Mom for the CEO's Daughter Read Online Free

on the counter. “You already know the basics. My mum raised me by herself.”
    He folded his arms on his chest and sat back. She’d had his full attention in the past. But usually it was when she was was giving him a report on something she’d investigated for him. Today he wanted to know about her, and the syrupy warmth that rode her veins wasn’t from excitement at sharing her story. It was fear. Hot, slithery fear.
    When she told people about her past, it changed how they perceived her. No one saw the bright, ambitious woman who’d worked her way up from nothing. They saw the little girl who’d begged for food. And they pitied her. Frequently, she got perks she didn’t deserve, but no promotions. No one could ever get beyond her past enough to recognize her value.
    If she told Gabe, she risked he would never again see her as the woman he’d kissed the night before. He’d only see her past. And he’d pity her.
    But if she didn’t tell him, he’d believe he was right.
    She had to take that risk.
    â€œWhat you don’t know is that my mum was a drug addict. I had to beg for money from strangers to eat. I got most of my clothes from dumpsters.” She toyed with the handle of her mug so she wouldn’t have to look at him. “And you’re right. I didn’t really want you to know that.”
    When she finally glanced up at him, his eyes were squeezed shut. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œDon’t feel sorry for me.” She rose from her stool and walked to the counter to warm her coffee, putting distance between them.
    â€œI don’t.” His soft, patient voice rattled through her. “I’m sorry I made you explain that.”
    â€œNow that it’s out, I’m glad I told you.” She wasn’t. Not even a little bit. She could already sense the change in him, hear the sympathy in his voice, recognize the sadness in his eyes.
    She shouldn’t have taken the risk. But had there been a choice? She knew him; if she’d been anything less than honest, his reaction would have been worse.
    So now he pitied her. And he’d be stalled there. He’d never see her as anything but that hungry little girl. He’d never touch her again, never kiss her. Forget loving her.
    With a heavy heart, she headed for the kitchen door. “I’m going to shower and get dressed.”
    ***
    Kara left the room and Gabe slumped to the counter. He’d expected her to tell him that she’d done without some luxuries. Then he’d intended to slam her with his ex-wife’s similar past to show her he had a reason to protect himself.
    Now he just felt like hell.
    By the time she returned to the kitchen, dressed in one of her ugly suits, wearing her bun and black-frame glasses, Stacy was awake and begging for pancakes.
    â€œGood morning,” Kara said to Stacy.
    His daughter smiled broadly as Kara entered, and his heart stuttered. He couldn’t imagine his sweet little blue-eyed blonde begging for food, yet Kara had. She’d had no choice. He pictured her at six or seven, her long red hair whipped around by a biting Rhode Island winter wind. Her fingers numb with cold. Her stomach empty. And his heart shattered.
    Still, he smiled when he faced her. “I’m making pancakes.”
    She turned away. “That’s okay. I’m not hungry.”
    He froze. Had he battered her pride so much that now she couldn’t accept anything from him?
    What had he done?

Chapter Five
    Kara was in the den when the McKenzies arrived. Excited to see the triplets, she bounced from her seat and raced up the hall, but she stopped. She was Gabe’s assistant, here at his beach house to work. She wasn’t a friend. Though she’d love to see those triplets again, it wasn’t her place to run into the kitchen and greet them.
    She heard Wyatt telling Stacy it was time to play and Stacy’s jubilant squeal. She also heard