The Billionaire's Desire (A Billionaire BWWM Steamy Romance) Read Online Free PDF

bird sanctuary." I pause. "My sanctuary.

 
    Sanniyah
stops, forcing me to look back at me. Her head is tilted to one side, exposing
the curve of her throat to me. I eye it hungrily until her words catch me by
surprise. "So why share it?"

 

 
 
    Chapter Nine

 
    Sanniyah

 
 
 
    I
shouldn't have just blurted it out like that. His face is completely stricken.
I can see how pale he is, even in the low light. "I'm...sorry, that was
rude," I start to stammer.

 
    "No."
He sighs heavily. "It's a valid question. One I've been trying to come up with
a good answer for, myself." He gives a rueful chuckle and runs his hands
through his hair, tugging slightly. I have the urge to smooth the rumpled tangles
away. To smooth the worry lines off his face.

 
    Carter
Easton turns away from me, striding up the beach to sit heavily on a piece of
driftwood far above the waterline. I hesitate. He seems like he wants to be
alone. But he also seems like he wants to answer me. So I move towards him,
shifting a little as I sit so that our bodies aren't touching. I am acutely
aware of the heat in the air between us.

 
    "Basically,
it comes down to this," he says, like he is making a decision, once and
for all. "Cammy is my baby sister. She should have a normal, happy
wedding, with our father walking her proudly down the aisle. But she can't have
that."

 
    I
swallow. The crash. I didn't put together what it meant for Carter, what it
meant for Camilla, until just now.

 
    I am
saved from having to murmur something apologetic and awkward by the fervor in
Carter's voice as he continues. "She's getting married, to a good man.
She's found happiness, and deserves to have that celebrated. And I can make
that happen. I can afford to give her that, give her the wedding of her
dreams...fuck, I can afford that a million times over. It's not going to make
up for our parents not being there, but it's the best I can do."

 
    The
silence after his speech hangs heavily in the air. I can feel all of my
assumptions about Carter Easton sliding slowly sideways. This isn't what I was
expecting...at all.

 
    I slip
my hand quietly into his. "I can help you do that," I tell him.
"It's my job. And I'm really good at it."

 
    Carter
looks up, and bursts out laughing. "Thank you," he says. "I
think I'm going to need the help."

 
    I shift
on the log. This is more my speed. Dolphins, birds, walks on the beach...Carter himself...they all had me feeling off kilter, but planning
a spectacular wedding? That I understand. "Why don't you tell me what you
have planned," I start.

 
    Carter
runs his fingers through his hair again, the wild, trapped look fading from his
eyes. It is replaced with a boyish, rueful grin. I can see Cammy's shyness,
there underneath the gorgeous, studied cool of his exterior. "If we're
going to be...working...together, Ms. Jones."

 
    "You
can call me Sanniyah," I interject quickly, blushing slightly.

 
    "Okay
Sanniyah," he grins wider, showing a dimple deep in his left cheek.
"You need to know that...I don't really...plan. That's not how I work, not
how I've ever worked, honestly." He slides his hand out of mine and for a
moment I miss its warmth. The faraway look I first saw on his face when I
arrived, returns. "The more I try to control things, the more they slip
away from me." He spreads his hands wide. "So I just learned to let
it all...go."

 
    There
is a sadness to his voice that gives me pause. I want to touch him and suddenly
I do, running my hand up his forearm. He closes his eyes and lets his head drop
back. Then suddenly he rises to his feet, lifting us both. His hand is on my
waist and we are walking in silence, just touching.

 
    I
should be working. I should be talking about the wedding, my client's needs. I
should be planning, doing my job.

 
    But I
am only walking next to him.

 
    I don't
want to break the spell I am under where this is completely okay.

 
 
 
    Chapter Ten