The Millionaire's Forever Read Online Free Page A

to like what Beth was about to say.
    “You should just take your chances and publicly come clean about the boyfriend lie. I’m afraid that if you don’t, you’ll get caught up in Mason’s world and you’ll end up getting burned.”
    “If I announce that I lied, I risk the business, and that’s not an option. The cost of Dad’s rehabilitation recovery after his stroke is astronomical. If I lose my livelihood, I can’t afford to pay for the care he still needs.” Her heart ached, remembering seeing her father struggle physically. He’d gone from being the strong, powerful man she knew from childhood to being a thin, helpless shadow of who he used to be. The memory of finding him unconscious and crumpled would forever haunt her.
    She’d hated the despondency she’d seen in his eyes when the aides had to feed and dress him. Whatever it cost, she would pay it in an attempt to give her father back at least some of his independence.
    “What’s in this for Mason?” Beth asked, interrupting Olivia’s thoughts.
    Olivia exhaled. “He thinks it will give him time to convince me to sell him the land the correctional facility is on.”
    Beth looked worried. “Maybe he’s counting on you falling for him or something like that. How long is the relationship supposed to last?”
    “Falling for Mason? I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.” Olivia thought for a second. “He mentioned something about being together for six weeks. I suppose we’ll iron out the rest of the details when we meet tomorrow morning.”
    “Then you’re going to agree to what he wants?”
    “I’m still hoping a way out will come to me between now and tomorrow morning so I won’t have to, but if not, then yes.”
    “Liv, you’ve got such a sweet heart and I know that you’ve given so much to help others. I wish there was something I could do. If I had a way to help you out of this situation, I would.”
    Olivia gave her friend’s hand a squeeze. “I know. But I got myself into this mess and I’ll get myself out of it.”
    “You know, it is okay to lean on others for help.”
    “I’ve had to be strong for so long, I think I’ve forgotten how to not handle everything on my own.”
    “Do you think that you can handle Mason? I can’t believe he’d blackmail you like this,” Beth said.
    Olivia could believe it. She thought about the scars on Mason’s back and the tattoo she’d seen across them and a shiver went through her. She sensed he wasn’t a man who worried whether or not he was pushing others to get what he wanted. “I think I can handle him. What I’m fighting for is something that I believe in. Something that makes a difference in the lives of others. Just like Mom did.”
    She squared her shoulders, mentally stiffening her resolve. Mason might be the one calling the shots, but if he thought she was a woman who would meekly go along with his every demand, he was in for a big shock.
    …
    A quarter to eight the next morning, Mason wasn’t surprised to open the door to his hotel room and find Olivia on the other side. She had her hair down and wore a minimal amount of makeup, yet she was stunning. He stepped to one side and she breezed past him, stopping when she saw the food-laden service cart. She swung around to look at him and when she did, he caught a faint whiff of perfume.
    “I took the liberty of ordering breakfast,” he said, motioning toward the spread of meats, eggs and strawberry-covered waffles.
    Olivia dropped her purse into one of the chairs and pinned him with a hard look. “You had no doubt I would show up? You think I’m that predictable?”
    Mason could feel the waves of dislike wafting from her. “I don’t know that much about you. Only what I’ve read. But I know me.” He slouched with his hands in his pockets, enjoying watching the play of emotion across her face.
    “Is that your way of saying what Mason wants, Mason gets?”
    He studied her, taking in the tantalizing way her