Everything He Risks Read Online Free PDF

intimidating, but I can handle it.” I took a deep breath, studying his strong profile in the dusk.
    “ I know you can. I knew it the moment I saw you.” He leaned close to me, cupping my chin in his hand as he kissed me. His tongue met mine in an intricate and tender dance that sent fire through my veins.
    He kissed me like he truly loves me, like I'm more to him than just a bookkeeper or a fiancée for hire.
    When he released me from the kiss, he hugged me close, one arm around my shoulders.
    I cleared my throat, emotion clogging it. “Rock, I want you to know, I don't think any differently of you because of what you told me. I only feel...so sorry you had to go through that.”
    “ I don't know how you can...” He trailed off and sighed. “I just can't forget it. My whole life is like a drive to make amends.”
    “ It was an accident,” I whispered, taking his hand and squeezing it.
    “ Maybe, but that won't bring her back. I've never touched drugs since then.” He grimaced.
    “ But you can live your life as a legacy of good. I think you are now.” My voice shook.
    “ I'm trying.” He smiled, and I noticed the shadows beneath his eyes, how tired he looked.
    “ Do you really think it's John?”
    “ I don't know.”
    A wall went up between us with his words. I felt him pull away from me emotionally, even as he shifted his hips slightly.
    “ I'm sor—”
    “ We're here.” He cut me off and we climbed out of the limo. “Game time. I love the thrill of the kill. Always have, and I hope this will save the company and out whoever is doing this to me so I can fix things.”
    Flashbulbs popped all around us as Rock took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
    I forced tears from my eyes and plastered on a small smile.
    My game face is on.
    “ Miss Pate! Why are you here tonight? Are you a new employee of Regal Enterprises?” Paparazzi lunged at us.
    Rock held my arm tightly in his and pushed through the crowd. “No comment.”
    We made it to the door of the restaurant after what seemed like ages.
    “ We have our own room in the Alle Maddona. Best restaurant in Venice.” Rock smiled, but I could see that he was tense.
    “ Are you feeling okay?”
    “ I've been better. My shoulder aches, and I think I could sleep for a week, but when I look at you, I don't want to.” He winked, and I went hot all over.
    “ Mr. Weldon!” A boisterous host approached us, wearing a tuxedo.
    “ Hello, Bernardo. This is Ms. Pate.”
    I smiled and nodded.
    “ Let me show you to your table. A few of your guests have already arrived.”
    I noticed we had the large room and that a few guests were being ushered into a smaller one. George lurked behind us as we sat down.
    “ George is like a shadow.” I suppressed a laugh.
    “ He is, and that's a good thing.”
    “ If he keeps you safe, it is.” I rolled my eyes.
    Distinguished strangers filtered in, though I recognized a few faces from the board meeting. Walter Marsh wore a glum expression. John Weldon sat at our cozy round table across from me and winked. Two strangers filled the other two chairs.
    I looked away. The room buzzed for another moment, and I counted nearly a hundred people.
    Rock has friends everywhere and probably just as many enemies.
    Then Rock stood up, and my pulse quickened as I got a whiff of his cologne. The scent reminded me of sex—with him.
    “ Thank you for being here tonight. It means a lot to me that you came on such short notice.”
    Murmurs and puzzled smiles met his statement.
    Some people don't seem happy about this. I wonder if they know what's coming next. I shifted in my seat, my cheeks hurting from smiling.
    “ Enjoy your dinner. Order what you will. It's on me. I have an announcement to make before dessert, so hold tight till then.”
    Polite laughter trickled through the crowd, and my skin prickled with embarrassment.
    “ What would you like to eat?” Rock whispered in my ear after he sat down.
    “ Pasta. Anything. My stomach is