The Billionaire's Second Chance

by Peyton Reeser

  Next, Claire sped away after several minutes of schedule checking and email forwarding with the boss. Shannon broke through whatever wall may have been left between her and this other woman with a brief hug as Claire took her leave.

  When it was their turn to exit the plane Nick wanted to say something reassuring to Shannon about his PA. They’d been friendly enough with each other at the end but he couldn’t get out of his mind how Shannon had reacted upon first seeing her. He knew plenty of other CEO’s and power wielding executives who viewed their PA’s as employees with benefits. Bed warmers and blow-job queens they were snidely called. He shuddered at the notion that Shannon would think him capable of such disgusting behavior and searched for a way to calm any lingering fears she may have.

  “Shannon. About Claire. She’s just my assistant, you know. I rely on her to keep my hectic schedule and business life running smoothly. She isn’t involved in my personal life though.” He’d decided to say all that while he had both hands on her waist as he leaned his slim hips against the bulkhead, holding her against him. He wanted her to know through their joined bodies and not just his words that what he said, he meant.

  There were a lot of scenarios possible when it came to Shannon’s response but the one he got wasn’t one of them.

  Putting her hands on top of his forearms as he clasped her tight, keeping her nestled against his front which just happened to reveal a heaviness in his zipper area that never seemed to really lessen very much, Shannon shook her head in amazement at him. “Well, darling,” she added with coquettish charm, “I should hope not. She may be beautiful and smart to boot but she is gay, after all.”

  The look of incredulity on Nick’s face made Shannon hug him tight as she moved both arms around his shoulders in a firm embrace. “If you tell me you didn’t know ……” she broke off.

  “Of course I know!” he guffawed in pleasure. “The question is how the hell do you know that after only a couple of handshakes and a five minute conversation? Why am I not surprised?” he chuckled. “Women! Go figure.” Shannon’s trill of amused laughter settled in his chest in the area around his heart.

  With that taken care of they descended the steps of the plane and arrived beside a sleek, black stretch limo with an open rear door while a burly looking gentleman in a very proper suit and tie stood nearby. Claire had been right about the weather change making Shannon endlessly grateful for the lovely pashmina style shawl the woman had leant her. The soft buttery shade complimented her feminine dress perfectly and was light enough to look like more of a fashion accessory than a garment for warmth.

  The moment he arrived at her side, after letting her take the stairs ahead of him, Nick reached for her hand and pressed a warm kiss in the center of her palm. “I like the shawl but if you feel even a little bit chilly you will wear my suit jacket until we get home.” It wasn’t a question or even a suggestion. His statement was one of command making Shannon recall how that authoritative tone had annoyed the crap out of her just a few days ago. Right now however his take charge, bull in the china closet approach, made her feel protected and safe.

  “Ah, Mr. Allen.” Nick called out as the suited gentleman walked their way. “It’s good to see you, Gregory.” he said while shaking the man’s hand. “Let me introduce my companion.”

  This was one of Nick’s attributes that Shannon had admired from the start. Even in the dusty, hot back roads of a third world country, his impeccable manners had shone brighter than the sun. Watching him as he interacted with people and the way he held himself, she marveled at what his childhood had been like and wondered about the parents who had so obviously ingrained in their only son a deep-rooted sense of decency toward everyone. He might be a ruthless businessman who wielded power and control with ease but he was also a very well brought up man whom she could be proud of.

  “Shannon Reynolds. This is Mr. Allen. He makes sure I get where I need to go without even so much as a honked horn, a well-placed digit of scorn or a string of pithy swear words. And Mr. Allen, this beautiful woman is Shannon Reynolds. She will be staying with me at the brownstone and will be accompanying me to Connecticut.”

