Billionaire's Contract Engagement / Money Man's Fiancée Negotiation Read Online Free PDF Page A

was his sister and completely immune to any adorableness on his part.
    â€œOkay, you find me someone to clear a path in my apartment and whatever this other favor of yours is I’ll do it.”
    â€œWow—and you don’t even know what it is.”
    â€œShould tell you how desperate I am,” he muttered.
    She laughed and punched him in the arm. “All I need are two very cushy seats behind home plate for the season opener. I’ll be taking Evan. Hopefully.”
    â€œAnyone ever tell you how expensive you are?”
    â€œHey, wait a second. A minute ago, you were trying to convince me to quit my job so you could support me.”
    His expression went from teasing to serious with one blink. “I just worry about you, Cece. That’s all. What happened in New York would have never occurred if—”
    She stiffened and held her hand, halting him in mid-sentence. “I don’t want to talk about New York.”
    Regret flashed in his eyes. “Sorry. Consider it dropped.”
    She waited for her pulse to settle and then she forced a smile. “So you’ll take a look at the research I’ve compiled? You’ll like Reese. He’s a veritable Boy Scout. His employees love him. He has a cracking health-insurance plan. He’s had no layoffs since his business started and he’s not shipping jobs or production overseas. Let’s see. What else? He’s a regular contributor to a half dozen pet charities—”
    Noah held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, he’s a saint. I get it. How do other men ever measure up?”
    â€œCut the sarcasm.”
    He checked his watch and let out a sigh. “Sorry to break this up so early, especially since I haven’t finished the pizza.
Somebody
talked too much. Very distracting. E-mail me the stuff. I’ll take a look. And the tickets will be waiting for you at the box office.”
    â€œYou always were my favorite sibling,” she said affectionately.
    He dropped a kiss on top of her head then stood and stretched lazily.
    â€œI’ll give you a call when I’m through reading everything.”

Three
    E van walked into the suite of offices he leased for the times he was in San Francisco. It wasn’t home, and though Union Square was a sumptuous neighborhood that catered to upscale businesses, he preferred the funky modern feel of Seattle.
    He nodded a good morning to his receptionist but halted when she came out of her seat, a concerned expression on her face.
    â€œYou shouldn’t go in there,” Tanya said in a hushed whisper.
    He raised an eyebrow when he realized she was gesturing toward his office.
    â€œWhy the devil not?” he demanded.
    She put one hand up to shield her mouth and then she tapped her finger against her palm—in the direction of his office.
    â€œBecause
she’s
in there.”
    Evan turned to stare down the hall toward his office, but the door was closed. Damn, but he didn’t have time forthis. He looked back at Tanya and tried to stifle his growing impatience. The girl was highly efficient if a little eccentric. But he liked unconventional, and while she’d probably fit in better with his Seattle staff with her colored hair, multiple piercings and vintage 1930s clothing, he found she brought a sort of vibrancy to an otherwise stuffy office here.
    â€œOkay, Tanya. First of all, who the hell is ’she’ and where is Vickie?”
    It wasn’t like Vickie not to meet him as he got off the elevator. His longtime assistant traveled with him everywhere. She had an apartment here and in Seattle. She had an uncanny knack for knowing precisely when he’d show up, and as a result she was always there, ready to pelt him with the day’s obligations.
    Tanya’s face fell. “Oh, sir, did you not get your message? I left you two. Vickie’s granddaughter was rushed to the hospital early this morning. They suspect