The Billionaire's Convenient Bride: A BWWM Billionaire Love Story by Cj Howard Read Free Book Online Page B

where they are supposed to be.”
         Both men looked at the property and then at Emmaline in utter surprise. Tristan clasped her arm and shook her hand. “Well, that’s brilliant! I never would have thought of that, but then I don’t know the Quarter as well as you do, I’m sure. Thank you so much! Peter, what do you think? Would you be willing to do that?”
         Peter knew that what she had said would solve everything they were working on that morning. He felt a heavy pit in his stomach and he looked up at her and nodded quietly.
    “Yes, I think that would take care of everything.”
         She watched him with hurt and angry eyes and then looked away from him and smiled up at Tristan. “Thank you, Tristan, I appreciate your kindness more than you know. It was wonderful to meet you, but I think I should step out and leave you two to the details of your work.”
         Tristan smiled down at her and took her hand, lifting it to his lips again. “The pleasure is entirely mine, Emmaline. Thank you for bailing us out. We’d never have gotten through it without you, and thank you again for your sweet hospitality. I’ll enjoy the refreshments.”
         They shared a pleasant moment, then she turned and walked from the room. Nelson held the door open for her and smiled apologetically at her as she walked out. She was furious with Peter, and she sent him a text to tell him she was canceling lunch. He didn’t respond to her. She was out working in the garden a while later when Nelson approached her with a nervous smile on his face and she saw a moment later that Tristan was a few paces behind him.
         “Well! There she is!” Tristan called out happily.
         Nelson leaned toward her and said quietly, “He was looking for you and I thought you might be out here. Great job in the war cave today. Peter got your message. He’s not happy about it, but he got it.”
         Nelson left and Tristan walked up to her as she set her shears down and pulled off her gloves.
         “Emmaline, I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with you in there today. You showed real courage under fire and that says a lot about your character. You also offered us a simple and brilliant solution to a challenge we couldn’t see past, and I wanted to thank you for it. May I take you to lunch, if you don’t already have other plans?” Tristan asked, his eyes locked on hers.
         She felt butterflies swarm in her and it was an unfamiliar feeling; one that made her feel as though she was glowing, and she liked it.
     “Yes, I would be glad to join you for lunch. As it happens, I had a last minute cancellation and I’m free today.” He held his arm out to her and she slipped her hand into it.
         “Good, you can show me that building in the Quarter that you were talking about. I’d like to see it in person. Of course, we’ll do that after lunch.” He smiled down at her they walked back into the house.
         “I’ll just go get cleaned up, and I’ll be right back,” she said sweetly.
         “Take your time,” he said in a soft tone.
         She felt like she was floating down the hall to her room, and it made her giddy. It seemed like she was fifteen years old with a high school crush. She told herself that she was just being silly and he was only a nice man; a business associate of Peter’s, and that was all.
         Emmaline slipped on a thin gauzy white summer dress that narrowed at her waist and danced in waves around her calves. She set a white sunhat on her head and walked back down the hall to Tristan.
         He brightened when he saw her, and she noticed his lingering glance at her. “You look lovely,” he said with a grin, extending his arm for her again. She took it and they walked out of the house to his car.
         An hour later they were laughing and talking over lunch, sharing stories and truly enjoying each other’s company. He toasted her with