Renegade Millionaire Read Online Free PDF Page B

hips encased in nice-fitting jeans, he realized she was more than fine. And he was in major trouble.
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    When Joanna heard the knock on the door, she wasn’t at all fine. In fact she was nervous over Rio Madrid’s arrival. She fumbled with the spoon in her hand, then dropped it into the cup before she made a total mess of her stained and cracked kitchen counter.
    Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door but left the chain intact until she peeked outside. After verifying it was the doctor, she slipped the chain and allowed him entry.
    She felt uneasy, self-conscious, when he surveyed the efficiency apartment that consisted of only a small kitchen and dining/living room area that also served as her bedroom. The lone bathroom with its rusty pipes and chipped tile could barely qualify as closet-size although her clothes hung on the shower-curtain rail, the only place available.
    â€œIt’s not much,” she said after tolerating the silence for a few more moments.
    â€œI’ve seen worse.” His gaze traveled toward the water-stained ceiling while he noted the sound of an over-loud stereo shaking the walls from excessive bass.
    â€œMy neighbors like to party,” Joanna said.
    â€œSounds that way.” He turned his attention back to her. “How long have you been here?”
    â€œAlmost two months.” Two months too long.
    His took a slow visual excursion down her body. “And you’re still in one piece?”
    â€œSo far.” She could very well come apart at the seams if he didn’t stop looking at her that way.
    He slipped his hands into his back pockets. “I think I found the problem with your car. There’s a loose wire leading to the starter. I’m pretty sure I fixed it.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful news.” The man was too amazing for his own good. “Have you always worked on cars?”
    â€œI’m good with my hands.”
    She had no doubt about that. “I’m glad it’s minor. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for major repairs.”
    â€œDon’t get your hopes up yet. I still need to make sure I’ve found the problem. If you’ll give me your keys, I’ll see if the car starts.” He wrapped one hand around his nape and rolled his head on his shoulders. He looked exhausted.
    Joanna felt incredibly selfish. “Why don’t we have some coffee first? We can check it when you leave.”
    â€œSounds good to me.”
    She stepped back in the kitchen and took the pan from the stove to pour water into each cup. “I hope instant’s okay. It’s all I have.”
    â€œDo you have a phone?”
    She nodded over one shoulder. “Right there on the wall. Help yourself.”
    He moved into the small space beside her, bringing with him the scent of night air and incense. Turning on the faucet in the kitchen sink, he began washing the grease away from his hands. “I don’t want to make acall. I want to make sure you have some way to communicate in case you have trouble.”
    â€œYes, I do, and it works.” For now. She was in danger of losing the service if she didn’t pay her long-distance bills in a timelier manner. But she wouldn’t give up her only means of communication with her child, even if it meant keeping the heat turned off.
    While she stirred the coffee, he continued to watch her as he dried his hands on a dish towel. His presence made her wary. As much as she hated to admit it, Joanna was very drawn to Rio Madrid—his heady aura, his dark exotic good looks—though that seemed unwise. But he wasn’t the kind of man a woman could easily ignore—even a woman who had no intention of getting involved with anyone.
    After he tossed the towel onto the counter, she handed him one steaming mug. “Do you want anything in it?”
    â€œJust more coffee. I like it strong.”
    â€œOh.” Joanna couldn’t manage anything else when