You & Me Make Three
Barrington Billionaire’s Series
Book Three
by
Jeannette Winters
Author Contact
website:
JeannetteWinters.com
email:
[email protected]
Facebook:
Author Jeannette Winters
Twitter:
JWintersAuthor
Shaun Henderson learned young that the best defense is to strike first. It’s perfect in business but not in matters of the heart.
Morgan Pereira had walked away from a high-profile position to protect her son. Years later she is given another opportunity to climb the corporate ladder.
Taking the job opens wounds Morgan thought had healed.
If Shaun really does want her, he’ll have to learn that some things can’t be forced. Love plays by its own rules.
Copyright
Kindle Edition
An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2016.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to Tyler Dolbec, a special young man who is dear to my heart. Tyler, you taught me love can be expressed in many ways. Thank you.
I am also supported by a team of beta readers who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth. Thank you for that!
Karen Lawson, Janet Hitchcock, E.L. King and Marion Arche, my editors you are all amazing!
To my readers who brings joy into my life with each and every message. Always make time for romance
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Epilogue
Other books by Jeannette Winters
The Billionaire’s Secret
One White Lie
Southern Spice
Books by Ruth Cardello
About Always Mine by Ruth Cardello
Books by Danielle Stewart
About Fierce Love by Danielle Stewart
Chapter One
Have I lost my mind? What was I thinking to speak to him like that? Just because he was rude as hell to me, I should’ve known better than to let him under my skin, telling him to take his job and his uniform and shove them. Morgan sat on the stone bench by the water fountain. The pigeons came up to her feet, looking for something to eat. She threw them a few more pieces of popcorn, and they all fought over it.
She’d been working at that same café for a few years as a barista, and until that morning, she’d actually liked her job. When the new manager came and handed her the new uniform, she knew things were about to go bad. Just because the other girls didn’t have the courage to question his rational on this choice of clothing didn’t mean she didn’t. Besides it was her reputation on the line. There was no way she was wearing shorts that barely covered her bottom and a T-shirt that was two sizes too small, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Her first attempt to veto the clothing had been shot down completely. When she told him she refused to dress like that, she couldn’t believe he had the nerve to tell her if she couldn’t use her assets to their best ability for the company, then he would find another hottie to take her place. When did I stop being a person and become only an . . . object?
“Looks like I’ll be joining you and begging soon because I have no idea how I’m going to pay rent with no job.”
“You don’t need to work for a jerk like that.”
Morgan turned to find a blonde sitting not far from her. She looked familiar—one of the regulars who came in—but had she been one of the customers in the shop when Morgan decided to tell her boss what he could do with that uniform? It had gone by so fast, who had been there seemed to be a blur.
“Sorry, do I know you?”
The woman held out her hand. “My name’s Lexi Chambers. I have to say, I was very impressed with how you handled that jerk. Can’t say I wasn’t disappointed that you didn’t slap his face, because he sure had it coming.”
I don’t need assault charges on top of being unemployed. “Thanks, I’m Morgan Pereira.”
“So, what are you going to do now?” Lexi asked.
Get some chocolate chip ice cream, sit here, and cry if you don’t mind. That wasn’t going to make anything better at this point, but her options seemed bleak. Going back to apologize was not on the list. No matter how desperate she was for work, she had standards. It’s not the first job I’ve had to leave unexpectedly, but I hope it’ll be the last. “Look for a new job.”
“Well, then this is your lucky day.”
Morgan had to fight back a sarcastic remark. Nothing about today felt lucky, but this woman was grinning from ear to ear. Was she crazy or had she not heard everything that went down a few minutes earlier?
She turned away from her and started feeding the pigeons again. Maybe if I don’t look at her, she’ll go away. No such luck.
“Come with me.”
“Excuse me?” This woman must have a screw loose.
“I just heard you tell your boss off, and he was almost a foot taller than you, so you can’t tell me that you’re afraid of me?”
Lexi might have a point, but that wasn’t enough to make Morgan get up and follow her without even a clue as to where they were going. Although she looked harmless, this was Boston, and it was filled with some very questionable individuals. Morgan didn’t want to make her bad day any worse.
“I’m just going to sit here.”
“And do what? Grow old feeding pigeons? Come on. Best time to get a job is while you have one.”
“And I don’t.”
Lexi shook her head. “A technicality. It’s still the same day, so it’s almost like you have a job.”
Morgan arched her brow, trying to figure out her logic. There was none. Before she could correct her, Lexi smiled.
“Just go with it. Now if you want a job, I know a place that needs someone to start today. You’d be perfect. So are you interested or not?”
