The Spanish Tycoon's Temptress by Elizabeth Lennox Read Free Book Online

road.  “I received news that you needed funding.  I knew that you were doing something worthwhile so I stepped in to help.”
    “But why?” she asked, needing to better understand his motivation. Something just seemed…off. 
    “Does it matter?” he asked, pulling into the parking lot of her apartment complex.  He looked down at her, his eyes hidden by the night.  “You have the grant money and a secure lab to work in.  Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” He didn’t bother to mention that he’d ensured that no other agency or company would even consider funding her project.  He’d pulled in favors from several people in order to get her here tonight.  Right where he wanted her! 
    She bit her lip because it hadn’t been what she wanted.  Her dreams had all been blasted away by the picture on the internet of another woman on his arm seven years ago.  But she wasn’t going to tell him that.  The arrogance in him was already bad enough, she didn’t need to stroke his ego. 
    “There are a lot of things I want in life,” she replied with a false brightness.   “A fabulous lab, no worries about where I’m going to find my next grant, co-workers that help instead of hinder….I could go on and on, but I’m probably boring you.”  She realized that they were now parked in front of her building and she grabbed her purse, eager to get away from him.  She wanted to settle down her heart rate, to start to relax.  Being around Gaston wasn’t a relaxing time period.  He was too strong, too dynamic and just too male for her to calm down. 
    She had one hand on the door handle but stopped when she remembered her manners.  “Thank you very much for dinner and I will work hard to make sure that the grant money you’ve provided shows results.  I’ll contact your office for details.”
    As she was stepping out of the car, she heard his door open as well.  When she was on the sidewalk, she glance d over at him, startled to realize that he was getting out and following her in.  “What are you doing?” she asked, her throat constricting with fear as he approached her. 
    “I’m walking you to your door,” he said as if that were the most obvious thing in the world. 
    “I don’t really need you to do that.”
    He shook his head as he walked around the car, putting a strong hand under her elbow to propel her forward.  “Elana, there’s no way I’m letting you walk those dark hallways by yourself.  Why hasn’t your landlord put up adequate lighting anyway?”  He was glaring at the building and she could see his mind already working overtime. 
    “I suppose because that would increase the maintenance costs and that would in turn increase the rent.  No one around here wants that,” she replied stiffly, clutching her purse to her stomach as if it were some sort of shield that would keep the impact of his closeness at bay.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t working very well and her legs were starting to wobble, her stomach muscles clenching and all those horrible feelings that she’d thought were long buried were rising up once again. 
    “It’s irresponsible,” he growled, putting that large, warm hand onto her back and leading her through the hallways.  “Why haven’t you complained?”
    She laughed, the sound coming out sounding harsh.  “Because I can’t afford more rent.”
    He glared at her lovely face, wondering why he even cared , but he did.  “Safety should come first,” he responded, looking down at her, seeing how her knuckles were almost white as she clutched at her purse.  “Why hasn’t your father demanded that you live in a safer place?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.  It wasn’t any of his business, but he couldn’t help but ask. 
    She stopped and turned to face him.  “ I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions and providing for myself,” she answered him heatedly.  “Besides, My father is a very sweet old man who is