A soft knock on the door made my heart stop in my chest, and I stared up anxiously from the mirror. My hair had been piled gracefully on top of my head, held fast with a sparkling Swarovski barrette that latched onto the side. My makeup was carefully applied but minimal, with only a bit of mascara and shimmer above my eyes. That and a bit of gloss was supposed to carry me through the night. Whoever my stylists had been, I admired their confidence.
“Come in,” I called.
Marcus poked his head in but froze awkwardly in the doorway. “Are you…decent?”
I pulled my bathrobe tighter around me, suddenly self-conscious now that he’d asked the question. Not that it made any sense. I had certainly been wearing far less last night when we—
“Yeah, come on in.”
He slipped inside and shut the door carefully behind him. Even though the gala was still about an hour off, he was already wearing an impeccably fitted tuxedo. It hugged nicely around his chest and gave him that intimidating, towering appearance that men seemed so fond of. I spotted the diamond cufflinks and shook my head.
“What?” he asked nervously. “Do I have something on my—”
“No, you’re just…you look fine.” It was then that I noticed he was carrying a small parcel in his hands. “What’s that?”
“What? Oh.” He glanced down at it, then crossed over to where I was sitting at the vanity. “It’s for you. It’s…to go with your dress.”
He offered it silently and I opened it with trembling fingers. Gosh—why did everything have to get so complicated right before our big event? Why did I even wade into the water when I knew that dusk was prime hunting time for sharks? Why—why did he use so much tape?
My brow crinkled as I tried to open it. Marcus pursed his lips, and for the first time in what felt like ages, the tension lifted to allow room to breathe.
“You need some help?”
I grinned. “No, I got it. I think.” I ripped off the tape in a single fluid motion. When I lifted the lid, I gasped.
My eyes widened as a thousand beautiful diamonds twinkled back at me. Diamonds cut in long splinters, jagged shards that seemed to make no sense or pattern until he lifted them, and I realized it was a necklace. A necklace fit for the Ice Queen herself. My face paled, and I reached up to graze it with my fingers as he stepped behind me and fastened it on.
“It’s gorgeous!” I whispered as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. “Thank you! Oh my gosh!”
“Then you like it?”
“I love it!”
I didn’t quite recognize the girl staring back at me. Long gone was the poster child for “trying to make it in LA.” Gone was the pasty skin and pretty but uncertain features. She had been replaced with a completely different person.
This other girl was something else entirely. Something brand new.
“Is this a loaner?” I asked.
“No…this is for you.”
Marcus’ fingers grazed the back of my neck, and I glanced up to see him staring quietly back at me in the mirror. When our eyes met, he didn’t drop his gaze as I expected; he continued to stare—a quiet affection softening all of his features with a smile.
“I can’t—” I stammered, my eyes returning to the ice shards around my neck, “this is too much. Even for you.”
“Keep it, please.”
The fingers disappeared, leaving a trail of scorched skin in their wake. When he met my melancholy expression, the corners of his mouth turned up in an almost wistful smile.
“It’ll give you something to remember me by.”
He left before I could say a word. Left me standing there with a thousand diamond knives hanging around my neck. Left before he could see me cry. I knew none of this was real. But why was I getting so attached? I tried to stay distant. I knew who and what Marcus was all about. He was somebody no woman could tame. This was probably nothing more than a huge game to him. I had to stay strong and quit kissing him. This was all fake, I reminded myself. So it was vital that I keep all feelings out of this little arrangement. This was nothing more than an acting gig. Falling in love with your co-star was a big no-no.
I heard the gala starting before I even made it out of my bungalow. Sounds of Stravinsky floated in through the open window, and I knew it was time. Marcus was supposed to meet me there, so I took one final look in the mirror and headed outside alone. The path to the ballroom was paved with expensive couples. I followed along behind oversized clutches and clouds of cologne until I splintered off at the top of the grand staircase.
It was a fairy tale. And for the first time in my life, I fit right in.
Every eye in the room fastened onto me as I walked down the stairs. Floated was more like it. In any other circumstance, it would have been a surefire way to make me fall. But tonight, my world was so surreal that I felt like I was hovering above myself, watching me too.
It was the girl from my reflection again. It appeared that she was here to stay.
The dress Marcus’ minions had made for me was the color of soft winter snow. It was actually rather simple, especially compared to some of the numbers I saw around me, but it was that understated elegance that made it stand out. It wound around my body like a second skin, flowing freely from my bodice to the floor. Two gauzy sashes hung down the back from beneath the shoulders, fanning out behind me like little wings as I slowly descended the stairs. Those and the diamonds glittering around my neck were the only accessories I’d opted for. From the looks I was getting from every corner of the room, they were more than enough.
“Rebecca.”
The second my feet touched the ground, Marcus wound his way through the crowd, smiling dismissively and moving people politely aside to get to me. When he made it through the last of them, his face broke into a shining smile, and he took my hand, pulling me closer.
