Purchased By The Billionaire. HELEN BIANCHIN

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СКАЧАТЬ more noticeable than they had been last night. How many more were there, marring his young body?

      His leg…his shattered knee. It sickened her to think of the surgery he had to undergo, and she worried if it would be totally successful. If he’d be left with a limp…not be able to run or play sport.

      His welfare brought vividly to mind just what Duardo’s proposition meant in real terms. And why she’d accepted it.

      ‘How are you feeling?’

      A faint smile parted his lips. ‘Almost out of it.’

      ‘You’re going to be fine.’ Words, sincerely meant in reassurance.

      He squeezed her hand. ‘Thanks.’

      Tears momentarily blurred her vision, and she blinked rapidly to dispel them.

      Within minutes a nurse appeared, took his vital signs, then signalled for an Orderly to take the patient to Theatre.

      ‘There’s a visitors’ lounge at the end of the corridor where you can wait. A cafeteria on the next level.’ She checked her watch. ‘Given surgery, recovery, he won’t be back in his room much under five hours.’

      Jacob managed a slow smile as the Orderly trundled the bed from the suite, and Kayla walked at his side until they reached the lift.

      She left her cellphone number with the sister-in-charge, together with a request to call should Jacob recover from the anaesthetic sooner than anticipated.

      Spence was waiting when she emerged from the main entrance, and his choice of venues soon became apparent when he entered Double Bay.

      Exclusive expensive boutiques, and once, in another life, her preferred shopping mecca. An area where serious money could be spent on designer originals…apparel, shoes, bags, jewellery.

      ‘Wedding attire is a priority,’ Spence informed as they hit the pavement.

      Was she supposed to display joyous anticipation? Enthusiasm? Just how much did Spence know of her connection with his boss?

      Enough. It couldn’t be any other way.

      ‘You’ll need to enlighten me.’

      He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. ‘A small, intimate ceremony, with myself and Duardo’s lawyer as witnesses.’

      No guests. Well, that narrowed it down. ‘Classy, but not over-the-top.’ And not bridal. She could do that.

      Elegant boho-chic, white or cream, stilettos, a single, long-stemmed red rose held in one hand? Too fashionable-of-the-moment?

      Maybe she should go for formal black, or deep scarlet. Although she doubted Duardo would appreciate or approve of the irony.

      She found the perfect outfit in the first boutique she entered. In pale cream, it was a nineteen-twenties-style dress with a delicate crystal-beaded skirt overlay reaching just below her knees, and a sleeveless beaded top. It was elegant, outlined her slender curves, and felt right.

      Different, so very different from the long white fitted gown she’d packed to take to Hawaii for her first wedding.

      Then she’d married for love, and had melted into Duardo’s bed with willing fervour.

      Now…now it seemed as if a hundred butterflies had taken up residence in her stomach at the mere thought.

      Could she slip easily into intimacy? Close her eyes and pretend? Enjoy what they’d once shared together?

      The vivid memory of how it had been heated her blood and caused sensation to pool deep inside.

      Don’t think, a silent voice bade. Just…deal with it.

      Kayla took a deep breath and spared her mirrored image another critical look. Yes. The dress more than met the required criteria for a quiet civil ceremony.

      The price tag sent her into a momentary state of shock. So, too, did the matching stilettos.

      How times had changed. Five years ago she wouldn’t have given the cost a second thought. Now she stood to one side while Spence presented Duardo’s credit card and the boutique vendeuse packaged the purchases.

      She spared the lingerie boutique a quick glance and walked on by…only to pause when Spence redirected her inside.

      It was akin to being shown Aladdin’s cave. Exquisite silk and lace in abundance. She could have had a field-day. Instead she selected a matching bra and brief set, and ignored Spence’s encouragement to add more to a steadily growing collection of glossy carrier-bags.

      There was time for a restorative coffee before dealing with the bank, the lawyer to sign the pre-nuptial agreement…whereupon she was handed a manila envelope.

      ‘Duardo instructed me to give you these copies.’

      For a moment she looked startled, then realisation hit. Documented proof of Duardo’s takeover bid of Benjamin’s company.

      It was after two when Spence drew the four-wheel-drive to a halt outside the hospital entrance.

      ‘I’ll take the shopping home and have Maria put it in your room.’

      ‘Thanks.’ Kayla reached for the door clasp. ‘And thanks for today. I appreciated your help.’

      His smile held genuine warmth. ‘You’re welcome.’

      Jacob’s suite was empty when she reached it, and she sought out the sister-in-charge, who, on enquiry, relayed the reconstructive surgery had taken longer than anticipated and it could be another hour before Jacob was returned to the ward.

      The cafeteria seemed a good choice, and she filled in time with a cool drink whilst leafing through a few complimentary magazines.

      Although her mind kept wandering as she reflected on the day…and wondered what the night would bring.

      Get a grip. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been to bed with him before. Dammit, she’d lain at his side through last night…and woken with the knowledge he only had to make the slightest move for her to go into meltdown.

      It didn’t make sense. The mind and body should be in sync…yet hers seemed to be two separate entities with different agendas.

      Speaking of which, there was one glaring error in her purchases, and she went in search of the medical centre, secured a prescription for the contraceptive pill then sought out the pharmacy dispensary.

      Jacob had just been trundled into his suite when she entered it, and she stood to one side as the Orderly and nurse tended to routine.

      ‘Your brother is heavily sedated and on pain relief,’ the nurse informed. ‘He’ll be very drowsy for some time.’

      An understatement, for over the next few hours he stirred momentarily, acknowledged where he was, smiled at her then he lapsed back to sleep.

      A nurse checked him on the hour. ‘I think it would be wise for you to go home and visit СКАЧАТЬ