The Tycoon's Defiant Southern Belle Read Online Free PDF Page A

table as well as several
     places around the walls and in the old fashioned sconces.  Two chairs had been brought
     in and filled up with cushions for comfort and somehow, the whole area felt cooler
     than it should be after the heat of the afternoon. 
    “This is amazing,” she said as she slowly approached the table.  “I can’t believe
     you did all this.”
    “I thought it would be appropriate,” he replied.
    Jade smiled brightly, her eyes delighted.  “Because you wanted to see how beautiful
     the house could be?” she asked, taking a seat in one of the pretty, white wicker chairs. 
    “Something like that,” he said, holding one of the chairs out for her.  When she was
     seated, he took the seat directly across from her and Jade fiddled with her napkin,
     nervous about looking him in the eye. 
    A waiter arrived out of one of the dark rooms, an open bottle of wine in his hand. 
     He immediately poured both of them a glass of red wine and Jade sat back, trying to
     relax while listening to the cicadas and tree frogs. 
    Another waiter arrived and placed a beautifully prepared meal in front of her and
     Jade relaxed as the delicious scents rose up to greet her.  The meal was delicious
     and she had to admit that she actually enjoyed talking to Angelo once he stopped trying
     to be so arrogant and obnoxious.  He was knowledgeable, funny, charming and able to
     discuss just about any subject. 
    When the waiter finally took away the last course, she sat back, suddenly feeling
     awkward.  She’d had too many glasses of wine perhaps and Angelo was looking much more
     handsome than he had earlier in the evening.  “Well, I guess I’d better leave.  I
     can walk…”
    “Let’s go through the house,” he interrupted.  “You can give me your ideas and discuss
     which rooms you’ll start in first.”
    Jade stood up automatically, setting down her wine glass.  “I haven’t agreed to take
     on the project,” she replied, feeling saucy and daring now.  It was all the wine,
     or maybe the way he was looking at her.  Several times during the meal, she had to
     remind herself that she had a boyfriend, that she didn’t like this man, and he was
     the town enemy that was going to destroy all the things she loved about her little
     place on this earth.  It was hard to remember when she was laughing about whatever
     he was telling her, or blushing with his obvious admiration. 
    Now he was standing next to her and she could once again feel the heat as his incredibly
     large body towered over her.  She wanted to step back, but discovered that the table
     was behind her. 
    He smiled down at her but didn’t say anything.  Instead, he took her arm and led her
     back into the house.  When they stood in the great hall, he didn’t say a word, but
     waited for Jade to begin, letting her wander around the room that was now lit with
     very weak wall sconces. 
    During the daylight, the room was filled with sunshine by the large windows but it
     was dark now, making the area feel a bit depressing.  “This is a gorgeous room.  The
     lighting needs to change primarily but…” and she continued to go around, pointing
     out issues that need to be changed but also keeping the original style of the room
     by repairing the damage caused by years of neglect and lack of climate control.  Interspersed,
     she discussed the furniture that could be brought in to make the room feel livable
     and comfortable.  The room was enormous which was both a challenge and a benefit. 
    Angelo didn’t say anything as he followed her from room to room.  Jade’s imagination
     was thrilled with all of the exciting things that could be done with the house but
     she had no idea how much he wanted to spend refurbishing everything.  There were so
     many details to the house, so many things that needed to be fixed or replaced.  All
     of the bathrooms would need to be completely gutted and even some water lines repaired. 
     And of