Brandon (Members From Money Book 19)

by Katie Dowe

  Nicole waved her hands impatiently.

  “That’s different and you know it. I…”

  Her mouth fell open. So that was why Max had kept her talking like that, thought Nicole, glumly. He’d been distracting her.

  “Ah, come on, my darling. You can hold on to me. I’ll keep you safe.”

  Nicole glared at him.

  “You could hardly say anything else, could you, but you don’t control the winds or the skies or the tin can!”

  Max laughed. Only Nicole would call the state-of-the-art seaplane that was safer than most cars and all yachts a tin can. He found her irreverence almost as attractive as he found her incisive brain.

  “If we die, you can kill me,” promised Max.

  Despite herself, Nicole chuckled. Only Max would offer her a promise like that, and make her laugh with it. This time, when she stepped inside and let Max help her get strapped in, she felt less nervous than she did the last time.

  They had found a new level of intimacy that weekend, realized Nicole, and with it had come a strange kind of trust that she had never felt before.

  Amazingly, she didn’t feel frightened of it. She trusted him, and it felt right.

  This time, Nicole reached for his hand on her own, and she held on as they took off.

  Max turned to her and smiled.

  “See? I promised. Now relax. It’s a short flight,” said Max, and Nicole, to her astonishment, did manage to relax.

  Max Daniels could accomplish the impossible, thought Nicole, before she let herself doze off.

  *****

  Nicole was nervous. The last two weeks hadn’t been easy. Sneaking around was, it appeared, distasteful in the extreme to both of them. Max really wanted her to meet his family, and she did, too. She really wanted to go to his pub and be introduced.

  But it was time to clear the last hurdle. Max was meeting Derek Anderson that day, and they would know, finally, what lay ahead.

  Nicole was surprised at how nervous she was. The odds of Anderson shooting down the campaign were nil, anyway. Their biggest client was the one who had ostensibly come up with it. She knew that it was a sound campaign. There was only one outcome.

  But Nicole, who was naturally banished from the meeting by decree of Derek the Dinosaur – that had chafed a bit for her – would have no input during the meeting, and while she trusted Max, she disliked feeling helpless.

  As if he knew what she was going through, which he probably did, she got a text from Max.

  Relax, will you? I’ll sell our campaign.

  That made Nicole smile. It really was their campaign. Even if Anderson vetoed it, Max liked it. Max was the client.

  Max, however, wasn’t nervous – he was furious. He hadn’t known how badly Anderson treated Nicole. For the first twenty minutes of their meeting, Anderson had told Max, very eloquently, that the bombing of the last campaign had been Nicole’s fault. Max, who’d been angrier than he had ever been before, had kept quiet. If he hadn’t, he would’ve said things that could never be unsaid.

  Max had set the meeting on his turf, deliberately, and he had treated Anderson very formally throughout the meeting. He knew that the man was probably sweating a bit – he might be losing the contract, after all.

  Finally, Max cut in.

  “Derek, I’m sure your time is as valuable as mine. Since that campaign bombed so spectacularly, I have come up with an alternate one. I have the details right here. Of course, I would like your company to execute this, but I do realize that you’re the expert. There’s no point hiring experts if you don’t listen to them. I would like you to go through the campaign now, and tell me what you think.”

  There was silence as Max pushed the folder across to Anderson.

  There was more silence as Anderson looked through the perfectly plotted campaign. Finally, he raised his eyes to Max.

  “I can see that you’re a man who knows what he’s about. It’s no wonder that you’ve made such a success of yourself. Of course, this would work admirably. There might be a few details to iron out, but this is close to perfect. This is,” he added for good measure, “what I would’ve come up with all along if I hadn’t made the mistake of loosening the reins and letting that silly girl do what she thought was best.”

  Max looked at him steadily, fighting the urge to knock his teeth loose.

  “Now, Derek, please listen to me carefully. This campaign was put together by a young woman named Nicole Richards. You should know her. She’s the one you’ve been blaming for all your miscalculations so far. Since you have given the campaign such a hearty endorsement, I would like to make it very clear that I expect her to run this campaign, and my account. I expect her to be the lead, and I expect her to bring her ideas directly to me, or if I’m unavailable, to Noel. Nothing she has for us will ever go through you. Do you understand me?”

  The blood drained from the portly man’s face. He looked ashen.

  He didn’t say a word. He just nodded. Max was disappointed. He’d been ready with a lot more.

  “Now, I want to make something else perfectly clear. If you ever disparage her name to another client the way you have to me, I will make sure that the client in question finds another agency. If you try to ruin her, I will ruin you. You will give her the promotion necessary to qualify her to run the lead on your biggest account, and you will utilize her remarkable prowess with tact and to full effect. Now, are we clear about this?”

  The silly man looked as if he was about to faint, thought Max, disgusted. It was forever that way with bullies. The moment somebody bigger stood up to them, they shriveled into nothing.

  Of course, he did know that if Nicole got wind of what he had done, she would be quite angry with him. He couldn’t have that.

  “I trust that this conversation will remain confidential, for your own sake?”

