Read Her Three Entrepreneurs [The Hot Millionaires #8] for Free Online Page B

grandfather than Bay’s company. “I was brought up on this farm. I’m very fond of it and determined that it won’t go under. I discovered just how deeply in debt Gramps was when I came to help out, so I started reinventing the place. I eventually persuaded him we had to change.”
    “Did you grow up here with your parents?”
    “No.” She shook her head. “I’ve never met my father. Not even sure if my mother knew who he was. Seems she was a bit wild back then. She had me here at the farm and kind of forgot to take me along when she took off to carry on where she’d left off. By the time she matured and decided that she wanted me back, I was firmly ensconced here and refused to go with her.”
    “Where is she now?”
    Athena shrugged. “She lives in Portsmouth somewhere. I see her occasionally, and she turns up here even more spasmodically, when she’s between men friends.”
    Bay wondered about the missing mother. “Presumably she’s your grandfather’s heir.”
    “No, actually I am. Gramps fell out with his daughter years ago over her lack of responsibility. She knows not to expect anything from him.”
    Perhaps, but Bay thought she was worth looking at a little more closely. If she was so flighty, perhaps she imagined she could pressure Athena into parting with some of her inheritance when her grandfather passed.
    Athena’s expression was remote as she dwelled upon events she would probably prefer to forget. It couldn’t be a whole lot of fun knowing the woman who’d given her life viewed her as an inconvenience. But she’d gotten over that and dedicated herself to the one person who had truly loved her. Seldom had Bay admired anyone more. She’d given up all aspirations for a career of her own simply because her grandfather needed her. Bay couldn’t imagine inspiring that sort of loyalty in anyone. Her violet eyes glowed in the dimly lit room, and her lips had never seemed more kissable.
    He stood up and cleared the dishes, crashing them together in his haste. It was either that or make a move on her. He wanted her a damned sight more than he’d let on to his buddies, more than he’d wanted any woman in a very long time. But he wasn’t about to take advantage of her vulnerability. The ancient kitchen didn’t sport a dishwasher, so Bay stacked the plates in the sink and poured hot water onto them.
    “Leave that,” she said.
    “Best do it now. It won’t take a moment. Then we’ll sort one of those spare rooms for me. You look exhausted.”
    “Yes,” she said. “I am a bit.” She stood, picked up a cloth, and started to dry the dishes. “Thank you, Bay,” she said, avoiding all eye contact.
    “What for?”
    “For being here. You’re right. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the night alone.”
    Geez, she wasn’t making this easy for him. “No problem,” he said, washing the last of the plates and turning away from her before he gave in to temptation and kissed her senseless. “Let’s get those beds made up, shall we?”

Chapter Six
     
    “It looks like the linen closet survived more or less intact,” Athena remarked, just for something to say.
    “Looks that way,” Bay agreed, taking a pile of sheets and towels from her hand.
    “This is probably the best.” She led him into a large room dominated by a high, old-fashioned bedstead. There was a far-reaching view over the surrounding country. Athena struggled with the warped window and threw it open. “These rooms haven’t been used for years, but at least there was nothing in here for the burglar to trash.”
    She felt tension crackling in the atmosphere as she bustled about with a duster and can of spray polish, filling the air with the fresh smell of lavender. Although large, the room seemed too small for both of them, and they kept bumping into one another. Or rather, she appeared to be getting in his way.
    “Sorry.” She collided with his hip and jumped back as though contact with him had scalded her.
    He chuckled.