Seduced by the Billionaire

by Alyssa J. Montgomery

  ‘Oh. Well we all like to make the people we love happy,’ Sarah said a little awkwardly.

  Katie’s frown deepened. ‘Yeah, but I think Mum was a little extreme. You know, I was never allowed to leave my toys out to play with the next day—even if I was in the middle of a game—because Mum said everything had to be tidy when Dad got home from work. I didn’t really believe he’d care because he always told me toys were for playing with, not for hiding in a box or a cupboard. I think Mum worried more about tidiness than Dad. She always told me he’d given up a lot for us and that what she most wanted in the world was to make him happy.’

  Sarah had to look away quickly because tears stung her eyes.

  Poor Mandy. It wasn’t fair that her life had been cut short and in such a needless, tragic way.

  ‘I still try to do my best to make him happy,’ Katie confessed.

  Sarah’s heart ached.

  Nick’s wife had obviously loved him, but it sounded as though she’d passed her anxiety on to Katie.

  Sarah stopped walking and touched Katie’s arm. Unable to hold back she said gently, ‘Sweetheart, you don’t have to try to make your dad happy. He loves you and is so proud of you. All you have to do is be yourself to make him happy.’ There was more she wanted to say even though it probably wasn’t her place. ‘We all need to consider those we love but don’t make your every action one that aims to please him or anyone else for that matter. Be yourself.’

  Katie nearly knocked Sarah over as she launched herself to wrap her arms around her and give her a huge hug. ‘I reckon Dad’s happier today than I’ve ever seen him.’

  ‘He makes me happy too. Just remember, though, that we’ve only started dating.’ Sarah stroked Katie’s hair as they stood in their embrace. ‘Usually when couples start going out everything is new and exciting. Over time, as they get to know each other better, sometimes there are differences they become aware of. Sometimes they start to disagree a lot or they realise that they don’t like each other quite as much as they first thought.’

  ‘I know that. I’m not a kid anymore.’ For a moment Sarah thought Katie had taken offence but then the youngster admitted, ‘I want Dad to get married again and, even though I know it’ll never happen, I wish I could have some brothers and sisters.’

  That piece of information rocked Sarah back on her heels. ‘He doesn’t want any more children?’

  Katie pulled away from Sarah, ending their hug. ‘I heard Aunty Jocelyn and my grandma talking. They said he’d been lost for years, had struggled to raise me and they didn’t think he’d have any more children.’

  ‘Your aunt and grandma might be wrong. He might remarry and have a family.’

  ‘I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want any more children.’

  An unseen foot kicked Sarah right in the gut.

  She and Nick had only just become lovers and were open to a future together, but if marriage and children weren’t on Nick’s agenda, what sort of future was he envisaging?

  ‘Can we keep walking now?’ Katie asked. ‘I’m getting kind of hot.’

  ‘Of course.’

  Whatever it was Katie chatted on about the few remaining minutes it took them to reach the resort hotel, Sarah couldn’t have said.

  All had been so rosy this morning. A special bubble of happiness had surrounded Sarah and Nick as they’d joined everyone for breakfast. Without making an official announcement that they were now a couple, it’d been obvious to everyone in the way Nick had treated her and the way she’d responded to him in turn.

  Katie had been told, of course, and Sarah had contacted Ryan with the wonderful news. Everyone had been thrilled they were together and the genuine joy surrounding them had made the bubble float higher.

  Now, with a few short sentences from Katie, it burst. Uncertainty cast a long shadow over Sarah.

  Logic told her she should go with the flow and enjoy every day as it came. But at some point, Sarah knew she was going to have to sit down and work out exactly what it was she wanted from this relationship because she wasn’t going to be another Mandy. She wasn’t about to fall into the trap of subjugating her own needs to try to keep Nick happy.

  And, the voice of reason told her, he wouldn’t want you to. That was exactly what he found difficult to deal with in his relationship with Mandy.

  Sarah had a lot of thinking to do. History wasn’t going to repeat itself here.

