Read The Tycoon's Reluctant Bride for Free Online

suddenly imploded.
    “ Laura?” He tilted her chin up to meet his gaze.
    “ Yes?” She knew she sounded flustered, but the whole situation was surreal. What have you gotten yourself into?
    “ Any questions?”
    She fleetingly thought he sounded a little unsure of himself and instantly dismissed the thought. Alex Trask couldn’t possibly be unsure of anything in his life . She was the one who kept questioning the wisdom of this … this marriage.
    It was no use - she had to say something. "I don't understand why you want to marry me. Couldn't ... couldn't you--"
    "As I said before," he interrupted, "your clients are far more likely to pay what they owe once they know you're my wife. Besides, I have my own reasons for doing things this way."
    She bit her lip. By the forbidding frown on his face, the subject was now closed.
    His eyes zeroed in on the small movement of her teeth attacking her plump bottom lip. “Once we get back from the ranch, I’ll get to the bottom of your company’s problems,” he promised, guiding her back to the elevator.
    She nodded, watching his strong, tanned finger press the button for the ground floor. Discreetly looking at him as they descended, Laura wondered if he would kiss her before the wedding ceremony tomorrow. It would be nice to be kissed, she mused, wondering just how long it had been. Her last disastrous date five months ago had certainly not ended in a goodnight embrace. In fact, she’d toyed with the idea of ducking to the ladies’ room and leaving the restaurant by the back way, but didn’t quite have the nerve.
    “ Where would you like to be dropped off?” Alex inquired once he helped her into the town car. He reached for her hand again, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do . She couldn’t deny the thrill that ran through her when he touched her.
    Back to King Royale? She was glad for once they didn’t have any events booked, but doing the accounts was never ending, even with the downturn in business. With a jolt, she realized she had to buy a dress for tomorrow. Her wedding gown.
    She named the part of the city that several posh boutiques clustered together. Perhaps she would find something that would flatter her curves as well as be suitable for a hasty marriage.
    Alex nodded and imparted the instructions to the driver, before the privacy panel slid into place.
    Once again, they didn’t speak during the short journey. Laura wondered if this was what her married life would be like. Long silences and short conversations with the most attractive man she’d ever met.
    She looked down at their entwined hands. Alex’s thumb stroked hers, but when she turned to look at him, he was staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought. Her pulse quickened, but she couldn’t help thinking, did he even know he was touching her like that?
    They pulled up outside a ritzy enclave of shops. Alex turned to her. “Don’t forget I’m picking you up at ten tomorrow.”
    “I won’t.” She cataloged his features - his dark brown eyes that looked almost jet-black, his straight nose, and firm lips. No five o’clock shadow yet. How on earth could he think she would forget she was getting married tomorrow? To him?
    “ Good. Call my office when you’re finished shopping and Tony will pick you up and take you home.”
    “ There’s no need--”
    He leaned closer towards her, until only an inch of space separated them. “There’s every need, Laura.” His lips almost touched hers when he spoke. “You’re my fiancé.”
    She held her breath, wondering if his lips would descend a few infinitesimal degrees closer. Would his kiss be--?
    His lips brushed against hers, then again. Alex deepened the kiss until Laura realized she’d have to curl her arms around his neck or else she’d dissolve in a puddle of jelly. Her fingers trembled against his nape, her eyes closed tight as excitement quivered through her. When he finally released her lips, Laura tried to control