  Anderson nodded again. Max was getting quite sick of watching him nod.

  “Thank you for your time, Derek. I expect we won’t see each other so often anymore, so I wish you well.”

  Max effectively dismissed him, leaving him to find his own way out. Noel took pity on him and escorted him from the building, making polite conversation.

  But it was difficult to bit back a grin. Apparently, Max had done a real number on him. Noel couldn’t find much sympathy for the man, though – he had quite obviously deserved it.

  Now, he would probably have to work well with Jeff on the account, since Nicole would insist that the ideal target market be on the team. Noel’s grin widened. He would just have to deal with that.

  *****

  Nicole didn’t get called into Anderson’s office as she had expected. All she got was an email, telling her that the project had been approved, and that she would be directly liaising with the client on the matter. She was also free to pick a team for herself.

  There was a terse warning that she was expected to devote adequate time and energy to all other projects she was assigned, as well, but that little bit of passive aggression was all Anderson had been able to muster. Gleefully, she grabbed her phone to call Max, but before she could dial, he called.

  “Max!”

  Max heard the excitement in her voice and chuckled. Obviously, she’d heard. He had hoped to be the one to tell her the good news, but it didn’t matter.

  “So, as you might imagine, it all went well. I don’t think you’ll get much trouble from Anderson. You’ll find that things change a bit, since I had to insist that a person of proper authority be put in charge of the account, and I also insisted that you be in charge of it.”

  Nicole put it together and couldn’t find a way to scold him for it.

  “I suppose that makes sense. In a way,” she admitted.

  Max grinned. He’d known that she would let it go if he’d put it like that.

  “Now, Ms. Richards, I have a few details to discuss with you. Regarding the campaign, of course. I would like to meet you for lunch. To talk business, of course.”

  Nicole
laughed.

  “Of course. If it’s to talk business, I’ll need you to bring Noel. I’m sure you won’t mind that,” said Nicole, wickedly.

  “Nicole, come on, my darling, don’t be like that,” said Max.

  Nicole laughed.

  “Oh, don’t worry. I can pick my team and bring somebody along. I thought I’d bring Jeff,” said Nicole.

  Max cottoned on.

  “I suppose we could do that.”

  Nicole’s smile became smug.

  “Next time. We can do that next time. Today, I want you to myself, my Nicole. And I am the client. You know what they say about clients being right.”

  Nicole shook her head bemusedly, even if he couldn’t see it.

  “I suspect what we say about clients being right isn’t what clients say,” she pointed out.

  Max laughed again, delighted with his witty woman.

  “We can argue over it when I pick you up in fifteen minutes. See you then, my love,” said Max, and cut the call before she could argue any further.

  Nicole couldn’t help but smile. After everything, it looked like everything in her life was finally on track. She was with somebody she trusted and – she was beginning to get used to thinking this – loved. And she was fine with that.

  Her career was finally beginning to look like it was headed somewhere, though she had a feeling that Max had had something to do with it.

  She was happy, realized Nicole. She was happy, and she was about to have lunch with her man – her Max. Who would’ve ever imagined it, she thought, as she grabbed her stuff together.

  “Off somewhere?” asked Jeff.

  Nicole grinned.

  “I’ve got news. I’m the new lead on the Max Daniels account, and you’re on my team.”

  Jeff gaped.

  “I… Well, I suppose you’ll have to take me along on meetings, then. And that Noel handles most of his business, doesn’t he?”

  Nicole laughed.

  “I suppose so. But for now… Well, I’m off to meet Max.”

  Nicole went down just as the car was driving up. Max got out, and Nicole didn’t wait. They didn’t have to hide anything anymore. She didn’t care what anybody thought.

  She ran to him and leapt right into his arms.

  “Ah, that’s better, my Nicole,” murmured Max, and hugged her tight enough that Nicole felt safer than she had ever felt before.

  “It is. It’s all better,” agreed Nicole.

  And it was – better than she had ever dared hope.

  The end.

  Great news: if you genuinely enjoyed this book, please consider giving it a review on Amazon. We highly appreciate them, and it helps us know which books you like the best (so we can write more like them in future). It's win win, so please take 1 minute out to do that now beautiful person. :)

  Get Free: Get Jason from the Members From Money series where YOU'RE the star!!

  Hi there. As a special thank you for buying this ebook, for a limited time I want to send a copy of Jason free of charge directly to your email! It's a personalized story, meaning you'll add a few details about yourself (these won't be shared with anyone else) and you'll become the star of the story!! :D

  You'll be emailed a new chapter once a day for 7 days. You can get it by clicking the cover below or going here:

  Direct link: www.afroromancebooks.com/personalized-jason-members-from-money

  This book is so exclusive you can't even buy it. As well as sending daily emails with the story, I'll also send you updates when new books like this are available.