  ‘Hey, Sarah, can I ask you to talk to Dad about something for me, please?’

  Katie’s request jolted Sarah back to the present. ‘Uh-oh. This can’t be good if you’re getting me to intercede on your behalf.’

  ‘Well … It’s not bad. It’s just kind of awkward.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘We used to live at this big country estate when Mum was alive.’

  ‘Hertherington.’

  ‘That’s right.’ Katie sounded surprised Sarah knew about it. ‘Well, Dad takes me there every year on Mum’s birthday and on Mother’s Day. I think he kind of thinks being back there will make me feel closer to Mum but I actually hate being there.’ A shudder racked through her frame. ‘The place is so big and empty, it spooks me out.’

  ‘Ah.’ Oh dear. If Sarah told Nick that, he might think she was trying to get him to sell the estate. ‘Katie, your dad adores you and maybe he’s hanging on to your old home because that’s where you lived with your mum. But, if you don’t like visiting there, I think you should be the one to tell him. He’s a good listener. He’ll understand.’

  ‘You don’t think he’ll be upset with me?’

  Sarah shook her head. ‘I don’t. I think he’ll appreciate your honesty.’

  ‘Okay. I will. Thanks, Sarah.’

  Gosh, if only all the problems in the world were so easily solved.

  Chapter 17

  ‘Here in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the local fishermen return their hauls to Kivuknoi fish market. The hauls are smaller and the men say they’re unable to compete with the illegal fishing trade where dynamite is used to blast the fish. As we saw in the Philippines, this dynamite blasting kills the coral and the entire eco-system is put at risk. Overfishing is also threatening the survival of species with smaller fish being caught and not having a chance to grow older and reproduce.’

  ‘Cut! That’s a wrap!’ the director yelled.

  The film crew clapped.

  ‘Well done, Sarah!’ the producer called.

  Despite her smile, Sarah felt close to tears. ‘Thank you all so much for your help and your guidance.’

  It’d been a wonderful, rewarding experience to have been able to work on a project she was so passionate about. It was satisfying that she might actually be making a difference in highlighting the plight of the oceans. Her parents would’ve been proud of her too, but the best thing was that the NOCO project had brought Nick into her life.

  She glanced over to where Nick stood watching and sent him a wave.

  These weeks together had brought them so close and Sarah knew without any doubt that their compatibility was way more than sexual. Nick was the man she wanted to marry.

  There was only one thing she’d kept from him.

  Yes, there’d been times when she could’ve told him what had happened with Eduardo but the timing had never felt right. Besides, in between her filming and fashion shoots and Nick’s meetings, she’d also been sick in the Philippines and had been exhausted ever since.

  Now that filming was over and before they flew back to London, Sarah had to sit Nick down and have that talk. It was only a matter of time before the world knew she was no longer the face of the House of Eduardo and it was only right that he knew first—and that she was the one who told him. The last thing she wanted was for him to find out from someone else and think that she hadn’t planned to confide in him.

  She walked to her chair and started packing her water bottle and sunscreen into her bag as quickly as possible, anxious to join her lover who was now speaking with the director.

&n
bsp; * * *

  Although Nick hadn’t seen much of the footage that’d been shot, he knew the director and producers were extremely satisfied. They’d had to re-film this one short segment because the lighting hadn’t been quite right the first time they’d filmed it a few days ago.

  Aside from that, the only glitch in the project had been that filming had fallen behind schedule. Sarah had suffered from food poisoning after their first meal in the Philippines and had been completely wiped out for a couple of days. They’d ended up arriving three days later than scheduled in Tanzania.

  Luca and Max had finished their meetings in the Philippines, met their scheduled meeting obligations with government officials in Tanzania and flown home as planned. Nick had, of course, stayed behind with Sarah and rescheduled his own commitments.

  ‘You chose well,’ the director told Nick, now. ‘I have to admit, I had my doubts about Sarah’s lack of television experience before I met her, but she’s been brilliant. She’s so sincere about ocean conservation, it really translates. She might want to consider a career change. I hope she’ll do more work for NOCO. Her conviction—her absolute passion—is amazing.’