  That pretty much said it all he congratulated himself silently. The twinkle of delight he saw forming in his driver’s eyes told him that the old scoundrel had heard the message in Nick’s choice of words. If it weren’t for the fact that he had to drive them into the city, Nick was fairly certain he’d be on his cell phone in a heartbeat alerting everyone who would listen to the presence of a lady by his side. How long would it take for his mother to learn of Shannon’s appearance in his life he wondered? Mr. Allen might not be the one to make that call but he was pretty damn sure his wife wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

  “How do you do, Ms. Reynolds.” the older gentleman said. With a warm smile turning into a huge grin he chortled merrily, “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance and don’t believe anything Nicholas Barrett says! My scornful digits and well-rounded vocabulary of New Yawk swear words get plenty of workouts if you know what I mean.”

  Shannon smiled her most charming smile at the burly gentleman, laughing at his playful use of an exaggerated New York accent to make his point. “I live in L.A. Mr. Allen, where flame throwing invectives are a way of life for anyone driving on the freeways!”

  At the driver’s toothy grin she added, “And as for this one,” she giggled as she waved fingers in Nick’s direction, “the jury is still out on him.”

  Nick laughed at their joking around and shuffled Shannon quickly out of the early autumn chill and into the warmth of his car. “This one’s mine Gregory.” He announced with a deep chuckle. “Save all your New Yawk charm for that wife of yours!” Things were working out quite well indeed he mused quietly as they settled into their seats in the back of the luxurious limousine. Next stop; home.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  She expected a luxurious penthouse in some fabulous exclusive celebrity magnet address and was instead surprised to find he had his own restored home tucked away in Brooklyn. When their car pulled up outside an elegant classic brownstone, Shannon was delighted by the wide steps leading up to a gorgeous wood door with stained glass panels and ornate scroll work. Not at all what she’d pictured in her mind as Nick’s New York home, she was unprepared for the happy surge of approval she experienced as they climbed those stairs, hand in hand, like a couple returning home after a journey.

  When Nick swung the heavy solid door open and ushered her inside, the incredible luxury of the old world craftsmanship took her breath away. Much as in her home there was wood everywhere only this was dark woods like cherry and walnut covering walls, in the massive built-ins, up the magnificent staircase, and framing the dramatically tall windows of the high ceilinged rooms. It was glorious and had an ambient feeling of gracious hominess that warmed Shannon’s heart.

  Nick’s home was as surprising as he was himself.

  While he chatted with his driver, Shannon wandered through a large sitting room with curved window benches tucked inside side-by-side alcoves. She couldn’t help but sweep her hands across the rich, dark woods and the stunningly gorgeous mantle above a huge fireplace.

  There were overstuffed side chairs and a massive sofa strewn with colorful pillows positioned to make the most of the beautiful room. Tossing her purse on a low table Shannon sank onto the wide sofa and sat in awe of the stately charm of Nick’s home. She loved it.

  It just took a minute for the man to reappear at her side as he too threw himself down next to her on the couch. He reached for a control pad and started swiping his fingers across the touch screen to adjust the lights and start at welcoming fire in the massive stone fireplace.

  “Had to switch from wood to a much safer natural gas fire when we re-did the place.” He spoke as if in answer to the questions forming in her brain. “Pretty much everything else is original, restored or a precise reproduction. This is why I appreciated the attention to detail you invested in the craftsman renov
ation.”

  Looking around the comfortable room Nick tried to see his home through her eyes and felt a whiplash of satisfaction and happiness at the obvious approval shining on her face. There was a penthouse apartment at his disposal atop the Barrett offices but he had never been comfortable living there. Randolph had used it so Nick had made damn sure to change it top to bottom once he had control of everything.

  As soon as the brownstone renovation had been completed he had made the luxury dwelling his home base. It was big and oversized which suited him just fine. He hated feeling hemmed in or cooped up, another reason why Shannon’s open floor plan and the easy flow between spaces in her home had appealed to him.

