At the Billionaire's Beck and Call? Read Online Free PDF

no. I have a lot of work to get through tomorrow.” Feeling like she needed to make the excuse stronger, she added, “Making last-minute arrangements for our trip to Sydney in a couple of weeks.” They would look at potentialretail space for one of their first brand-name stores, a companion to the Melbourne shop.
    â€œI’m looking forward to it.”
    She stood, smoothing down her jacket with a trembling hand. “So, I’d better make it an early night.”
    He moved to her side and settled his palm into the small of her back. “I’ll see you home.”
    Macy bit down on her lip. She needed this date over before she did something truly stupid—like press herself against him and wind her arms around his neck. “That won’t be necessary.”
    He guided her through the room. “It’ll be my pleasure. I’ve always seen my dates home.”
    Once they stood on the pavement, she turned to face him in the dappled streetlight. “No, really, I’m fine.”
    Ryder gave a half smile, as if he knew exactly what she was doing. “I won’t compromise on this.”
    He picked up her hand and laid a soft kiss on her wrist that sent a slow burn through her bloodstream. She snatched her hand back—she couldn’t let herself be dazzled.
    Ryder gave another half smile. Then he turned to hail a cab. A bright orange car pulled up on the street in front of them and she slid into the backseat, soon joined by Ryder. He was close, so close, and it was much more intimate sharing the backseat of a sedan than in a public bar.
    â€œWhere to, Macy?” Ryder asked.
    She clipped her seat belt, determined to keep her distance at all costs—a promotion was worth more than a night in the boss’s bed.
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    Ryder listened to Macy give the driver her address and frowned. Having never been to Melbourne before, there were only a few streets that were familiar to his ears.
    â€œYou live next door to our office?”
    She settled back into her seat. “Yes.”
    Though it would have been covered in her resume, he remembered the location of both her previous workplace and home address from the dossier he’d had prepared on her once he’d decided they would marry. And her home those three weeks ago was not their current destination.
    He cocked his head on the side. “Your last job was on the other side of Melbourne.”
    â€œIt was,” she conceded, glancing at the city streets and the evening traffic through her window, before returning her gaze to him. “I moved.”
    Ryder adjusted his long legs to turn his frame more toward her. This little pearl of insight was too valuable to let pass. “You moved for a two-month project?”
    She raised one shoulder and let it fall. “I like to be near my work.”
    Very near. “Do you always move when you change jobs?”
    Macy shifted in her seat, not quite squirming, but definitely not happy answering the question. Interesting.
    Then she called up another polite smile. “Usually. It makes sense to be near where I spend the majority of my day. And it means I can be called in on short notice.”
    He frowned, considering the pieces of the puzzle. There was more to it. “You live in temporary places.”
    She nodded once. “They suit my purposes.”
    They pulled up at the downtown high-rise apartment block and Ryder leaned forward to look at the building through the windscreen. “In what way?”
    â€œThey’re temporary.” Macy clasped the door handle. “Thanks for seeing me home.”
    He swiveled back to her. She thought he’d leave her alone on a city street? Not likely. Besides, it was time he put his proposition on the table. They’d made a connection—now he had to hope it was enough to back up the logic of his offer.
    Ryder thrust some Australian notes at the driver. “I’m seeing you to your door.”
    Her lush