  Now, if you enjoyed the book you just read, please leave a positive review of it on Amazon. It'll help get it out there a lot more and mean I can continue writing these books for you. So thank you. :)

  BWWM Book Of The Week:

  Every week we highlight a top read, and each week when you click this link there'll be a different book for you to read. So go on, click here to get the week's top story now. :)

  More Hot BWWM Books You'll Love

  Also available: The Billionaire’s Baby Proposition by Tineka Brown:

  Description:

  A billionaire pregnancy romance by Tineka Brown of BWWM Club. Features another free bonus book.

  High-powered Houston lawyer Tamera Watson has everything.

  She has a job she adores, a penthouse, and a loving niece and nephew.

  But she is longing for one thing in her life: a child of her own!

  Taking matters into her own hands, she asks billionaire Joseph Hart to be her donor.

  Tamera gets pregnant immediately, and what seemed like a simple exchange soon becomes complicated.

  Tamera’s sister isn’t so approving of her methods on getting pregnant.

  And Joseph is starting to take more of an interest in the baby—and Tamera—than they initially agreed.

  Pregnancy is supposed to be a magical time for a mother.

  But will that be ruined by family drama and her fear of commitment to Joseph?

  Find out in this emotional yet sexy romance by Tineka Brown of BWWM Club.

  Suitable for over 18s only due to sizzling hot sex scenes!

  Want to read more? Then click here to get The Billionaire’s Baby Proposition now.

  *

  Also available: Never Too Late For Love by J A Fielding:

  Description:

  A sexy older couple romance by J A Fielding of BWWM Club. Features another free bonus book.

  Samantha Lucas is a strong, independent woman, content with her life as a successful businesswoman.

  Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that her billionaire boss would sweep her off her feet!

  Both Samantha and Clayton Burrows have been married before.

  And both have been let down terribly by their partners.

  In each other they hope to find the love they’ve been longing for.

  But when Samantha’s ex shows up to stir up some legal trouble, their chance for happiness is put on hold.

  And on top of that, Clay now has his own bitter ex to contend with!

  Will Samantha and Clay move on from their broken past and make room in each others hearts?

  Find out in this emotional yet sexy romance by J A Fielding of BWWM Club.

  Suitable for over 18s only due to sex scenes so hot, you'll want your own mature billionaire to cozy up with!

  Want to read more? Then click here to get Never Too Late For Love now.

  *

  Also available: Love In The Fast Lane by Theresa McGhee:

  Description:

  A sexy romance by Theresa McGhee of BWWM Club. Features another free bonus book.

  Charlotte James is a church-going girl living with her parents and leads a quiet, normal, predictable life.

  She’s currently in a steady relationship with Hunter, but he has the tendency to one-up her in everything she does.

  Her family doesn’t quite approve of her second job working at a tattoo parlor.

  After suffering a tragedy, Charlotte decides to get a tattoo, and quickly realizes she has a passion for body art.

  As she’s getting her second tattoo, she meets a man named Darius, who is quick to tell her how much he’s attracted to her.

  Charlotte tries to brush him off, but when her boyfriend realizes they have been hanging out together, Hunter calls the relationship quits.

  Charlotte and Hunter go their separate ways, but he gets jealous when he notices Charlotte spending more and more time with Darius.

  And that jealousy turns to rage when he realizes they’re sleeping together!

  When the situation turns violent will Darius be there to protect Charlotte?

  Or will he be too late?

  Find out in this thrilling yet sexy romance by Theresa McGhee of BWWM Club.

  Suitable for over 18s only due to sex scenes so hot, you'll want your own alpha bad boy nearby!

  Want to read more? Then click here to get Love In The Fast Lane now.

  *

&n
bsp; You'll also want to check out these hot billionaire brothers and cousins in the Brothers From Money series too:

  Click here to meet them and more now.

  *

  Want more handsome billionaires to rock your world? Then why not catch up with some hot members from The Elite Club:

  Click here to meet them now in the Members From Money series.

  *

  Also available: Quadruplets For Her Alpha by __:

  Description:

  A sexy romance by Shanika Levene of BWWM Club. Features another free bonus book.

  Noelle has been hired to photograph billionaire Wyatt Lightman in hopes to change the public’s perception of him.

  Sleeping together wasn’t part of the contract, but it’s definitely an added bonus!

  It was all meant to be a fling, until Noelle finds out that she’s not only pregnant, but pregnant with quadruplets!

  She wants Wyatt to be a part of her life, but he has convinced himself that he’s still in love with his ex.

  When Noelle tells him she’s pregnant, he pushes Noelle away, saying he would be a bad father.

  But Noelle isn’t taking no for an answer!

  With her growing belly, she’s going to need Wyatt now more than ever.

  Will Wyatt continue to run away from falling in love?

  Find out in this emotional yet sexy romance by Shanika Levene of BWWM Club.

  Suitable for over 18s only due to sex scenes so hot, you'll start wishing for your own alpha billionaire!

  Want to read more? Then click here to get Quadruplets For Her Alpha now.

  *

  Also available: Kids Of Thier Own by Erica A Davis:

  Description:

  A sexy billionaire adoption romance by Erica A Davis of BWWM Club. Features another free bonus book.

  James has lived a successful life on his own as a billionaire, but decides to visits his father’s work to patch things up with his estranged family.