by Laney Powell
“Let’s go, Jax,” she said.
As she opens the door, cheers and whoops greet us from a bunch of women all dressed for Halloween. Even in the low light, I can see Casey’s face go bright red.
“Oh my God,” Casey mutters.
“Way to go, Casey!” I hear. I recognize the voice. I look over and see Lola with a big smile on her face. She gives me a small nod as she claps her hands.
“OK, we’re leaving now,” Casey says, ducking her head down. But she’s smiling.
There are some more comments, and we walk down the hallway and downstairs to the front doors with the cheering behind us.
This feels right.
Casey
I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed in my entire life, but I find that I don’t care. I’m happy. I’m walking out of here holding hands with the most amazing guy in the world.
It’s not part of The Plan. But I think The Plan needs to be modified. Being this happy can’t be bad. It allowed me not to sink into the floor when I opened the door and half the sorority was there.
“Where do you want to go?” I ask Jax.
“Somewhere with a bed,” he answers, grinning at me.
“That’s not really talking,” I say in a stern tone.
He laughs, and I realized I haven’t seen him this free, this relaxed, since we’ve met. Maybe he’s just as tightly wound as I am. Which mean he might understand The Plan.
“How about we go to my place? I have an apartment off campus.”
I’d never asked him where he lived. But a place that is private sounds like heaven right now. We agree that I’ll follow him, and I sink into my car, feeling better than I’ve felt in ages.
This is right. This has to be. I know I’ve gone over all the reasons why guys are not in The Plan, but nothing this right could be bad.
What if we don’t last?
As quickly as that thought comes, I kick it to the curb. The last guy who I fell for didn’t last, and he went out of his way to humiliate me, make me a joke. The same thing happened tonight—in that there were a lot of people who witnessed what should have been strictly private. But unlike Brandon the asshole, Jax stood with me, held my hand, and walked out of there with me.
Brandon had never done that. It wasn’t me. It was him. A weight I didn’t know I’d been carrying fell right off my shoulders. It wasn’t me.
A smile so wide crossed my face that my cheeks hurt. It stayed there the entire drive to Jax’s place, and then as he came over to my car and led me up to his place.
“So let’s talk,” he said.
We settled onto his couch, his arm around me and my legs twined with his.
“I have this thing, called The Plan, and there were never any guys on it,” I got out in a rush. “That’s why I didn’t want anything to do with you.”
“I might have heard about this plan,” Jax said.
“From who?” I sat up.
“I have classes with some of your sisters, and they care about you.”
“Wait. You can’t just tell me that, and nothing else!”
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. You have people who look out for you. That’s all. It’s a good thing. Didn’t you see everyone tonight? They’re happy for you.” He paused. “But that doesn’t matter if you’re not happy. Are you?”
I reached up and kissed him. “Happier than I can ever remember. But there were no guys in The Plan. What I wanted to say was I think I need to modify The Plan?”
“I made The Plan?” He asked, and I could hear the laughter.
“You did.”
“I am honored.” He picked up my hand and kissed it.
“But you need to understand that it’s important to me, and I need to stick to it. Don’t make fun of it, please.”
“You’re not the only one with a plan,” he said. Then he looked down at me. “You’re not the only with baggage, either.”
I knew this. Even though we’d never talked about it. I nodded.
“So why don’t we do what you need to feel good about your plan and go from there?”
“Like, with no plan?” The thought scared the hell out of me.
He nodded. “I’ll be with you if it goes sideways.”
“Promise?”
Now it was his turn to kiss me.
“Always.”
We didn’t leave his apartment for the entire weekend. My voicemail in-box was so full, it stopped taking messages.
It was the best weekend of my life. And the beginning of a whole new plan.
The Plan, Version 2.5
Jax
One year later
I look up when I hear a huff of frustration. Casey is glaring at her computer. I smile and look back down. She doesn’t want my help.
She rarely does. But after a year together, she knows all she needs to do is ask. Until then, I’ll let her do her thing, and not get in her way, or tell her how to do it better, or anything. She’s driven, and a perfectionist, and the epitome of a Type A personality.
She’s like me on crack. We get on well.
That first weekend we spent together, she brought out her laptop—which she carries everywhere, I discovered—and showed me The Plan. We worked on the modifications together, making it The Plan 2.0, putting in time where we could be together. She scheduled her life down to the minute, and while it seemed nutty to me at first, I realized it was her way of keeping things under control.
Casey had learned early that there was a lot she couldn’t control. She told me about surviving cancer as a kid, and later, about the douchebag who had been so shitty to her. I told her about why I had to leave the service, after all the kids I saw die, and how I’d seen actual little kids get killed by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We shared everything.
Rather than creating problems, it made us a better team. It’s a weird word to use for a couple, but I’ve seen what teamwork can do. It’s the most important thing, to me. For Casey, knowing that someone was on her team one-hundred fifty percent of the time allowed her to ease up on needing control.
