The Billionaire's Prize: Taken & Tempted: (Book 3 Billionaire Bodyguard Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

held doors open were “brought up right.” She’d been slightly appalled to learn that in a corporate setting men didn’t treat women with deference. When had courtesy become a liability? She liked that Cade didn’t stand by those norms.
    “Evening, Deirdre,” he said to the receptionist, whose eyes went soft as she stared at him with a dreamy smile.
    “Hi, Mr. Soren.” Then Deirdre straightened. “Oh, I have a message for you. A reporter from Channel Eight News came by asking when she could reschedule your interview.”
    “I need to confirm with Mindy first.” He ran a hand through his hair absently. “But let’s tentatively say tomorrow. Ten o’clock.”
    “I’ll call her right away and let her know.”
    “Thanks, Deirdre.”
    “You’re welcome, sir.” She sighed as he walked by. He seemed oblivious to her pining devotion. Probably didn’t faze him—he received that look from every woman he passed.
    Kylie experienced another wave of inadequacy, but she didn’t require his attention or validation. She had a cold case to solve. Something she did well with no insecurities. She adored her insulated world of legal research.
    Types like Cade could keep the spotlight. She wanted no part of maintaining a public image. The effort seemed exhausting, though Cade was definitely in his element there. He’d been blessed with a face and persona perfect for public relations.
    She followed the blonde Adonis up three steps into an expansive first floor. She crossed an ocean of glistening travertine tile, passed furniture clusters of white leather with silver accents. In indoor planters potted with trees reached toward the high ceiling skylights. The open central space was ringed with five upper stories of glass railings that delineated each floor. Pendant lights hung from above like waterfall drops frozen in mid air.
    Wow, this building is beautiful.
    Taking it all in, she paused to turn a half circle. And almost bumped into the brick wall chest of her bodyguard. She peered up at his imposing presence. “Um, hi.”
    Without a word he nodded an acknowledgement, his gray gaze unreadable.
    Unnerved, she hurried to catch up with Cade. “I guess your bodyguards don’t take coffee breaks.”
    “Not when they’re on the clock.” He slowed and hit the button for the elevators.
    She pressed him. “Do I really need a bodyguard now that I’m here?”
    Cade turned those incandescent blue eyes on her that she couldn’t refuse if she tried, and he asked, “Do you trust me?”
    She paused. “Yes…?”
    He grinned as the elevator descended. “Maybe someday you’ll say that with some confidence.”
    She shrugged out of his coat and draped it over her arm, extending it toward him. “Thanks for the warmth.”
    “My pleasure.” His eyes blinked slowly. “Any time.”
    Anxious about meeting his cousins, assuming she’d have to bring everyone up to speed on her version of the case, she shifted from foot to foot. Her gaze darted around. “Your building is very classy. Never would’ve guessed you came from Las Vegas.”
    He chuckled. “You mean the land of gaudy opulence and neon dazzle?”
    “Exactly.”
    “My brother Trey designed the space. I added the décor.”
    “You have good taste.”
    He swept a glance over her then met her eyes. “I like to think so.”
    They stood staring at each other for a long moment. Something in his posture, in his expression, made her wonder if there was some attraction on his part. The elevator doors parted. Their stolen moment vanished. He guided her into the glass and steel elevator, his palm warm and reassuring against her back.
    A flicker of heat radiated through her abdomen and traveled up her spine, spreading goose bumps across her shoulders. Cade seemed to be sending her subtle innuendos, but she didn’t trust the conclusion. She was positive that if they were strangers passing each other on the street, he wouldn’t even glance her way.
    Their fates were intertwined in