by Michele Hauf
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Twitter: @dani_haviland
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Other Books by Dani Haviland
ARLIE UNDERCOVER SERIES (romantic suspense based in Alaska and Arizona)
A Stingray Christmas: (First book) Anchorage detective on medical leave travels from Alaska to Arizona to see for the first time the son he’d fathered as an anonymous sperm donor. Great and rotten surprises await the cop with the smartest smartphone around.
The Biggest Heart Ever: (Book two) When would Arlie learn that trying to do everything by himself could be deadly—and make Charlene a widow before they were married?
Always a Bigger Fish: (Book three) Back in Alaska, Arlie finds out he’s a target. Will vacationing detective Billy Burke (from THE FAIRIES SAGA) have information to help nab the scalper?
How to Fix a Broken Life: (Book four) When Arlie’s very pregnant wife is kidnapped by pseudo terrorists, will he be the one to rescue her or will a surprise hero come in to save the day?
Because You Said So: (Book five) Something’s amiss at the Port of Anchorage. Will Arlie be able to solve it and still be back in time to wear the Santa suit?
THAT TWIN THING SERIES (romantic suspense series)
The Midwife’s Son: The midwife refused her selfish patient's request to smother the scrawny twin and instead took it home to bring up as her own. Years later, will the two young men wind up in each other's lives despite the midwife's efforts to keep them apart?
Phoenix I’m Not: Will the billionaire’s spoiled son by resurrected from the ashes of his former life of drugs and mayhem by love or be tortured and eliminated by the assassin sent by his mother?
Lost and Found Family: Separated at birth, these twins find they have more than genetics in common: they’re both the target of killers who are willing to risk everything to take them out.
Peter Elph: A supplement to the story of Lost and Found Family, this short story is about a member of the Wagner family back in 1886 Tombstone, Arizona.
THE FAIRIES SAGA SERIES (historical fiction/time travel, listed in order with novellas):
Kibbles and Bits: FREE: Sample the first stories in the series before you buy. The Fairies Saga stories. Find out how the first five books got their crazy names, too.
Naked in the Winter Wind: FREE! (lengthy novel) How does an older woman wind up as a young hottie in Revolutionary War era North Carolina? First book in the time travel series.
Ha’Penny Jenny: (historical novella) More about the naïve and psychic young girl who was adopted into a time traveling family. Will her past catch up to her?
Aye, I am a Fairy: (lengthy novel) Young British lord finds himself entwined with a time traveling family and must decide if he should go back in time, too. Second book in the series.
Dances Naked: (novel) Directionally challenged time traveler is rescued by Cherokee in 18th century. What must he do before the chief will show him to The Trees, the portal through time?
Chasing Christmas: (historical novella) A young Cherokee is rescued from an abusive man and changes the lives of many in this 18th century America family.
The Great Big Fairy: (lengthy novel) Very tall Benji grew up in the 20th century but was born in the 18th. When he finds a way to return to his grandparents in the distant past, he goes for it. Once there, he realizes he can’t stay, but must return to the future. Fourth book in the series.
Little Bear and the Ladies: (historical novella) What’s a bachelor trapper to do with all the females he rescues from the Hessian mercenaries? He’d better hurry and figure something!
Little Drummer Boy: (historical novella) Young Scout works to earn money for a home in post-Revolutionary War America but runs up against prejudices and snowstorms.
Never Too Young: (historical novella) Scout and Ha’Penny Jenny have grown up, but will they be able to spend their life together, or will the past and ruffians get in their way?
Time in a Little Blue Bottle: (time travel ‘mash up’ novella) Elvis, Mark Twain, and the prime vampire are racing to get the bottle of Fountain of Youth water before sweet Bella and the youthful pickpocket. So why are time travelers Marty Melbourne and Master Simon interested?
CONTEMPORARY NOVELLAS – BENJI, THE LOST YEARS
Luke the Unexpected: Love of classic motorcycles brought them together, but Luke and Holly have other challenges to face. Find out how their friend Benji got his stripes here.
Pool Boy Wanted: No Experience Preferred: (rather racy) Young Benji has been a hostage and slave, but life gets worse when an older woman decides she wants him as her own.
STAND ALONE NOVELLAS (contemporary romances)
Kit Kringle: An Alaskan Tale: Kay moved to Alaska for the wrong reasons, then decided to stay and start her own business. What she hadn’t planned on were prejudices and falling in love.
Be My Angel: Wyatt's dream to help save the wild mustangs began with the purchase of a rundown ranch in western Oregon. What he hadn't anticipated was being mesmerized by a sassy woman in a wheelchair.
Three Are One: The post chaplain tried to help the young widow adjust, but would his feelings for her and the search for his lost sister cause problems?
One Arctic Summer: That unforgettable summer of 1994 in Barrow, Alaska, and the touch she never forgot…If she goes back, will he remember her?
The Polar Xpress: Will the California chiropractor get a first chance at romance with the owner of Second Chance Kennels when he is stranded in Alaska?
