The Weekend Proposition
Page 13
“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m not sure I can take the money.”
“You need the money.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I won’t let you go back on our agreement.”
“Spencer, I don’t feel—”
“Coda, I have a lot of money. My family is very wealthy. I work hard to contribute to my income, and when my father died I received a huge trust. I don’t want to sound callous, because I try not to take my life for granted, but I’ve always had money.”
“That two-hundred thousand doesn’t mean much to you, does it?”
“Not as much as it means to you.” He wanted her to have that money. “Please take the money. I got what I needed out of our agreement. Actually, I got more than I ever bargained for.” He held up his hand before she could protest. “I don’t mean that I paid for you. I compensated you for your time. The fact that you’ve trusted me with your mind, body, and soul has nothing to do with that deal. Can you understand what I’m saying?”
“You do have my mind, body, and soul. I don’t know how you managed to grab hold of me so fast but I don’t want you to let go.”
“I don’t plan on letting go.” He ran his fingers through her hair, inhaling her vanilla-scented shampoo. “I missed you last night.”
“It was a long night for me too. I wanted to call, but after the way we left things I was afraid you wouldn’t want to hear from me.”
“I have something for you.” He walked over to his desk and pulled out a small notebook. “I wrote it down.”
She gasped when he handed her the book. “Our song?”
“I stayed up all night making sure all of the notes were exactly the way I played them for you on Saturday night.”
The melody had haunted him from the time he stepped into his car and pulled away from her apartment the evening before. As soon as he got home he sat in front of his piano and worked through the night. When he finished he called Tyler and asked him to meet him at the gym. He hadn’t been sure he’d ever get to share the song with Coda, but he needed to get out all the aggression he felt over how the weekend had ended.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and opened the book. “I can’t read the notes.” She laughed. “You’ll have to play it for me.”
“I have a piano at my house. I hope you’ll come there and let me play for you. I’ve never wanted to play more than I do now. Thank you for that.”
“I think your dad would have been really proud of you. You’re an artist, Spencer. The music is in your soul. I felt that when you played. It was one the most inspiring moments of my life.”
“You’re my inspiration.” He led her over to the leather couch across from his desk and pulled her into his lap. “I’m not the only one who has talent. I had another inspirational moment in my conference room this morning.”
“Without me?”
“You were with me.” He placed soft kisses along her jaw and neck because he couldn’t help himself. “I saw the logos you created for the Bradford account.”
“How?” She pushed him away so she could look at him. “I don’t understand.”
“Vince followed my direction. Do you remember the ideas you gave me on Friday morning? He knew exactly what you meant because you had already created them.” He pointed his finger at her. “You’re a naughty little thing, aren’t you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to get anyone in trouble. I wasn’t sure how you’d react if you knew Vince let me peek at those logos, much less manipulate them.”
“He presented your designs to us this morning. He’s been trying to contact you, but you won’t take his calls.”
“I forgot to charge my phone. It died on the train this morning. He used my designs?”
“We can’t without your permission. He realized the direction came from you when he saw our picture in the paper today. You’re really good. My grandfather wants to hire you on the spot.”
“He does?”
“Don’t be surprised. He absolutely adores you, but I can’t say that I blame him. Apparently we have the same taste in women.”
“You like my designs?”
“Sweetheart, I told you I like them. They’re precisely what the client wants. If you agree we’ll present them tomorrow.”
“I can work here? In the art department? As a graphic designer?”
“I think that can be arranged. I’m sure Vince will be more than happy to take you under his wing. I think we could use some fresh perspective.”
“I don’t know what to say.” She looked stunned. “I’ve wanted to work here since my freshman year of college. I’ve dreamed about it for years.”
“You don’t have to dream anymore.” He embraced her. “I want you here.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“An extraordinary woman once told me you have to take care of your own.” He wanted nothing more than to make her happy for the rest of his life.
“Did she? She sounds really smart. You should listen to her all the time.”
“I want to take care of you. I want you to be mine.” He kissed her. “I want to be yours.”
“I’ll make you a proposition.”
“Why are you always taunting me?”
“Because it’s my special thing for you,” she reminded him.
“Let me hear it.” He trailed his lips along her jaw knowing he’d give her anything she asked for. “Obviously you know the way to get to me.”
“I’ll let you take care of me, if I can take care of you.”
“You’ll be mine?” He grinned. “Always?”
“Always.” She pressed her lips to his.
“I’ll take that proposition on one condition.”
“Such a negotiator.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What’s the condition?”
“You have to accept this.” He reached into his inside pocket and pulled out her bracelet. “Please.”
She closed her eyes and whispered, “I didn’t mean to hurt you when I gave that back.”
“That’s in the past.” He took her wrist. “May I?”
“I accept your condition, Mr. Cannon.”
“Smart girl.” He clasped the hook and kissed the inside of her wrist as he had when he first placed it on her. “Today’s the beginning.”
When their lips met he knew in his heart they had a long and exciting future ahead of them. Always.
The End
The Weekend Surprise
Want more? There are two Cannon Brothers, after all.
A chance meeting or a calculated encounter? Someone is in for a surprise.
Brooklyn Conservatory student Sammy Falcone lives a quiet and modest life. She's busy studying classical music, playing her cello, and trying to make ends meet. After she learns of her deceased mother's secret that may involve the Cannon family, she heads to a wedding to catch a glimpse of the privileged clan, never expecting to come face-to-face with them.
Tyler Cannon must abandon his wild, partying ways and step up to help his brother Spencer run the family advertising business. When he meets Sammy at his brother's wedding he's immediately taken by the reserved beauty. Her innocence and simple lifestyle intrigue him enough to become a one-woman man.
Sammy is drawn to Tyler's charm and the attention he shows her. Once she gets to know him, the secrets of her mother's past are no longer important. The problem is Spencer has been suspicious of her from the beginning. Will Spencer's overprotectiveness of his family ruin her chances with Tyler? And if the truth comes out, will Sammy be able to convince Tyler that she never meant his family any harm?
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she disc
overed the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband, two sons and two feisty Chihuahua writing companions. She can be found creating sexy, domineering men and the strong women who know how to challenge them in and out of the bedroom on a regular basis. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
http://authorellajade.com/