by Jada Jordan
Contents
Bliss
The Bliss Series
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Bliss
A BWWM Billionaire Romance
Bliss Series Book One
Jada Jordan
Copyright © 2014 Jada Jordan
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and situations are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written consent of the author.
This book is Book One of “The Bliss Series”
Bliss
Bliss Book Two
Bliss Book Three
Chapter 1
Sometimes things just need to be said in French.
Yasmin Beauchamp sat at her desk facing the window with her back to the door. She extended her feet onto the credenza and crossed her ankles to stare moodily out of the window. She watched the pedestrians either rush or leisurely stroll down the busy street. She sighed as she wished she could be the latter. To have a life of freedom to do whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. And what she wanted more than anything in the world was to pursue painting. Yes, she knew it was fanciful and unrealistic but it was a yearning that she had never been able to completely squash. She’d picked up a paintbrush when she was three years old and she’d never wanted to put it down. To this day she wanted to close her eyes and lightly touch the wooden handle of the paint brush; then allow her hand to drift across a blank canvas and create something beautiful. But life had happened that led her in a different direction and now she sat in her law office waiting for a client to arrive that was probably guilty as hell. But of course he would expect her to get him off; why wouldn’t he? His father was a wealthy state senator who assumed he would always get what he wanted. Senator Robert Landover would hire only the best lawyer for his spoiled, lazy and cocky son—little Johnny’s reputation preceded him. And Yasmin was one of the best. Her courtroom prowess was known throughout the country. She was an excellent attorney and both father and son knew it. Yasmin had begged her boss, Dean Beckman to refuse the case. But Senator Landover was a rich, powerful and influential friend that Dean had not wanted to alienate. So Yasmin had been forced to represent the son. She was not looking forward to it. Her instincts told her that the client would be difficult and from what she’d read in his file, it only supported her suspicions. He’d had his share of run-ins with the law, beginning in his adolescent years. But his wealthy father had always contributed to the right hands to get him out of it; and being a minor his file had been sealed. She had only been able to read it because she had a friend at the Juvenile Justice Center who had slipped her a copy of Johnny’s records. Yasmin’s phone buzzed and she turned to answer it.
“Yes, Tami,” Yasmin said.
“Senator Landover and his son are here,” Tami announced.
“Great,” Yasmin muttered sarcastically. Tami wanted to giggle but refrained as the two men were standing in front of her. “Send them in.”
A few seconds later Tami escorted the men into Yasmin’s office and the interview began.
*****
Yasmin entered the parking garage of her office building and breathed a sigh of tremendous relief. The Landover interview was finally over and it looked like she wouldn’t have much trouble getting a probation sentence for the young man. But boy was he cocky! He knew he was guilty as sin yet he had no remorse for his crimes. He knew that his father would make restitution to the woman that he had robbed and that was good enough. Both father and son were arrogant and snobby; they acted as though it was the woman’s fault for being robbed because she lived in a less than desirable neighborhood. Yasmin recalled the conversation.
“Look where she lives! No wonder she was robbed,” Mister Landover had said.
Yasmin was appalled.
“But she didn’t have to be robbed by Johnny,” Yasmin said incredulously.
“She’s getting her money back—and more,” Landover replied gruffly.
Senator Landover wasn’t helping the twenty-two year old Johnny by cleaning up his messes. Money could not fix everything and one day young Johnny would have to learn that lesson; most likely the hard way. Never in her entire life had she met two such insufferable, haughty and over-entitled individuals.
“Detestable, hommes ignorants!” she muttered in French.
Being of African American and French descent Yasmin was well versed in the French language. Her dad had insisted on it as most of his family only spoke his native tongue. But such vile adjectives seemed to describe the Landovers much better when spoken in French. But her time with them would soon be over and then she could put her plan into action. Yasmin reached her gemstone blue SL 600 Mercedes and unlocked the car. She opened the door and tossed her briefcase onto the passenger seat as she got in. She closed the door and took a deep breath. She had made a decision and she could feel the carefree buoyancy wash over her. She would give Dean her news in the morning and he would not be able to talk her out of it. With a happy smile on her face she drove home.
*****
“Are you crazy?” Ryan ejaculated. “You’ve lost your mind!”
Yasmin was stunned at Ryan’s reaction to her decision and was at a loss for words. She had hurried home to tell her fiancé Ryan Hayes of her decision to take a sabbatical from her law practice to pursue her art. She’d been happy with her decision and was looking forward to this new chapter in her life. It was what she was supposed to be doing. Her heart craved it. Her body and soul longed for it. She just had never imagined that her fiancé of six months would object so vehemently. Ryan was a handsome thirty year old African American man with a bald head that she found to be very sexy. But at the moment his normally fair complexion had turned at least two shades darker in his fury. His dark brown eyes were spitting fire. She couldn’t understand why he was so angry. He’d known about her love for her art since the day he’d met her.
“Have you given this any thought at all?” he continued. “Obviously not. For if you had, you would have known that I would not allow it and rejected the idea entirely.”
