Riley’s Billionaire Read Online Free PDF Page A

Jack’s dark eyes held her captive for a moment, and then he released her and offered her an arm for support.
    ‘Come, chérie . Our reception is in a few hours.’

Chapter Three
    Riley expected a large estate, but she never dreamed of Cadigal Valley’s immense landscape with a beauty that took her breath away. She had applied for a job via email without travelling further than her computer. Now she could well imagine the lush greenery and fruits bursting with flavour once winter had passed.
    Jack pointed toward one particularly high hill in the distance. ‘We’ve a cabin on the other side, where you might want to store some of the samples you’ll be testing.’ He grimaced. ‘Of course, you’re arriving just before the heavy rains. Once those start, our biggest viticulture problem presents itself. There’s a mould we can’t quite defeat.’
    Riley nodded. ‘I’ll be ready for it.’
    His response was quiet, thoughtful. ‘Let’s hope your capabilities equal your confidence.’
    If not, Riley wondered, would she lose her position as wife as well, considering she’d been hired, so to speak, for both jobs?
    She was glad Jack had seen fit to have contracts drawn for both their marriage and her position for his company. He had been completely fair regarding her scientific role, not paying her less nor more than her worth for her qualifications. For his wife, however, he’d been extremely generous. She would want for nothing. Jack had insisted upon bestowing a monthly allowance ‘for whatever you deem necessary’, and it was more than she’d be receiving as viticulturist!
    Of course, I’m not encouraged to give birth as his scientist. Riley bit her lips to keep from grinning.
    He seemed lost in thought, so Riley nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. ‘Has the mould been identified?’
    ‘No. That will most likely take precedence.’
    Jack turned to her. ‘Before we reach home, I want to assure you that you’ll be comfortable but that we will be sharing quarters.’
    Riley gulped. ‘You mean a bed?’
    ‘We discussed this, and it’s spelled out in the contract — didn’t you read it thoroughly? This is to look like a marriage in every context. Different bedrooms would hardly help us maintain our image as man and wife.’
    Riley’s eyes widened, and she felt like an idiot. There had been so many things specified in the contract, she must’ve glossed over it. ‘Then I hope there’s a decent couch in the room or a floor that isn’t too uncomfortable for you, because you’re not sleeping next — ‘
    Jack leaned forward, practically nose to nose with her. ‘You are not putting me out of my own bed, chérie.’ He chucked her chin. ‘Besides, I doubt I’d be sleeping if we were next to one another.’
    Riley was too flabbergasted to argue. She’d cross that bridge when they came to it, which by the looks of it would be soon enough.
    Their driver took a right turn, and soon sloping hills and valleys evened out into a slight climb toward a house that looked more like a castle than anything else. Elevated amongst the vineyards and set against the backdrop of a western mountain range, was her new home. Despite her misgivings regarding her situation, suddenly Riley felt something she hadn’t felt in ages. Hope.
    A sweeping verandah flowed into what she could only imagine was a grand foyer that branched into other rooms. Various fruit trees and flowering bushes flanked the steps leading to the verandah. Even in winter, the effect was lovely. Welcoming.
    Forget worrying about bedtime. Riley knew she’d be perfectly content to camp outside with a canopy of stars above her and so much beauty surrounding her.
    The fanciful thought lingered, even though she tried dismissing it. There was something achingly familiar about the setting, as if she’d seen it before. She must’ve noticed it in a brochure or something.
    Riley shook her head. She’d probably just dreamed for years of having such a home that