The Reluctant Heir Read Online Free Page B

last minute pat before she headed towards the door.
    She found Landen in the living room, working on one of his laptops again.
    He’d changed into a white Hawaiian shirt and dark shorts and she couldn't help but notice how good he looked.
    She groaned inwardly.
    After today, she’d found herself falling for him all over again. Except this time, it was worse.
    Now, she was falling for the real man, not the romanticized version she had made up in her head, and somehow reality had surpassed her own imagination.
    “I know you’re just standing there,” he said suddenly as he stopped typing and looked at her with a knowing look.
    She raised her eyebrows. “Then why are you still sitting there?”
    A smile tugged at his lips. “Playing hard to get?”
    “Ha ha.”
    With his looks, he was probably used to women fawning all over him. Remembering all the women she had seen in the clippings, she doubted that she even had a chance with him. And besides, she didn’t want to be one of them.
    When she fell in love, she wanted it to be real and forever. Not something that only lasted a month and then ended when he tired of her and sadly, Landen was just that kind of a man.
    “Remind me why we’re going to a luau again?” he asked as he joined her by the door.
    “Because it’s mandatory for all hotel guests. Even penthouse ones.” She smiled. “We could still do something you want after the luau.”
    His eyes ran lazily over her, sparking every cell in her body.
    This time, there was no hint of laughter in his eyes when he looked back at her. “Ask me again and I’ll definitely take you up on the offer.”
    Heat flooded her cheeks as she looked away. He was just flirting. Flirting came natural to men like him and she shouldn’t make it more than it was.
    Treading back into safer waters, she asked, “So, how’s the acquisition going?”
    “Good, we’re putting an offer in tomorrow.”
    She smiled as they stepped into the elevator. “And no hint of who you’re going to make an offer to?”
    “I think it’s safe to say you already know.”
    An instinctive thrill shot through her. She’d been right! “Too bad I’m on holiday. I could’ve bought a few shares.”
    He threw her a funny look. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re the kind of person that would fit in jail.”
    “True,” she admitted, sighing. “I’ve spent too much time in school to risk it all.”
    His eyebrows rose. “Even if it would triple your money?”
    She laughed. “It's not worth it. I’m doing okay now and am living comfortably.” She shrugged. “Why risk it all for a little more?”
    Excitement coursed through her when she heard the drumbeats below. They became louder as they neared the lobby. By the time they exited the elevator, her heart was pounding with the loudness.
    Hot air brushed against her skin when they stepped outside the hotel. It was as if a flame was right beside her face, warming her.
    Excitedly, she took in the whole area. They’d transformed the beach into a small arena. There were posts with fires that more than heated the cold evening air, a stage at the far right, and a forest of trees behind it all.
    Before they could move any further, a beautiful woman in a coconut bikini and a green grass skirt approached them with an arm full of those colorful flower necklaces.
    “Aloha,” she said as she opened her arms. “Welcome to our luau.” Bending slightly, she put a necklace around her neck and then Landen's.
    “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. There’re drinks and refreshments at the bar,” she added pointing to the left with her two hands. “We will begin the show momentarily.”
    “Aloha.” The woman’s attention shifted to a family that came in behind them. “Welcome to our luau.”
    Rebecca looked at Landen and bit back a smile at the colorful necklace of flowers around his neck. Before she could comment, Landen took her by the arm and tugged her towards to the bar. “You owe me for