“But what if he says no? What are you going to do then? I don’t want to dash your hopes, but Dan Wellington isn’t the best man to do business with. You know that as well as we do.” Cole drummed his fingers on the table, and Hawk nodded.
“But this is something that is going to be mutually beneficial to all who are involved. We are going to profit from another business that is doing fairly well considering what is going on with the internal workings right now. They are going to get the stability of a bigger company that isn’t doing so well, but one that is going to get a lot of stability from the union. You know as well as I do that if this were to work, it could potentially lead to better business for both of us.” Hawk showed his brothers the charts, and Cole sighed, but Blake shook his head.
“I know that you are saying this is a possibility, and I want to tell you that I am glad that you are taking a greater interest in the company. It really is about time. But this is the kind of risk that Father never would have taken, and we aren’t going to start now!” Blake slammed his fist down on the table with an air of finality and turned to go.
Hawk, however, stopped him once more, refusing to let him walk out when he had so much hanging on the line. “But what if it does work? You just said yourself that this is something that Father would never have done, and look where Father left the company! On the verge of failure! If Father had really been doing as well as we all like to think that he was, he would not have had Berkshire waiting to dive in and take what little he had left! Mark my words, there is more to this than what we realize. He wanted us all to have a part in this, because he knows we all bring something different to the table!”
Hawk turned to Cole for support, and Cole couldn’t help but nod. “You know, he does have a point. I’m not saying that this is the best idea in the world, but you have to hand it to him. If we were to do this, and it were to work, can you imagine what could come of it? And I have to agree that it is all the better if Kathryn is able to handle it herself. This is the definition of passive income, which is what we were looking for in the first place.”
“Have you gone mad? Are you really going to let the guy who would just as much drink all day as lift a pen make a decision like this?” Blake looked at Cole with an incredulous look on his face, and it was obvious he genuinely thought that his brothers had both gone crazy.
“If you guys are willing to go in on this decision with me, I am going to do more with the company. I will do what I need to do to pull my weight, all the time, every time. Trust me, this is going to be the change that we have been looking for, and I know you know it to be true. Come on, Blake. I’m begging you,” Hawk said. Blake sighed. It was clear that this wasn’t easy for him, but he wasn’t going to budge on his opinion, either.
Suddenly, Cole raised his hand.
“I say we put it to a vote. You know how Garret was talking to us about that the other day. There are three of us here, so it has to go one way or the other.” He gave Blake a challenging look, and Blake nodded.
“Fine, a vote it is, and there is going to be no arguing with the results.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
When all were in agreement, the vote was cast. Blake started. “All opposed to this merger with Wellington, raise your hand.”
He put his hand up, expecting Cole to do the same. Hawk looked at his brother in surprise, but Cole didn’t move. Blake gave Cole the dirtiest look he could muster, but once again, Cole kept his eyes on the table in front of him. ‘
“Those in favor?” he asked, shocked that his brother hadn’t moved. Both Cole and Hawk raised their hands, and Blake threw his arms down to his side.
“Are you crazy? This is going to be the ruin of the company!” he said.
“The votes have been cast, and the meeting is adjourned.” Cole replied. Hawk wanted to shout, but he merely smiled and held his hand out to both his brothers.
“Gentlemen, I look forward to working together,” he said.
Chapter Twenty
Kathryn
“Are you serious?” Kathryn looked down at the contract in her hand, then back up at Hawk. It had taken a lot of convincing and pleading, but he’d managed to convince her to allow him to talk to her once more. She didn’t think she was going to change her mind about anything, only wanting to tell him that she had gotten over him and was ready to move on with her life.
Kathryn had no idea what to expect, but she’d told him he could come over to the house for a glass of wine in the evening, and he’d been more than happy to oblige. She wasn’t going to allow him to stay very long, only wanting to hear what she thought was going to be a lame excuse for why he thought going to her father was a good idea, followed by her throwing him out of the house.
But when he came inside, the first thing he’d done was bend down and kiss her. Kathryn, taken by surprise, had hardly known how to respond. She pushed him back, gasping at the sudden surprise, but didn’t have time to do anything else before he handed her an envelope.
“Before you say anything, I just want you to look in there,” he said. Kathryn gave him a strange look, then she took the envelope and walked to the couch. She slid her finger under the flap and pulled out the paper—the paper she was now holding in her hands.
“Your father has agreed to sell the company to Parker Industries, and it is going to be an amazingly beneficial merger. We are going to work out the details, but it’s going to bring in profit for both, and the best is yet to come.” Hawk smiled down at her, and she felt herself blush, but she was confused.
“What is that?” she asked.
“We are making you CEO of that branch. You know your father’s company better than anyone – including him, and I want you to be in charge of that. I already have Cole and Blake on board. It’s just a matter of signing a bit of paperwork. You are going to get the chance you have always dreamed of—and it’s with your very own company.” Hawk winked at her and gave her his most charming smile, waiting for her reaction.
He had thought she was going to scream and jump around the room, but instead, she looked at him with the most shocked and amazed look on her face. She set the paper side, and in a single movement, she threw her arms around him.
