Free Billionaire's Island Bride (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) by Judy Angelo Page A

when she was so close she could breathe in
the masculine fragrance of his cologne.  There was no way on earth she could ignore
the fact that he was there, mere inches away from her.  The shallowness of her
breathing, the tautness of her nipples in her bra, were evidence of the effect
he was having on her.
    As soon as the
elevator door opened Erin was out and away, eager to put distance between
them.  Her physical attraction was too strong, too disturbing.  She had to
regain control.
    When he strode up
behind her she was still at the door fiddling with her keys, her palms slippery
with perspiration.
    Calmly he reached
out and plucked them from her hand, selected the correct one and opened the
door.  Then with a mocking smile he dropped the keys back into her hand.  When
they stepped inside the apartment a wave of embarrassment swept over her.  Dare
was obviously a man of wealth.  He'd said something about being a billionaire. 
She seriously doubted that but she was sure he had some money.  He carried
himself like a man of means.  What would he think of her home, so sparsely
furnished that the living room didn’t even have a sofa?  She’d been meaning to
get one since moving in but that had been almost two years ago.  Now, under the
present circumstances, the chances of acquiring that piece of furniture were
slim to nil.
    At least she had
the essentials - a bed to sleep on and a chest of drawers for her few pieces of
clothing.  And at least she could offer him a seat.  In the living room cum
dining room were a small table and two chairs.  It wouldn’t make for
comfortable sitting but maybe that was a good thing.  Making him comfortable was
the last thing she wanted to do.  She wanted him to state his business then get
the heck out of her apartment and her life.
    Erin could feel
her anger return.  After Dare had used her and discarded her in the most
horrible way, what could he possible want with her now?
    Except for the
baby, her heart whispered.  Apart from the baby there was absolutely no reason
why this man would have the slightest interest in her.  This was all about the
baby. 
    Erin waved a hand
toward the table.  “Have a seat.  Please.”
    She could see that
he was scrutinizing her home, his eyes roaming the apartment.  She could just
imagine what was going through his mind.  All she needed to see was the
expression on his face to know what he was thinking.  She wasn’t important
enough for him.  Now he was getting confirmation that he’d made the right
decision in throwing her out.
    Dare walked over,
his height making her apartment seem too small and the ceiling too low.  She
was glad when he dropped his tall frame onto the chair.  Seated, he was a
little less intimidating.  Just a little.
    “Aren’t you going
to sit?” Dare was looking at her as she stood several feet away, watching him. 
On his face was an amused smile.
    What was there to
smile about?  "No, I’m fine,” she said and released the hand she’d just
realized she’d been wringing in agitation.  She tucked her hands into the
pockets of her skirt.  “Dare, what are you doing here?  And how did you find
me?"
    He crossed his
legs and leaned back in the chair, somehow managing to look comfortable. 
“Finding you was easy, honey.  We’ve got all your details at the hotel.”
    “At the hotel?"
 Erin’s eyes widened in shock.  "They let you see my personal
information?  Who did you bribe?”  She couldn’t believe the breach to her
personal privacy.  Sunsational Resort would be getting a letter from her and it
would not be pretty.
    “Come off it, Erin. 
Stop playing dumb.  It’s not becoming.”  He gave a snort and crossed his arms
over his chest.  Gone was the look of relaxation.  Now he looked exasperated. 
“Why would I need to bribe my own employees?”
    “Your…employees?” 
What the heck was he talking about?  Erin shook her head.  The man was making
no sense at all.  “What