Oh my god.
The phone shook in her hand, and she lifted her other hand to her mouth.
“I certainly think you and your marketing firm are going places,” Martin said. “It would be an honor to help you grow your business.”
An honor. One of the world’s richest men thought it would be an honor to invest in her firm.
It was too good to be true. It was incredible.
“Do give me a call to iron out the details of our business arrangement,” Martin continued over the voicemail. “That is, if you’re still interested.”
The message ended, and the phone slipped from Lyssa’s numb fingers.
“Nadia,” she choked out, her voice barely audible. She tried again, and this time it came out as a panicked shout. “Nadia!”
The pounding of dress heels sounded out on the office floor and a second later a wild-eyed Nadia burst into her office. “What? What did he say?”
“No-nothing. I didn’t talk to him yet.”
Nadia stopped short and held her hand to her chest, glaring at Lyssa. “Then why did you scream like that? I thought you might be having an aneurism or something.”
“I…” Something that was a cross between a laugh and a sob tumbled from Lyssa’s lips. “I had a voicemail from Martin Freeman. He’s going to invest in North Star.”
Slowly, Nadia’s mouth dropped open. Then she let out an excited shriek. “What? Are you serious? I thought he wanted Everly Publications.”
“He says he wants both.”
Squealing, Nadia raced to Lyssa and bent to scoop her into a back-breaking hug. “Oh my god, I’m so happy for you. It’s like a miracle.”
“I can’t believe it,” Lyssa murmured into Nadia’s hair.
Her best friend drew back beaming. “I can. You deserve it, sweetie. I knew the universe wouldn’t let you down.”
Lyssa’s hands shook as she bent to retrieve her cell phone. She stared at it hesitantly. “I wonder if James knows.”
She lifted her forefinger to the screen so she could scroll through her numbers, but Nadia snatched it out of her hand.
Slack-jawed, she stared at her best friend. “What?”
“No. You can’t call him now. Not after this.”
“I can’t?”
Nadia shook her head. “Go see him in person. That’s the only way you’ll be able to read him. See what his true intentions are.”
She was right. Again.
Lyssa lifted to her feet and grabbed her purse, holding it out so Nadia could drop her phone into the open bag. Her heart thrummed anxiously against her chest at the thought of seeing him, and her stomach flip-flopped.
If she gave him the benefit of the doubt and it turned out that he’d betrayed her, she would be devastated. But it would be worse to not give him a chance at all. In a few short days, she’d somehow managed to fall hard. How could she not? James, at least the version of James she thought she’d known, was completely irresistible.
She owed it to herself to go out on a limb and see where it might take her.
“Wish me luck,” she muttered to her friend.
“Go,” Nadia said encouragingly.
Slinging her purse straps onto her shoulder, Lyssa strode out of her office and onto the busy street. Her mind swimming with possible scenarios on how things might go down, she turned in the direction of the nearest subway station. But she only made it a few steps before she focused her gaze on the street ahead of her…and froze.
Stalking straight toward her, with an expression of mindful intensity on his face, was none other than James Everly.
Lyssa’s heart gave one hard thump and then stopped, before resuming at marathon sprinting speed.
Her body alight with hope, she murmured, “James.”
***
The subway ride from Manhattan to Brooklyn had been brutal. James had been forced to grit his teeth the entire time. His chest constricted with the feeling that if he didn’t get to Lyssa, and soon, he would lose her forever.
He couldn’t lose her.
Whatever it took.
He would get her to believe him, and that was that. Failure was not an option. Not in this.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he arrived at the stop for Lyssa’s office. He took the subway stairs to the street level two at a time. The only thing that prevented him from breaking into a run was the knowledge that he didn’t want to look like a sweaty mess when he saw Lyssa again.
James had just made it onto Lyssa’s block when he saw her.
His heart clenched, breaking his stride. But she was looking down at her shoes as she rushed in his direction and didn’t even notice him.
He resumed his pace, heading single-mindedly toward her, and she looked up.
The moment in which she realized it was him was clear. Her mouth dropped open and she abruptly stopped.
That familiar feeling he had whenever he saw her—the tightening in his chest—came back full force. At last he recognized what it was. His heart telling him it belonged to her.
Whatever it takes.
His steps sure, he stalked forward until he was directly in front of her.
Her lips quivered, and she said, “James, I—”
Closing his hands onto her shoulders, he said, “Lyssa, I need you to listen to me. Please.”
Snapping her jaw shut, she gave him a curious look and nodded.
“I didn’t go to Martin’s office to steal him from you.”
“I—”
“Wait.”
She sucked in a breath and nodded again.
“I kept trying to understand why you’d think that of me, when I realized I never told you how I actually feel about you.”
Lyssa’s eyes widened but she remained silent.
“I can’t claim full responsibility for that. Somehow my brain turns to mush whenever you’re around,” he said ruefully. “But the fact is, I never said it, so here goes. I’m falling for you.”