“You did this for me?” she asked, and he nodded as he hugged her back.
“I learned a lot when I was in Las Vegas, and part of that is the fact that what happens in Vegas may not stay there. I’m sorry for how things looked with your father, and I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you that I had spoken with him. I should have done that, and I didn’t.” Hawk looked at her with such a serious expression, she knew he was being sincere.
“I know I don’t deserve it, but I am asking you for a second chance. A second chance with us. I know we have been through a lot over the years, but Kathryn, there has to be a reason fate keeps bringing us back together, especially after all this time. It doesn’t matter what the details were with you flying down to Vegas, but the fact that we were able to reconnect like that, or perhaps that we were able to truly connect for the first time, it’s not something that I want to just throw away.” Hawk had never said anything like this to anyone in his life, and by the look in his eyes, Kathryn could see he was terrified.
Hawk, the mighty billionaire playboy, was baring his soul to her, and he was obviously scared to do it. She sat back down on the couch next to him and put her hand on his leg, letting him tell her how he really felt, though it was difficult for her to remain silent.
“I have always loved you, Kathryn, but now, there is something different, and it’s something that I don’t want to lose. I don’t want it with anyone else, and I am afraid that I have lost my chance with you, but the least I could do is try.” Hawk looked down at his hands as he spoke, and Kathryn finally answered.
“I know. I’ve always known that you love me, and I can tell you without a doubt in my heart that I love you, too. But Hawk, I don’t want to do this again. I don’t want to play the guessing game. I want to be a
ll in with us, or I want us to say that we had a good run and call it a day.” She had her hands on his, looking into his eyes with passion in her own.
Hawk didn’t say anything for a moment, then he leaned forward with the smirk that made her heart flutter. “If that is how you want to be, then I’m all in. Kathryn Wellington, will you marry me?”
He pulled a ring out of his pocket, and she finally gasped and squealed.
“Yes! Yes, Hawk, yes!” was all she could say. But she meant it, with all her heart.
Touch Me (Preview)
The Billionaire’s Secrets Book 1
Kayla C. Oliver
Chapter One
Heidi
These ten-minute breaks were the only times in the day when I could breathe a little. Not that I didn’t constantly feel blessed that I could run my own café in the heart of the tourist district. I was indeed lucky and every day I counted my blessings. My parents couldn’t afford cooking school and for the four years that I apprenticed with Chef Dunphy in Los Angeles, I could only dream of one day running my own place.
But I got lucky. I’d never heard of Brunswick before, and even if I had, Georgia was never a state I had visited in my life. In fact, I wouldn’t ever have thought of visiting this town hadn’t it been for my ex-boyfriend, Jake. His grandmother used to live here, and he brought me one summer to introduce us. Now Jake was gone, getting married, last I heard and I was left behind, madly in love with this town and the proud owner of my very own café.
At twenty-eight and the proprietor of a café, I managed to turn over a profit within the first year of opening shop. I was proud of myself, but none of this would have been possible without hard work or all the years I had put into working as a baker’s apprentice. All the money, the very little that I had saved, I put into this business but I didn’t regret a second of it. Brunswick was my home now, and this was where I was going to make my life.
It wasn’t exactly a sleepy town, especially not during the summer months when its unique location for being a busy harbor town as well as its beautiful surroundings attracted a lot of tourists. This was prime time for my business to bloom. So, the ten hours a day when I wasn’t slogging away at the café, I was at home trying out new recipes or working on marketing campaigns.
Other than myself, I was able to afford two other staff, one of whom waited on the tables and the other helped me with the baking. So these ten minute breaks when I stood at the back of the café, gulping down a shot of espresso and munching on a mini muffin were extremely precious to me. I savored these moments, staring at the gently swaying boats and yachts anchored in the harbor in the distance, breathing in the fresh summer scent in the air, just thankful for life and the world’s bounty. Only when my mind wandered on occasion, did I allow myself to think about Jake and what he was doing. How could he have moved on so quickly from our relationship? He was engaged to be married within four months of our breakup. I still couldn’t wrap my brain around it.
This move to Brunswick had been good for me. I couldn’t continue to live in LA after we broke up. We were in a relationship for two years; I thought we were going to settle down. He had brought me here to meet his grandmother! But things spiraled out of control when we went back. This was when Chef Dunphy promoted me to assistant baker, over Jake who had his fancy baking school degree while I had risen from nothing.
When we broke up, I knew I couldn’t go back home to Wisconsin. I couldn’t return to my hometown feeling defeated and worn out. What would my family think of me? And neither could I remain in LA. That was weak of me. I was letting Jake win, but I couldn’t find the courage to stay there and cross paths with him on a daily basis.
I kept an eye out on Brunswick properties. The town had left its mark on me. It was peaceful, slow paced and didn’t have many cafés, even though it had quite the influx of tourists. When this commercial site came up, I looked through my accounts and discovered that I could actually afford it. I took the plunge, made my own business plan, procured the required licenses and equipment and within three months “Bread & Beans” was a fully functional café in the heart of Brunswick’s town center.
