The Weekend Surprise (The Cannon Brothers, #2)

by Jade, Ella

  Oh well. Whoever it was would have to deal with her ‘no plans’ Friday night appearance. When she opened the door, she wished she would have been better prepared. She never expected him to show up.

  “You didn’t even check to see who was at the door, did you?” Tyler shook his head. “Do you know how dangerous that is?”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Can I come in?” He glanced down at her, lingering on her legs for a few seconds before entering her apartment. “I’m sorry I didn’t call first. It was an impulsive decision.”

  I don’t care. As long as you’re here. “You don’t have to call before you come.” She motioned for him to sit on the couch with her.

  “Not even after the way I acted the other night when you came to my place?” When he didn’t sit, neither did she. Instead, he leaned against the counter that separated the living room from the small kitchen.

  “Sorry it’s so hot in here.” She tried to make small talk, but her nerves were in overdrive. “The AC unit isn’t working that well.”

  “Did you call your landlord?”

  She shook her head.

  “You should.” He loosened his tie. “It’s stifling. I can get you out of your lease if he can’t fix it.”

  “Not that I’m complaining, but why are you here? I didn’t expect to see you.”

  “I didn’t expect to show up here.” He tapped his fingers on the counter, appearing more controlled than what she had become accustomed to. This wasn’t the fun and carefree man she had grown to love, but could she blame him? “Grandfather is kind of pissed off at me because you’re leaving. He gave me strict orders to get you back.”

  “You came to make sure I didn’t quit?” That’s disappointing.

  “That was going to be my excuse for coming here, but I can’t play games. I think we should be honest with one another.” He looked down at the floor for a few seconds before continuing. The meaning behind his words didn’t go unnoticed. “I’m still really upset. All you had to do was tell me your suspicions and I could have helped you. We could have gone to Coda together and arranged for a DNA test.”

  “I know, but I never had any intensions of telling Coda who I was. I didn’t think I had any right to disrupt her life. I was afraid I’d hurt her mother. All of my reasons seemed valid at the time, but now I realize I screwed up.”

  “Turns out your mother was right.”

  “I had serious doubts about that too,” she said. “I told you my grandmother wasn’t even certain my mother had named the right man. They never met my father. It was a brief affair between two drug addicts. My mother was so messed up most of the time, she didn’t even know what the truth was. How could I have gone to Coda or you with that information? Don’t you think I was embarrassed about my mother’s behavior?”

  “Did you think I would judge you? You already told me about her past. Where you came from. I don’t think I ever made you feel embarrassed about it.”

  “You didn’t.” She looked down, feeling ashamed, but not because of where she came from. She was more ashamed of her betrayal. “You’ve always treated me well.”

  “Then why?”

  “I wanted to be perfect for you. You’ve given me so much, and I haven’t done much in return. I wanted to be the woman you deserved. I wanted to be everything for you.”

  “You were.” He moved toward her, taking her hands in his. “You are. Why can’t you see that?”

  “I was keeping something big from you. I tried to convince myself that if no one ever knew of the possibility of me being Coda’s sister, no one would get hurt. You and I could have a life together, a future, but now...” How could she ever expect him to forgive her for such a betrayal?

  “I still see a future with you,” he whispered. “I didn’t want to. I tried not to, but I can’t let go of what we have.”

  A sob escaped her chest before she had time to control it.

  “I don’t know if I’m ever going to fully understand why you kept that from me. I get that you were afraid when we first met, maybe confused, but after we made love, after the night I came home from California and expressed how I felt... I let it all go, Sammy. I trusted you to do the same in return.”

  “I wanted to. I tried, but I was scared. I was stupid.” She put her head down. “I know how much I hurt you. I’ve gone over it in my head at least a hundred times. I was wrong, and I’m very sorry for not being able to tell you who I really was. I’m still not sure who I am.”

  “I know exactly who you are.” He tilted her chin so she had to look at him. “Do you want me to tell you what I know?”

  She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. What if the truth destroyed her? Her entire life, she had lived with uncertainties about her mother and who she was. When she met Tyler, all of that seemed to disappear. She liked the woman she had become. The woman who loved such a caring and giving man.

  “You’ve been struggling your whole life to find your place. I can identify with that. I’ve only recently figured out who I am and what I want. I know your grandparents have been supportive, but I also know it wasn’t easy living with an addicted mother, and her death was hard on you.”

  She nodded, because if she spoke, the tears would flow freely.

  “When I was arranging the trip for your grandparents to come visit you, they told me things about your childhood. About how sometimes they felt bad that they were older and from another country. You had to deal with the cultural gap, especially in high school. They were so happy when you found your passion in music. They felt it gave you a purpose, a reason to strive harder and become more than that quiet, shy kid from Brooklyn.”

