Summer’s heart expanded. Would these awful days of being apart really blow away? Could she let them?
He kept singing about kneeling down and waiting, and he actually did kneel down. Summer couldn’t catch a full breath. He was kneeling before her and holding out a hand, and how could she turn him down?
The chorus played, and Chance sang out how he would wait for her.
Summer hadn’t been able to cross the distance and reach for his hand. She wanted to, but uncertainty and pain held her away, and she stood melded to the hot asphalt.
Chance got to his feet and more softly sang the next verse, taking a step closer to her. The words were all about forgiving and forgetting. Could she forgive? Would Chance wait for her until she did? As he continued to sing that he would wait for her, she knew he really would. He loved her and would wait as long as it took for her to come to him.
Summer’s heart melted and she couldn’t take being apart from him any longer. She rushed across the distance and flung herself into his arms. The song kept playing, but she could only focus on Chance’s smile growing, and that dimple that she’d missed more than anything else from the beautiful valley of Crested Butte.
He simply held her close, then pulled back and whispered, “Can you please forgive me?”
Summer solemnly nodded her head. “If you promise never to lie to me again.”
“That’s a deal.”
“And you promise to kiss me at least ten times a day.”
“Ten?” Chance chuckled. “I was thinking more like twenty.”
Summer stood on tiptoe and tasted those lips she’d been daydreaming about for two weeks. The song ended, but their kiss continued. Finally, she pulled back for a breath of air.
Chance kept her in the circle of his arms. “I’ve got a proposition for you, Summer Anderson.”
“Oh, really? I’m listening.”
“I talked to your boss.”
“Ah! Going behind my back again.”
He grinned and continued, “She said you’re amazing and feels you could work from anywhere.”
Summer’s stomach took flight. Was he really going for it?
“So what do you think about Charlotte, North Carolina, in the wintertime, and Crested Butte, Colorado, in the summer? Plus, we can travel anywhere you like. I really want to see Costa Rica and—”
Summer didn’t let him finish, kissing him again until she was sure he knew that she approved of the plan.
“Is that a yes?” Chance whispered against her lips.
“If that wasn’t a clear enough yes, I might have to repeat the action.”
“Yes, please.”
His dimple about killed her and she wanted to keep looking at his handsome face, but Summer sacrificed, closed her eyes, and proceeded to tell him yes nonverbally. She didn’t plan to stop until they were experts at nonverbal communication.
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Thank you for reading The Daring One. If you enjoyed Chance and Summer’s story, you might also enjoy Byron and Marissa’s story in The Disenchanted One, keep reading for this fun, short companion novel to the Billionaire Bride Pact Romances.
The Disenchanted One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance by Cami Checketts
Chapter One
Marissa Yates picked her way around the grassy plateau in her heels. The beautiful setting was hidden in the mountains above the main ski resort of Crested Butte, Colorado. The mountainous town, valley, and especially this secluded wedding spot, were breathtaking. She loved the majestic peaks and all the pine and aspen trees. They had a lot of green back home in Canton, Ohio, but not the looming crests that were so high at the top they were actually above the tree line and it was just gray rock. The contrast was fabulous. She also loved Crested Butte’s small downtown area that she’d walked around last night after she’d flown into Gunnison, rented a car, and found the Elevation Hotel and Spa next to the ski resort.
Marissa still had no idea how her adorable toy designer, Summer Anderson, had talked her into coming across the country for Summer and Chance Judd’s wedding. She and Summer had become close friends over the past nine months and as CEO of KJ’s Fun Zone, Marissa had never been happier with the innovative designs coming out of production. Yet being at this wedding was asking more of Marissa than even her professional façade could handle.
Of course, she hadn’t confided in Summer about her worries of seeing Byron Judd for the first time in three years. Summer assumed her future husband’s brother and her new boss were friends. Byron had, after all, gotten Summer the job with Marissa. She and Byron were friends, mostly because he insisted on keeping in contact. Yet how could you truly be friends with the only man you’d ever loved? A man who was certain to break your heart into a thousand pieces if you let him close again?
Luckily, she hadn’t seen Byron last night. He’d texted to see if she’d gotten into town all right, and asked if they could get together for dinner. She’d begged exhaustion and he’d been gracious enough to allow her the excuse. The man’s charm had no end. If only it hadn’t worked on every woman in the world, charming the pants off of any attractive female that came within a hundred miles of him.
Okay, that was an exaggeration. He’d been a gentleman when she’d dated him, and he probably only charmed his adoring female crowd out of kisses. Her face heated as she remembered his lingering and all-encompassing kiss. The way he’d treated her like she was the only woman for him. Three years and she still couldn’t forget. He’d probably dated a couple thousand women since then while she’d married herself to her job and risen to be one of the youngest and most successful female CEO’s in the nation. Head hunters approached her constantly, trying to woo her to different companies, but she loved KJ’s Fun Zone with all her heart. It was like her first-born child, and she couldn’t imagine ever leaving it. Thank heavens her work sort of filled the emptiness only Byron could satiate.