A gasp of surprise tore from her.
“I know it’s crazy.” Fear that she was going to tell him she wasn’t buying it prompted him to continue in a rush. “We’ve only known each other for a few days. But I think my subconscious recognized it right away. You’re funny, and amazing, and beautiful, and I can’t imagine never seeing you again, so I’m going to do whatever it takes until you believe what I say.”
He stopped, heart in his throat, and waited for a response.
When she only continued to look at him, open-mouthed, he cleared his throat. “Do you, um, have any thoughts about that?”
She blinked once. Twice. “You think I’m beautiful?”
Laughing, he inched his body a tad closer to hers. “I can’t believe you have any doubts about that. I turn into a randy caveman whenever you’re around me. I can’t even bring myself to form proper sentences.”
“I…I guess I never thought of myself that way,” she said slowly. “You’re so gorgeous, and I’m just so plain.”
“Plain?” A burst of anger transformed his features into a scowl and he gave her shoulders a little shake. “You’re the furthest thing from plain I’ve ever seen. I never want to hear you say that about yourself again, got it?”
Her eyes went wide with surprise. “Okay.”
“So.” Fear reverberated through him, but he forced himself to say, “What about the rest of what I said. Do you believe me?”
“I do.”
Thank god. His breath rushed out in relief.
Giving him a tentative smile, Lyssa lifted her hand to his cheek. The slide of her silky skin on his whisker-rough cheek was almost too much to bear. “Also, I’m falling for you too.”
It took a moment for her words to penetrate. Once they did, his heart practically thumped its way through his ribcage.
Daring to hope, he crushed his arms around her, pulling her in tight.
Without hesitation, Lyssa wound her arms around his neck and rose to her toes, pressing a deep, passionate kiss to his lips.
/>
James deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue against her lips to coax them open. When her tongue came out to tangle with his, his body stirred to life.
Intent on showing some restraint, he slowed the kiss down. Later, when things were a bit more settled between them, he’d show her again with his body what he’d already admitted in words. But he didn’t want her to think her luscious figure was the only reason he wanted her. Because the rest of the package was pretty damn irresistible, too.
Pulling back, James said, “I’m going to call Martin and tell him I no longer want his investment. I would have done it sooner, but my main focus was on you and me.”
A low, throaty laugh floated from her and she slid her fingers over his lips. “So you don’t know?”
He frowned at her. “Know what?”
Grinning widely, she said, “I got a call from Martin. He’s investing in North Star, too.”
“What?” Snatching her feet off the ground, he whirled her around. “Lyssa, that’s amazing.”
“I know.” She giggled. “I guess maybe in this case, dreams can come true.”
As he stared down at the woman who’d completely turned in his world around, he knew she was one hundred percent right.
“Yes, baby,” he said hoarsely. “They most certainly can.”
Epilogue
The spacious ballroom was decorated in tones of silver, gold, and garnet, giving the space a lush, expensive feel. It made sense, given the sheer amount of wealth represented by all the people in the room. A projector screen was cast on one of the walls, streaming the live New Year’s Eve show taking place only a short distance away. In less than two hours, it would be a new year, and if it turned out anything like this one had, it was going to be a doozy.
I still can’t believe I’m here.
In the few months Lyssa and James had been together, she’d thought that to herself countless times. Although he’d told her and shown her—repeatedly and very, very often—how sexy he found her, part of her would always feel like an ugly duckling around him. She’d come to terms with it.
And if her insecurities meant James had to love her often and thoroughly to prove how wrong she was, well, she could live with that.
As if he sensed her thoughts, James’s arms closed around her from behind. His lips pressed into her neck. “Mm, there you are.”
“I was admiring the view.”
The ballroom was located on the top floor of a midtown hotel, and it came complete with balconies showcasing a killer view of the city. She was on one of those balconies now, and even though she was freezing her ass off in her strapless silk dress, it was worth it to take in the sights.
“So am I,” James whispered against her ear. He turned her so their backs were to the door, and one hand slid down her body, finding her sensitive clit through the thin folds of her flowing dress. “Want to get out of here?”
She laughed out a protest. “It’s not even midnight yet.”
“But I want you.” His hand slid up to cup one breast over the fabric, accentuating his words.
“Me too,” she confessed, “but we have to at least make it for the ball drop.”
“I know where I want my balls to drop,” he muttered.
“James.” She gave him arm a playful slap. “Stop being gross.”
“Fine, fine.” Letting out a pained groan, he stepped back, turning her to face him. He clasped onto her hand. “Let’s at least go inside. It’s freezing cold out here. I couldn’t even get it up if I wanted to.”
Her gaze strayed down his tuxedo-clad form, to the very evidence that refuted his statement.
“Liar.”
He gave her a good-natured grin. After adjusting himself, he led her back into the ballroom. “Want some champagne, baby?”
“Sure.”