She’d gotten into Oak Ridge grad school, so after she graduated, she moved in with me. Well, we moved into a new place together. Her parents weren’t thrilled, but she made it clear this was her choice, and It was happening.
After a while, her parents realized I wasn’t some creeper, and quit giving me the side-eye. I’d talked with her dad last week, and we’d had a good conversation.
“Hey, why don’t you take a break?” I asked her.
“Good idea,” she said, pushing back her chair away from her desk. “Maybe it will help clear things up a little. You want to go for a run?”
We still ran together at night.
“No, not right now. Why don’t you come and sit with me out in the living room?”
“OK,” she said.
I heard the question in her tone, but I ignored it and walked out ahead of her. She flopped down on the couch, and I grinned. When I’d met Casey, she was not a flopper. Now, because we were together, she was.
And I loved that.
I sat next to her. “This has been the best year of my life,” I said.
“Oh,” she said, smiling, and running a hand down my cheek. “Mine, too. What a sweet thing to say, Jax.”
“I’d like it to be the first of a lot of best years,” I continued.
“So do I.”
“Will you marry me?”
“What?”
“We can add it to The Plan. If you’ll accept this?” I held out the ring I’d had for the past three months.
Her mouth formed a silent ‘O’ and she held up a hand to cover it. I could see that tears were sparkling in her eyes.
“Well? Don’t leave me hanging here. I’m dying.”
That made her laugh. “Yeah, you look it.”
“Feel my heart. It’s about to fly out of my chest.” I grabbed her hand and put it on my chest.
“If you’re willing to put it in The Plan, how
can I say no?”
I slid the ring onto her finger, and then crushed her to me. This was it. All the past fell away for both of us.
“Hey, can I ask for one thing? Even though I know the wedding is generally the bride’s thing.”
“It’s our wedding! Of course.”
“Ask Lola to be a bridesmaid.”
“Lola? Why?”
I laughed. “Let me tell you.”
Because Lola had been right. A good nurse could cure everything.
Laney Powell
I'm a Midwestern lady, living life in the Rocky Mountains. I adore strong men with hearts of gold (even if that gold may be a bit imperfect) and that's what drives me to write the stories about them. The longer I do the romance gig, the more firefighter calendar pics I seems to collect. That's normal, right?
2018 has been a big year for me. Tessa Blake and I collaborated to write Big Mistake, and what a fun experience that was! Now, Affair With The Billionaire is out into the world, and I hope you enjoy Dane and Lilian as much as I have.
The Halloween Honeys series has been so much fun - I’m truly blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of authors.
My next set of stories comes home to an area I love - the West. Look for the beginning of the Broken Falls Ranch series in the fall.
Thanks so much for being a reader! I love you all! Feel free to get in touch:
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Laney
Also by Laney Powell
Big Mistake
(written with Tessa Blake)
Affair With The Billionaire
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Episode Four
Episode Five
Meet All The Honeys
His Wicked Witch
His Little Red Riding Hood
His Fairytale Princess
His French Maid
His Dragon Queen
His Dirty Dancer
His Sorority Sweetheart
His Brazen Angel
His Dirty Devil
His Nasty Nerd
His Kinky Kitten
His Sexy Cheerleader
His Curvy Cougar
His Naughty Nurse
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Sneak Peek
Chapter One
Dane
I walked into the restaurant, collar up. I’d never come here alone. The only time I showed up in here, I was with my parents. I shoved the thought of them out of my mind and focused on making it through lunch. Regardless of what happened next, I wanted people to know I was here. The Kairis family wasn’t all gone.
Just…diminished.
Dear fucking god. It looked like some of the same people were here. Like a time warp. Only the outfits changed. That, and a lot less hair on some of the men. I brushed a hand through my own hair. It never stayed put, and normally, that didn’t bother me. Here, I felt like it drew unfriendly attention. Defiantly, I ran my hand through it again. Neither a little more mess nor these people would kill me. At least, I hoped not.
My parents probably thought the same, and look where that had gotten them.
A hand on my arm stopped my trek to the bar.
“Dane! I didn’t know you were back! How are you?” Removing his hand, the man got up and put out his other hand. Wanting to shake mine.
Slowly, I lifted a hand, and accepted his. I didn’t expect any sort of friendly welcome. Trying to place him, to remember. Monty? Montrose, that was it. Colby, Cole…Tom. Tom Montrose. Not an enemy. Not an ally, either. Neutral, as much as anyone could be.
“Tom. I’m good, thanks. Not sure how long I’m here for. Need to…well, you know.” I shrugged and looked around. Some of the regulars were beginning to take interest. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.
“Well, it’s good to see you!” He clapped me on the back.