Guests were filing in and taking their seats. Marissa recognized some of them from the tabloids—NHL star Beckham Taylor and his exotic-looking artist wife, Alyssa. Then she noticed billionaire creator of Friend Zone, Tucker Shaffer, and his petite, blonde wife. She couldn’t remember her name, but she was a beautiful lady. She grinned over at Marissa like they were the best of friends. Marissa was tempted to go introduce herself and see if she could sit with them when he appeared in her vision.
She saw him first and was able to admire the way his tall, well-built frame filled out a tailored suit before his dark eyes focused in on her as if she were the only woman in the world. Byron Judd’s eyes lit up and he walked toward her with panther-like grace. When he flashed that smile at her, the years since she’d seen him melted away. The only thing she wanted was to be in his arms again, and have him tell her she was the one he wanted to be with.
Yet it had all been lies. The night after he’d confided his love to her, she’d found him hugging and kissing another woman. Marissa had run away from his office, North Carolina, and any hope of a relationship, without telling him what she’d seen, only that they were never going to work as a couple. A woman did have her pride. They’d maintained a friendship, but only because Byron had insisted on calling, texting, and emailing every few days. He always made her laugh, but she’d stayed strong and hadn’t seen him these long, lonely years. Her spine straightened. She knew he hadn’t been lonely. She’d seen pictures of him online with woman after woman, and her college friends from North Carolina confirmed that he blew through women faster than designer suits.
He reached her and she straightened her spine, tilted her chin up, and extended her hand.
“Oh, no,” Byron chuckled. “I haven’t seen you in three years and you think you’re getting away with a handshake?”
Marissa swallowed and didn’t have any response. Byron wrapped his arms around her and she felt like she’d come home. He smelled insanely
good. A Tom Ford cologne, if she had to guess—a citrus, musk, and vanilla blend. His muscled chest pressed against her was enough to drive her crazy. It was all she could do to not lift up her head and see if his kiss was as intoxicating as his smell and her memories.
When she did lift her head, Byron was staring at her with a hunger that made her breath catch. His eyes flickered to her lips then back to her eyes. “Ah, Marissa, you still have the power to make me want to commit myself to you for the eternities.”
She pulled back. “Nobody has that power, I’m afraid.”
Byron pumped his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t it be worth trying, though?”
“Trying what?” She looked sharply at him. How dare he claim he could commit to anyone for longer than a month?
“Trying out my lips?” His tongue darted over said lips and they looked more than worth a sample. “For old time’s sake?”
Marissa’s heart must’ve stopped or this stinking high altitude was killing her. She couldn’t catch a full breath and she was getting lightheaded.
Chance approached, looking handsome in his tux and a little nervous. He tugged on Byron’s sleeve. “It’s time, bro.” He gave Marissa a quick hug. “Great to see you. Thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Chance hurried away, still gripping his brother. Byron gave her one last look like a cat ready to devour the mouse. Marissa closed her eyes and clutched at the neck of her silky, white blouse. She could not allow herself to be the mouse again. Byron would have to survive on the gourmet cat food he’d devoured for the past three years.
Byron tried to keep his eyes on his brother’s golden-haired bride as she practically pranced down the aisle, but he could not keep his gaze from straying to Summer’s exquisite boss. Marissa Yates had cut his heart out and stomped on it three years ago, but for some reason he could not cut her loose. After too much chasing and begging on his part as to what had gone wrong, he’d finally agreed to stop asking and to her terms of friendship, completely befuddled by the request.
Yes, he was secure in his looks and charm, and it never hurt that he was insanely wealthy. Women came to him and he used to enjoy every minute of the different flings, but no woman had touched him or broken him like Marissa. He often wondered if he couldn’t forget her because she’d been the one to end it. The theory made sense, but he swore there was something more. The substance and depth that Marissa exhibited, he’d always wanted to hold onto. He’d never found her equal in another woman.
Studying her as she focused on the bride, all the longing he’d tried to bury for two years and then used as his motivation the past seven months to make a change and be worthy of her, hit him again—the delicate yet strong form, the silky mahogany hair, the high cheekbones, large pale blue eyes, and bow-shaped lips that he wanted to claim as his own.
She caught him looking at her and gave him a quick smile before focusing on the wedding couple. Was it his imagination, or was she as affected by seeing him again as he was? A man could hope for a miracle.
The preacher must’ve said man and wife because Chance and Summer were kissing, and everyone was cheering. Byron smiled and cheered along with everyone else, needing to stay in the moment. This was his brother’s big day, and Chance deserved every happiness in the world. Byron wished he could find a love like Chance and Summer, but the only woman who fit that bill for him had dumped him, and from the way she extended her hand all formal-like when he saw her, he didn’t think getting back into her good graces was going to be as easy as he’d hoped.
Summer kept telling him that Marissa’s face lit up when she talked about him and she still thought there was a chance. He and Summer had spent a lot of time the past seven months plotting how to get Marissa to the wedding, and make Byron’s play for her foolproof. Summer liked to call it “The Lonely Billionaire Pact”. His brother’s new wife loved to tease.