He accompanied her to one of the tall side tables that lined the ballroom. Sam leaned against the table, rolling a glass of what looked like whiskey in between his hands. “Watch her. I’ll be right back.”
Sam grinned. “Sure thing.”
Lyssa rolled her eyes. James seemed to think some other man would try to spirit her away if he wasn’t around. While it was a tad annoying, she also loved him for it. It only provided evidence of just how beautiful he found her.
“Having fun, Lys?”
Sam said it in a blasé tone. She’d gotten to know him much better since she and James had started dating, and she’d come to the realization that this whole scene bored him to death. He enjoyed the convenience wealth brought him, but he found many of the trappings of wealthy society absurd.
“Yes,” she answered honestly. “I know this isn’t your thing, but it’s all new and exciting to me.”
“Good.” His brows raised. “I’m glad someone finds this enjoyable.”
When his gaze scanned the room, she couldn’t help but ask, “What are you looking for?”
“Just scoping out the opposite sex. Seeing if anything new is out there.”
She gave him an amused smirk. Next to painting, Sam’s favorite pastime was chasing tail. As hot as he was—and there was no doubt about it, since he looked a lot like James—she was very glad he wasn’t her man. No doubt that road would lead to much heartache.
Turning, she let her gaze rove across the ballroom. Her eyes landed on a tall, statuesque blonde who looked beautiful enough to be a model. The top curve of her generous breasts were displayed in the shimmering gold gown she wore.
Lyssa had a feeling the woman’s dress cost more than last month’s rent—on both her apartment and her office.
“What about her?” She pointed to the blonde.
Sam followed the direction of her finger and let out a mock shudder. “No, that’s Diane Milstrom.”
Oh, she was the daughter of Daniel Milstrom, the investor who’d backed out of the Everly Publications expansion at the last moment. In fact, as Lyssa remembered it, Diane was the reason he’d backed out. She used to date Andrew, and when he’d dumped her for Hailey, Daniel had in turn dumped him. In a funny twist of fate, he’d gotten back on board with the project mere days after Martin had agreed to invest.
Although Andrew hadn’t needed to take him back on as an investor, he’d done it as an act of good faith to the man who’d been friends with his father. Andrew had confessed to Lyssa in confidence that he loved dealing with the man now, since for the first time in their relationship, he was the one calling the shots.
“Yeah, guess not,” Lyssa murmured. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to date someone who dated your brother.”
“That’s not it,” Sam said, frowning. “At least, not entirely.”
Curious, she glanced over at him. “Why not, then?”
“Totally repressed.” He grimaced. “Not my idea of a fun time.”
“Oh.”
James returned at that moment with two glasses of champagne. He wore a huge grin on his face.
“Why the stupid look?” Sam asked him.
“Ha ha.” James made a face at him. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Lyssa reached for her glass, but he moved it out of her way, sliding both glasses onto the table and grabbing her hand instead. He led them out to the dance floor, where he wrapped his arms around her and began swaying to the slow beat of the music.
She pulled back to look in his face. “You do look awfully happy.”
He wiggled his brows. “I just found out a secret.”
“Well, you’d better spill, then.”
James leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Andrew is proposing to Hailey tonight.”
She gasped and turned to search the couple out. They danced not too far away from her, their bodies moving in unison as they gazed at each other with all their love on their faces.
“That’s great. I’m so happy for them.”
“Me, too.” He pulled back and his face sobered. His voice barely audible, he murmured, “You know we’ll get there too, right?”
“I know.” She was in no
hurry. Right now things were perfect as they were. Carlos and Nadia had embraced James with open arms, and her mother was coming around to having an outsider around—though that might be more because she liked the thought of Lyssa being financially secure.
Even better, her mother was in remission. For better—or occasionally worse—it looked like she was going to be around for a long time.
All things said, Lyssa was incredibly happy she’d decided to take a chance on James. On love.
James’s eyes flooded with heat as he looked down at her, and her body responded as it always did. Softening for him. Wanting him.
“Is it close to midnight yet?” he said, his voice husky.
They glanced at the live show on the screen, and both groaned at the same time.
Forty-five minutes left.
Lyssa thought for a second before whispering, “You know, there are bathrooms here.”
Amusement lit in James’s gaze. “I’m pretty sure good girls don’t do it in bathrooms.”
She rose to murmur seductively in his ear. “Good thing I’m not a good girl, then, huh?”
Not when it came to him, anyway.
Drawing back with hunger shining in his gaze, James grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor.
Dear Reader:
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story! For news on upcoming stories and special discount prices, click here to sign up for my newsletter.
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Read on for a sneak peek of Bad Girls Do, the third book in the Everly Brothers series, which has a tentative release date of January 19, 2015. It’s Sam and Diane’s story, and it’s one super fun (and steamy) read!
All the best.
Rosalie Lario
Bad Girls Do
An Everly Brothers Novel
Rosalie Lario
Bad girls have all the fun…
Good Girls Don't Page 18