What Love Sounds Like Read Online Free PDF Page B

thought of seeing Mia again kept him upstairs. He hadn’t intended to use such a harsh tone with her. What was it about her that continually placed him on the defensive? He could almost swear that the restlessness now plaguing him was guilt, except he didn’t do emotion. His childhood had cured him of any need to feel and his corporate life had reinforced the message that only the clear-headed and the strong survived.
    Noise thundered from outside his closed office door. Laughter, interspersed with breathless giggles, grew in volume until it sounded as though a classroom of children stampeded up the stairs. Either that or a herd of the mini-rhinoceroses Tilly had shown him on the lap-top and asked him if she could get as a pet. He passed a weary hand over his face. He’d wanted to know where Tilly and Mia were. Now he knew.
    He opened the door to the sight of a pink-pyjama-clad Tilly crawling up the stairs on hands and knees with Mia following behind, tickling her bare toes. Sheer joy lit up his niece’s face.
    A reprimand formed and died.
    Ms. Windsor no longer appeared the epitome of professionalism. Despite still wearing her no-nonsense shirt, the top-button had worked free, exposing the pale gleam of her throat. Her hair was still restrained but soft, auburn tendrils now fell around her cheeks. Her amber eyes shone with happiness instead of disapproval.
    Beautiful women were never a novelty. Never a distraction.
    He folded his arms and allowed the day’s frustration to tighten his face. But Tilly was oblivious to his censure. She squealed, grabbed his trouser legs and hid behind him. Her hands shook so much he turned to check she was actually laughing and not crying.
    She beamed up at him. ‘Mia’s tashing me.’
    Mia reached the landing. Tilly’s squeal pierced his ears.
    ‘Tilly, I don’t think…’ he said. But she wasn’t listening. She’d released his legs and sprinted toward her room, her fine blonde hair fanning out behind her.
    He stifled a groan. What he wouldn’t give to be back in his quiet and predictable adult world. He met Mia’s laughing eyes. A world where the inner beauty of a woman’s smile didn’t unnerve him. His hands clenched beneath his crossed arms. Control had to be implemented and until he returned to his normal life he’d no choice but to impart order to his temporary one.
    ‘Mia. A word.’
    ‘Certainly.’ She flashed a high-wattage smile at Tilly who peeked out from her doorway down the hallway. ‘I’ll be there in a second. How about you choose a book for me to read before bedtime?’
    ‘Otay, I’ll toose two,’ Tilly said before disappearing into her room.
    Mia faced him. ‘Sorry, did you want to read a story to Tilly?’
    ‘No.’ He failed to suppress a wince. ‘I want to make sure we’re on the same page as far as my niece’s therapy is concerned.’
    ‘And what page would that be?’ Her arms folded to mirror his pose.
    ‘One that has set therapy hours and clear boundaries.’
    ‘I see.’
    He ignored the disgust that tinged her words as well as the resulting twinge of unease he felt. He needed to get Mia, and himself, back on task. Not dwell on the sudden fragility of his self-esteem.
    ‘Yes, you’re here to work on Tilly’s speech not to act as her nanny. Mrs. Shepherd has all of Tilly’s non-therapy needs covered.’
    ‘So what I’m hearing is that you’d like me to stick to a clear-cut programme of set hours, just as I would if I was working with Tilly in my Whylandra office?’
    He uncrossed his arms. ‘Exactly.’
    Mia was too much of a consummate professional not to see the logic in what he asked. Life had to be micro-managed. She also needed some downtime, she couldn’t work the entire time she was here. The strength of her spirit might be unquestionable but there was something about her fine-boned features and large eyes that made him want to look out for her.
    ‘So I suppose you’d also prefer me to travel back to town for the