A smile flickered on my face now. I couldn’t stop replaying the past year over and over in my head. I was a successful businesswoman, and all thanks to my own hard work.
A crash of plates from inside the café snapped me out of my thoughts. With my brows crossed I whipped around to look in. I could see Lucia, standing with her mouth covered with both hands. She looked upset and wasn’t making a move to clear up the broken plates on the floor in front of her.
I gulped down the rest of the espresso and carrying the cup in my hand, I rushed back into the café.
“Lucia? What’s going on?” I said as I pushed open the door.
Our café was small, with only four tables lined up along the bay windows. But each of those tables was occupied and our patrons were all staring at the scene in the center of the café.
Two men were at each other’s throats. An older and a younger man, both glaring at each other. The older one’s face had reddened, but he was somehow managing to hold the younger one apart.
There was complete silence in the café. Everyone was staring.
“Stop that, now!” I screeched and both men turned to look at me.
I was startled, just for a moment when they turned, but I registered that sensation. The younger man’s icy blue eyes pierced right through my soul. He had spiky, dark hair and a few locks fell lazily over his bloodshot eyes. He was a tall man, towering over the older, portly one. His shoulders were wide and strained now, from the strength with which he was gripping the other guy. He had turned to look at me, and when our eyes met, he relaxed his grip.
The older man slipped away, coughing and cursing under his breath. I was snapped out of that slow-motion, hypnotizing moment and I stepped forward.
“What is going on? I will have to call the cops,” I said, planting my hands firmly on my hips.
The two men exchanged looks, and the younger one looked at me again.
“That won’t be necessary miss. We will sort this out ourselves,” he said and I noticed the way he clenched his jaw. I jutted my chin out towards him, and despite the dangerous blueness of his eyes, I met his gaze confidently.
“I don’t care about your argument. You can’t do this in a public place. You’re distressing my guests,” I hissed at him, glancing angrily at the older man who was still standing by, rubbing the back of his reddened neck.
“I said I’ll sort it out,” the younger one said and stepped towards me. With my brows crossed and my nostrils flaring, I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Please get off my property,” I said, not willing to step away from him. There was still silence in the café. Not one other person had moved. The man was glaring at me now, his blue eyes were focused on my face. I noticed the way his gaze fell briefly to my breasts, my hips, and the shape of my legs. I could feel him sizing me up. I kept my chin up because I didn’t want to show any signs of weakness.
“I will, if you let me pay for the damage,” the man said abruptly and looked down at the broken plates on the floor. Now I could see that it was more than just a broken plate. A brand new vase was lying shattered on the floor as well, as were two glasses and there was water spilt everywhere.
“Please just leave,” I snapped at him and looked up to meet his eyes again.
The man’s eyes had softened. I couldn’t help but notice how perfect his jawline was; how broad that chest was. He was in dark jeans, a white shirt and a black leather jacket. This man deserved a spot on the cover of a glossy magazine. How much would women pay to see a photograph of him with his clothes off…even just his shirt?
I shook my head to drive thoughts of this guy, naked, out of my head. I was supposed to be mad at him. I was trying very hard to appear to be so.
“How much do I owe you?” he said and I saw his hand slip into the pocket of his jeans. I didn’t want his money. I wanted him gone. Th
ose things he had broken were all replaceable, my customers were not.
“Just go, before I have to call the cops,” I said firmly and this time, I stretched my arm out, pointing to the door. The man remained standing where he was, his eyes still inspecting every curve of my body. I thought I saw a grin forming on his face. How could he possibly want to smile in a situation like this? When he had just caused a scene in my place of business! What an obnoxious, arrogant Greek god! I could feel rage spurting out of my ears.
“C’mon, let’s go,” the older man interrupted us. I was surprised to find that he was being civil with this guy. They were at each others throats only minutes ago. I didn’t understand it. I was just glad that they were finally leaving.
The older man left quickly, setting off the bell at the top of the door as he stepped out. The younger one, on the other hand, was walking backwards, his blue eyes still on me, watching my every movement.
I could feel my cheeks burning up; the back of my neck hot under his steady gaze. My lips felt dry; there were goosebumps on my arms. The longer he looked at me, with his perfect bone structure and totally kissable lips, the more agitated I got. The mixed emotions of being annoyed with his attitude and at the same time being filled with desire for a man with the most delicious body had overwhelmed my mind.
“Rhett Larkin, nice to make your acquaintance,” he said, just as he was about to step out. I straightened my back and breathed harshly out of my nose.
“I’m glad I know your name now. You’re not welcome here again,” I said, loud enough for everyone else to hear. Especially my employees, Lucia and Sophie, who were standing huddled together in one of the corners. Judging by everyone’s behavior, scenes like these didn’t often take place in a small place like Brunswick.
The man named Rhett finally left, and even after he had shut the door behind him, I followed him with my eyes. An unexpected sense of disappointment settled in the pit of my stomach when he didn’t turn to look at me. Chatter suddenly erupted in the café. People were talking in hushed voices, still looking out to see if they could see the two men.
Love in Lust Page 12