The Billionaire Bargain (Millionaire's Club) Read Online Free PDF Page B

was that anymore? Because a rebellious piece of her wanted to be here with Daegen just like before. His arms around her. Touching her. Needing her.
    She gave herself a mental slap. The only reason she came to the island was to gain his help. He’d agreed. Her father would receive the care he needed. Nothing else mattered. Period.
    Besides, maybe she could salvage her job. Maybe she could convince Walt to move the meeting? If not, couldn’t she Skype in? A spark of hope lit in her chest. Why not? She knew all the material by heart anyway. She could give that presentation in her sleep.
    When the tiny hairs on the back of her neck tingled, she turned to make eye contact with Daegen. Her radar had sensed his presence before she’d heard a sound.
    There he stood. Remarkable. Sexy. She was too drained from their last interaction to be angry. On autopilot, every muscle in her body went on full alert requiring energy she couldn’t afford to lose.
    “How was lunch?” he asked, quirking his dark brow as he eyed her mostly full plate.
    She pointed to the fruit she’d tucked in her napkin. “Couldn’t quite get past the smell of this one.”
    “Durian fruit. Hard prickly skin on the outside and a rather unkind scent.” His hawk-like nose wrinkled as he picked up a piece, peeled the casing back, and brought the flesh to her lips.
    She took the bite, clamping down the vibrations caused by his thumb grazing her bottom lip.
    “Inside is where the sweet flesh is tender.”
    Rae forced her shoulders back and attempted a breezy smile. Was he still talking about fruit? “Mmm. It’s really good.”
    The corners of his mouth tilted upward in an otherwise close-mouthed smile. His uniquely sexy smirk. “I need more details about your father. Where is he? How long has he been sick?”
    “He’s at Dallas Presbyterian.” The invisible band around her chest tightened. Securing Daegen’s help should make her feel better. And when it came to her father, she was ecstatic. Her thoughts refocused on the ice in Daegen’s glare before. And the bitter words he’d said. Words that had cut through her ribs and punctured her heart. Words that settled sadness in her chest. She reminded herself again she wasn’t in Borneo for a reunion. “I located him six months ago. By the time I found him, he was on his deathbed in a government-run nursing home. My life savings has already bought him an extra six months. He doesn’t like to talk about it. I had to make myself a nuisance to his doctor to get the truth. You know what the medicine treats.”
    One brow lifted, increasing the dramatic effect of Daegen’s sharp angled features. The worry lines on his face deepened. “A rare blood disease.”
    If he was thinking it, she had to give him credit for not asking. No. She hadn’t been tested. Yes. She knew it was genetic.
    She nodded. “With a name too long to pronounce.”
    Sympathy smoothed the brackets around his mouth. “Current treatment is costly and ineffective. How are you covering all the bills?”
    She stared at him, looking for a chink in his armor. His granite features and high slashing cheekbones gave away nothing more of his emotion.
    “I’m keeping things going,” came out on a sigh. The muscles between her shoulder blades pulled taut.
    His expression softened as he looked at her. “How are you really ?”
    Opening up about her true feelings came as natural to Rae as peeling the skin off a live snake. She’d agreed to stay on for two days...there was nothing in the bargain about hanging around Daegen while she was there. “Fine. I’d like to freshen up.”
    She pushed her chair away from the table, excused herself, and walked away.
    Slipping into the cool spray of the shower, she hoped the water would rejuvenate her tangled muscles.
    Her hand shook when she reached for the shampoo. The bottle slipped through her fingers, colliding with her foot. She dropped the soap no less than six times.
    She toweled off, pulled her hair in