The Billionaire's Second Chance

by Peyton Reeser

  “You haven’t eaten much today. Would you like me to have something light sent up while you dress? I wouldn’t want you to faint from hunger! What would your parents think of me then?”

  “Thanks. That would be perfect Nick. It’s going to take me a while to do my hair and get ready so something to nibble on would be smart I’m thinking.”

  He went with a raunchy jokester response that he hoped would bring back her giggling smile when he waggled his eyebrows at her and said “Oh, I’ve got something for you to nibble on woman!” in a dead on Boston accent that had her howling with laughter.

  “What am I going to do with you Mr. Barrett?” she chuckled affectionately.

  “I believe you know exactly what you can do with me Ms. Reynolds.” he answered and just like that the earlier tension was gone and they were smiling at each other once more.

  Two hours later after a quick shower and a long time styling her hair, Shannon slid into a classic little black dress with a high neck and fitted bodice above a cinched waist and flared skirt that ended several inches above her knees. The black crystal encrusted belt around her middle sparkled as did the ring she was wearing. Seeing what she had on brought a huge smile to Nick’s face causing him to jump up and fetch his overnight bag.

  “Looks like I have great timing.” he laughed as he pulled a black jewelry case from the bag.

  “Oh Nick. What have you done?” Shannon said when she saw a look of immense satisfaction spread across his face.

  “Hush now and just open the box.”

  She sat down and cracked open the lid of the hinged box, immediately rewarding him with a startled gasp followed by an excited coo. “Oh my god, Nick. They’re beautiful!”

  A pair of elegant diamond drop earrings, each with a dazzling sapphire on top, twinkled back at her from the nest of black velvet. Her look of pure adoration bespoke of her love for him as well as her delight in the gift. She could barely sit still as he lifted each beautiful earring from the case and gently placed them at her ears.

  She jumped up when he was finished and padded to the nearest mirror where she laughed and clapped her hands like a kid on in a toy store. Turning her head this way and that she delighted in the perfect diamond and sapphire accessory to her designer dress.

  When she slid her feet into an outrageously high pair of black peep toe pumps he snarled at her “And what the hell are those young lady?” with concern and displeasure accenting each word.

  “You’re joking, right?” she trilled. Striking a deliberately provocative pose she told him exactly what ‘those’ were.

  “These my darling, are a women’s secret weapon surpassed only by lingerie or the occasional foot-long sub and a sporting event.”

  When she danced around to make the point, he followed her every move, giving Shannon the opportunity to laugh at him. “See?” she asked smugly.

  Frowning, Nick said, “I thought your ankle was sore.”

  “Yes, I did say that and just to make you happy I wore those crappy sneakers all day just so I could break out these baby’s for tonight. Deal with it, sir!”

  “Okay, okay. Point taken. Your legs look fantastic in those shoes by the way but I want your promise that if that ankle starts acting up you’ll find the good sense to either sit down or take them off!”

  Grabbing a soft cashmere wrap and the tiny satin bag with the same embellishments from the belt on her dress, she smiled sweetly then gave him one of those mock salutes that says, ‘yes sir, Mr. High and Mighty sir!’ He couldn’t do anything but laugh as he took her arm and guided her to the door of their suite.

  “Don’t look so smug woman. When I finally get you back here tonight, you’ll be wearing those heels and nothing else, except perhaps the diamonds, and then I’ll show you who the boss around here is.” She giggled, he smiled and off they went into the night.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  The Reynolds Anniversary event was being held at a South End location along a cobblestone street in the heart of Boston. The small, elegant boutique hotel was the perfect setting for her parents and their mixed bag of friends and business associates. The classic feel and semi-formal ambiance which greeted them was a huge relief for Shannon who had feared some Grateful Dead flashback might be planned for a couple who wed in the 60’s. While her folks might be older and definitely wrapped kind of tight, they were also from the generation of doctors and professors who had been on the front lines of the Cultural Revolution.