The bride and groom didn’t walk back down the aisle, but stayed in place and started hugging everyone around them, while still clinging to each other’s hands.
Byron thumped his brother on the back. “I’m thrilled for you, bro. Summer’s perfect for you.”
“Thanks.” Chance grinned. “Love you.”
“You too.” Byron found himself getting a little choked up. His brother was the best man he knew, and Byron would do anything for him.
Summer stretched up and hugged him, interrupting his congrats with, “Lonely Billionaire Pact is in place. You’re seated next to Marissa at dinner.”
Byron pulled back and smiled. His brother’s new wife truly was a doll. “Oh, yeah?”
“Oh, yeah.” Summer gave him a wink and then was swept away to the next group for congratulations. One of the girls was squealing something about hardly seeing each other since summer camp at Wallakee, and how happy they were that Summer had kept “the pact.” Summer had told him about her and her friends Billionaire Bride Pact and how she never planned on keeping it until she fell for Chance.
Another one of Summer’s friends was a teeny blonde, dwarfed by her massive husband, Byron thought he was creator of Friend Zone. The blonde was bouncing in excitement over Summer’s dress and the gorgeous setting for the wedding. Byron smiled. He loved women and their enthusiasm. Thinking of women, it was past time he found Marissa again. She’d resisted every attempt he’d made to see her in person the past three years. He’d drawn up plans of attack on several different occasions, intending to show up at her work and sweep her off her feet, but when a woman kept telling you no, you respected that. He might only have today to win her over to Team Judd. He needed to take advantage of every minute.
Chapter Two
Instead of rushing up to congratulate the bride and groom, Marissa tried to find a way to disappear. The problem was, the wedding party had all ridden up to the picturesque valley in four-wheel drive vehicles because of the muddy terrain. She walked over to where they were parked to inquire if there was anyone available to take her back to town, and there was no one around. She finally found a driver, but he was helping carry food to the buffet table.
“I need a ride back into town,” she said in her professional tone. “I can pay whatever is necessary.” She softened her voice, “Please.”
“Sorry, ma’am. No one’s going back down until after the dinner. I’m under contract to help here. Unless it’s an emergency.”
Oh, she wished she could lie and say it was an emergency, but was that fair to pull this guy away from his job? She appreciated dedicated employees. Yet, this was an emergency of the heart. If she didn’t get away, Byron might find her again, and she’d barely survived the thirty seconds of interaction before the ceremony. What if he had a full five minutes? He’d convince her to not only kiss him, but declare her love for him. Five minutes later, she’d see him off wooing some pretty girl from the wedding party. No. She wasn’t having any of it.
A firm hand on her back yanked her from her nightmarish visions of the man she loved in the arms of another woman.
Byron was glancing over her with concern. “Riss? You okay, love?”
How did he do that? His pet name for her and a term of endearment, coupled with worry in those dark eyes, and she was faltering faster than her spotty cell service up this mountain.
“Fine, thank you.” She jerked from his touch and strode back toward the wedding party. More people. That would be the key to keeping him at an un-kissable distance.
Byron was at her side, with his arm around her waist, before she could react. She felt like the air had been knocked out of her. That manly hand placed possessively on her hip. His tall frame holding her close. The luxurious scent of his cologne. It was too much and was completely unfair of him.
“I’ve missed you all these years,” he murmured close to her ear.
Marissa glanced sharply at him, and unfortunately his lips brushed along her cheek before she could draw back. Her breath was coming in short pants. She wished she could throw a comeback about how he’d never come to see
her, but she knew he had and she’d hidden from him. She’d stayed stronger than a mule, even though sometimes she felt as stupid as one, turning down the most charming man on the planet over and over again.
Byron stopped and pulled her around to face him. “You’re the only woman who could ever do this to me.”
“Do what?”
His eyes swept over her face. “Make me insane waiting for you.”
He grinned and she realized how completely and horribly she’d missed him. Why had she kept her distance? Was it really worth not being near this man when she loved him so desperately? Then what he’d said really and truly sunk into her thick, twitterpated brain. She was only another game to him. A challenge. She made him wait so he pursued. It was his life quest to have every woman fall at his feet.
“You can wait until eternity, but it won’t matter,” she snapped at him.
The ache in his eyes made her regret her words instantly. Byron blinked and his arms dropped away from her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, hating that she’d hurt him. Even if he was the biggest player in the dating game, he was her friend, and she didn’t want to cause him pain. “Can we just … be friends? We’ve done a pretty good job with that over the past three years.”
Byron’s lips recovered their smile but not his eyes. “Of course.” He offered her his arm and she slipped her hand through, hoping she could handle being close to him without doing or saying something she’d regret. Like admitting that if he really was waiting for her, she’d commit herself to him for eternity and beyond. She shook her head. It would never happen.
“What’s going on in that brilliant brain?” Byron asked.
“Nothing,” she said quickly.
He chuckled. “Now, I don’t believe that. If you’re not scheming how to up production or beat out the competition, you’re daydreaming about me.”
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