The Lost Tycoon

by Melody Anne

  Misty jumped and then turned to find Bryson sauntering toward her. Dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a sweatshirt with a coat thrown over, and with a wool cap covering his hair, he looked younger and slightly less daunting than usual.

  “Bryson. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up this early.”

  “I’ve always been a morning person. I took a jog about an hour ago and then went up to shower and change. I looked out the window and noticed you down here, so decided to join you.”

  “I haven’t ever been to the beach to see a sunrise before,” she said.

  “The sunsets are a lot more spectacular than the sunrises on this side of the States, and the ocean is several miles to the west, but it’s still nice to be out when the sky brightens. I’ll have to take you to the East Coast sometime so you can see a proper sunrise.”

  She didn’t want to ruin their moment and remind him that they weren’t going to be seeing each other too much longer. And she had more of a chance of winning a lottery that she never bought tickets for than of standing beside the Atlantic Ocean and watching a sunrise with this man.

  When his hand slipped down and took hers, Misty couldn’t think of a single reason to pull back. His fingers felt warm against her skin, and she liked the idea of holding on to Bryson. If only she could hold on to him forever…

  Maybe one of the reasons she was disappointed so often was because she dared to dream of things she couldn’t possibly have. If she didn’t set herself up for failure, then she would have no reason to be upset when things didn’t work out the way she wanted them to.

  But she could hardly think clearly and rationally when such a handsome man was walking alongside her and holding her hand. Being here, around this family, around this man, was messing with her head. She needed to have this trial over with so she could settle into a normal life — whatever her new life, the new normal, was going to be.

  Would she end up moving here? It made sense. She had no connections in Montana, nothing to hold her there. At least if she were here, she could find a decent job and get to know her family. Montana held nothing for her anymore — nothing but heartache.

  “What will you do when this is all over with? Will you move?” Bryson asked.

  How did he do that? He’d somehow read her mind again!

  “I don’t know yet. I received one of those community college catalogs in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago and was looking through it.” Misty was almost embarrassed to say that aloud.

  “That’s great. What would you like to study?”

  She glanced over at him, to see whether he was mocking her, or if he thought she was a fool even to consider such a thing, but he seemed genuinely curious. It gave her the courage to continue speaking.

  “I honestly don’t know. I was looking at the classes they offer, and there seemed to be some really fascinating subjects. I don’t…” she paused, embarrassed to go on, but then she firmed her shoulders and decided to finish. “I…uh…don’t have my high school degree, but I’ve always read a lot, spent hours in the library, and I found out that I can study for the GED through a community college, and the places I was looking at had easier admission requirements. I don’t know how I’d even afford it, but it was just a thought.”

  “Where there’s a will, there’s always a way, Misty. I think that would be wonderful. And no matter where you decide to live, there are always colleges nearby. There are also a lot of online schools for those who can’t get to a school, but I would suggest you go to a campus just so you can have that experience. Especially since you’ve missed out on so much already.” As he spoke, his voice grew animated.

  “I don’t think it’ll ever be a reality, Bryson. It was just something I was looking at.”

  “Don’t do that.” His changed manner, now stern and abrupt all of a sudden, stopped her in her tracks. He’d never used that tone before.

  “Don’t do what?”

  “You are constantly saying what you can’t or shouldn’t do. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s not who you are. I see strength of will underneath the downbeat and downtrodden exterior you’re trying to show the world. If you portray a weakling, then that’s what the world will see. Do you want people to look through you? Do you want to fade away into nothingness?”

  “I’m already there,” she shouted. She was tired of listening to him lecture her.

  “Only if you decide to be there. No one makes our destinies, Misty. No one! We can choose to let the world make us disappear, or we can stand up and shout back that we aren’t going to take it. If you let yourself be kicked while you’re down, then passersby will think that’s acceptable and they will join in and start kicking you, too. Did you just roll over when you met me?”