  Because these types of events were what Shannon did for a living her sharp eye took in the gorgeous floral arrangements and the white glove service that gave this party a decidedly top drawer air. She couldn’t have been more pleased if she’d arranged all the details herself.

  “Shannon Reynolds! As I live and breathe!” came a booming voice and before she quite knew what to do a pair of burly arms grabbed her up and swung her in a jubilant hug.

  “Uncle Robbie!” Shannon squeaked with delight when the huge man dropped her back at Nick’s side. “I haven’t seen you in forever.” she laughed while gracing him with a wide smile.

  “Uncle Rob, I’d like you to meet Nicholas Barrett.” she said using his formal name. Nick’s easy manner and quick friendly handshake happened with uncomplicated ease, bringing a feeling of relief to Shannon. If her Uncle wasn’t going to ask a million questions maybe nobody else would.

  Cocktails were being passed around but Shannon could only think of locating her parents and giving them her love. Nick held tight to her hand as they drifted through the crowded room in search of the guests of honor.

  They found one of them backed into a corner where her dad was telling one of his, ‘Oh my god can you believe how wrong they were’ stories to a gathering of friends. Shannon smiled. Dad always did enjoy rattling on about experiments gone wrong or the occasional ill-conceived hypothesis.

  “Dad!” Shannon cried as she threw herself at him.

  Peals of delighted laughter ensued while the two hugged and talked all at once resulting in them tripping over each other’s conversation. Nick stood to the side observing the father daughter reunion.

  Before Shannon could reach for him to do an introduction her mother appeared in an excited huff crying out when she saw her only daughter.

  “Shannon, darling! You look amazing as always.” Her mom exclaimed.

  “Oh Mom!” she replied with a look of wonder on her face. “That dress ….”

  Shannon was stunned by her mother’s transformation. Gone was the plain white lab coat and sensible shoes, along with the usual pencil stuck in her hair or the pair of glasses hanging on a beaded lanyard around her neck.

  In their place was a beautifully elegant sheath of a dress with a modest boat neckline that hung in a straight line to the floor. The feminine pumps she wore, while not nearly as modern or outrageous as Shannon’s, and were perfect for the look of an anniversary celebration. Shannon was delighted and said so.

  Nick must have been hovering nearby because her mother’s quizzical look at the big man so obviously sticking close to her daughter’s side earned Shannon a raised eyebrow and a questioning expression.

  Forgetting all about her earlier anxiety Shannon instantly grabbed Nick’s hand and pulled him toward her parents. She was filled with happiness at seeing her Mom and Dad again and truly delighted in their joy at being recognized for their fifty years together.

  “Mom, Dad. This is Nicholas Barrett.” she beamed. “Nick, these are my parents Doctor and Doctor Joanne and Michael Reynolds.”

  The way her face lit up as she smiled back and forth between the parents that she loved and Nick made his heart thump with happiness.

  Putting all of his impeccable manners on display, Nick went with a straightforward charm offensive that managed to make Shannon’s smile even broader.

  “Doctor Reynolds.” he smiled as he held out his hand to Shannon’s mother. When she took it he swiftly turned her wrist to place a gentlemanly kiss against her knuckles.

  �
�I can see where Shannon gets her beautiful hair.” he said as he glanced meaningfully at Joanne Reynolds full mane of salt & pepper curls. The woman was obviously charmed because she let loose an abbreviated giggle which reminded Nick of Shannon’s delightful laugh.

  “Oh my!” she chortled. “Michael, pay attention!” she cried excitedly. “Your daughter has brought a beau with her and he’s a charming devil if ever there was one!”

  Nick’s appreciative grin found its way into Shannon’s heart along with the wink he shot at her.

  Turning to her Dad, Nick down shifted the charm a tad and shook the man’s hand with a firm grip as he nodded in greeting saying, “Doctor Reynolds.” with all the gravitas he could muster.

  Having gotten both of their attentions he tossed a huge dollop of, butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth charisma, on top and slotted in a smooth, “It certainly will be easy to remember your names!” followed by a hearty laugh.