Too Fast For You: Ten years after Little League, two talented professional baseball players wind up on the same minor league team. Will she remember him? And will their friendship be ruined if she does? Part of The Players: Overcoming the Odds
Billionaires Extraordinaire by Leanne Banks
Praise for Leanne Banks
“When life gets tough, read a book by Leanne Banks.” ~ Janet Evanovich
“When everything goes wrong with your day, you need a dose of loving warmth from favorite author Leanne Banks.” ~ Romantic Times Book Club
“Queen of the feel-good contemporary romance.”~ Booklist
This book is dedicated to all those who have helped me
along the way, with special love to my mother,
Betty Minyard. I am so blessed
that you are my mother and my friend….
Dear Reader,
What could be better than a billionaire who is tamed by an everyday woman like you and me? A man driven to succeed and take his revenge against those who have made his family suffer. A man who succeeded against the odds who needs to be saved from his bitterness and vengefulness.
Maybe a woman like you or me could teach him to love and be loved. That would take a miracle—the miracle of love. You and I know about this miracle. It’s the best one of all.
I’m so pleased to present my 50th published book, Billionaire Extraordinaire, the story of a scarred man who needs to learn how to love and the woman who teaches him, despite her most sensible efforts to resist him. He’s wounded, yet strong, wealthy and protective. All he needs is the right woman.…
I’m so pleased to contribute this book to this special collection with the other fabulous stories included. I would be so thrilled if you choose to leave a review for any of our books!
All the best,
Leanne Banks
www.leannebanks.com
https://www.facebook.com/leanne.banks
1
; All she had to do was fake it.
All she had to do was act as if her insides matched the calm, competent, loyal, efficient and discreet surface she worked hard to maintain. Emma Weatherfield had been faking it since she was six years old. This should be no different.
At 6:45 a.m., the door to the corner office suite at Megalos-De Luca Enterprises opened and in walked a tall man with black hair and black eyes that seemed to sear her with appraisal.
Emma’s stomach clenched. She hadn’t expected him until later. She felt goose bumps rise to the surface of the skin on her arms as she stood to greet the man. She’d been told he looked like a handsome version of Satan and she couldn’t disagree. She didn’t see a millimeter of pity or softness in his hard face or hard body. The scar on his cheek only punctuated his ruthless reputation.
Her pulse raced, but she ignored her reaction. “Mr. Medici,” she said.
“Emma Weatherfield,” he said and extended his hand to hers.
She hesitated a beat before taking it. After all, he was here to take the company that had provided the only stability she’d experienced in her life and rip it to shreds. Despite protests from Megalos-De Luca’s top management, the current chairman of the board, James Oldham, had insisted on hiring an outside firm to conduct a reorganization. Damien Medici had made his fortune eliminating jobs.
She had a job to do, she reminded herself, and slid her hand inside his warm, strong palm. He squeezed her hand with just the right pressure and held her gaze as she noticed the texture of his skin. The calluses on his palm surprised her. He was president of his own company; there was no need for him to perform any sort of manual labor.
She would learn the answer to that question. She would learn the answers to all her questions and those of her previous bosses. It was her job to learn everything she could about Damien Medici and report back to the people of Megalos-De Luca, to whom she owed her new life.
“Call me Damien when it’s just the two of us. Mr. Medici can be reserved for other times. I was told you were efficient, but I didn’t expect you to arrive at the office so early on a Monday,” he said with a hint of admiration.
“Habit,” she said, removing her hand from his. “Since this was a new position, I wanted to be prepared.”
“And are you?” he asked, glancing around the office suite.
No, she thought, and wished she weren’t so viscerally aware of his power. “I’ll let you be the judge of that.”
He nodded and pushed open the door to the corner executive office that gave a sweeping view of the craggy, snowcapped mountains outside of Las Vegas. “Come in,” he said. “I understand you’ve been with the company for six years.”
“Yes, I have,” Emma said. She followed him inside the large inner office, watching as he wandered around the room, checking out the equipment and the desk and giving a cursory glance to the view.
“According to your résumé, you climbed the ranks quickly, working for Alex Megalos for the last two years. MD,” he said, shortening the company name by using the initials of the founders, “has been good to you. They’ve paid your tuition and given you flexible hours to complete your degree.”
“All true,” she said.
“I’m sure you’re grateful,” he continued, unbuttoning his jacket. “Perhaps so grateful that you don’t want to see MD make any significant changes.”
“I want MD to thrive. The current economy is difficult. I want only the best for MD’s future,” Emma said, giving her planned response. She sounded stilted to her own ears.
He studied her. She felt a shiver race through her, but refused to let it show.
“Even if it’s necessary for MD to cut jobs?” he asked. “Even if I need to turn the regular way of business on its ear?”
“You’re legendary in your field. I’m certain you will be looking out for the company’s best interests. After all, that’s what you’re paid to do as an unbiased, professional contractor.”
