by Karen Booth
He took a deep breath. “Yes. But first I want to say that I like you, Teresa. I have launched some terrible accusations at you, and not always been on my best behavior and you weren’t afraid to stand up to me.”
She arched an eyebrow at him, her blue eyes shifting to a darker shade. “I had to defend myself. And I couldn’t live with you believing those things about me.”
“Absolutely. As it should be. But when you’re a man in my position, not many people challenge you. And I think I need that. So, thank you.” He swallowed hard. “And so I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in us staying together during the retreat at The Opulence. We’ll both be incredibly busy, but I think we both know we’ll have a hard time staying away from each other.”
“I’ll definitely need to blow off some steam.”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Take it all out on me. Please.”
She stood and led him over to the sofa, where they sat close. “I like you, too, Liam. A lot. You might be the most complex man I’ve ever met.”
A breathy laugh escaped his lips. “That’s a good thing?”
“It makes me want to dig past the layers to find the real you.”
Liam’s fingers went to her jaw and her eyes met his. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.” He kissed her softly, relishing the way she nearly melted into him. It made him so eager for more time alone with her.
From across the room, Liam heard someone clear their throat. He and Teresa quickly separated, both a bit startled. It was the chief steward, standing with his hands behind his back. “Mr. Christopher, I’m sorry to interrupt, but dinner will be served in an hour.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“I guess there’s no real privacy on a boat, huh?” Teresa asked, sitting back and sipping more of her champagne.
“There will be. Later.” Liam glanced down at the coffee table and the thick envelope waiting for him. He hadn’t even peeked inside. Something had told him that it wasn’t a good idea to be alone when he read the documents, but Matt was leaving for New York this evening with Nadia, and Teresa had indeed been close to his dad. “I guess I’ll take this chance to take a look at my dad’s will. Get it over with. It won’t take long.”
Teresa nodded eagerly. “Yes. Of course. Open it.”
Liam sat back and opened the flap, pulling out the thick sheaf of papers. “Just a little light reading,” he joked.
“Anything in particular you’re looking for?”
He began flipping through the pages. “No. Not really. My dad and I discussed it the day he told me he was sick. So I think I know pretty much everything. Of course, I have to make sure it’s all in order.”
“Of course. A lot of money on the line.”
“And the company.” Liam leaned forward and took another drink, then went back to reading. “I hope I’m not boring you with this.”
Teresa reached out and rubbed his shoulder affectionately. “It’s not boring to me. This is your future. And your past. I’m honored to be a part of it. It makes me feel good to know you wanted to include me.”
Liam began looking through the personal assets. The vacation house in Bali. His father’s yacht, which was moored in the Cayman Islands. The winery and villa in Tuscany. “There’s a lot of property on this list. I’m going to need to hire someone just to deal with all of it.”
Teresa’s eyes lit up. “Ooh. Like what?”
Liam’s sights returned to the document. “Mountain house in Switzerland? How does that strike you?”
She patted his leg. “Sounds lovely. Now which way to the ladies’ room?” She got up from her seat and Liam pointed her in the direction the steward had taken.
“Right back there. First door on the right.”
“Perfect. I’ll be right back.”
Liam’s phone beeped with a text and he pulled it out of his pocket. It was from Matt, a photo of Nadia and him on Matt’s jet. Just like he and Teresa, they were toasting with champagne. The message read:
On our way to the Big Apple. See you in two days.
Liam couldn’t help but smile at his phone. It felt so damn good to know that Matt had found happiness. True love, no less. Could Liam have that ahead? Was it possible? One step at a time, of course, but it was hard not to think he was on the right track with Teresa.
He tapped out a reply to Matt.
Have fun. Love you guys.
Liam returned to his reading and the long list of personal effects. His father or his lawyer had been very thorough. There were pages and pages of watches and cars and plots of land all over the world. Impatient, Liam flipped ahead to the sections about the business. He just wanted to make sure that everything was in order, that he’d explained the succession plan accurately and that there were no surprises. The stability of the company, especially in light of the passing of its founder and CEO, was of paramount importance.
But when he reached the section where it was supposed to say that one hundred percent of his father’s personal stake of the company went to Liam, there was a single detail he had never, ever imagined. Something that made it feel like his heart had not only stopped, but that it might also not ever beat again.
75% of personal stake in Christopher Corporation to Liam Christopher
And…
25% of personal stake in Christopher Corporation to Teresa St. Claire
Teresa returned from the bathroom, looking refreshed. “What’d I miss?”
Liam felt sick. Truly, truly sick. Everything that had been so perfect a few seconds ago had just gone up in smoke. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before saying what he had to say. “I can’t believe you lied to me.”
* * *
How will Liam and Teresa deal with his father’s
betrayal? Is Joshua really on the hook for millions? What happens when a storm rocks the resort?
Don’t miss a single episode in the
Dynasties: Secrets of the A-List quartet!