  Throwing his arm possessively around Shannon’s shoulder Nick told her parents how pleased he was to meet them at last, while congratulating them on fifty years of togetherness.

  Shannon basked in the joy radiating from her parents’ faces and the love for her she saw shining in Nick’s.

  Clutching at Nick’s arm in his elegantly smart Armani suit, Shannon squeezed a fraction in silent signal of her delight when that movement, slight as it was, caught her eagle-eyed Mom’s attention.

  Nudging her husband she looked right at Shannon when she said “Michael, I think these two may have something to tell us.”

  Her pointed glance as the dazzling bauble on Shannon’s ring finger was making a statement that the Doctors Reynolds needed clarified.

  Not missing a beat Nick stepped up and said proudly, “You are correct there Doctor Reynolds.” smiling in her mother’s direction.

  Covering Shannon’s’ hand with his own where it slotted through the crook of his arm, he looked adoringly into her smiling face and went for broke.

  “Sir,” he said turning to the other Doctor Reynolds. “I’ve asked your daughter to marry me and to my great good luck she has said yes.”

  The startled gasps of ‘What?’ ‘Are you kidding’ and ‘Shannon, this is such a surprise’ filled the air as hands were grabbed and shaken yet again and hugs were exchanged in earnest. It was a satisfying moment for Nick and one which he hoped would help to settle his anxious bride-to-be.

  Shannon assured her folks that she didn’t want any sort of big announcement to be made because this evening was meant to be their celebration, but she did promise they’d make a formal declaration in the days to come.

  Feeling like he was ten feet tall Nick eventually pried Shannon away for a trip to the intimate dance floor where he could gather her close at last and let the music wrap around them.

  She felt so right in his arms that they stayed together on the dance floor for a very long time. There was something so perfect about the way they fit together, swaying gently to the music. He had to admit that the sexy heels added to the enjoyment for they allowed her to nestle against him in all the right spots and made that perfect backside of hers shift back and forth in flawless rhythm.

  The moment he found the opportunity, he swept her onto a terrace awash with twinkling lights and flickering candles set in tall, deep glass vases. He found a secluded corner where he could pull her against him and kiss her soundly.

  Is this what bliss felt like Shannon wondered? She’d never felt so complete and happy in all her life as she did right then, standing with her arms around Nick’s neck, leaning into him as he kissed her with a thoroughness that left nothing on the table.

  Everything was going so well that Shannon wasn’t prepared when a dramatic shift opened up like a violent summer storm that comes out of nowhere.

  Once minute they were standing there wrapped in each other’s arms, whispering as lover’s do, punctuating their words with tiny kisses. In the next, a simple, straight forward introduction turned into a dramatic scene that threatened to change everything.

  Through the open doors of the terrace Shannon had heard the booming voice of yet another Doctor Reynolds a second before her older brother Ted burst into her line of sight.

  “Where’s that sister of mine?” he shouted as Shannon quickly stepped from the shadows to say hello.

  “Hi Ted. What’s up big brother?” she said as he hurried toward her.

  “What in the bloody hell are you doing hiding alone in the dark out here, sis?” he asked as she leaned in for an awkward two-cheek kiss.

  God, she hated some of his fussy pretentiousness Shannon thought, while he went through the motions of the ridiculous European custom and tried not to cringe.

  A second later Nick stepped from the shadows saying, “Not so alone, as you can see.” with a tone that said he’d noticed Shannon’s attempt to hide her natural reaction to her older brother.

  Ted’s shocked expression said it all as he took in Nick’s imposing appearance and his sister’s presence by the big man’s side.

  Nick didn’t care who this guy was, he didn’t like his look or the way that Shannon kept her distance. He could see why they’d never been close, concluding it had a lot more to do with the man being an ass than the simple fact that he was so much older than her. He’d been in far too many board rooms and business meetings through the years not to recognize somebody as full of their own importance as this fellow was.

