Free Playing For Keeps (Emerald Lake Billionaires 2) by Leeanna Morgan

as though you’ve just won the national lottery. I thought Dorothy might have been sharing some top-secret information.”
    “Dorothy always asks more questions than she answers, so your secrets are safe.”
    Ryan moved into the office and sat on the chair opposite her. “I had dinner with John Fletcher last night.”
    Sophie’s bubble of happiness popped. John Fletcher owned a security company. A big security company. If Ryan wanted to know anything about her, John’s company was the organization he’d most likely use.
    “He said that one of his security staff met you the other day?”
    Sophie frowned. She couldn’t remember anyone from Fletcher Security talking to her. Apart from the contractors working on Ryan’s home, the only other people she’d talked to had been at the campground. “What was their name?”
    “Tanner. He’s a big guy with dark hair. He was looking for a runaway teenage girl.”
    Sophie knew exactly who Ryan was talking about. She’d been cooking in the camp kitchen when she’d first seen him. She’d thought about avoiding him, but didn’t want to look as though she had something to hide. “I thought he was an undercover police officer. Did he find who he was looking for?” She wiped her hands on her jeans.
    Ryan shook his head. “I don’t think he found the runaway. She’s been missing for more than two months now. I wouldn’t imagine it’s easy finding someone who wants to disappear.”
    Sophie felt her cheeks blush bright red. “I guess it depends on why they don’t want to be found.”
    Ryan’s fingers started tapping against the arm of the chair. “John told me something else, as well.”
    Sophie sat perfectly still, waiting for the words she didn’t want to hear.
    “He told me that you’re sleeping in your car. Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have somewhere to stay?”
    Sophie let go of the breath she’d been holding onto. She focused on her keyboard and not her pounding heart.
    “I know you’re probably embarrassed that I found out, but you should have told me. In a couple of days, most of the wooden floors will be ready to walk on. You could stay here until we’ve finished building the house.”
    Sophie’s jaw dropped. “I can’t stay here. I know it’s not ideal living at the campground, but the people are really nice and while it’s still summer, it’s okay.”
    “It’s not okay. Apart from being unsafe, your car wasn’t designed to sleep in.”
    Ryan didn’t have to tell her that. Even with the back seats folded flat, it was still hard getting in and out of her vehicle. “Thank you for your concern, but I’ll be fine. When I’ve saved some more money I’ll rent one of the cabins.”
    “I’m not asking you to stay here. I’m telling you. You can call it a new condition of employment if you want to, but you’re not going back there.”
    Sophie forgot about her website; forgot about the people who were looking for her. All she focused on was the man scowling at her from the opposite side of the desk. “There’s nothing wrong with the campground.”
    “If you want to keep working for me, you’ll stay here.” Ryan stood up and started to leave the room. “I’ve got work to do. When you’ve finished sorting through the bills and messages, Jamie said to find him. Some of the rooms need sweeping before the flooring contractor arrives.”
    “You can’t make me stay here,” Sophie growled. “I’m a grown woman. You wouldn’t make Danny stay here if someone was looking for him.”
    “Danny knows how to look after himself. While you’re working for me, I want to know you’re safe. I can’t do that when you’re living at the campground. If you need a hand to move your things out here, let me know.”
    Sophie wouldn’t be letting Ryan know anything because she wasn’t going to stay with him. She might be slightly homeless, have next to no money, and worry about every noise she heard during the night, but it was better than