  “No. But I was frightened,” she said, wrapping her arms around her now trembling body. It was cold and this fight seemed to be using up her energy, making her suddenly shiver.

  “You’ve been frightened for most of your life and you’ve always fought back. Dammit, you should be one hell of a champion by now.”

  That wasn’t something she’d thought about before. Was she a fighter? She’d gotten away from the foster parents who had abused her, escaped when street junkies had tried to do worse than abuse her, and she’d outsmarted a dirty cop. Maybe she was stronger than she gave herself credit for.

  “Take my coat,” Bryson said. He removed it and draped it around her shoulders, then pulled her close and wrapped her in a warm embrace.

  “You’ll get cold,” she protested through chattering teeth. It was more emotional than physical, but she couldn’t stop shivering.

  “I’m made of solid steel. The elements can’t hurt a superman like me,” he replied, making her smile.

  The wind was nipping at her neck, but she was warming up quickly as she stayed enfolded in Bryson’s strong arms. This man was dangerous. He could uproot her entire life with a few words. He could make unspoken cravings rush to the surface.

  But even knowing that, she didn’t pull away; she just enjoyed the feel of his warm breath rushing across the top of her head as the wind stirred her hair. If she turned her face just a little, their mouths would align perfectly. The slightest tilt and those lips could be on hers.

  She moved her head involuntarily, and then she was looking into his eyes, those warm gray eyes that hid so many secrets. And were able to draw her so quickly into their depths.

  “Misty,” he sighed before closing the minuscule gap between them and pressing his lips to hers. The cool air made their mouths tingle when they met. He pushed his tongue against her bottom lip, the softest of caresses. It was a question. Would she open to him?

  Whether she wanted it to be or not, her answer had to be yes. She opened to him.

  Bryson tugged her even closer as his mouth danced across hers, as he made her body ache with need. Tremors racked her body, and she snuggled tighter into his embrace, trying to satisfy a need that could be met only when the two of them lay skin to skin.

  There was no hurry, though, nowhere to be but right there. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, and her head fell back as his hot breath smoothed over the column of her throat.

  He could take her now, right here on this beach, and it still wouldn’t be enough. It would never be enough, no matter how many times their bodies joined, no matter how much pleasure he brought her. She finally understood the meaning of the word insatiable.

  That’s what she was — insatiable — at least when it came to Bryson.

  In such a short amount of time, her life had begun to revolve around this man. It was a dangerous game, a game she was sure to lose, but for now, she couldn’t make herself care.

  His lips worked their way back up to her mouth, where he caressed her gently, kissing her bottom lip with such sweetness that she felt herself lift into a whole new plane.

  This man was taking control over her every desire. She wanted to please him. And she wanted to be pleased by him.

  Soon, the kiss went from swe
et and gentle to hungry and passionate. Her core heated to dangerous levels, and her entire consciousness was fixated on having him strip her clothes away and sink deep inside her.

  She grasped at his hair, holding him to her, while he explored her back with his hands, then let them move beneath the bundle of clothes she was wearing, and then climb up her sides until he was suddenly clasping one aching breast, the touch of his palm scorching her.

  Before she could fall into an abyss of total pleasure, Bryson pulled back, his eyes almost savage as they gazed down at her, hot, hungry — ready.

  “I want you every minute of every day,” he said huskily.

  “Then have me,” she told him, too turned on to consider regretting her words.

  The flash of need in his eyes, followed by a glance up the hill, made her feel like a seductress. With a boldness she would have never known she possessed, she moved her hands downward and squeezed the muscles of his tight buttocks.

  “When we get alone…” he growled, then pulled back and enclosed her hand with his.

  “Is that a promise or a threat?” she asked, feeling almost giddy.

  “Both.”

  The way he said the word sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. She’d made this big, strong man ache. She’d made him desire her — need her. She felt euphoric and found herself practically skipping as they made their way back up the trail to the house.

  “I don’t think I ever want to go back to the real world,” she said with a sigh.