“I don’t know what you think you’re doing,” he whispered in my ear, “trying to upstage me at my own party?”
I smiled and slipped my hand behind his neck, stretching up on my toes. “Tell you what, let’s head to a bathroom and we’ll switch. That way you can wear the dress.”
He chuckled. “Not a chance, Rebecca.”
I smothered a laugh as he slipped my hand through his arm and turned me to face the crowd. The eyes of every person in the room were upon us, poised as if they were holding their breath. A man came out of nowhere and handed Marcus a microphone which he held to his lips with a gracious smile.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to my humble little gathering.”
Humble. Only Marcus would think of this as humble.
“My special thanks to those of you whose donations made this evening possible.”
A group of tipsy-looking people raised their glasses in salute. They were mostly congregating across the room by the bar.
“So without any further ado, let the festivities begin!”
A bottle of champagne popped open and the party was away. But for me and Marcus, the night was just beginning…
He took my hand and guided me through crowd after crowd. Well over a thousand people, everyone from international dignitaries to NASCAR racing champions, had somehow squeezed into this one little ballroom, and everyone seemed to want to shake Marcus’ hand. And the second they were done with Marcus, of course, they all wanted to meet Mr. Taylor’s new girlfriend. In the course of just two hours, I think I shook the hands and kissed the cheeks of enough dauntingly powerful people to start my own army. And don’t think I wasn’t thinking about that possibility, by the start of hour two. The repetition was mind-numbing, and I honestly didn’t know how Marcus did it. But if he could manage, so could I.
I kept a smile plastered on my face as we swept from one side of the room to another, putting on a show. But was it a show? I wasn’t sure either one of us knew anymore.
The only thing I was sure of was that in this moment, in this crowd of people, with our fingers laced together like a life raft, there was only him and me.
> And tomorrow, it would all be gone.
We clung to each other for dear life, smiling and laughing and toasting like we couldn’t be happier. Nuzzling into each other in “private” moments when we pretended no one was watching. Posing strategically for pictures and leaning my head affectionately against his shoulder whenever the CFO happened to walk by.
It was the performance of a lifetime. By the time we’d completed the rounds and spoken with everyone, I could honestly say that I might have believed we were dating. At the very least, I’d think we were fooling around…
“What do you say?” I murmured in Marcus’ ear as we finally detached from the last group of people and headed back to the center of the floor. “You ready to blow off this joint?”
He nodded. “Absolutely. I just…have a final announcement to make first.”
“Sure, honey,” I said.
He kissed my cheek. “Thanks for being so supportive.”
I clapped his arm and grinned. “Go get’em, tiger.”
He nodded shortly and turned on his heel.
I stared at him, but before I could say a word, he’d disappeared once more through the crowd. I clapped politely as Marcus took to the stage. The band stopped playing at once, looking surprised, and I glanced at the minions, wondering what was going on.
“I’m sorry for the interruption,” he said, suddenly amplified as the same little man rushed forward with another microphone. “I just couldn’t let everyone leave without making one final announcement. As most of you know, I’m here tonight with a person who’s very near and dear to my heart. A person who’s new to my life, but has caused me to see things through a different perspective.”
Time slowed to a dead stop as he lifted his hand and beckoned to me through the crowd.
“Rebecca, would you please come up here?”
I smiled as everyone clapped and cheered me on. I felt myself walking slowly toward the stage, keeping my eyes on Marcus the entire time. Why did he have up his sleeve? Was he going to expose us?! Come clean in some final act of contrition to prove he’d actually developed a conscience over the last few weeks?
Thoughts raced half-formed through my mind as I came to a stop beside him. He wouldn’t do that to me, would he? I stared anxiously into those ocean eyes. Eyes that, for the first time, looked almost as anxious as mine.
Marcus sank down onto one knee, hand reaching around in his pocket.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
My voice came out quick and low, and for a moment, there were no pretenses between us. He flashed me his signature smile.
He stared deeply into my eyes and said, “Rebecca, you know me better than anyone else in this world, yet you still you manage to love me. You are my best friend, my one true love. I’ll never forget the moment we first made eye contact in that little coffee shop. The chemistry was explosive and powerful, far deeper and inexplicably beyond any calculation of time and place. I can’t even describe a feeling like that, and it is not something that can be replicated or forced. It just flows in us, around us, and we go where it takes us. It is that feeling that has brought us here, together, today in the Caribbean. You stole my heart that day at the coffee shop, and I want you to keep it forever.”
Numb with disbelief, I just stared at him.
He slid a glittering diamond ring on my finger. “Rebecca White…will you marry me?”
Oh, that son of a bitch!
To be continued…
Download Part 2 here!
Visit Sierra Rose at www.authorsierrarose.com
The Boss
Book 1
Managing the Bosses Series
By
Lexy Timms
Copyright 2015 by Lexy Timms
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Copyright 2015 by Lexy Timms
Cover by BOOK COVER BY DESIGN
Chapter 1
One more hour and then you can leave. Just one more stupid hour.