  Smiling sweetly Shannon nudged him with her shoulder and joked, “This is a bit old fashioned and homey for a bachelor pad!” When he playfully nudged her back she gushed, “I love it! The wood is breathtaking and makes the whole house feel warm and inviting.” Her eyes were bright with enthusiasm. “Do I get a tour?” she suggested? Was that a library I saw in the room next door?”

  Laughing Nick threw an arm around her shoulder and settled back amongst the cushions with her nestled by his side. “Plenty of time for that later, Shannon. Don’t want you to overdo on that ankle just yet.” Gesturing over his shoulder he indicated, “Mr. Allen is taking care of our luggage and somewhere in the deep recesses of the upstairs, my housekeeper, who just happens to be Mrs. Allen, is no doubt busy organizing everything for us.”

  “Mrs. Allen?” Shannon queried. “Do you mean your housekeeper is married to your driver? Wow! How convenient.”

  “Well, convenient yes but it didn’t start out that way. That old curmudgeon must have some serious romantic moves because somehow he sweet-talked my mother’s long-time housekeeper into marrying him. Mrs. A, as she likes to be called, takes care of this big old house and coordinates my life with the precision and ease of a staff sergeant!” he chuckled. “Oh yea, and she reports my every move back to my mother so …” he mock glanced at his watch and smiled, “I suspect there will be a flurry of phone calls later tonight about your sudden appearance in my otherwise boring and predictable life”

  Shannon gasped and turned shock-filled eyes his way. “Oh my god, Nick. Is that okay with you? I mean your mother, and well ….” she drifted off. “What will you say to her?”

  The dimples were clearly on display when Nick laughed into her shocked face. “Actually babe, its fine with me this way! Mrs. A will fill in all the blanks … y’know, all that ‘what’s she like’ stuff. The usual women’s chatter that, as a man, I don’t understand. By the time I talk to Mom she’ll know plenty, believe me!”

  He was really laughing now. “Shannon, don’t worry so.” he teased as he put two fingers on the bridge of her nose where a frown was frozen in place. “My Mom will be fine.” He shrugged and admitted, “I’ve never brought a girl home before. This will be a first and I’m pretty sure she’ll be hearing wedding bells without much input from us!”

  “Wow.” Shannon sighed. “This is really happening, isn’t it?” She turned into him and searched his eyes. “I don’t know how to react.”

  Nick watched the emotions flashing through Shannon’s expression and noted each and every one. There weren’t any more roadblocks but there was apparently an awful lot of uncertainty and hesitation fluttering around the edges. He supposed that couldn’t be helped. After all, everything between them had come together rather quickly. A week ago he’d been a focused, single minded, hardened businessman. The grinning, relaxed and undoubtedly happy individual who looked back at him from the mirror now was a complete departure from that other person.

  Would people be shocked that he suddenly turned up with Shannon on his arm? Of course they would. That was the reality of the world he lived in. But his mother would hear the whole story in short order if he knew anything at all about how the female mind worked and that’s all which really mattered to him.

  First Mrs. A would sound the alarm and eventually Jules would chime in with her take on what was happening. By the time he had to say anything at all the conclusions would already be drawn and Shannon’s presence by his side would answer any remaining questions.

  “What about your parents Shannon? Have you told them yet about us? Do they know you’re bringing me to the celebration?”

  Shannon laid her head back against his arm, smiling softly. “I called home to let them know when I would be traveling and Dad answered. He’s such a …” she chuckled, “cloud chaser! I could have told him we were flying in by sleigh and reindeer and he would have written down all the details without ever stopping to ask a single question!” Her obvious affection for her doting Dad was evident.

  “I asked him to tell Mom I was bringing someone special but who knows how that tidbit will come out in translation.”

  Shannon was happy with his arm about her shoulder and realized her free hand had been playing with the buttons on his shirt. Since their explosive love-making in the clouds she’d been in a state of semi-arousal ever since. She could still feel him inside her. Recalling the moment he’d lost control, thundering his powerful hips against hers, was keeping her on the edge of sanity.

