Page 27 of The Billionaire's Secret Child

"Explore?" she squeaked.

He resisted a smile. Did she know how absolutely captivating she was?

Just then, an official called for everyone to return to the conference room, just as well since she was much too guarded to share more. Without a word, he took her hand and escorted her back to her seat. Yet as the speeches began, his thoughts were on the final question of their furtive conversation, "You don't think she'll freak when she finds out that…"

What filled in the blank?

Chapter 8

Clasping frigid hands, Laura stayed still as an ice sculpture as Aidan spoke of the collaboration of his corporation and Pine Ridge. What a close call it had been, if that'sallit had been. He might have heard the entire conversation and guessed the ending to that sentence. He might already be making plans to take control.

Don't panic.She forced her mind back to the meeting, its information necessary to complete her article. With his usual passion, Aidan orated wonderfully, this time naming financial figures and specific timetables. Audible gasps and low murmurs greeted the numbers that flashed on the screen. This was no small collaboration as she had first imagined. The figures could mean a lot for a small town like Pine Ridge, but risk ran rampant, financial liability carried almost solely by Bancroft Enterprises. For Aidan, a longtime billionaire, the money would barely dent him.

The businessman’s power encompassed far more than monetary wealth. She had read about it in articles and now seen it firsthand – he was a natural leader and a born predator. Now that he had chosen her as his prey, did she really have a chance? He wouldn’t stop chasing her until he was satisfied he knew the truth. Now, it looked as if her secrets weren’t all he was chasing.

Was she his next quarry?

Suppressing a shiver, she returned to the present, surprised that Candace was now speaking, and Aidan gazing at her with knowing eyes from his perch on the stage. Did he know she’d been thinking about him? A sly smile told her the answer. Her cheeks heated, and she turned away.

Laura tried (mostly unsuccessfully) to focus on the meeting. It ended early, at eleven, since nearly the entire town planned to attend the carnival. As soon as they adjourned the meeting, she raced to Aidan before he was enveloped by well-wishers. “I have to run to my office to submit my story, but I’ll meet you at the carnival.”

“Would you like me to pick you u–?”

“No!”

His eyes narrowed, and she clamped her mouth shut. She didn’t want him anywhere near her home. She took a deep breath, started again. “I mean, no thank you. It’s easier for me to drive myself.”

“It’s astounding, really.”

“What is?”

He leaned in close. Real close. Her body temperature rose at the nearness of his smooth, muscular skin. “You expect me to believe your excuses. Are you sure you’re not ready to get everything in the open? It's going to come out eventually. I promise to make it as painless as possible.”

“I have nothing to hide.”Just my daughter. Who is also your daughter. Have I mentioned I can’t get you out of my mind?

He clearly didn’t believe a word of the misdirection. “Don’t stand me up today. You’ll just make me come after you. You know you’re mine.”

What?

“I mean it's your exclusive job to cover me.”

Cover him?

“At the newspaper.” He sabotaged already shattered senses. She mustn’t let him see how much he – and his words – affected her.

“Of course, I’ll be there to cover… uh, write a story about you,” she retorted stiffly. Dozens of people pressed forward, waiting to talk to Pine Ridge’s newest hero. Thankfully, they had stayed beyond hearing distance during the semi-scandalous conversation, providing a good opportunity to escape. With a quickly muttered farewell, she turned and strode away, slipping out a side door and the overwhelming man’s presence.

In mechanical motions, Laura drove to her office, as Aidan and his “promises” reverberated with every bump. She wrote her story in rapid pace, an article based entirely on business with few personal details. She submitted it to the editor and set off for home.

As soon as she arrived at the apartment, she hurried through preparations, changing into crisp blue jeans and a white button down shirt that tied at the front. She didn’t want to be merely early to the carnival – she wanted to beveryearly. Grasping her curly hair, she pulled the tendrils into a sweeping ponytail, not stopping to fix several wisps of auburn that escaped. She grabbed her purse and raced out the door, on her way in twenty minutes flat.

She arrived at the carnival a full half hour before the festivities were due to start, as the volunteers were placing the final touches on the whimsical surroundings. Rainbow-colored tents dotted the emerald green landscape, billowing booths featuring everything from fine paintings to face painting to finger painting. Rides promised exciting thrills, from merry-go-rounds to jewel-colored spinning swings, crowned by a roller coaster five stories tall. Chance games and stuffed animals ranging in size from a mouse to a small elephant made up a corner of the fairgrounds, while stages of all shapes and sizes took up another, ready to welcome a variety of singers, dancers, clowns and more. The scent of cotton candy and crispy funnel cakes drifted through the fragrant air.

She was so deeply entrenched in her own world, it seemed like only a moment had passed when a voice startled her from behind, “Is this the Pine Ridge welcoming committee?”

Hampering down a healthy serving of awareness with a side of desire, Laura turned to face the man who was upending her senses and her life. Aidan wore dark black jeans and a royal blue button down shirt rolled up at the sleeves, revealing powerful biceps. Once again, an involuntary shiver seized her. Would she ever get accustomed to the powerful billionaire who fathered her child?

She would show none of her discomfort. “Absolutely,” she replied smoothly. “Ready?”

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