A Billionaire for Breakfast Read Online Free Page B

herself
ask.
    “I wanted to see what all the fuss
was about. Rumors were flying that Patrick Mercer had found his long-lost
daughter. I guess that would be you.”
    “Yes.”
    “So you weren’t rich when I met you,
but you are now?”
    “What difference does it make?”
    “None, or a lot. Depends on your
point of view.”
    “Your name is Angel.”
    “Could be.”
    “The guy at the motorbike shop said
it was.”
    “Then it must be. Old Harry’s never
wrong about anything. He said a redheaded fox was there, asking about me.”
    Why was he being so damned cool?
Didn’t he see how she wanted him? Needed him? He could take her there, on the
balcony, and she wouldn’t resist. “Take me!” her mind screamed. “Love me right
NOW!”
    “Angel …”
    “Yeah?”
    “You want me. You must. I’ve never
talked to anyone like this before. But please, don’t let me stand here, dying
inside.”
    “You want me to make love to you,
with all those people downstairs? People who came here to welcome you into the
Rich Elite’s Club? You’d keep them waiting, for me?”
    “Yes, they can wait, a little while,”
she sighed.
    “No, I don’t want you like that.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I want you someplace else.”
    “Where?”
    “Will you leave with me now? Shun
that crowd of hyenas down there and run off with me?”
    “But my father … Patrick … he expects
me to show up eventually.”
    “Why? So he can show you off? Do you
want to be examined like a prize cow?”
    “You don’t understand. He’s so proud
of me, of having a daughter. And my mom’s arriving tonight. I should be here. I
don’t know how she’ll react when she sees my dad.”
    “Excuses, Tess. If you want me, it’s
going to have to be on my terms.”
    “Why? Are you one of those ‘it’s my
way or the highway’ kind of men?”
    “Maybe. Would that be so bad?”
    “It could be, if I have my own way to
go.”
    “Then go. I’ll see you around.”
    He slipped into a bedroom doorway,
disappeared before she could stop him.
    Tess was stunned. He couldn’t expect
her to leave, with all those people there. She was the center of the party, for
God’s sake!
    She heard an engine start up, looked
down to see a slinky black convertible oozing over the road. Was that him? It
must be. She had a desperate urge to hop down the balcony stairs and run after
him like a dog but her pride, and her heels, kept her still. Tears formed at
the corners of her eyes; she dried them carefully to avoid smudging her mascara.
She’d cry later, when she was alone in her bed, pining for him like an idiot.
Right now she was the guest of honor at Patrick’s party, and she would not
disappoint him.
    A swell of fancily plumed parrots and
their handsome escorts greeted her as she slowly descended the grand hallway
stairs. The men smiled at her approvingly, undressing her with their bold
glances. She tried to ignore them, made her hellos to the women then sought out
Patrick Mercer.
    “Darling, you look wonderful!” he
shouted above the din. “I’m very proud of you. Have you heard from your
mother?”
    “Yes, she’s at the airport. Your limo
picked her up. She’s on her way. You won’t see her in this crowd, will you? It
might prove to be too much.”
    “No, no, I’ll have her sent into my
private den. And you, as well. We’ll have a real homecoming, hum?”
    He was much too cheerful about it. Tess
took a deep breath; looked for a drink to steady her. Jack Leonardi was at the
bar, without Kylie.
    “Where’s your new lady?”
    “Lady, my ass! Why didn’t you tell me
she was an office drone?”
    “Why should I tell you that? She’s a
great girl, and beautiful, too.”
    “Ha! Like that makes a difference!
She’s still working class.”
    “And what are you, Jack?” Patrick
said as he walked up. “I had you looked into, and apparently, you’re poorer
than a church mouse.”
    Tess gazed at Jack in awe.
    “So what if I am? I never said I