by Sierra Rose
He had yet to take a breath. He was literally pacing back and forth across the floor in excitement. This was the day we had been waiting for. The day we were free.
As if taking the words right out of my head, he turned abruptly on his heel and darted back over to me. He tilted my head up for another kiss, then stepped back with a beaming smile.
“But Abby, none of that matters anymore—because as of tonight, there is nothing. I repeat: nothing is forcing us to stay together!”
His eyes closed in a moment of overwhelming relief.
“No mitigating factors forcing our decision, no black-mailed flash drive hanging over our heads. There is not a damn thing in this world influencing this decision—just each other.”
He said it with such joy—such complete, unadulterated joy—but every word was a dagger straight in my heart. Freedom, he wanted? An unbiased decision?
I had just come here with the greatest mitigating factor of them all.
My eyes drifted down to my belly, as he grabbed my face and kissed me again. Without a second thought, he pulled me tight against his chest. So tight that I could feel every pounding heart beat—each one lighter than the one before.
“Abby...I am so impossibly happy right now.”
Yes, he was. Because Nick wanted to be free. Even if that freedom meant that the two of us would stay together—we would make that decision for ourselves. Choose for ourselves the way we wanted to live. No one swaying us. No one forcing our hand.
That’s the freedom Nick wanted. That’s the way he wanted to live.
...and I wasn’t going to take that away from him. I refused to trap his free spirit.
“I know,” I whispered back, “I’m happy too.”
A pair of tears slipped down my face, and I wiped them quickly before pulling out of his arms. My hair swung down like a protective shield, as I hurried quickly back to the elevator.
“I forgot...I left a package down in the lobby.” The door opened the second I pressed the button and I darted inside. “I’m just going to go get it.”
Nick stared in surprise for a moment, before surprise turned to confusion.
“Babe—you don’t really have time. Let me call down, someone will send it up.”
“No, it’s fine,” I answered quickly, pressing the button for the main floor. “You know I always feel guilty making people do that. I’ll...I’ll be back in just a second.”
“Uh...okay. Well, hurry back.”
“I will.”
As the door slid shut, I glanced up to get one final look at his face. He was frozen exactly where I’d left him—his sparkling blue eyes fixed on the elevator with a look of curiosity. A curiosity that only grew deeper when the two of us locked eyes.
We froze there for a split second. A split second full of a thousand silent questions.
Then the doors closed and I could see him no more.
Abby—you stupid, stupid girl.
I didn’t stop walking when I got to the lobby. I didn’t pause when Max called my name. I didn’t stop moving until I was back on the sidewalk—hailing down a cab. My shoes were still in my hand, but I’d gathered myself enough to grab my wallet on the way out. Without looking back behind me, I handed up a fifty and said, “JFK.”
Thirty minutes later, I was at the airport.
By now, Nick had long-since realized I was gone. By now, a search party had no doubt been assembled, and that busy hotel was turning itself inside out. By now, a call had most likely gone out to Mitchell Hunter, who was sitting in his office—seething with rage.
But I couldn’t bring myself to care. I couldn’t bring myself to do much of anything at the moment. I simply placed my hands on my belly, and walked up to the front of the line.
“One ticket, please.”
The airline stewardess looked at me curiously, before typing away madly into her computer. “Alright, um...is there anywhere in particular you had in mind?”
“First flight you’ve got.”
As she took my credit card and printed out what was likely the most expensive plane ticket I would ever buy, I turned and glanced back out the window at the city.
The city that had my face plastered in almost every single magazine. The city that had thrown every twist life had to offer. The same city that housed a man I loved with all my heart.
Then I took a deep breath, and turned deliberately away.
In the last two years, Nick had taught me at least one thing. He taught me how to run.
To be continued...
Part 4 is available now!
Keep reading! Bonus Book 1 is next – The Billionaire Bargain
Paige: I desperately need some serious bucks to save my sister’s life. I was working late at the office when I happened to overhear an executive talking to his publicist about needing a fake wife to clean up his image. I decided I would be perfect for the job. But I almost lost my nerve when he mistakenly thought I was the cleaning lady. No matter. I have to do this for my sister, to get her the help she needs. So I boldly asked for the position of new wife. I almost died of embarrassment when I found out he was the new CEO of the company. Shit! Did I just proposition my billionaire playboy boss? And did he just tell me no?
