An Unlikely Bride for the Billionaire Read Online Free Page A

fence.
    Heat pulsed through him. So...the serious Mia wasn’t immune to his charms after all?
    The next moment he silently swore. Damn! He deserved a giant kick to the seat of his pants. She’d accused him of flirting earlier—but he hadn’t meant to give her the wrong impression. He didn’t want her thinking anything could happen between them. All flirtation and teasing on his part was entirely without intent.
    She knelt at the tap and scrubbed at her shirt with a piece of rag. She must keep a veritable tool shed of handiness in those cargo pants of hers.
    He watched in silence as she washed the worst of the mess from her shirt. ‘I have a handkerchief if you need it.’
    â€˜Thank you, but I think this is the best I’m going to manage until I can change my shirt. Shall we continue on to the lily pond?’
    â€˜Yes, please.’
    She gestured towards the path. ‘Do you mind if I ring the office to give them an update on Charlie?’
    â€˜Not at all.’
    And just like that they withdrew back into reserved professionalism. But something new pounded through Dylan—a curiosity that hadn’t been there before. What an intriguing paradox Mia was proving to be...a fascinating enigma.
    Which you don’t have time for.
    With a sigh, he pushed thoughts of Mia from his mind and forced his attention back to the impending wedding. He had to focus on what really mattered. He couldn’t let Carla down—not when she needed him.

CHAPTER TWO
    T HEY REACHED THE lily pond two minutes later. The moment Dylan clapped eyes on the enchanting glade he understood why Carla had fallen in love with it. True to its name, large green lily pads decorated a small but picturesque body of oval water. Native trees and shrubs curved around three of its sides. The fourth side opened out to a large circle of green lawn.
    Mia pointed to that now. ‘This area is large enough for our medium-sized marquee, which holds sixty guests comfortably. That leaves the area behind for the caterers to set up their tents and vans for the food.’
    Carla chose that moment to come rushing up—which was just as well, as Dylan had found himself suddenly in danger of getting caught up on the way Mia’s wet shirt clung to her chest.
    Carla grinned at Mia—‘Surprise!’—before taking Dylan’s arm and jumping from one foot to the other. ‘Isn’t this just the most perfect spot?’
    He glanced down at her—at her smile made radiant with her newfound happiness. ‘It’s lovely,’ he agreed, resolve solidifying in his gut. This wedding had come out of left field, taking him completely by surprise. But if this was what Carla truly wanted, he meant to create the perfect wedding for her. ‘Where’s Thierry?’
    A cloud passed across her face. ‘Something’s come up. He can’t make it.’
    That was the problem. Thierry. Dylan didn’t like the man.
    His sister had suffered enough misery in her life, and Dylan had every intention of protecting her from further heartache.
    Carla moved towards Mia. ‘Please tell me you’re not cross with me.’
    â€˜So...you’re not really Carly Smith, frequent visitor and keen student of environmentalism?’
    Carla shook her head.
    Mia glanced down at her notepad. ‘With your background, I imagine you need to be careful with your privacy.’
    Carla winced. ‘Please tell me you don’t hate me. You’ve been so kind. I love shadowing you when you’re on duty for the wildlife displays. You never talk down to me or treat me like I’m stupid. Oh!’ she added in a rush. ‘And just so you know, I really do have a keen interest in the environment and conservation.’
    Mia smiled. ‘Of course I don’t hate you.’
    That smile made Dylan’s skin tighten. When she smiled she wasn’t plain. And when she laughed she was beautiful.
    He pushed