That last comment blasted Yasmin out of her dazed stupor.
“He would not allow it? Had he lost his mind?” she thought sharply.
Yasmin bristled.
”He thinks that he can dictate to this twenty six year old sista?” she thought in disbelief. “Obviously he had forgotten who brings home the bacon in this relationship and who would still be able to bring it home even when she went on sabbatical.”
“You do not allow or disallow me to do anything. If I want to go to the bayou to wrestle alligators it will be my decision—not yours,” she snapped.
Ryan saw that her cinnamon brown eyes were blazing. Perhaps he had been a bit too autocratic with his last statement. She stood there with her chin firmly set and her fiery eyes brook no argument. This was the Yasmin that entered a courtroom ready to do battle; and she would win the war more often than not. And this was precisely the reason that he did not want her to leave her job. Yasmin was the hottest, most brilliant young attorney in the country. The skies could not limit the heights to which she could soar. And he would be right there with her to enjoy the fruits of her labor. His accountant job was okay but it would never bring in the amount of money to support his extravagant lifestyle. Yasmin was the
big ticket for that way of life and he wasn’t about to lose it. He had kept his lavish appetite at bay from Yasmin so far. But she was on the fast track to incredible success and he would no longer need to hide his luxurious habits. He quickly regrouped.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as a macho dictator. I just want to be sure that you have thought this through,” he reasoned softly. “You’ve worked so hard and have accomplished so much. I don’t want to see you throw it away carelessly.”
He looked sincerely contrite and Yasmin softened toward him.
“I appreciate you looking out for me. It means the world to me that you care so much about my welfare,” she said quietly. “But I’ve given this a great deal of thought and it’s what I need to do. I’m going to speak with Dean about it in the morning.”
“That can’t happen,” he thought feverishly.
“Give it a little more thought, Yas. A month. And if you still want to leave then you will have my blessing and full support,” he begged.
Yasmin hesitated. She had made up her mind and didn’t want to delay the inevitable. But the pleading look on Ryan’s face gave her pause. He only had her best interest at heart and wanted to prevent her from making a mistake.
“Alright,” she agreed slowly. “I’ll wait a month—but no longer.”
Ryan moved to hug her and grinned slyly. A month was all he needed to get what he wanted. It was time that they got married.
*****
Yasmin hurriedly put on her grey wool coat that was trim in black leather. She also wore her red knee high leather boots. The splash of color gave her an air of sophistication and elegance. She grabbed her black briefcase from the recliner and headed toward the door.
“I’ll see you tonight,” she called out.
Ryan came into the living room as he slipped into his suit jacket.
“You’re not going to speak to Dean today, are you?” he asked.
Yasmin looked at him and frowned.
“I said I would not last night,” she answered curtly. “Do you doubt my word?”
“Of course not. I just know how much your time off means to you,” he smiled. “I would understand if you’ve changed your mind.”
Yasmin softened her attitude.
“It does mean a lot to me but I can wait thirty days. Who knows what will happen in that amount of time,” she smiled.
“Who knows,” he grinned as he approached her. He pulled her to him and bent his head to capture her mouth. He kissed her long and hard. They hadn’t had sex the night before and he missed her long legs wrapped around him. His cock hardened and he grinded against her to let her know what would be waiting for her when she returned home. He then lifted his head and smiled into her bright eyes. “Just a little something for you to think about during the day.”
“If I don’t leave now I’ll most definitely be late for court,” she murmured.
“You’re on your way to the courthouse,” he asked curiously.
“Yes. I have an arraignment in forty minutes,” she said.
“Then you had better get going. I’ll see you tonight,” he smiled.
“I’ll be here,” she smiled.
Yasmin hurried out of the apartment. Ryan stood in the doorway and watched her enter the elevator. He waved as she stepped onto the elevator and the doors shut. He then closed the apartment door and hurriedly pulled his cell phone from his pants pocket. He dialed Dean Beckman’s number. He and Yasmin had seen Dean and his wife socially and he’d kept his private number. He was glad that he had.
“Hello.”
“Dean, it’s Ryan Hayes. How are you?” Ryan said.
“Hey Ryan. I’m good. What can I do for you?” Dean asked affably.
“I would like to come by to see you this morning. I know it’s last minute but it’s rather important,” Ryan said urgently.
“Is Yasmin alright,” Dean asked anxiously.
“She’s fine. But what I want to speak to you about does concern her. May I come by now?” Ryan asked.
“Sure. Meet me at Addie’s coffee shop. It’s two blocks down the street from the office,” Dean said.
“I know where it is. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Ryan assured him.
“See you then,” Dean returned.
Ryan disconnected the call and smiled. So far so good. With Dean on his side Yasmin wouldn’t be going anywhere.