“What place is that, and how do you know they’re hiring?”
“Poly-Shyn, and I work there.”
Morgan knew the place as it was only around the corner from the café and many of the employees came there regularly. She never imagined she’d work there. But from the looks of Lexi, she wasn’t sure she believed Lexi worked there now. Everyone there always dressed the same: dark suit, plain tie. Boring as the day is long.
“In the office?” Morgan couldn’t help but be skeptical. The Hendersons were known for taking business to an entirely different level. She couldn’t picture Lexi fitting into that world, not with her personality.
Lexi stood p
roudly. “Yes, the office. I work in Human Resources, and I know they are looking for someone to start today.”
Wow. A foot in the door at a place like that is nearly impossible to come by. But I am not qualified to work in HR. That department works under federal and state standards. Why would I waste my time going for a job that there is no chance I’d get? “Thank you, Lexi. That is very kind of you, but I have no HR experience at all. It really doesn’t matter what your department is hiring for. I don’t have the necessary skill set.” Not that I couldn’t learn, but why would they hire me when there are so many people who already have the skills needed to do the job correctly right out of the gate. Damn it. Why can’t I just bullshit my way through an interview like other people? What does ethical behavior really get me? Oh yeah, I know. Unemployed.
“Trust me. You have what it takes.”
What is that? She already knows I make an awesome cup of coffee. I don’t think that will get me past day one there. “You don’t know me, Lexi.”
“I saw you in action, remember? You have balls, and that’s what you need to work for Dean Henderson. Actually, any Henderson, for that matter.”
Not a great sales pitch if you are trying to sell me on coming to Poly-Shyn with you. “I just left working for a chauvinistic jerk. I don’t need another one.”
Lexi laughed. “He’s many things, but chauvinistic is not one of them. Trust me; Tessa has softened him up a lot. Well maybe a little bit would be more accurate. So what do you say? You want a job or not?”
What’s the saying? Beggars can’t be choosers? I need the money. Even if I only last a week, it will be better than nothing. What do I have to lose? Getting up, Morgan forced a smile.
“Lead the way.”
Lexi gave her a quick hug and said, “Morgan, you’re a lifesaver.”
Shouldn’t I be saying that to her? This doesn’t sound good. A company like that cannot or should not be desperate for staff. I wonder what’s really going on. As they made their way around the block, the tall glass building was in sight. No one could miss the name Henderson on the building. They were one of the most powerful families on the East Coast. Walking in there, totally unprepared for any type of interview, was absolutely ludicrous. No way in hell was she going to get hired for a job. They will take one look at me and the way I’m dressed and throw me out on my butt where I belong.
Morgan stopped outside the building and looked up. It would be amazing to work in such a remarkable place. The building stood out architecturally from the others close by. Having a name like that on her résumé would open doors. Not that I want to join that competitive back-stabbing work force again. It’s not my dream job, but I know many people who’d kill for an opportunity like this. There was no time to live in a fantasy world of what her dream job would be. Responsibilities kept her rooted to the ground, and in just a few minutes Lexi had her head in the clouds. How did she do that? I’m no pushover, so what am I doing here with her?
She turned to go back in the direction they had come. Oh yeah. Looking for work.
Lexi must have sensed her hesitation. Reaching out, she grabbed Morgan’s hand and half dragged her into the building. The man dressed in a security uniform looked at her puzzled, then raised his hand to halt them from going forward.
Damn it. She might not even work here. Oh God. I’m being dragged along by some woman pretending to be an employee. I knew it from the moment I saw her outfit. How stupid could I be to actually believe her?
“Miss Chambers. You know you can’t bring in a guest without stopping here and showing proper identification,” the man said before they could pass him.
Lexi turned to Morgan. “Do you have your license with you?”
Morgan nodded and pulled it out of her purse. Lexi looked at it first, then back to her. “What?”
“You’re thirty-six? I would’ve thought twenty-eight. You’re going to need to give me your secret before I leave.”
Not working a high stress job like the one you’re taking me to interview for. But I’m not worried. There’s no way they are going to hire me dressed like this. God knows I wouldn’t if I were in their shoes.
Lexi handed the card to the man who entered the information into the computer and handed her a temporary badge.
“And what’s your business here today?”
“She’s here to see Dean,” Lexi replied.
Dean? Dean Henderson? The owner of Poly-Shyn? “Lexi . . .” Morgan began.
“Okay. You better make it quick. He just asked for the limo to pull up as he and his brother Shaun are heading out,” the guard reported.
“This will only take a minute. Thanks.” Lexi grabbed Morgan’s hand once again and pulled her to the elevators.