  “I need this case to end,” he replied, taking the glow right out of her. When she tensed, he halted their progress and turned to her. “So that I can be with you all I want — without the conflict of interest.”

  Her glow came flooding back.

  Misty didn’t believe their fling could last. But she didn’t want to think about that. All she wanted to think about right now was the two of them lying in bed together, spectacularly sated.

  “Why didn’t you join me last night?” she asked. If he wanted her so badly, she didn’t understand why he hadn’t come to take what she was offering.

  “Because Joseph would have somehow known and then strung me up as an example of what happens to men who defile the Anderson women,” he said with a chuckle. “And, Misty, you are an Anderson.”

  “Maybe by blood, but I wasn’t raised with them, and apparently my father was the black sheep of the family, so while they may be greeting me with open arms right now, that could all change in an instant. I’ve decided just to enjoy it while it lasts.” She wasn’t upset, just realistic.

  “You will gain trust the more you get to know them. They’re the good kind of people to have in your life,” Bryson assured her.

  “I think you’re right about that. But I don’t think I’m exactly an asset to their superior blood,” she said with a laugh, though her own words stung her.

  “You are more of an asset than you could ever realize,” Bryson said as they reached the back door.

  “No more talk of this. I want to enjoy the next couple of days with this perfect family, and then, when I get back home — if you have time — I want to finish what we started down there on the beach.” Misty sent him a flirtatious smile. Or at least what she hoped was a flirtatious smile. She’d hardly had a lot of experience handing those out.

  “I’ll move our flights up,” he growled, cornering her on the porch.

  “I wouldn’t complain.” She whimpered as his lips touched hers again and she melted against him.

  “Well, I sure as hell would.”

  The two of them jumped apart quicker than a frog’s tongue catching a fly as Joseph looked out at them from the doorway.

  “We were just taking a walk,” Bryson said, his cheeks slightly pink.

  Misty was fascinated by his nervousness. Edginess from a man who seemed so confident all the time was fascinating to behold. But she could certainly understand it. Joseph was one heck of an intimidating man, especially standing in the entryway to his castle.

  “Yeah, I’ll just bet you were,” Joseph grumbled, and he sent a warning look Bryson’s way. Then a gleam appeared in the old man’s eyes as he looked back and forth between the two of them. “Of course, a nice morning walk isn’t such a bad thing.”

  Misty and Bryson gaped at him.

  “Why don’t we have breakfast and visit?” Joseph walked inside, absolutely certain the two of them would follow immediately.

  And they did.

  For the next few hours, Misty felt as if she were in an interrogation room. When Damien and Sierra joined them, she sighed in relief.

  “Don’t worry about Joseph. He just loves to be in charge,” Sierra said as the two women escaped to a couch, leaving the men to chat among themselves. Soon, Katherine joined them, and Misty found herself really liking the soft-spoken woman.

  The topic of Joseph and his wild schemes came up eventually. He thought he was being secretive, but it seemed that his antics were very well known.

  “I can’t figure out what Joseph’s doing. He keeps talking about school, and marriage and kids, then he looks from Bryson to me. We’re not a couple. We’re just…” she trailed off, not knowing how to define their relationship.

  “Yeah, I was just…” Sierra got a big smile on her face. “…just nothing with Damien, too,” she finished with a giggle as she looked pointedly to the sleeping baby lying in her husband’s arms as he talked with Joseph and Bryson.

  Damien was so natural with his daughter, cradling her protectively in one arm while he rubbed along her soft bald head or patted her back gently with his free hand. He would look at her every few moments just to assure himself she was comfortable. Awwwww, Misty thought.

  “Don’t try to fight it, Misty. Just grab it while it’s hot and then hold on for the ride,” Sierra advised.

  Though Misty blushed, she looked across the room at Bryson, and when their eyes met, a spark shot through her. Maybe her newly found sister-in-law was right — maybe she should just hold on and see where this all led.