  It was like being in the presence of angry, territorial beasts Shannon thought, except without all the snarling and aggression. Ted was being his usual sanctimonious self while Nick was clearly playing his well-deserved alpha male card. She was impressed that he knew without being told that her brother was a control freak who thought he knew so much better than everyone else on the planet.

  “Ted, this is Nicholas Barrett. My fiancée.” She added for good measure.

  “Your what?” he bellowed. “I didn’t realize you were even seeing somebody. When did all this happen? Don’t you think it’s a little awkward unveiling a secret fiancée at mom and Dad’s party?”

  The man was a train wreck of negativity and Nick didn’t like him one bit.

  “Hardly a secret, Theodore.” Shannon bit out in a tone that said even more than the way she spit out her brother’s formal name.

  As if on cue Ted’s unctuous wife Jane appeared in the fray, trying to decipher what all the kerfuffle was about.

  “What’s going on Ted?” she asked before she made out Shannon’s presence on the terrace.

  “Oh my god, Jane! The prodigal daughter has returned home and chosen this very moment to produce a fiancé to ruin my parent’s night!” he cried.

  And just like that, she’d had enough. “Okay Ted,” Shannon snapped, “that’s quite enough. They are my parents too and nobody’s night has been ruined except yours, of course. I am sorry that my appearance as the quote, unquote ‘prodigal daughter’ as you say, has upset you but in the words of my generation, ‘tough titties pal.”

  Nick almost laughed as his little one rose to the occasion, as he knew she could, and promptly put her shithead brother in his place.

  Jane looked stunned when she finally saw Nick and Shannon standing there. “A fiancé you say?”

  Facing Shannon she pretty much said the same thing her husband had although with a somewhat more polite tone, “This is sudden, my dear. I didn’t realize you were involved with anyone, Shannon.”

  Sighing deeply Shannon tried a half smile and made an attempt to introduce Nick to her sister-in-law.

  “Not so sudden Jane,” she said. “Nick and I are, well…. we were friends a long time ago. We’ve recently reconnected and there you have it. Everyone needs to settle down. I’ve just become engaged, am at a reunion of sorts and have brought my fiancé to meet the family. Where’s the big deal in that? “

  To say the conversation went from sibling snark to atomic a nanosecond later wasn’t doing the moment justice. A light bulb figuratively lit up over Jane’s head as she sn
apped frowning eyes at Shannon and Nick, pursing her thin lips and looking less friendly by the heartbeat.

  Casting Shannon a withering look, Jane snapped at her, “Not sudden you say? Why am I not surprised to hear that?” Jane hissed.

  “Ted!” she cried at her husband, “it’s him. How can it not be, your sister being the fool she is!”

  Ted’s resentment toward his sister was nothing compared to the anger evident on his face when he focused burning eyes on Shannon and the man at her side.

  “That’s what this is, isn’t Shannon? This is the man who got you in all that trouble, isn’t it? The man who left you on your own after the accident so your brother and I had to play caretaker!” The woman was all but screaming now making Shannon cringe as each vicious word flew at her.

  Wait! What? Nick’s mind screamed. Accident? Trouble? What in the hell was going on here?

  “How dumb can one girl be? Bringing him here like this.”

  Nick was suddenly a statue, unable to move and unless he got control of himself and started breathing, he was about to hit the floor from oxygen starvation. What the hell had that viper-tongued woman just said? Had he hear her correctly when she said he’d gotten Shannon in trouble?

  A black hole was opening up in his gut while a fear so strong that his knees almost buckled, rocked Nick to the core.

  In a voice he barely recognized Nick croaked out a strangled plea made up of just one word that said everything, “Shannon?”

  Oh my god, no! Shannon’s mind screamed. This can’t be happening. Damn Jane and her big mouth.

  Nick was her first priority so she turned close to him and touched his arm to reassure him saying, “It’s not what you think, Nick. Okay, it probably is what you think but I can explain.”

  “Is that woman saying what I think she’s saying?”

  In one final desperate attempt at denial Shannon glared at Jane and said, “I’m not sure what Jane thinks she knows.” as she clung to the hope that her privacy had been respected.