  Hell yeah. The director didn’t know how right he was. Sarah’s passion was mind-blowing both in bed and out of it.

  ‘Thanks for coming!’ Sarah walked over to greet Nick and he took her in his arms immediately and kissed her.

  The director took his leave. ‘I’ll see you both on the flight tomorrow.’

  Everyone knew Nick and Sarah were an item and Nick couldn’t be happier about it. Away from the UK it hadn’t been much of an issue. The real test would be when they flew back to London tomorrow. Hopefully they could fly in under the radar and the press would be none the wiser for at least a while to come. Eventually, however, people were bound to talk and it wasn’t as if they’d asked any of the film crew not to talk about their relationship.

  ‘Our last afternoon here. Do you want to play tourist?’ he asked.

  ‘Absolutely. What did you have in mind?’

  ‘A short trip to a Swahili village, some snorkelling at The Blue Lagoon, sunset at Nakupenda Beach and then off to The Rock restaurant for dinner.’

  ‘Oh yes! I’d love to do all those things!’

  ‘Good, because I’ve already packed a bag with all you’ll need and our guide is waiting for us.’

  Sarah laughed. It was a happy, musical sound he’d never get tired of hearing.

  Stretching up, she planted another kiss on his lips. ‘I love the way you take charge.’

  And I love you.

  Despite only being together for a few weeks, Nick knew he wanted to marry Sarah. They matched each other well on every level and he’d never been so happy.

  Sarah was completely right for him and Katie loved her. That his friends liked her too was a bonus and would make life so much easier for everyone. Now all he had to do was hope she felt as strongly for him.

  His hand went to the pocket of his cargo shorts and his fingers touched the small jewellery box he carried.

  Being a traditional kind of guy, he’d phoned Ryan last night, told him he loved Sarah and that he’d like Ryan’s blessing before he proposed this afternoon. Ryan and Helen were overjoyed which was a plus considering the strong bond Sarah shared with her brother.

  ‘This time we’ve had together has been really special,’ Sarah said as they wove their way hand in hand through all the stalls and weighing stations at the fish market.

  ‘How long before your next assignment takes you away from London?’ They’d never actually spoken about it.

  ‘Um … I think Rose has scheduled in some leave for me.’

  Why the pause?

  Nick knew a moment’s uncertainty. Surely Sarah wanted them to have more time together?

  He swept the doubt aside. When she’d initially tried to get out of doing the documentary she’d said her schedule was booked out for months. It made sense she’d have to work soon to honour her other contracts, which must mean she’d deliberately rearranged things so they could spend time together. ‘Lucky me.’

  She grinned. ‘Helen wants me to spend time with her to help organise her wedding, but I hope you and I can spend a lot of time together while I’m in London.’

  ‘We’ll make certain of it.’ If Nick had his way, Sarah would be making plans for their wedding as well once they returned.

  They reached the edge of the market and Nick saw members of his security team and the driver who was waiting for them.

  Sarah covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned. ‘Sorry. How far is it to the village?’

  ‘About a half hour drive.’

  ‘Do you mind if I snuggle up to you and have a little snooze on the way?’

  ‘You want to sleep again? Seriously, Sarah, are you sure you haven’t been bitten by a Tsetse fly?’ he teased. ‘They aren’t usually in this area of Tanzania, but you’ve been so tired I have to wonder if you have African sleeping sickness.’

  She used her free hand to land a playful punch to his biceps. ‘Someone stops me from sleeping. Any idea who that might be?’

  Nick didn’t dare think about how he’d kept Sarah awake every night they’d shared or he might have trouble walking to the car. Instead he thought about the plans he’d made earlier in the morning while she’d been filming out on a boat.

  As well as the name of the beach where he was planning to propose, Nakupenda was the Swahili expression for I love you. It was famed for its glorious sunsets and billed as one of the most romantic places in Tanzania. Nick thought it was fitting to propose by the Indian Ocean considering it was ocean conservation work that’d brought them together.

