The Temporary Mrs. King Read Online Free PDF Page B

easily?” He leaned back in his chair and the springs creaked. “You’ll forgive me, but I’m curious as to your quick acceptance.”
    Sean smiled. “Changing your mind already?”
    â€œNot at all.” Walter spread his hands wide. “I only thought it would take more to convince you.”
    â€œMelinda’s a beautiful woman,” he said, remembering the flash of her blue eyes as she looked at him before leaving the room a few minutes ago.
    â€œShe is—but there’s more to her than her beauty,” her grandfather pointed out.
    â€œI’m sure you’re right,” Sean agreed, though he already knew firsthand just what a clever mind Melinda had. “Once we’re married, we’ll have plenty of time to find out all about each other.”
    â€œHmm…”
    â€œI assume you’ve already checked me out,” Sean said. Knowing Melinda had researched him assured Sean that her grandfather had done so as well.
    â€œI have.”
    Sean nodded. “You made the offer. I accepted. End of story.”
    Walter was watching him as if waiting for Sean to change his mind. Sean fought another smile. The man had wheeled and dealed his granddaughter to a stranger and now that the stranger had agreed, the old man was having second thoughts? Too late for that. They had a deal and the Kings would soon be arriving to get the project underway.
    Pushing up from his chair, Sean stretched out his right hand and said, “I’ll just go tell my bride the good news. Then I’ll phone my brothers and let them know we can get started on the hotel right away.”
    Walter stood up too, took Sean’s hand and shook it. When he released him again, the older man said, “You can start construction the day after the wedding.”
    Both of Sean’s eyebrows went up. “Don’t trust me to go through with it?”
    â€œIf I didn’t trust you,” Walter said softly, “you wouldn’t be marrying my granddaughter. Let’s just say I prefer to have all of my bases covered.”
    â€œFine,” Sean agreed with a nod. “I’ll have our lawyers fax you the paperwork this afternoon.”
    â€œAnd my lawyer will have a contract for you to sign as well.”
    Sean’s gaze locked with the older man’s and for just an instant, there was a silent conversation between them. Two men, each of them powerful, each of them walking into this bargain with their eyes wide open and each of them thinking about the woman at the center of it all.
    Hope you know what you’re starting here .
    You and my granddaughter will work out fine .
    If that’s what the old guy believed, Sean thought grimly, then he was way off base. And for just an instant, he felt guilty about tricking Walter Stanford. Then he remembered it hadn’t been his idea and if Melinda was comfortable with this setup, then why should he mind?
    Sean smiled. “I’ll go see Melinda and tell her it’s settled.”
    â€œFine, fine,” Walter told him with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Perhaps you could join me later for a private dinner where we can discuss your plans for the future? Shall we say seven? Here, in my suite?”
    Sean eyed the older man. “Sure, I’ll see you later, then. Meanwhile, I’m guessing you’ll handle all the details of the wedding?”
    Walter nodded. “By the end of the week, you’ll be a married man.”
    End of the week.
    That rang a gong with the tone of finality inside his head. But Sean ignored it. He’d made his decision, and he wouldn’t go back on it now.
    â€œMelinda’s a strong woman with a good heart. See that you remember that.”
    â€œI will.” Sean left the room then, in search of the ‘goodhearted’ bride who drove a bargain like no one else he had ever known.
    Â 
    The next morning was a disaster.
    Sean stared at his computer screen, waiting