He paused a moment and a ghost of a smile crossed his face again. “Good,” he said, as if he knew she was giving a performance. “In that case, I’d like to start with financial reports from all the company divisions.”
She blinked. “I thought you might want to meet with some of the vice presidents first.”
He shook his head and pulled a laptop computer from his bag, ignoring the first-class computer on his desk. “The VPs will try to clutter my analysis with emotion. I’ll take the reports.”
“Yes, sir. If you prefer a different desktop…” she began.
“I always use my own computer. I prefer the ease of taking it with me.”
“We have memory sticks available for that if—”
He shook his head. “No problem. Give it to someone else and it will be one less expense for your company.”
She nodded slowly. True, but it also meant she would have difficulty gaining access to his electronic files when the time came. She’d known this assignment was going to be difficult, but she hadn’t realized just how difficult.
“Yes, sir,” she said again, determined to learn something about him. “How do you take your coffee?”
“I prefer to have a coffeepot in my office. I pour my own.”
Now that surprised her. He must have read her reaction on her face.
He gave a short laugh. “I’m not like your previous bosses. I wasn’t raised in a home filled with servants. I can take care of myself.”
She nodded, wondering if she’d heard just a drop of resentment in his voice about the affluent upbringing of Max De Luca and Alex Megalos. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
He shook his head. “Thank you. Just the reports.”
Poring over the initial reports, crunching numbers, Damien felt the quiet vibration of his cell phone and debated picking up. A call would break his focus and he despised that. Glancing at the caller ID, he recognized his brother Rafe’s number and answered.
“What’s up, Rafe?” he asked, stretching as he glanced outside the window and saw the sun begin to set.
“I’m chilling on a yacht in Key West. When are you going to pry yourself away from your job and come down and let me beat you at pool?”
Damien rose from his desk. “You’re as much a workaholic with your yacht business as I am in my field.”
“You must be afraid I’m gonna beat you bad,” Rafe said.
Damien chuckled. He and Rafe had traded wins and losses playing pool since the two had reconnected as adults. “I won last time.”
“Rematch,” Rafe said crisply.
“Not anytime soon. My current contract will demand all my attention. James Oldham, Megalos-De Luca’s new chairman of the board, has contacted me to reorganize Megalos-De Luca Enterprises.”
Silence followed. “You always said you would find a way to pay back the De Lucas for what they did to our grandfather. I wondered how you’d pull that off.”
“Funny how hard you have to work for some things, while others practically fall into your hands,” Damien said. He’d dreamed of this day, this opportunity to bring down the De Luca name. The impact of the De Lucas’ destruction of the Medici heritage had repercussions in future generations. Damien had always felt it was his job to make the De Luca family feel the same pain.
“Have you started yet?”
“Today,” Damien said, feeling a surge of adrenaline at the realization. “I’ve been given an office at the Megalos-De Luca headquarters for my convenience.”
Rafe laughed. “Talk about letting the fox in the henhouse.”
“You could say that. I’ve also been supplied with a pretty little assistant,” Damien said. “She’s as loyal as the day is long.”
“You have plans to change that,” Rafe ventured.
“I’ll do whatever is necessary,” Damien said, intrigued by the thought of finding out what was underneath Miss Weatherfield’s proper exterior. With forget-me-not-blue eyes, silky brown hair and a body he suspected held dangerous curves, she made him wonder what
she was like in bed. Finding out could be a secondary bonus.
“Be careful,” Rafe said.
Damien frowned at the odd remark. “Of what?”
“You’ve made your reputation and fortune by your ability to make unemotional decisions. You’ve got a lifetime of revenge riding on this contract. That’s a helluva lot of emotion.”
Damien considered his brother’s advice, then firmed his resolve. “No need to worry about me, little brother. I’ve always led with my mind. This time will be no different.”
“Okay. I’ve got your back if you need me,” Rafe said. “Except when we’re shooting pool.”
Damien cracked a slight grin. “Thanks. Maybe I’ll take you up on your offer after I’m done here. We’ll have something to toast. Take care,” he said, and turned off his phone.
By the following afternoon, Damien had slashed seventy-five positions on the organizational chart. He planned to pull two of his best employees off their current assignments so they could perform individual analyses on each work group. The board had offered to give him MD employees to do the reviews, but Damien knew objectivity was key.
At four o’clock, a knock on his door interrupted his evaluation. “Yes,” he said.
Emma peeked through the door and shook a paper bag. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I noticed you hadn’t eaten, so…”
Her thoughtful gesture took him by surprise. He’d been clear that he would take care of himself. He waved his hand. “Come on in. What do you have?”
“I didn’t know what you liked,” she said, walking through the door.
He noticed she wore a conservatively cut black jacket and skirt that hinted at curves underneath. No sign of cleavage, and the skirt hit just below her knee, exposing shapely calves. He couldn’t help wondering how she would look in something more revealing. “Then how did you choose?”