Once inside Morgan asked again, “Lexi, you can’t honestly be taking me to meet the owner of the company. I’m not prepared, and up until a few hours ago, I worked in a café making specialty coffees for people who work here, for goodness sake. Besides, I know there is a protocol for such a thing. I mean, you’re in HR. You should know that. Wouldn’t I meet your department first to see where I fit best?”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want the opportunity, but making a fool of herself wasn’t what she was looking for. People like the Hendersons had a long memory. This family wasn’t one she wanted knowing her name, especially if it was on bad terms.
“Morgan, I told you, they need someone to start today. Trust me. They will love you.”
If they love coffee, then yes. If they want someone with a college degree in HR Management, then the answer is no. “And you know this how?”
“Dean and I have been friends for years. And I’m a good judge of character. So stop sweating it.”
The elevator doors opened, and they made their way down the hall. She saw an empty secretarial desk beside a closed door. This scene would normally tell a person to stop and wait for the person in charge to return, but she watched Lexi walk around the desk and knock on the door anyway. When no one answered, she knocked again.
Really? And you keep this job how? Morgan wanted to turn and head back where she came from, but before she could a tall man who looked like he should be on a cover of GQ opened the door. She knew from recent news photos that this wasn’t Dean, but whoever he was, he was delicious to look at. Morgan averted her eyes so not to get caught staring. You’re here regarding a professional position, so act like you are professional, Morgan.
“Wow. You learned to knock. I’m impressed.”
Lexi shot him a dirty look. “Very funny, Shaun. Hey, can you do me a favor?”
He looked at her long and hard before answering her. “Probably not.”
Lexi then pointed to Morgan, who stood quietly to the side. “I need you to keep her company while I go talk to Dean for a minute. She’s a new employee here, so don’t scare her away.”
Shaun looked her over from head to toe. It wasn’t in a sexual way, but much more critical. She couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. He wasn’t the owner, so whoever he was, he was full of himself. If it wasn’t that she still held the slightest hope that she might land the position, she would’ve given him a piece of her mind. Come this far, might as well go for the gold.
“Make it quick. I have better things to do,” Shaun said to Lexi, but his eyes still were fixed on Morgan.
She turned away to avoid any conversation with him. From the look in his eyes, it wouldn’t be pleasant. The way her day was going she wasn’t sure how she’d be at holding her tongue. Even the pleasantry of an introduction was more than she wanted with him. The less you know the better.
Morgan sat down and hoped Lexi was correct, and she would only be sitting there a few minutes. How she’s going to talk him into an interview in that short of time is beyond me. But she’s a fast talker. He’ll probably do it just to shut her up. Morgan tried to hide the grin that crossed her face as she pictured Dean sitting behind his desk being railroaded until he gave in. Lexi really needs to change jobs and get into contract ne
gotiations. The competition would raise the white flag of surrender for sure.
Chatting with customers, whether they were strangers or not, was her livelihood. This man somehow made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t sure why, but maybe it was the way he continued to watch her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him sitting to the right of her and bluntly staring.
Didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners? Staring is not polite. Morgan couldn’t take it. After the morning she had, she wasn’t about to cut anyone any slack.
“Is there something you want to say?”
He arched a brow before asking, “Do I know you?”
If he’d come into the café, she never would’ve forgotten. He might be bold and brash, but he was also sexy as hell. He was clean-shaven, and dressed in what she could only assume to be a high-end designer suit. One might mistake him for dry and serious, but something in his dark eyes said he had just the right amount of bad boy in him. The type of man you dream of at night.
“No.”
“Lexi said you work here. Doing what exactly?”
That’s a great question. Remind me to ask that next time I see her. Morgan wasn’t about to let on to how she came to be in this office. It was none of his business. If he was the owner, that might be a different story, but coworkers had no need for such information.
“If you have any questions regarding my employment, please speak to Mr. Henderson.” That is if I even have a job.
Before Shaun could respond to her the door opened again, and Lexi came out but this time followed by a man she’d seen before. Dean Henderson was well known after being shot in this very building a few months ago. He looked even more intimidating in person than he did in the newspapers.
Pull yourself together. You’ve made it this far. Don’t let him see the fear or you won’t have a chance at whatever it is Lexi has planned.
“Morgan, this is Dean. I’ve explained to him what happened today at your job and what an ass your boss was. He’s agreed to give you a week to prove yourself.”
And so much for keeping my private life private. And from the little I’ve seen of you, Lexi, I can only picture how you embellished it too. She could only do one thing, show her new boss some gratitude for this opportunity.
You & Me Make Three: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Three Page 1