The CEO's Accidental Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

time, with a subtle silver thread that picked up the sunlight.
    â€œThank you, Amy.” He nodded to the receptionist, who closed the doors as she left the room.
    His gaze flicked to Lindsay and he quirked a questioning brow in her direction.
    â€œMy lawyer,” Kaitlin explained to him. “Lindsay Rubin.”
    â€œPlease sit down.” Zach gestured to the leather guest chairs.
    But Kaitlin chose to remain standing. “I’ll sign your papers,” she told him.
    Zach’s glance went back to Lindsay, then returned to Kaitlin. The barest hint of a smile twitched his full lips, and there was a definite flare of relief in his gray eyes.
    â€œBut I want two things,” Kaitlin continued.
    Though she knew she ought to enjoy this, she was far too nervous to get any pleasure out of watching him sweat.
    This had to work.
    It simply had to.
    Zach’s brow furrowed, and she could almost feel him calculating dollar figures inside his head.
    â€œOne—” she counted on her fingers, struggling to keep a quaver from forming in her voice “—our marriage stays secret.” If people found out she was married to Zach, the professional credential of renovating his building would mean less than nothing. The entire city would chalk it up to their personal relationship.
    â€œTwo,” she continued, “you give me a job. Renovation design director, or some similar title.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You want a job?”
    â€œYes,” she confirmed.
    He appeared genuinely puzzled. “Why?”
    â€œI’ll need an office and some support staff while I finish planning the renovations to your building. Since you already have those things available here…”
    He was silent for a full three seconds. “I’m offering you money, not a job.”
    â€œI don’t want your money.”
    â€œKaitlin—”
    She squared her shoulders. “This is not negotiable, Zach. I get free rein, carte blanche. I do your renovation, my way, and—”
    He leaned forward, tenting his fingers on the polished desktop. “Not a hope in hell.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    They glared at each other for a drawn-out second while a thousand emotions skittered along her nervous system.
    He was intimidating. He was also undeniably arousing. He was both her problem and her solution. And she was terrified this chance would somehow slip through her fingers.
    Then Lindsay spoke up, her voice haughty and authoritarian as she stepped into the conversation. “You should know, Mr. Harper, that I’ve provided Ms. Saville with a copy of Sadie Harper’s will, as filed with the probate court.”
    The room went to dead silent.
    Nobody moved, and nobody breathed.
    Kaitlin forced herself to straighten to her full height. She crossed her arms over her chest, letting his stunned expression boost her confidence.
    â€œI’ll divorce you, Zach,” she told him. “I’ll sign the entire company over to you. Just as soon as I have my career back.”
    His furious gaze settled on Kaitlin. His tone turned incredulous. “You’re blackmailing me?”
    Sweat prickled her hairline, anxiety peaking within her. “I’m making you a deal.”
    Several beats ticked by in thick silence, while her stomach churned with anxiety.
    His expression barely changed. But finally, he gave a single, curt nod.
    Her heart clunked deep in her chest, while a wave of relief washed coolly over her skin.
    She’d done it.
    She’d bought herself a second chance.
    She doubted Zach would ever forgive her. But she couldn’t let herself care about that. All that mattered was she was back on the job.
    Â 
    From beneath the stained concrete porch of the Harper Transportation building, Kaitlin stared at the rain pounding down on Liberty Street. It was the end of her first full day of work, and her nerves had given way to a cautious optimism.
    Zach hadn’t made her