*****
Yasmin walked along Main Street in an unpleasant mood. She had hurried to the courthouse only to be told that all cases on Judge Henry Crammer’s docket for today had been postponed due to his bout of influenza. Yasmin was sorry that he was ill but she was also annoyed with the delay. Once she was ready to go to court she wanted to get it over and done with. She decided to get a hot coffee and a bagel to soothe her ruffled feelings. Addie’s was a great coffee shop that she often frequented and had a terrific assortment of bagels and cream cheeses. She passed by the window of the shop on her way to the door when she noticed someone familiar sitting inside. She stopped to take a closer look and gasped. Sitting at a small table in the middle of the room was Ryan and Dean. Their heads were bent close together as if they spoke of something confidential. Then Ryan suddenly leaned back in his chair and raised his hand to mimic someone drawing. Ryan often teased her by emulating her painting. They were talking about her. Ryan then laughed heartily however Dean did not join him. Had Ryan sought Dean’s help in preventing her from leaving her law practice? And how had Dean responded? Yasmin was furious and wanted to storm into the coffee shop and give them a piece of her mind. But a little voice told her to wait and see if Dean or Ryan would speak of their meeting to her. She didn’t want her assumptions to prove erroneous and jumping to conclusions was something Yasmin never did. It was one of her characteristics that made her such a good attorney. She took a step back from the window and turned blinded away from the shop and rammed into a pedestrian. Yasmin lost her balance and knew she would soon hit the cold ground until strong hands caught her upper arms and pulled her against a firm, nicely muscled chest. She peeped up what seemed like a great height to look into the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. She was arrested by their clarity and sheen. She could have stood gazing into them all morning. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled which jarred Yasmin from her daydreaming. She pulled back from him.
“I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going,” she said breathlessly.
“I’m not. I enjoy the opportunity to be the white knight to the rescue,” he grinned. “Are you alright?”
Yasmin had to smile at his words and at the dazzling light that shone from those fabulous eyes. And there was something else about him that attracted her. It was his voice. He had an English accent.
“Yes. I’m fine albeit embarrassed,” she said softly. “I’m not usually such a klutz.”
“No harm done. Will you join me for a coffee?” he asked.
Yasmin was taken aback. She did not expect an invitation from a chance encounter. She stared at him trying to ascertain his character. He was Caucasian and very tall; well over six feet. He had thick brown hair that he wore at shoulder length. She liked men with longer hair and her fingers suddenly itched to touch his. She knew he had a great build; she had felt his muscled chest and strong thighs when he prevented her fall. His physical attributes were superior but it was his character that she wanted to investigate. She was drawn to him but knew that she shouldn’t be. And his darn accent was not helping. She was an engaged woman and shouldn’t be interested in any other man. Yes, she was mad with Ryan at the moment but that shouldn’t put her on the hunt for another man. But she was drawn to this man and that she could not deny.
“Well?” he prompted.
“I can’t,” Yasmin said.
He looked at her left hand and Yasmin slipped it into her coat pocket. She didn’t know why she had done that. She had on gloves and he would not have been able to see her engagement ring anyway.
“Are you spoken f
or?” he enquired.
“I have to get back to work,” she answered. She was spoken for but she didn’t want to tell him that. “Thank you for saving me from a humiliating stumble.”
“It was my pleasure,” he smiled.
Yasmin waved then hurried down the street. Hunter Treveign allowed her to gain several yards distance from him then he followed her. He wanted to know where she worked for he had every intention of seeing her again. He saw her go into an office building and walk toward the elevator. He entered the building and stood before the directory to watch her covertly.
“Hi, Yasmin. I thought you would be in court this morning,” a young woman said as she approached her.
“Hi, Tami. Judge Crocket is ill so all of his cases were postponed,” Yasmin said.
“Well, it gives you more time to work on the Landover case,” Tami responded playfully.
“I can’t wait,” Yasmin said sarcastically.
The women laughed as the elevator doors opened and they stepped in. The doors closed and Hunter perused the directory more closely. So, she was an attorney. He scanned the directory lists and then he saw it: Beckman and Associates. It was the only law firm in the building. He whistled softly. He was duly impressed. And from all accounts, to work at Beckman’s you had to be a damn good lawyer. Exemplary, in fact. It was no easy feat to be hired at Beckman and Associates. They had crushed the hopes of many young lawyers seeking employment with them. The law firm’s esteemed reputation had been highly acclaimed in several countries. Hunter turned to leave the building and as he walked briskly down the street he thought about Yasmin. She had a pretty name to match her gorgeous face. He’d been attracted to her on sight and had wanted to prolong their encounter. That hadn’t happened today but he would make sure that it did in the future. He liked strong, ambitious and beautiful women and Yasmin fit the bill perfectly. He also liked the fact that she was African American. He needed a little spice in his life and he intuitively felt that she could provide that flavor. The fact that he’d never dated a Black woman before did not bother him; he had a healthy amount of self-confidence. He was fascinated and intrigued by her. Within the few moments that they spoke he knew he wanted to know her better. He couldn’t put his finger on why but at the moment it really didn’t matter. He wanted Yasmin in more ways than he understood which was a bit disconcerting for him. But he knew his objective and he always achieved what he sought.