Book One
Tempted by Scandal by Karen Booth
Book Two
Taken by Storm by Cat Schield
Available June 2019
Book Three
Seduced by Second Chances by Reese Ryan
Available July 2019
Book Four
Redeemed by Passion by Joss Wood
Available August 2019
Keep reading for an excerpt of Taken by Storm by Cat Schield.
After a tragedy in their youth forged an unbreakable bond that lasted into adulthood, the men of Mesa Falls Ranch will do anything to protect the business they built together – a luxury corporate retreat in the foothills of Montana. As their empire grows, so do the secrets and scandals that come to light in…
DYNASTIES: MESA FALLS
Where family loyalties and passions collide…
by USA TODAY bestselling author Joanne Rock brings you
Book One: The Rebel
Book Two: The Rival
Book Three: Rule Breaker
Book Four: Heartbreaker
Book Five: The Rancher
Book Six: The Heir
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CHAPTER ONE
He’s Just Not That Into You.
The title of Isabel Withers’s favorite rom-com movie and, unfortunately, the theme of her love life. Or lack thereof. In fact, a better title might have been He Doesn’t Know You’re Alive.
The same couldn’t be said for Isabel. She was dreamily, frustratingly, sexually, heart-palpitatingly aware every time Shane Adams stepped into The Opulence, a five-star luxury getaway resort an hour east of Seattle. The president in charge of Richmond Hotel Group wasn’t just handsome, with his broad shoulders and piercing sable eyes. He wore aloofness like a magical cloak, enthralling Isabel at first sight.
Her movie title would go more like… He Knows You’re Alive, but Only as the Helpful Employee Who Drops Everything to Get Him What He Needs in the Hope That He’ll Notice the Woman beneath the Uniform.
“You just sighed.” This statement came from Isabel’s best friend, Aspen Wright.
Isabel shot her a look. “You’ve been sighing since Richmond announced it was hosting its fifth anniversary retreat here.”
With a sly smile that softened the lines of tension around her eyes and mouth, Aspen replied, “I sigh to relieve tension.” The creative genius behind the resort’s lavish events, Aspen was currently stressed to the nines after Matt Richmond hired A-lister event planner Teresa St. Claire to coordinate Richmond’s upcoming retreat. “You’re sighing because that chiseled hunk of you-can’t-touch-this just walked by.”
Aspen was right and Isabel wasted no breath arguing. “I can’t help it. He’s just so gorgeous.”
“That he is. And all business.”
Recognizing that Aspen was once again counseling her to give up her crush, Isabel responded with the same stubborn determination that marked her rise from someone who grew up wearing thrift-store clothes to The Opulence’s head concierge and self-appointed representative of all things romantic at the resort.
“And that’s exactly how I’m going to approach him this time.”
“Oh, honey—”
Isabel raised her hand like a determined traffic cop. “Don’t.” She’d heard Aspen’s lecture all too often and predicted what she was about to say. “I just know there’s something between us. It’s impossible for me to feel as strongly about him as I do and have it be only one-sided.”
“Says every stalker ever.”
“I’m not a stalker.”
“You find ways to run into the man at every turn.” Aspen ticked off each point on long, slender fingers. “You know his schedule better than he does. You make sure he has the best table whenever he dines at Overlook and that his room is stocked with all his favorites whenever he stays overnight.”
“That’s just part of the fine service we offer here at The Opulence,” she said, waving away her over-the-top service to their executive. “And why wouldn’t we want him to have the absolute best experience every time he comes here? It only improves his perception of the resort.”
Aspen shrugged. “Some days I’m not sure he notices any of the positive features we have to offer. He’s too busy trying to improve efficiency.”
Rigidly organized and driven to improve the resort’s already stellar efficiency, Shane was a formidable taskmaster and prone to terrifying the staff whenever he made an appearance. It wasn’t that he was harsh with any of his employees, but the man was so focused on business that he simply forgot to smile when things went well.
“He needs someone to soften his edges,” Isabel said. “Someone who can show him that the resort’s success isn’t just about providing consistent service, but that we pour our heart and soul into giving our customers a unique experience.”
“Someone like you?”
Hearing the teasing lilt in Aspen’s voice, Isabel released a wide grin. “Do you know of anyone better?”
“No,” Aspen conceded. “Just don’t be disappointed if you fail. I admire everything you’ve accomplished in the year since you arrived here, but that man’s cold heart may be frozen too solid for even your warm touch to heat.”
“I’m The Opulence’s romance concierge.” Isabel lifted her fist in a gesture of power and triumph. “I will not fail in my mission.”
A champion of true love, Isabel believed that everyone had the perfect someone out there. Even Aspen, although the older woman scoffed every time Isabel brought the subject up. As for herself, Isabel daydreamed about Shane Adams, even as she recognized that they were opposite in almost every way.
Aspen regarded her with solemn eyes. “Maybe I’ll stock up on ice cream and red wine just in case.”