I gave him a smile. Not a big one. Then my eyes darted to the woman who sat with him. He saw me look at her.
“I’m sorry, Dane. I was so surprised to see you, I forgot to be mannerly. Dane Kairis, this is Lilian Hennington, my attorney. Unfortunately, she’s only with me for professional reasons.” Tom smiled. He liked his attorney. What a concept.
She smiled, extended her hand. “Dane, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I knew your parents. I was sorry to hear of their passing.”
My gaze hardened at the mention of my parents before I could stop myself, even as I took her hand and squeezed it gently. The touch of her electrified. With her hand in mine, I forgot whatever it was she’d just said. I forgot to be pissed off. I looked directly into her eyes, and fell into them.
She was stunning. I forced a breath and pulled myself out of the pools of her brown eyes, the mane of dark blonde hair, and found words. “Thank you. It was unexpected.” That was an understatement.
“It was.” Her smile seemed genuine. “Which makes the loss even harder.”
Peachy lips, firm. Just wide enough to make my mind wander to places it shouldn’t. Like how much I’d like to see them around my cock, with my hand in her hair. And then her naked, sort of. Skirt up, blouse unbuttoned, bra ripped while I kissed from her neck down to her impressive tits.
“Are you planning on picking up the mantle, as it were?”
I blinked. Sent the vision of her half-clothed elsewhere. That was more direct than I’d been expecting. “I’m not sure. I have a lot to sort out.”
She let go of my hand. “Well, feel free to give me a call. I specialize in the shipping industry. I’d be happy to help you. I liked your parents.”
Tom laughed. “Hey, no changing teams, missy!”
Lilian patted his hand. “No chance of that, Tom. I did briefly work with the Kairises before, so there’s no conflict.”
Tom sat down. “Join us?” He indicated the seat next to him, across from Lilian.
The thought of watching her, those lips, while trying to eat made my mouth water for a drink. “No, thanks, I’m headed for the bar.”
“It’s good to see you,” Tom said again. “Let me know if I can help you in any way.”
“The same goes for me,” Lilian added. “It was nice to meet you.” She smiled again, and I felt my cock harden.
I nodded at them both, and made for the bar. Better to leave now than to do or say something that would be tough to walk back from.
Lilian
I watched him go, taking a sip of my drink. An interesting man, and one who wasn’t sure he wanted to be here. He might as well have screamed out his discomfort with the restaurant. But he was determined to put in an appearance. Not going to let the shit get him down. I liked that. Defiance in the face of the enemy.
Sexy, too. I rarely felt the jump of heat just from touching someone’s hand. But Dane Kairis could burn a house down with the fire in his touch.
As for him not wanting to be here, I couldn’t blame him. This restaurant looked lovely, with its paneling, crisp linens, heavy silver, and fresh flowers daily. However, it was a shark tank. More blood was spilled on the tables of La Mucca e Maiale than in any natural setting I’d ever seen. If you wanted to be in business, you had to come here. It was just one of those things.
I looked over at Tom, and he was watching Dane Kairis walk away.
He caught me watching him, and raised his brows.
“He’s got balls, coming back here.”
“I’ve heard he does indeed,” I said, my voice dry. Whatever else I knew, I did not need to think about Dane Kairis’ balls. Or anything else below the waistline.
“Well, I heard his parents didn’t die of natural causes.” He leaned back, taking a drink from his own glass. “Something hinky there, for sure. Perhaps you shouldn’t have offered, Lil.” His sharp gaze met mine over his drink.
I waved a hand at him. “Nonsense. I worked with his parents. They were lovely people. Tough, but lovely. No reason I shouldn’t offer to help out the son. If there is something hinky,” I gave him the eye, “About their deaths, I hope it’s discovered. No one deserves to die like that.” They’d been murdered, while on vacation. How does that even happen?
“Well, be careful. Before he left, I know old Kairis was hesitating handing over the reins to him,” he gestured with his glass in the direction of the bar.
“Really? Why was that?” I hadn’t heard that.
“Kid was too cocky, too wild, too unwilling to work with anyone else. Didn’t have a rep for playing nice with others,” he said, grinning at me.
“Like anyone here does,” I said, looking around and rolling my eyes. “Certainly not a reason to hate the guy.”
“Well, be careful. That’s all I ask. I don’t want to have to go through the hell of finding someone else to put up with me and keep me out of jail.”
I had to laugh. Tom was a great deal like the late Mr. and Mrs. Kairis. Hard, pushy, tough, and good at what he did. It’s why I liked him too.
We turned back to business matters. Once we’d eaten and made it through our agenda Tom excused himself for a moment, leaving me at the table. I finished my drink, and then turned to look at the bar. Dane was still there. He was not facing the bar, but sitting sideways, drink in hand, observing the restaurant. His gaze moved, although he didn’t move his head much. He reminded me of a predator, watching his kingdom.