by Noelle Adams
“Tell me,” he said. “Let me be the judge.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and for several seconds she worried the lip until finally she opened her mouth to speak. And when she did, her voice was a hoarse whisper. “I know how important honesty is to you,” she said. “You said it yourself. You said it was the most important thing to you in a friendship. And that’s why I know you’ll hate me for this.”
“What are you talking about, Erin?”
“My parents died when I was twelve and I grew up in foster care.” She’d begun wringing her sundress again. “I was moved from home to home and some of them were…awful.” She gave a hiccup up at the last word. She seemed on the verge of tears. “At one of the homes, I had to struggle to survive. I often went without meals. Once, at school, I was so hungry I passed out.”
Dare held his breath. He could already guess what she was about to say.
“One day I just cracked. I walked into a supermarket and filled a basket with everything I wanted then I sneaked into the bathroom and filled up my backpack,” she whispered then put her fists to her mouth as a sob escaped her lips. “When I came out of the bathroom I tried sneaking out through the back, where the employees worked. I didn’t know…I didn’t know the alarm would go off. I thought that only worked at the front entrance. I ran. And then…and then they chased me down the alley and onto the main road. I ran and ran but I wasn’t fast enough.” She dropped her face in her hands and began to cry in earnest. “One of them grabbed me and I couldn’t get away. He punched me then he shoved me to the ground. And he kicked me. Many times. And then…the police came.”
Dare went over to kneel in front of her then he pulled her into his arms. “Hush, it’s okay, honey. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay,” she said, wrenching herself out of his arms. “I’ve lived with the guilt all these years. Before I married you I should have told you but I didn’t have the courage. How could I tell you that you were marrying somebody who was charged with a criminal offense?”
“It wasn’t your fault, Erin. You were a victim of your circumstances..”
She shook her head violently. “No, it was all my fault. I should never have done that. I…don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay, honey. I don’t hate you for what you did. We all make mistakes. It was wrong but…understandable under the circumstances.” For a long while Dare was silent, just holding Erin, rocking her in his arms. Gradually her trembling ceased and her breathing calmed. Only then did he speak. “Robyn knew about this, didn’t she? She used this information against you.”
Her head still resting against his shoulder, Erin nodded. “She threatened to tell you everything. I’m guessing that’s what today’s call was about.”
Dare put a finger under Erin’s chin and lifted her face to his. “Know this, Erin DeSouza. I love you and there is nothing about you or your past that will make me stop.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “Dare, what are you saying? You’ve never told me you loved me.”
“I know. I was a fool. It was a secret I kept to myself but I’m telling you now. I love you, Erin. You and Soleil are my life. I want you with me forever.”
Her face crumpled and he could see she was struggling to hold back the tears . “Do you mean it, Dare? Don’t play with me.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” His grip tightened round her. “You’re mine and you can keep digging up all the skeletons you want. You’ll never scare me off. You’re never going to get away from me, Erin. You’re trapped with me on this island. I’ll hide your passport if I have to.”
To his relief that got him his first smile from her. “You won’t have to,” she said, smiling through her tears. “You have me for life.”
And when Dare pulled her close and kissed her she responded with a passion that told him, without a doubt, that every word she said was true.
Epilogue
“Thank you so much for coming, Dare.” Robyn clasped his hand for a second and her eyes brimmed with tears.
Then she turned to Erin. “And Erin how can I ever thank you?” She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Erin in a fierce hug. Then she stepped back and dabbed daintily at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it for the funeral. Mom had a special place in her heart for you, Erin. You know that, don’t you?” She dabbed at her nose then tucked her hankie into her purse. “That’s why I was so distressed when I couldn’t reach you. Mom would never have forgiven me.” She looked over at Dare. “Did Erin tell you I was always jealous of her?” She gave a little laugh. “Mom was always comparing the two of us. Erin was the angel and I was the devil.” She shrugged. “It took me a long time to realize what Mom wanted me to learn from Erin - her strength, her determination.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “During those last days in her battle with cancer we talked…more than we talked all my years growing up in the house. And that’s when I began to understand her and how much she wanted the best for me.”
She took a deep breath then pasted a brave smile on her lips. “I guess it’s time for me to grow up now.” She touched Erin on the shoulder then turned and walked across the churchyard to the limousine where the rest of her family waited patiently for her.
After she climbed into the car and they drove off Erin turned to her husband. “Thanks for coming with me,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have let you come alone,” he said with a smile. “Now let’s get back to the hotel before Princess Soleil drives poor Francine crazy.”
With a chuckle he put his arms around her shoulder and Erin put her arm around his waist knowing that she had the greatest blessing in the world. She was loved.