Automatically brushing off Aspen’s cynicism, Isabel blew her friend a kiss and headed to the little office behind the front desk where she organized romantic events for the guests who came to The Opulence looking to celebrate or connect with their partner. Each experience was tailored to the couple’s particular needs and wants thanks to a questionnaire that Isabel had developed over the last few months.
Although she had a degree in hotel management, Isabel’s knack for customer service had evolved into a passion for delivering fantasy romance experiences after her first month at The Opulence when a dreamy weekend she’d planned had helped a long-married couple see that their marriage could be saved.
“Fighting for love one couple at a time,” Isabel muttered as she settled into her desk chair and pulled up the presentation she’d been working on to convince Shane that they should actively promote The Opulence as a romantic destination.
Satisfied that the pitch had the right balance of facts and fancy to convince Shane this was a solid marketing strategy, Isabel dialed Shane’s personal assistant. By the third ring, when Sheila picked up, Isabel’s heart was hammering so hard she could barely hear herself ask the question she’d been rehearsing.
“Hi, Sheila, it’s Isabel Withers from The Opulence.”
“Hello, Isabel.” Shane’s assistant had a warm, inviting manner so unlike her brisk, all-business boss. “What can I do for you today?”
“I was hoping I could get a meeting with Shane while he’s here. I have some ideas for the resort that I’d like to go over with him.”
If Sheila found it odd that Isabel would skip over the resort’s management and go straight to Shane, she gave no indication. In fact, Isabel had already mentioned her idea to Tom, but he hadn’t grasped the value in it. Going over his head was a risk, but if she could convince Shane, the gamble would pay off.
“With the upcoming Richmond event, Shane’s schedule is full,” Sheila said.
“If you could squeeze me in,” Isabel persisted, uncaring that she sounded desperate. “I’ll take fifteen minutes. Whatever he can spare.” Hell, she was so convinced her idea was a good one she was ready to chase him into an elevator and pitch him on the run.
“Well…” Sheila paused and Isabel could hear the keys clicking on her computer. “He’s free for dinner tonight at eight.”
Isabel didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take it.” Dinner with Shane? A dream come true. “I’ll get us a table at Overlook. Thanks, Sheila.”
“I’ve added you to his schedule. And you’re his last meeting of the day, so you won’t have to rush.”
Was it Isabel’s imagination or did Shane’s assistant sound as if she was smiling?
“Thanks for your help.”
Hanging up with Sheila, Isabel exited the tiny office and made her way back to the concierge desk. The carpet seemed suspended over hundreds of springs because Isabel noticed an extra bounce in her stride. She noted several guests responding to her wide grin with smiles of their own. This only added to Isabel’s bright mood.
The concierge currently assigned to the desk looked up from her computer as Isabel approached. “Shane Adams was looking for you a few minutes ago.”
Isabel’s nerves vibrated in a mixture of alarm and glee. “Did he say what about?”
“He wanted your report on the arrangements for extra activities during the Richmond retreat.”
She’d already shared the information with Te
resa St. Claire as well as The Opulence management team, but wasn’t surprised that Shane Adams had requested the update, as well. He’d been quite hands-on these last few weeks leading up to corporate’s massive event. And with good reason. This was a major opportunity to show off the best of the hotel’s operation to A-listers and some of the wealthiest people in the country.
Although Isabel knew she could simply send Shane the report by email, she always grabbed any opportunity to speak to him in person. “Did he say where he’d be?”
“He’s over there.” Cindy pointed toward the front door, where Shane was currently deep in discussion with The Opulence’s executive manager, Tom Busch.
As if suddenly aware he was being discussed, Shane glanced toward the concierge desk, and his keen brown gaze struck Isabel, knocking the breath from her lungs. That the man could land such a blow to her senses from clear across a room should’ve put Isabel’s defenses on alert. Instead, she responded with a warm smile that hinted at the strength of her infatuation.
He blinked.
Isabel’s heart leaped as his eyes narrowed and he seemed to truly take her in for the first time in a year. This was it. The moment she’d been waiting for. He would see her as a beautiful woman he desired and recognize that she was someone who strove to improve the hotel’s reputation every chance she got.
And then it was over. Shane turned his attention back to the executive manager, dismissing Isabel from his thoughts.
She sagged like a leaky balloon.
Moments later, he ended his conversation and she headed his way. Clutched to her chest was the ten-page document detailing every guest’s preferences, their requested spa services, rounds of golf, and the schedule of visits to area attractions including the local winery and those participating in unique interactive culinary experiences offered at Quintessential Chef.
“Here’s the report you wanted,” Isabel said, waiting in breathless silence for several heartbeats while Shane scanned the document.
With his attention focused elsewhere, she took several seconds to drink in the strong structure of his jaw and cheekbones. The ever-present dent between his eyebrows and surprisingly full, kissable lips. She shivered at the thought of how their softness would feel against her skin and wasn’t prepared when he lifted his gaze and caught her staring at him.