The Billionaire's Bidding Read Online Free PDF

Emma McKinley’s finger.”
    Alex could take care of the ring and the marketing plan. He supposed he could come up with some kind of rational explanation for wanting Emma’s financial statements over the weekend. But he didn’t have a single contact at DreamLodge. “What kind of intel?”
    Ryan hesitated for a single beat. “Can you call Nathaniel?”
    Alex blinked at the sound of his cousin’s name. “That’s a pretty big gun.”
    â€œThere are hundreds of millions at stake.”
    Right. Nathaniel it was.

Three
    E mma slipped a thick, white McKinley-crested robe over her damp body, slipping on her glasses and flicking back a wisp of hair that had escaped from her clip. The hot tub motor whirred softly in the background as she padded across the penthouse from her bedroom to the living area.
    She’d long since gotten past the strangeness of living in a hotel. Now she just enjoyed the view, the expert cleaning service and the convenience of hot meals at any hour of the day or night. McKinley’s head offices were on the third floor of the Fifth Avenue Inn. So on blustery winter days, she was only an elevator ride from work.
    She pushed the on button on the television remote and curled up in one corner of the wine-colored sectional sofa, tossing a brocade pillow out of the way. It was eleven-fifteen, Friday night. She’d skipped dinner, and she was thinking a cheese tray and a glass of Cabernet would go well with Business Week Wrap-up on ANN.
    She called an order in to the concierge, then settled back to watch Marvin Coventry interview the CEO of Mediterranean Energy. The company was under scrutiny following a merger with a British company and an alleged payout to a UN envoy’s nephew.
    A knock sounded a few minutes into the interview, and Emma watched over her shoulder as she headed for the door to let in Korissa.
    â€œDid they remember to add extra grapes?” she asked, while the CEO squirmed under the reporter’s questions. Good. His shareholders deserved an explanation.
    â€œI have no idea,” came a male voice.
    Emma twisted her head to come face to face with Alex Garrison. Her eyes went wide, and she jerked the lapels of her robe together. “I thought you were Korissa.”
    â€œI’m Alex.” His gaze took in her robe, her haphazard hair and her clunky glasses.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” She hadn’t expected to see him again until tomorrow night at the Teddybear Trust fundraiser, and she definitely wasn’t ready to go another round with him. She tugged at her lapels, especially not dressed like this.
    He glanced down at the briefcase in his left hand. “I thought you’d like to see my financial records.”
    â€œAt eleven-thirty at night? ”
    â€œYou said you wanted a prenup.”
    Sure she wanted a prenup. But not now. Right now she wanted to sleep, and to regroup before facing him again. “I’m not—”
    â€œNo time like the present.” He glanced pointedly at the room behind her, then shifted almost imperceptibly forward.
    Emma stepped sideways to block his path as the nearly soundless whirr of a room service cart announced Korissa’s arrival.
    The woman halted her brisk steps and glanced questioningly at Alex. “Shall I bring another glass?”
    â€œThat would be nice,” said Alex. And before Emma could protest, he slipped through the door beside her.
    Emma wasn’t about to make a scene in front of Korissa, but the man was not staying. She moved out of the way of the cart.
    â€œNice,” Alex murmured, glancing around at the Persian carpet, the marble fireplace and the Tiffany chandelier.
    â€œThank you,” Emma said stiffly, while Korissa transferred the cheese tray, wine and fresh flowers to the dining table.
    Then Korissa left the penthouse and closed the door behind her.
    Emma yanked the sash of her robe tight. “This is not a convenient