Thank you for reading! If you liked this story you might like:
VOLUME 10
HER INDECENT PROPOSAL
GIVE ME A BABY…NO STRINGS ATTACHED
Melanie Parker is at the top of her game. Thirty-three years old, owner and CEO of Parker Broadcasting Corporation, with assets totaling over a billion dollars. There are many who would die to be in her shoes. But there’s one thing Melanie feels is missing from her life. A child. She’s always dreamed of one day being a mother but just never found the time to fall in love. And now time is running out. So she seeks out the one man who she knows can give her what she wants and will demand nothing in return, a man who’s a billionaire himself.
Sloane Quest can’t believe it when the owner of Parker Broadcasting Corporation – his biggest competitor in the media business – makes him the craziest of all proposals. The decision he makes is quick, and it probably defies all reason, but he has an ulterior motive which will not be denied.
Complications, intrigue and a baby bargain in the middle. Can love conquer all?
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES
Judy Angelo
Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire
Volume 2 - Maid in the USA
Volume 3 - Billionaire’s Island Bride
Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception
Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon
Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction
Volume 7 - Daddy by December
Volume 8 - To Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Mega-Coll. - Vols. 1 - 8
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. I - Vols. 1 - 4
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. II - Vols. 5 - 8
Volume 9 – Bedding Her Billionaire Boss
Volume 10 - Her Indecent Proposal
Volume 11 - So Much Trouble When She Walked In
Volume 12 – Married by Midnight
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. III - Vols. 9 - 12
(Vols. 9 – 12 not included in the Mega-Collection)
The NAUGHTY AND NICE Series
Volume 1 - Naughty by Nature
About the Author
I’m a lover of all things romance - novels, poetry, flowers and chocolate (Snickers and chocolate covered peanuts are my favorite). I
also love visiting romantic destinations - the sunny beaches of the Caribbean and romantic European cities including London and Paris. My idea of heaven - a comfy lawn chair on the beach in the shade of a palm tree, with a sizzling romance novel and a pina colada.
When I’m not devouring romance novels I’m reading philosophy, psychology or self-help books and if I can’t find a book to read I’ll read the cookie box. I love reading and adore books and hope to continue writing for many years to come.
To sign up for e-mail updates on my books visit www.judyangelo.blogspot.com or e-mail [email protected]
Catering to the CEO
Samantha Chase
Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
About the Author
One
“Consider this our final meeting. I’m done.”
It was a statement not a threat but as the words hung in the air, Cassie Jacobs watched Adam Lawrence’s face turn to stone. She was used to his demands, his tirades, his cold and brutal treatment of people around him, but today she’d had enough.
Adam stood and walked around the antique mahogany desk that overpowered his dark and masculine office. “We will be done, when I say we are done, Cassandra. Not the other way around.” It irritated him to no end that she kept her back to him as she packed her briefcase.
He watched as Cassie’s trim figure bent slightly over the leather chair she had recently vacated. Adam knew her to be organized and so it was no surprise that she was being painstakingly slow in putting all of her paperwork away.
With her heart racing and hands that were shaking, Cassie was determined to compose herself before turning around. Luckily she had plenty of paperwork to put back together to keep her busy but she could feel Adam’s presence behind her, his tension rolling off of his Armani clad body and on to hers.
It wasn’t as if today’s meeting was any different from the dozen or so before; as L.S.S. International’s caterer and event planner, Cassie had dealt with Adam, and his attitude, on multiple occasions. After all, this was his company. But as she sat opposite him today, listening to his condescending tone as he changed the menu for the eighth time – and after she had already began placing orders with her distributors – she had snapped. If Adam wanted to fire her, he was welcomed to. Sure, she needed this account but not at the expense of her sanity.
Slowly, Cassie collected her briefcase and turned to face Adam; she smoothed her long chestnut hair and kept her expression cool. “I’d say we are more than done, Mr. Lawrence.” She was proud of the fact that her voice sounded steady and that she had her temper under control. “CJ’s has enjoyed providing our service for all of your events for the last two years but this is one time that I simply cannot meet your request. It’s unreasonable of you to ask that we change the entire menu on such short notice. If you’d like to find another event planner and caterer that is your prerogative.”
Adam stared down into Cassie’s face. It wasn’t hard to do; he towered over most people. But looking into her midnight blue eyes he saw determination when he should have seen fear or at least apology. That look earned Cassie some of his respect, and he didn’t give that often.
“I don’t want another event planner, Cassandra. We have a contract; one that states that changes can be made…”
“Up to two weeks before,” she cut in with frustration.
“The L.S.S. Fall Retreat is two weeks away,” he replied mildly, clearly believing to have the upper hand. His confidence tipped a bit when he noticed Cassie had her own triumphant smile as she reached into her leather brief case again.
Pulling out her day planner, Cassie opened to September’s calendar and turned it to face Adam. “Today is the twelfth; your retreat is on the twenty-third. That is eleven days, not two weeks. For emphasis, she snapped the day planner closed and placed it back in her case before turning and facing Adam with her shoulders squared, ready for the consequences of going up against him.