Luke: I desperately need a fake wife to clean up my image. I was intrigued by the sassy secretary who walked into my office after eavesdropping on my conversation. But I can’t date an employee. It just wouldn’t be right. Besides, money can hire me an actress or a trophy wife at the drop of a dime. The only thing is, I can’t stop thinking about Paige. So I changed my mind, asked her if she would take the job, and she told me no. No woman has ever told me no. I’m determined to change her mind. I know she wants me. I can tell by the subtle bursts of affection she gives me...like a simple swipe of the arm, our flirty conversations, her bashful smile, or our lingering hugs. I was definitely intrigued. Was that little spark turning into something more? I know one thing, I’m not giving up until she’s in my bed where she belongs.
Bonus Book 2 – The Billionaire’s Fake Girlfriend
Jump into a sexy and funny, billionaire romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Sierra Rose.
Rebecca is an aspiring actress. While at a fancy cocktail party, the socialites begin to pick on her. And that’s when she claims she’s dating the billionaire host of the party. When he goes along with it, Rebecca is in shock. And when this billionaire offers her a proposition she can’t say no to, she dives straight in.
This is a three book series.
Bonus Book 1
Billionaire Bargain
Book 1
Sierra Rose
Copyright 2018 Sierra Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Chapter 1
SHE KNEW SHE COULD make it if she ran.
If the bus was on time.
If she could take all four flights of stairs without stopping to clutch her side and huff and puff like a geriatric heart patient instead of a thirty-two-year-old secretary.
Paige Winters forced a tight smile as the woman finally, finally checked her meal out. She paid for the soup and an egg roll. She ate the egg roll in two bites on the way to the bus stop and nearly choked. How did runners manage to grab and drink those tiny cups of water during a race without aspirating and falling down dead? Clearly, she wasn’t the athletic type if an eggroll n
early did her in on a brisk walk.
Letting out a tiny laugh at her joke, she checked the time on her phone compulsively with one hand while cradling the Styrofoam bowl of soup so it wouldn’t spill. The lid was one of those thin white plastic things that never quite fit the container, and she didn’t think an empty Styrofoam dish that smelled faintly of chicken broth would bring her sister a whole lot of comfort and strength. So she made sure she kept the soup level and didn’t spill any. Paxtyn had been through enough already without her lunchtime surprise turning out to be no lunch at all.
There wasn’t a lot that made Paxtyn happy because she was so uncomfortable and in so much pain. But, when her big sister mentioned wistfully that the only food she could think of that didn’t make her want to gag was that Chinese soup from down on Rivers Street, Paige was on a mission.
She had an hour for lunch. Surely, she could get the soup, get the bus, run the soup upstairs, give her sister a kiss and make it back to the bus stop in time. If she hadn’t had to wait in that long line at the restaurant, if she had worn more sensible shoes or had a better fitness level, this would be going according to schedule. Unfortunately, she missed the bus she needed and had to settle for the next one, which didn’t stop in the right place, so she’d have to go a couple of blocks out of her way to get to her sister’s apartment.
Paxtyn had just confided in her sister that the disability benefits had run out at the end of last month. She was unable to work and hadn’t been in her previous job long enough to collect disability for more than a few months. Her insurance was being suspended. She’d have to go on Medicaid, which wouldn’t pay for the treatments she’d been receiving. Her sibling was seriously ill, and it just about killed Paige.
My sister means everything in the world to me. If I lose her...
The thought hit her like a freight train. Tears welled up in her eyes. No, she couldn’t think like that. Her sister was a fighter. She would beat this no matter what the costs.
Paige wished she could cover all the costs herself, that her sister would never have to worry about something as frivolous as money at a time like this. But she was living on a secretary’s salary. So soup and sympathy were all she could manage for the moment.
Paige broke into a careful jog, trying not to jostle the soup she held out in front of her like it was the Holy Grail. And if it could convince Paxtyn to eat something on day two after chemo, it might just be a blessed relic. Paxtyn’s wrists had been so thin, her shoulder blades sharp and bony when Paige hugged her last weekend. It wasn’t the chemo, she knew, it was the side effects that made her waste away, taking her appetite away. There was nothing on earth—not diamonds, a promotion and a dream trip to Bali—that Paige wanted as much as she wanted Paxtyn to get well and be strong and healthy again. If she could have only one wish in the world, that’s what it would be. Because she loved her, and family is the only important thing in this world. Her sister always had her back, loved her unconditionally, was her best friend, and would die for her without hesitation. She would do the same for Paxtyn. That is what a family should be. And sisters shared a precious bond that lasted a lifetime.
