Despite the Gentleman's Riches: Sweet Billionaire Romance (For Richer or Poorer Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

The posters I'd created were now leaning safely against the outside of my vehicle, having been disinterred by Mr. Fish Sticks while I was lost in thought, and I tried to force myself to latch onto the excuse to walk away and deliver them to my compatriots. Instead, the stranger stuck out a hand, remedying his error and gluing me more firmly in place. "I'm Jack," he said.
    "Ginny," I replied, social conventions forcing me to shake the guy's hand even though I knew before the tingle hit that the touch of his skin on mine would do nothing to diminish the red filling my cheeks. When I thought of how many times I'd brushed Brett's hand while working on Cuadic projects together, with so little effect on my body, I realized that the crush I'd nurtured for our organizer was a mere childish infatuation. These strange yearnings I was currently feeling were more like...trouble.
    "You never called me," Jack murmured, not letting go of my hand. I tried to tell my brain to pull the offending appendage away, but neurons must have misfired because my fingers instead tightened their grip on Jack's palm. "I've been wasting away on pizza and beer for days and days," he continued when my mouth refused to spit out any words in a timely manner.
    "You got me fired," I answered, finally remembering that Jack and I were not best buddies, just in time to break the enchanted silence between us. "I've been busy looking for a new job."
    "I'm sorry." The words sounded strange coming from his lips, as if Jack might have forgotten that apologies were possible until this instant. Then the corners of his mouth curled upwards into an unbearably sexy smile. "So let me make it up to you with a meal at least."
    "I'm busy right now," I evaded, still having a hard time remembering that simple, two-letter n-word when Jack was standing right in front of me. By way of explanation, I waved vaguely over at the cluster of Cuadic members peering my way from the entrance of the school. I had a feeling half of the middle-aged ladies were already picking out a wedding present—they kept trying to set me up with their kids and grandkids and were endlessly miffed (although politely so) when I repeatedly declined to cooperate. Talking to this hunk in plain sight was probably enough to make the ladies program their minister into speed dial.
    "Fan club?" Jack asked, seeming to lap up the ladies' attention as if it were his due. I was ninety-nine percent sure my companion shifted his feet as he spoke, angling his body so the women could get a better view of his strong jaw and patrician profile.
    "Protest group," I countered, finally getting up the courage to slip my hand out of his. Belatedly, I regretted the action, my digits unbearably cold when they were no longer cupped in Jack's massive paw.
    "Hmmm," he said by way of reply. "But that meeting doesn't start for an hour, and I have something I want to show you."
    Turning away, Jack started walking toward his car as if sure I'd follow. And maybe I would have if the vehicle in question hadn't seemed so crazily out of place in our rustic county, the passenger door Jack opened to entice me inside folding skyward instead of out like any ordinary portal might. Strange car doors and fancy suits , the rational part of my brain warned. He's out of your league. In fact, he's probably playing a different game than you are entirely.
    "I don't think so," I called, hating the way I had to raise my voice like a fishmonger to reject the guy's advances now that he was several yards away. I knew that I'd be hearing about this exchange for weeks from the Cuadic gossips, who would likely phone Jack themselves in an effort to force me into joining the handsome stranger for a romantic dinner. I'd definitely have to burn the business card that I kept transferring between different pairs of pants like a lucky charm if I wanted to keep it out of Ms. Cooper's match-making hands.
    "Of course," Jack agreed, changing gears easily as he walked back to my