  “Shannon,” Nick murmured. “It’s alright to tell our families that we intend to be married, isn’t it? I don’t want there to by any doubt about our relationship.”

  Letting a single button slip through its hole Shannon slid tentative fingers into Nick’s shirt in search of skin. Even such a small connection was enough to clarify in Shannon’s mind what her answer should be. After all, when she’d said ‘Yes’ to him on the plane she had effectively agreed to his master plan. The physical intimacy, the sacred promise of the future they’d been gifted. He was completely serious about marrying her, she knew that, but she’d never been the type to fantasize about weddings so she didn’t exactly know how to react or respond.

  “It’s okay Nick, really. It’s just that, like you said, everything has happened so fast and all this is new and, well….. I don’t know what I’m doing, is all.”

  “Ah honey,” he replied as he tucked a finger under her chin and made her look at him. “How about we just try to enjoy each other and settle in slowly to the whole experience?” With arching eyebrows and a sinfully devilish grin Nick added, “When we go into the city tomorrow I plan to find the biggest diamond I can lay my hands on to let everyone know you belong to me and then I’m going to put a public address system on the roof of the Barrett office building and shout to all who can hear that Nick Barrett adores Shannon Reynolds and that I’m the luckiest guy on the planet because you have agreed to make an honest man of me.”

  If she beamed any more at him he’d need sunglasses Shannon thought as her eyes twinkled in delight at his playfulness. As was her female prerogative however she switched gears in a nanosecond.

  “Would you be disappointed if we got married quietly without a lot of fuss?” she asked in such a serious tone that Nick immediately lost the kidding quality to his voice when he replied. “Shannon, little one. I will marry you right now, just the two of us and I’m completely serious because I can throw a bit of Barrett influence around and get a judge out here in the next hour to make it official. I don’t care about the specifics as long as at the end of the day you belong to me and I belong to you and nothing ever again gets in the way of our being together.”

  Hugging her tighter he said, “If you want to get married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral with a ton of paparazzi and a zillion guests, I can make that happen too. It’s all good, my love.” he assured her. “But don’t get stressed trying to figure it all out at once Shannon. Let’s enjoy what we’ve made happen and let the rest just … happen.”

  “Well I know what I want to have happen right now mister!” Shannon joked. “I want the grand tour of this fabulous house and then I want to meet this Mrs. A. Maybe we can give her all sorts of juicy things to tell your Mom! Then I want you to take me to bed and remind me again why I said yes.” He laughed, she smiled. All w
as right in their world.

  “Even with the time change I’m done so let’s get this show on the road before I open all these buttons and manage to get you naked. Now that would give your Mrs. A an eyeful!” Shannon hooted as she shoved back out of his embrace and started getting to her feet.

  Holding out her hand she said “Come on. I want to see that library room up close and personal!”

  With that Nick smiled as he adopted his very best tour guide impersonation and began leading his woman on what he termed the five cent short tour, moving quickly from room to room of his magnificent home telling her every step of the way about work that had been done and filling in the renovation story with tales about the building’s history.

  It was after they’d moved to the upper floors where they’d encountered Mrs. Allen as she was coming from the master suite carrying a huge basket of laundry. As she spied them walking hand-in-hand toward her the smile lighting her face was enormous.

  “Nicholas Barrett!” she grinned. “With all your many talents somehow you missed the part where you learned how to do your own laundry!” Stowing the basket by her side Mrs. Allen looked Shannon up and down asking, “And who might this be?”

  “Now, now Mrs. A! You know that fancy digital washing machine you made me install is your favorite gadget of all time so enough with the snarky comments! You love having anything to toss into that behemoth set-up!” Nick answered as he stepped forward and gave the woman a hearty hug.

  “Watch it now!” she laughed as she swatted at him. “Don’t be bothering with any of that billionaire charm on me and stop changing the subject. Introduce me to your lady friend before I say something which will really embarrass you!”