Jamie resisted the urge to look at her phone for the fifth time in twenty minutes. She didn’t know what she was expecting to see on it. It wasn’t like time would move any faster. She turned her attention back to her sister’s engagement party, which she supposedly should be enjoying – in theory. However, it felt next to impossible with her fucking ex sitting right across from her with his arm around her sister.
Stephen caught Jamie staring and flashed a fake grin at her. Jamie looked away, down at the ice water she had opted for instead of the beer she really wanted. She might as well try to make an effort to show the family she wanted to lose weight.
“Have you chosen the venue yet, Christine?” Jamie’s mother asked. Her bony elbow jabbed Jamie in the side as she reached for her water glass.
Jamie made an effort to straighten from her slouched position, only to slide her shoulders forward a moment later.
“Not yet.” Christine smiled at her fiancé. “We were thinking about that cute little church a few blocks away from Stephen’s apartment.”
My apartment! At least it had been until Stephen refused to move out. With her savings dwindling, it had just ended up being easier letting him have it and tell the landlord to start charging him rent instead of her. She had not argued when the landlord also insisted Jamie keep her name on the lease when he added Stephen’s. She kept quiet even when it meant she had to move into her parent’s basement. Temporarily at least… I hope.
“Oh, that church’s so cute! You should definitely check it out. It is Methodist, right?” Her mother’s tone grated Jamie’s nerves. She knew her mother didn’t mean anything about the cuteness of the church, she only wanted confirmation of her question. That was exactly how her mother always worked.
“Of course,” Stephen said. “We wouldn’t consider any church that wasn’t Methodist.”
Her father grunted and checked his watch. He was the only one in the family who seemed to remember the fact that Stephen hadn’t bothered oozing charm when he had met them as Jamie’s boyfriend. Or, more likely, he simply didn’t think anyone was worthy of his precious little angel, Christine. Jamie couldn’t tell. She was never able to get her father’s attention long enough to ask him.
Just then their food arrived and Jamie’s mouth watered from the smell. She couldn’t take her eyes off the oversized burgers and chicken tenders with French fries served at the pub. The waiter balanced huge plates of delicious junk food on the tray. He smiled at everyone as he set the burger and fried chicken down in front of Christine and Stephen, the chicken alfredo and crab cakes in front of her parents and then flashed her an almost sympathetic smile before putting a small, bland looking salad in front of Jamie, who vaguely realized it was only a side portion size.
“I took the liberty of ordering for you since you were late in coming,” Christine said over her heaping plate of fried food. “I know how much you want to lose weight, Jamie. After all, the maid of honor dress is very form fitting.” She glanced over at Stephen. “There’s no way I’m going to even make a dent into this pile.”
Jamie bit back her anger and forced a small smile at her little sister. “Thank you. It’s perfect.” For a rabbit. She reached for the croutons as Christine nodded and
took a bite out of a large fry.
“Darling, are you sure you want the croutons?” Her mother reached over and slid them out of her grasp. “Your sister went to the trouble of ordering a very healthy meal for you and you’re about to undo all the benefits.”
“I don’t think croutons will keep me at a size twelve.” Jamie tried to keep her face unreadable. The Chinese food I’m ordering when I’m out of here might, though. She poured the entire packet of croutons onto the salad, ignoring the glance Stephen and Christine exchanged. That’s right. Plan your backup maid of honor all you want. I’m eating the fucking croutons! She wasn’t large, she knew it, but her family made her feel like she was massive compared to her size two sister. Her dear sister had probably said no dressing or hardly any. She took a bite and really wished the salad came automatically with dressing on the side. And maybe garlic bread. Cheesy garlic bread.
“What about your honeymoon?” her mother asked Christine. “Have you picked a location?”
“Not yet.” Christine beamed as she turned to gaze at the man beside her. “Stephen said he wanted to surprise me. All I ask is that it’s somewhere warm.” She dabbed a tiny ketchup spot from his lip. “Jamie said she would come with me bathing suit shopping, didn’t you, Jamie?”
Jamie nodded, unable to respond while chewing the near tasteless iceberg lettuce.
“I do wish you took smaller bites.” Her mother shook her head. “You’ll feel full a lot faster if you do. Maybe then you wouldn’t need all those croutons you used.”
Get off my bloody case, Ma! I’m not sixteen years old anymore. “Of course, Mom.” Jamie smiled and took a sip of water. Damn, why didn’t I order a beer? Or a six-pack?
“Anyway, I was hoping for somewhere in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.” Christine sighed dramatically. “Just a quiet, intimate little resort in paradise.” She turned to Stephen and kissed him on the cheek. “Won’t that be fun, honey?”
“It’d be heaven.” He rubbed his nose against hers.
Bad Boys & Billionaires: An Anthology Page 35