  His free hand went again to the jewellery box and he was shocked to realise he was actually nervous. The notion stunned him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been uncertain about anything.

  Thirty-two years old, master of every boardroom situation and takeover bid he’d ever been involved in and he was worrying Sarah might turn down his proposal.

  Surely not.

  Even though neither of them had spoken those three all important words aloud, their love for each other had been communicated in every tender touch, every satisfied sigh, every urgent joining of their bodies.

  ‘Good afternoon, Mr Henderson, Miss Bryant,’ one of his bodyguards said as he opened the car door for them.

  ‘Hi, Steve,’ Sarah greeted.

  Nick nodded in acknowledgement and was just about to get into the car when his phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He retrieved it and looked at the screen. ‘It’s Jocelyn, I’ll take it out here before we start moving.’ He’d noticed the signal was easily lost when they were driving.

  ‘Say hi from me. I’ll curl up over here until you get back.’ Sarah blew him a kiss, grabbed a towel from her bag and pushed it against the window to create a pillow for her head while Nick walked away from the car. If Sarah was true to her form over the last week or so she’d be out like a light in no time at all.

  ‘Hi, Joss, how’s it going?’ He checked the time. Midday in Tanzania converted to ten in the morning in London.

  ‘Are you by yourself?’ The words were clipped.

  ‘I was about to get into the car. Sarah and I are going to head to a local Swahili village to play tourist.’

  ‘I’m not on speaker phone?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Can you speak without Sarah overhearing you?’

  The nape of his neck began to tingle in alarm. ‘Yes. What is it?’

  ‘I’ve had some news this morning about Sarah. Disturbing news.’

  Nick’s stomach clenched. He glanced back through the opened car door where his beautiful lover was half-reclined in the seat with her eyes closed.

  What the hell was coming?

  ‘Remember the day at the fashion show for the Extend Foundation you told me you had some misgivings about her?’

  The knot in his stomach tightened. ‘Yes.’ He remembered it well.

&n
bsp; ‘Mere weeks before she signed with me, her contracts were cancelled by Eduardo and Manuel.’

  What? If that was true, why hadn’t she mentioned it?

  Every muscle in his body tensed as he tried to control his reactions.

  ‘Are you still there?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Go on.’ His vocal tract was suddenly so dry it was an effort to get the words out.

  ‘I heard from a very reliable source that when Sarah was leaving a modelling assignment for Eduardo in St Petersburg, she was caught trying to steal a priceless brooch that’d been lent to Eduardo by the Russian government.’

  No. Everything in him screamed the word in denial.

  Sarah was not a thief.

  She was one of the most genuine people he’d ever met, giving her time and money to charity and not even seeking recognition for her involvements. ‘That can’t be right.’

  ‘I’m sorry, but it’s true. After the shoot, Eduardo went to check that all the jewellery had been returned and discovered the piece was missing. The security guard told him Sarah hadn’t returned the piece she’d worn, Eduardo asked her about it and she swore she had returned it. Eduardo insisted on searching her bag and he found it.’

  ‘Shit!’

  ‘The scandal was averted because Eduardo returned it before the authorities were any the wiser but he cancelled her contract on the spot and his brother followed suit.’

  ‘Someone must’ve planted the brooch in Sarah’s bag.’

  The click of Jocelyn’s tongue against her palate carried clearly through the phone. ‘Come on, Nick. The facts speak for themselves.’

  He looked back towards the car and the woman he’d fallen in love with—the woman he’d been about to ask to become his wife.

  A flicker of doubt flared in his mind and he fought to extinguish it. Don’t dwell on this ugly rumour. He refused to supply it with the oxygen that would see it igniting into a flame.

  ‘I don’t believe it,’ he told his sister firmly.

  ‘I know someone who works for Eduardo,’ Joss insisted. ‘I trust this person implicitly and he tells me Sarah has been replaced after having lost her contracts for both the brothers.’