Renegade Millionaire by Kristi Gold Page A

residence.
    She’d heard about the King William district, but nothing could compare to witnessing its splendor. The well-kept house resembled an English manor, beautiful and bigger than any home Joanna had lived in during her thirty-four years. Unlike her neighborhood, the area was absent of noisy cars and deafening music. No threatening characters and criminal activity, at least on the surface.
    â€œThere’s something I forgot to tell you.”
    The declaration drew Joanna’s attention to Rio, his hand on the brass knob, a box tucked underneath his arm. Nothing in his expression gave any indication of what that “something” was.
    She backed away from the porch and studied the facade all the way up to the third-story dormers. “Let me guess. You have a commune living here.”
    â€œNo, but I do have a roommate.”
    Before Joanna had the chance to unpack, the secrets had already begun. Now she would have to explain to her mother that she was not living with only one man, but two. “You should have told me before I agreed to come here.”
    â€œI didn’t want to give you any reason to change your mind. Besides, I think you’ll like her.”
    Her? He had a woman living with him? A lover? That shouldn’t matter one way or the other to Joanna, but for some reason it did. “Your roommate’s female?”
    â€œYeah, Gabby. She’s great.” His tone was full of pride and affection.
    Joanna tried to mask her shock, hide her frustration with an even tone. “What does she think about me moving in?”
    He grinned, his white teeth set off against his warm brown skin. “I haven’t told her yet.”
    That set Joanna’s teeth on edge. “You didn’t tell her?”
    â€œShe wouldn’t understand.”
    Oh, marvelous. What had Joanna gotten herself into? What if this woman refused to let her live here, forcing Joanna to reside in her own car or a seedy motel? “Well then, maybe I should wait out here until you make sure it’s okay.”
    â€œShe won’t mind. She’s pretty friendly.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want to talk to her first?”
    â€œNope. Just be prepared for the welcome.” Rio pushed open the door and waited for Joanna to move past him.
    The roommate was all but forgotten when Joanna stepped inside the circular foyer. The floor’s majestic white marble tile glistened like the surface of a frozen pond. A chandelier hanging from the two-story ceiling dripped diamond-like crystals. Straight ahead, a staircase with a black iron banister climbed upward until it took a turn to the left at a large landing. Above that landing, a window set with stained glass shot laser beams of light over the walls and white-carpeted stairs. The panesshaped a black cat with exotic gold eyes. Breathtaking, but almost out of place among the traditional elegance. Joanna continued to stare as if cemented in place by the animal’s metallic gaze.
    â€œThat’s a beautiful window,” she said.
    â€œThanks. I designed it.”
    She studied Rio Madrid, now facing her at the bottom of the stairs, amazed at how much he resembled the animal, how he possessed the ability to hold her captive with his topaz eyes. Maybe this was Rio Madrid’s idea of a self-portrait, because in Joanna’s opinion, he, too, contrasted with the environment. Rugged appeal surrounded by refinement.
    Danger in the midst of majesty.
    Click-clack noises that sounded like hooves drew Joanna’s attention to the hallway flowing into the vestibule from her right. Before Joanna could brace herself, a huge black and gray mottled thing came bounding into the foyer, streaking past her to Rio.
    â€œSome watchdog you are.” The beast rose on hind legs, massive front paws propped on Rio’s chest. “Get down, Gabby.”
    This was Gabby, the mysterious roommate?
    Rio slid the box and dog to the floor then shucked off