Reluctant Romance Read Online Free Page A

across the table at the two older men. When their families were young, they had lived in the same neighborhood and had been friends. The Dunns had moved two hours away once Dunn International started to grow, but Tristan and Dan had remained friendly. The death of their wives had brought them even closer together these past two years, causing the men to form a strong bond.
    Dan brightened. “The neighborhood is still great, though. And so convenient   to everything.”
    “It is a great location,” said Tristan. “Good-sized lots, close to shopping, the highway and the airport. I bet it looks even nicer now with mature landscaping.”
    Dan nodded. “Hey, I thought I saw your old house was up for sale.”
    “Oh, really?" Tristan chuckled. “That was a great house. I bet they’re asking a lot more than what I sold it for twenty years ago.”
    Connor thought back to his boyhood home. It was a great house. A center chimney cape with a big yard. Just what he was looking for now. Maybe he would take a ride by while he was in town. Just for a look.
    The waiter appeared peddling dessert and coffee. All four passed on dessert but took him up on the coffee.  
      “So, how long do you think the evaluation will take, Connor?" Tristan asked.
    “The usual time as any acquisition. About a week. Barring any unforeseen circumstances.” He shot a sideways look at Risa. “Hopefully everything will be ready for us and easy to access. That will make things go faster.”
    Risa nodded.
    “Great, I’d like to get this wrapped up as soon as possible.” Tristan rubbed his hands together.
    Connor focused on his coffee, adding cream from a miniature pitcher and stirring. Beside him, Risa blotted her lips with a napkin.
    “Excuse me,” she said. Pushing back from the table, she stood, grabbed her purse, and walked toward the bathroom.
    Connor couldn’t help but notice her dress clung to her in all the right places accentuating her slim waist and generous breasts. As she walked away, he noticed she wobbled a little. Probably unsteady on those high heels, he thought. Like she wasn’t used to them, which he found very appealing in contrast to the high-society girls and models who were usually thrust upon him by well-meaning friends and business associates.
    Connor turned back to his coffee with a sigh. Risa Kennedy was attractive. And smart too. But smart could be dangerous. He had a funny feeling she was up to something. He could think of only one reason why she would be fishing to find out exactly what the evaluation would entail - the company had things to hide and she needed to know just which ones to cover up.
    Connor didn’t know what she was trying to hide, but he did know one thing for sure. He’d better keep a close eye on the beautiful and dangerous Risa Kennedy if he knew what was good for him and his father’s company.  

Chapter Four

    A trail of crumbs fell from Risa’s pumpernickel bagel onto the floor under her chair. She didn’t have to worry about cleaning them up. Bailey was on it in a second, inhaling every crumb. After she was done, she fixed her soft brown eyes on Risa’s bagel in case there was a repeat performance.  
    Risa’s stomach flip-flopped, tossing the bagel around uncomfortably. She had gotten in early to meet with Caitlyn before Connor and his accounting expert arrived. It was almost time.
    She shoved the rest of the bagel into the bag, ignoring the look of disappointment on Bailey’s face. Pushing the chair away from her desk, she stood, brushed the crumbs from her slacks, and made her way to the door.
    Risa looked back at Bailey, still under the desk searching for crumbs. “Stay." Bailey hardly gave her a glance.  
    Risa’s shoulders sagged as she walked down the hall to the accounting section. She wasn’t proud of what they were going to do.  
    Reaching Caitlyn’s office, she could see the petite blonde engrossed in papers spread out on her desk. Risa tapped softly on the side of the