Billionaire Bad Boy Read Online Free PDF Page B

wearing a helmet, despite her initial
concern about helmet-hair. To hell with looking good in front of the most
gorgeous man on earth—at least she'd still have her brains.
    But as the initial danger of falling off subsided, she
didn't feel very consoled by that thought anymore. Flat hair looked really bad
on her.
    Despite her growing confidence in Zack's riding
abilities, she still felt extremely vulnerable. There was nothing between her
skin and the open road except the Spice Girls.
    She gripped the handle tighter, but the muscles in her
hands and fingers cramped up. Forget principles, this was a matter of life and
death. One hand let go of the handle and gripped Zack around his waist. The
other arm followed and she leaned into his back. Better. Safer.
    After a few minutes she relaxed and was able to
appreciate the scenery and the hard muscles infusing his body.
    Eventually they turned off the freeway into Fullerton.
The bike slowed and they pulled up at the California State University. Zack
took off his helmet and swiveled around.
    Reluctantly, she let go of his waist. He rubbed his
ribs and grinned down at her.
    "You've got one hell of a grip for a little
lady." His grin faded to a smirk. "Guess you were pretty
scared."
    "You were speeding! And I prefer my limbs the way
they are—attached to my body."
    He laughed under his breath. "I was doing the
same speed as everyone else. It just seems faster on the bike because you're so
vulnerable. So did you like it?"
    "It's was okay."
    "Just okay?" He eyed her suspiciously. "I
bet you loved it."
    "So what are we doing here?" she asked,
ignoring him. They'd stopped near the entrance to the Fullerton Arboretum. There
were only two other cars parked nearby. The heat had driven most people into
air conditioned shopping malls or to the beach. Annie had never been to the
Arboretum before, although it was one of those places she'd always meant to
see.
    Zack lifted the compartment at the back of the bike
and pulled out a small pack. He slung it over his back, pulled the straps onto
his shoulders and headed off along the path that led into the Arboretum.
    "Hey!" she shouted after him, her temper
rising. "Are you going to answer me or do you just expect me to
follow?"
    "Are you hungry?" he called back over his
shoulder.
    She hesitated then said, "Starving."
    He tapped the pack. "Then I expect you to
follow."
    She chewed her lip then cursed under her breath. Yep,
arrogant. "Damn you, DiMarco. I could just strangle you right now."
    "Now, now," he teased without turning
around, "violence never got anyone anywhere."
    "No," she muttered, "but it's a great
way to relieve stress."
    Her hunger won over her frustration and she followed
him at a trot. He'd better not expect her to follow him around like a puppy dog
for the rest of the week. She wasn't one of his female groupies, hanging on his
every word. She had a mind of her own and she intended to exercise it at every
possible opportunity, especially around Zack.
    Some time later she wondered if they were going to
keep walking until they'd reached the other side of the park. Just when she was
about to give into her grumbling stomach and ask him when they'd be stopping,
he did.
    "Will this do?" he asked.
    They stood on a low hill surrounded by spectacular and
unusual flora overlooking a small lake. Sunshine glinted on the water, dappling
the leaves on the overhanging trees. Despite the heat, a breeze made the spot
pleasant, particularly in the shade.
    "Perfect," she said.
    He laid down the pack and pulled out two sandwiches. "Hope
you like pastrami."
    "Love it. What else have you got in there?"
    "Just a couple of sodas and apples."
    "No beer?"
    "I thought you didn't drink beer."
    "Of course I drink beer." Twice in fact.
    He shrugged. "I didn't think you did, and I
didn't want you to start today when you've got to ride home on the bike in one
piece."
    "You think I'd fall off?" she scoffed. "What
sort of idiot do you think I am?"
    "I choose not to