  She sent Bryson a wink. Would this work as a sexy gesture? Yesss! She felt immediate warmth when she saw him stiffen. Mmm, flirting was becoming a new favorite pastime of hers.

  “You go, girl,” Sierra said with a chuckle.

  “I just might do that,” Misty replied, leaning back and enjoying herself.

  By the end of her second night at the Anderson mansion, she’d been talked into meeting the rest of the family. The Anderson Foundation was throwing a fundraising party and it sounded like too much fun to miss. Her last night there promised to be an adventure unlike anything she’d experienced before.

  Bring it on, she thought with a new optimism.

  Chapter Twenty

  “You look stunning,” Sierra gasped after circling around Misty slowly so she could take in the entire effect of the gauze dress.

  Misty clutched at the top of her gown and tugged, and Sierra jumped over and grabbed her hand. “Don’t do that. You’ll rip it and then be showing far more of your goodies than you are now,” she said with a laugh.

  “I can’t wear this, Sierra. It’s beautiful — the most beautiful gown I’ve ever even seen, because I certainly haven’t ever worn one this stunning. But I can’t wear this. Not in front of strangers.” Misty turned back to the mirror in dismay.

  Gazing back at her was a woman who certainly looked as if she belonged in this magical fantasy the Andersons had created, but it wasn’t Misty. Her dark hair shone as it tumbled down her back, the bright sparkle of her green eyes was accented by expertly applied makeup, and her body…well, her body looked curvy and sensual, and…

  “Nope. Can’t do it,” Misty sighed. “You have to have something more...more…I don’t know, something that shows less?”

  “It’s a Cirque du Soleil theme,” Sierra told her. “Just wait until you see what Joseph has planned!” She was practically bouncing on her feet as she held out a beautiful necklace and placed it around Misty’s neck.

  “Plea
se tell me this isn’t real.” Misty brought her finger up and ran it over the large blue stone in the middle of a cluster of other brightly colored gems.

  “Okay, it’s not real.” Sierra turned away to fasten her own jewelry around her neck and her wrists.

  “What if I lose it?” Misty asked. This was getting to be too big of a deal. Maybe she shouldn’t have agreed to go to the fundraiser.

  “Don’t worry; it’s insured. Besides, if you lost it, someone would find it and take it to Joseph or Katherine,” Sierra replied.

  “Not everyone is that honest,” Misty told her sadly.

  “Anyone who comes here is. Now, come on, sweetheart. It’s time to go.” Sierra was not about to give Misty any chance to back out or change clothes, and she tugged the reluctant beauty from the room.

  Then, Misty was slowly descending the tall, wide, polished staircase, and she could do little more than concentrate on not tripping in her silver heels. What sort of sickos were behind fashionable women’s shoes? Seriously!

  Stepping down the hallway — not quite gliding, but she was getting her stride on the mini-stilts — she heard music, and she couldn’t help the pounding of her heart. This was like all the middle and high school dances rolled into one night. Except that she’d missed out on them all. No clothes, no dates. And she suspected that all the dances at the many schools she’d attended, even if you added them up and multiplied them by ten thousand, wouldn’t have reached this level.

  Got it in one!

  When they entered through the silk-draped doorway into the massive ballroom, she stopped in her tracks.

  It had been transformed into what looked like the sets of various Vegas shows. The ceiling had to be at least three stories high, it reached so far, and so many people were walking around, it seemed more like a real theater than a room in a home. Of course, Joseph and Katherine’s home wasn’t just a home. It was a castle that seemed to go on for miles in all directions.

  Two performers were shooting fire from their mouths on one corner stage, while in another corner two women were performing an aerial “ballet” in silk that was draped from on high. Others were performing Cadre — acrobatics between two bars — leaping from one bar to the other, using only their legs in an amazing feat of strength. And one more stage featured several dancers moving in perfect synchronization, in what looked like a blend of a belly dance and hip-hop moves.