that were requesting her assistance now.  And secondly, she knew that she wasn’t really the globetrotting kind of woman.  She’d realized that when she’d joined the Peace Corps.  Yes, she’d helped restore a village and met some amazing people.  Yes, she’d gotten to see more of the world than she’d thought possible. 
    But the whole time, all she wanted to do was come home and be with her friends.  That’s how she’d come to understand that she could volunteer and help out here in Winthrop.  She could help people here and still soothe her soul by being where she belonged. 
    Her eyes looked up and caught Saeger watching her once again.  Saeger traveled all over the world.  He had businesses