Tempted by the Billionaire: A Hometown Hero Series Novel Read Online Free PDF

said, thinking as the words left his mouth how lame they sounded.
    She grinned. “They’re more for teenagers, but sure.”
    “Why write for teenagers?”
    “You mean as opposed to people like you and me? Adults?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I just love fantasy.” She lifted her water and sipped it, then replaced the cup. “When I was growing up, I read all the old-fashioned mysteries. And I read some more modern titles too, but it was the older ones that really spoke to me. I guess I wanted to write the kinds of books I used to love. Books are amazing at any time, don’t you think?” She didn’t wait for his answer. “But especially so when your personality is still developing. I learned to be a mystery-hunter because of the books I read. If I can inspire that same journey in kids now, I’m honoured.”
    Questions jostled for prime position in his brain. “You’re a mystery hunter?”
    “Oh, yes.” She reached for another sandwich, and he was inexplicably relieved. Relieved and delighted that she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
    “What kind of mysteries?”
    “Oh, you know,” her cheeks were that beautiful pink again. He loved the way she blushed. It was so rare in the women he’d known in the past. So rare in Meghan, his estranged wife, who had been the epitome of calculated bitchiness. “Local history. Missing traders. Pirate ships.” She wriggled her eyebrows in a way that made him laugh. “Unsolved crimes. Poor Ike gets bored silly of my requesting old case files.”
    Matt nodded, but he had a sinking feeling. A sinking feeling because he could no longer pretend that he was only feeling idle attraction to the girl next door. It was more than that. He was interested in her, and it would become a full-blown obsession if he didn’t take care.
    “I bet he doesn’t,” Matt contradicted, a sense of uneasiness growing inside of him. He stood abruptly. “Anyways, I’d better get a move on. I promised these guys I’d paint the guest room as a kind of thanks for having me stay.”
    Willow’s stomach lurched with unmistakable disappointment. “Oh, right.” She followed his lead and stood, but looked uncertainly towards her own home. “Do you, I mean… Do you want a hand with it?”
    A hand? Hands were part of his problem. Matt jammed them into his pockets in an attempt to stop them from wanting to reach out for her. “Nah. You’ve got stories to write.” He reached down for the sandwiches at the same time she did. Their fingers connected on the edge of the plate, and he stifled an oath. “I’ve got this,” he said, far more sharply than he’d intended.
    “Right.” Her frown was a flash in her face. Gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Thanks again for lunch.” She dipped her head forward and walked quickly towards the porch steps. She turned at the bottom, to say goodbye, but he’d already disappeared inside, leaving only the slamming door in his wake.
    Yeah, she’d been right about him. Devilishly handsome, but just as confusing and dangerous as any guy she’d ever known. She strode towards her own home, her determination to ignore him made even stronger by the weirdly blunt end he’d put to their conversation.
    He was no one to her. It didn’t matter to Willow if she never saw Mattias again. At least, that’s what she told herself.
    CHAPTER THREE
    His mother’s voice seemed to go on and on, but Matt was only half-listening. He reclined on the porch, but his eyes were trained on the house next door. The blinds were down and everything was quiet. But he knew Willow was in there.
    He couldn’t say how or why, he just simply knew.
    It was as if his body was some kind of divining rod to hers; he felt her presence like an actual element. In the same way some could detect water, his body seemed to be in a state of heightened awareness when she was around.
    “Of course I’m listening, mother.”
    He’d dreamed of her the night before. Her long dark hair had draped around her face, as