If he was going to fire her, she could only hope that he’d do it quickly and let her leave with some dignity. Truth be known, Cassie needed Adam’s account to keep her catering business going and growing. Losing this would put a big dent in her five-year plan of paying off the loans she took to start the business. If Adam Lawrence wanted to toss her out on the street, Cassie would have no choice but to start cold calling on other companies in the area for business; something that she hadn’t had to do up until now. She could only hope that the man wasn’t going to be spiteful and try to ruin her reputation and kill her business.
One eyebrow arched as Adam continued to stare at her as if he could clearly read her mind. That thought unsettled her for a bit. She needed to be confident. She needed to not appear needy or desperate. She needed him to say something!
With more bravado than she actually felt, Cassie stepped around Adam. “I believe that settles it then. If you have any other questions or concerns, your assistant can call me at my office, otherwise, I will see you on the twenty-third.”
She almost made it to the door.
“If you leave this office, Cassandra, consider your contract with L.S.S. terminated.” Adam let his words hang there for a moment feeling confident that she would fall in line and do what he wanted. To his surprise, however, Cassie didn’t turn, she simply stopped. For the merest of seconds he was sure that she would turn around, smile her lovely, serene smile that she always gave to him and apologize for making things difficult. But she didn’t. Before Adam knew it, Cassie walked out the door and closed it quietly behind her.
Cassie had to stop herself from looking over her shoulder as she walked away from his office to make sure that Adam hadn’t called security to chase after her like an angry mob, banishing her for all eternity. The thought made her chuckle but did nothing to put her mind at ease. What had she done? She could not afford to throw away her biggest client! Maybe a couple of years down the road she could have that privilege but not right now!
Riding down in the elevator Cassie had to talk herself out of a panic attack; all was not lost yet. Maybe Adam would calm down. Maybe he would have his assistant call and they would pretend as if the whole nasty encounter had never happened.
Maybe she would sprout wings and fly home.
Not knowing what else to do, she pulled her Blackberry from her case and dialed her office. “Hey, Kate’s, it’s me,” she said when her sister answered.
“How’s it going, boss? Are all the plans finalized for Satan’s retreat?”
Her first instinct was to laugh at her sister’s nickname for Adam, but Cassie just couldn’t sum up the energy to do so. With a sigh of regret, she related the details of her meeting. The good thing about having your younger sister as an assistant was that they were overly sensitive and in-tune to your needs, Cassie thought.
“Just come back to the office, Cass. It’ll be okay. We’ll work it all out, okay?”
Hanging up the phone, she wished she had even the first clue as to how to turn this mess around. Sure, she could cave in and give into Adam’s unreasonable demands and eat the profits on this job to make him happy, but she couldn’t seem to do it. It wasn’t right; it was high time that somebody stood up to the mighty Adam Lawrence. Not that he’d care; he probably had another caterer on the phone right now drooling over the opportunity to do this job for him on such short notice and swoop in to save the day. Dammit.
Climbing into her sporty Honda Accord, she tried her best to wipe all ugly thoughts of replacement caterers aside and focus on getting back to her office and finding something to eat. She had been so nervous this morning before meeting with Adam that she’d skipped breakfast; now all
she wanted to do was draw the shades, curl up on her sofa with a large pizza, some ice cream and forget the rest of the world for a while.
The music chiming in from her cell phone broke into her pizza-pity-party fantasy. “Hello?”
“Hey, pumpkin! How’s my favorite chef today?”
“Hey, dad,” she said, feeling a sense of comfort just from hearing Stephen Jacobs’ voice.
Knowing his daughter well, he asked “What’s wrong?”
“I just came from the worst meeting with my biggest client and I think, I think, I might have quit.” She waited for the reprimand or the unwanted parental advice but instead got an invitation to dinner. “Tonight? What’s the occasion?”
“Does a dad need an occasion to see his daughter?”
“No,” she said, feeling lighter than she had in the last several hours. “What time and what am I making?” She knew her dad well and knew that as much as he was inviting her to his house, the man couldn’t cook to save his life.
“You know I’m not partial to any one thing, sweetheart. You decide but…make enough for, say…seven people.”
“Seven people? Who’s coming?”
“Well, your sisters will be there and your brother, of course. Oh, and I’ve invited some friends that I’d like you to meet. Will six o’clock work for you, Cass?”
Honestly, she hated to say no to her dad for anything. The man had been a rock for his family after Cassie’s mom had died of ovarian cancer ten years before and there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for his kids. Unfortunately, after the morning she’d had, the last thing she felt like was a family dinner with the added perk of entertaining strangers.
“Sure,” she lied. “Six will work. Maybe I’ll do some of that Greek chicken that you like so much. How does that sound?”