  “I try not to live in the past, but sometimes it’s so hard to forget.”

  “I know from the things you’ve told me. Your life has been difficult, but you’ve overcome many obstacles. You’re a strong woman and you’re barely into your twenties. You have one more year of school left. You’re a talented musician. You’ve been supporting yourself. You live on your own in the city. Things still aren’t easy for you, but somehow you make it work. You don’t complain. You keep going. I admire you. I have from the beginning.”

  “Tyler, please, why are you telling me all of this?” Despite her efforts to hold them back, the tears streamed down her face. “You should be yelling at me or telling me how angry you are with me.”

  “No.” He wiped the tears from her cheek with his palm. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. I get that you were afraid and confused. You’re young, and I’ve thrown you into a world that takes some getting used to.”

  “You never make me feel out of place.”

  “You belong with me, Sammy. I don’t care who you are or where you came from. All that matters to me is that we get through this and we have no more secrets.”

  “You want me?” She sighed. “Us?”

  “I love you.” He pulled her into his chest. “I want you to be able to tell me anything.”

  He still loved her. She had wished that was true, but hearing him say the words was more than she could have hoped for.

  “I have opened up to you, Tyler. I’ve shared things with you that I’d only ever tell you. I wanted to tell you about my dad and my possible connection to Coda. I should have done it from the beginning. You don’t know how sorry I am for keeping that from you.”

  “I accept your reasons, even if I don’t understand how you couldn’t confide in me. I’m happy it worked out for you and Coda. I’m excited for you to have her in your life as your sister. It will be good for both of you.”

  “I love you too. More than I can express.” She rested her head on his shoulder, breathing in his masculine scent. She’d missed him. “I screwed up and I didn’t know how I was going to fix it. I had all of these things I had planned to tell you if you would give me the chance and now you’re here telling me you love me and you forgive me. I’m so overwhelmed.”

  “Don’t be overwhelmed.” He took her hand and l
ed her to the couch. “You’ve been through a lot these past few days. Have you contacted your grandparents to let them know about Coda?”

  “I didn’t want to stress them out. I wanted to get the confirmation first. I’ve been so upset about us that I knew my grandmother would know there was something wrong, and I didn’t want to worry her.”

  “I can send you to Florida this week and you could tell them about Coda in person. Maybe a visit with them would do you some good. I did promise you one.”

  “You said you’d go with me.” She recalled that night with clarity. She remembered every night they had spent together in such detail. “They would love to see you.” I need you to come with me.

  “I’ll go with you.” He stroked her cheek. “I don’t ever want to be away from you again. This has been the worst week of my life.”

  “I wanted to reach out to you, but I wanted you to have your space.”

  He took her wrist in his hand, noticing her charm bracelet. “You didn’t take it off.”

  “It was my only connection to you.”

  “That’s not true.” He placed her hand on his heart. “This is the only way we need to be connected. My heart belongs to you. It always will.”

  “Have I ever told you how romantic you are?”

  “Wait until you see what I have in store for you this weekend when we visit your grandparents.” He kissed her tenderly. “I know of a spectacular hotel with an awesome view of the ocean about fifteen minutes from where they live.”

  “A weekend surprise?” Her heart fluttered when she thought about spending a few days reconnecting with him. “You’re going to spoil me.”

  “I’ll give you a lifetime of surprises.”

  The Weekend Proposition

  Have you seen how Spencer and Coda’s story began?

  One weekend—no strings, no expectations, and no commitments. On Sunday afternoon it all ends, or does it?

  No-nonsense businessman Spencer Cannon has a dilemma. He’s headed to Connecticut for the weekend to attend his cousin’s elaborate wedding. His whole family will be there in addition to his obsessed ex-girlfriend Ava. According to Spencer’s brother, Ava has been telling her friends she’s planning a magical reunion with her favorite ex-boyfriend. Spencer’s not in the mood to deal with her, but he can’t miss the wedding. He needs a plan.

  Struggling Brooklyn waitress and aspiring graphic designer Dakota Vercelli has fallen on hard times. College debts, pending eviction, and her sick mother are taking a toll on her. A chance encounter with Mr. Cannon, CEO of Cannon and Carrington Advertising, leads to a proposition that may be just the thing to solve both of their problems. Spencer’s offer—spend four days with him during the wedding festivities and keep his ex off his trail. In return, he’ll compensate her generously for her time. He needs a weekend girlfriend, and Dakota needs the cash.

  It was just supposed to be a business deal, but after sharing a room, kissing under the stars, and attending a wedding, their attraction is undeniable. Will the illusion end when the weekend is over or is the proposition just the beginning?

  One-click The Weekend Proposition to start this sexy four day adventure.

  Available Now!

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Q48ZFZH

  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 discovered 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/