Unbreak My Heart (Childhood Sweethearts Reunited) Read Online Free

through her. She knew he'd been cooking something up while he examined her sketch book, something more involved than simply asking her to use her creative talents for the hotel. "What are you suggesting?"
    He held her hand loosely, stroking his thumb across her wrist, a casual touch but it muddled her thoughts. "We'll discuss it later. Once you're settled in."

Chapter Two

    The sound of raised voices outside the window drew Kate's attention. She and Andre both moved across the room to take a look and saw the three photographers who had followed her arguing with one of Andre's staff.
    "Damn. I'll have to go down," Andre said. "Looks as though my security guard is having trouble. When I come back, we'll get you settled. Won't be long."
    Kate sat on the windowsill with Keiko cradled in her arms, grateful for time alone to gather her scattered wits. Ever since she gave birth, she'd felt extra sensitive, her feelings close to the surface. Being with Andre brought back so many memories, so many emotions she had tried to forget.
    After a few minutes of arguing, Andre persuaded the photographers to leave. He slipped his hands in his pants pockets and rested a foot on the base of the fountain as he watched their rental car drive away. When the vehicle disappeared around a bend in the road, Kate released a heartfelt sigh of relief. Peace at last.
    She closed her eyes and concentrated on the precious little bundle in her arms. Her plan to spend the first weeks of her baby's life at her mother's cottage, quietly getting to know her child, had been destroyed by the relentless pursuit of a few selfish men. When she asked them to leave her alone, they laughed. All they cared about was the money they'd earn from the pictures. She'd been flushed out of her safe haven like a hunted animal.
    The breeze freshened, clinking together the beads in her hair. Andre turned to come inside and glanced up at her. The wind lifted the flaps of his jacket, slapped them around his lean hips. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Until she was fourteen, he'd meant everything to her. Being with Andre had defined her life. But he was no longer that boy. He was a man with an innate authority, an authority that made her feel safe and vulnerable at the same time. He would protect her from the paparazzi, but who would protect her from him?
    The hum of a vehicle on the drive made Andre pause and turn. Kate followed his gaze as the car came to a halt in the unloading area. Her heart tripped in panic as the reporter Jerry Markham got out. He'd interviewed Dan and tried to corner her a number of times. He had a reputation for dishing the dirt. She must warn Andre. Holding Keiko securely, she ran out of the office and down the stairs, ignoring the inquisitive looks she received.
    The hotel's double entrance doors stood open. Shielding her eyes against the falling sun, she arrived in time to see Andre shake Jerry Markham's hand. Andre relaxed against the car, and Jerry smiled. They knew each other? Instinctively, Kate stepped back into the shadow of the doorway and returned to the safety of Andre's office. She watched from the window with growing unease as they laughed and joked together.
    They talked for twenty-five minutes. After some mutual backslapping, Jerry climbed in his car and drove off. Kate changed Keiko's diaper, wondering how Andre knew slimy Jerry. A short while later, the office door opened quietly, and Andre leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. He grimaced at the dirty diaper and the heap of discarded baby wipes, which were slowly dissolving the wax finish on the oak floorboards. She snatched them up and efficiently put them in a diaper sac. Tying off the top, she looked up at him. "You took a long time."
    "Did I?" He glanced at his watch. "That was Jerry Markham. I haven't seen him for years. His father owned the pub in the village near my boarding school." He slipped his hands in the pockets of his slacks and wandered closer as she packed Keiko's