So she’d given up her lunch hour, her antioxidant salad with the walnuts on it that she’d promised herself for surviving another week in the trenches. Paige rounded the corner and ran into her sister’s building, taking the stairs two at a time, stumbling once and swearing because she almost spilled the soup. She reached the apartment and banged on the door. It took Paxtyn approximately forever to get to the door, so Paige had time to compose herself and stop hunching over and gasping for breath.
“Hey, sissy,” Paige said, “Brought you something.”
“Soup? You’re kidding me!” Paxtyn swung open the door. Her blue bathrobe would have wrapped around her twice now, drooping off her shoulders like it would off the frame of a wire hanger.
Paxtyn hugged her—she was all sharp edges and pointy elbows now—and Paige patted her carefully. Someday her sister would be strong enough again that Paige could really give her a hug without being afraid to break her. For now, she kissed her cheek and told her to try to eat.
“Thank you! Come in and sit down!”
“I can’t stay long.”
“I know. And I thank you for coming out of your way to bring me lunch. You’re the biggest sweetie.”
“Not a problem. How are you feeling today?”
“I take it one day at a time. Today is a good day for me.”
“That’s great.”
“I had this wonderful dream last night.”
“Yeah? What was it?”
“That we were running on the beach.”
“We’re going to make that dream a reality.”
“I so want to do that.”
“And you will.”
“You’re way too good to me. What would I do without you?”
“It’s the other way around. What would I do without you?”
“You inspire me, give me hope of a future.”
“That’s my job. I’m your sister, and I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“You better eat your soup before it gets cold.”
“Okay.”
“Listen, I would love to keep you company for lunch, but I have to get back to work.”
“Okay. Thanks again for stopping by.”
“Not a problem. Love you! Bye.”
Paige waited for the door to close before sprinting down the stairs and to the bus stop. She made it back to the office and was in the elevator at exactly one o’clock, winded and sweaty but triumphant. Paxtyn had sent her a selfie with a spoonful of soup. Her sister was eating. That was victory enough for today.
She was in such a good mood that when her friend Gina walked into the elevator moaning about how she skipped lunch to work on the Johnson project, Paige offered to stay late and help her out. Paige hadn’t spent much time on the executive floor—she had only been assistant to one of the junior vice presidents for a few months—but she was good with spreadsheets and Gina could use the backup. No one wanted to spend Friday night alone at the office after all.
“We’ll order pizza since neither of us had a real lunch,” Paige promised.
“Sounds perfect. I had a muffin and a Frappuccino for breakfast, I’m starving already...thanks, sweetie,” Gina said.
“All I had for breakfast was almost-expired yogurt and sadness,” Paige teased as she got off the elevator. “And that egg roll didn’t do much to hold me over.”
She settled back into her small office—it had been such a delight to have a space to call her own with the receptionist outside. Her previous job had been out in the front lobby of the Winston Building signing in visitors and giving them directions to offices and generally denying appointments to anyone who wanted to see anyone important in the Winston Building. The security desk was right behind hers, so she had back-up, but her whole day had been rerouting phone calls and dealing with a constant flood of people.
Having walls and a door and a window, having a computer and the quiet time to maintain her boss’s schedule and make arrangements for conference calls and meetings, and to hire caterers for those meetings was a major luxury. It was a step up. Not as high as she thought she’d be on the ladder by the age of thirty-two, but better than being buffeted by the slings and arrows as a frontline receptionist had been. Here there was quiet for concentration, a list of tasks she could manage efficiently, and a Spotify playlist for when she was feeling carefree. She could never have played music out in the open in the Winston Building. So, signing on with Conners International was a step in the right direction.
She checked the HR bulletin every month for in-house job postings, on the lookout for any openings in the office of the COO. The Chief Operating Officer position had been created a few months ago and was the administrative hub of the corporation. It was also the place where Paige wanted to make her mark. She’d been taking business classes online for a while, looking to complete her MBA i
n the next year or so. She was scouting for opportunities to even make it to that floor—the thirtieth floor, one level down from the CEO’s executive suite.
By five, the building was practically cleared out. Friday afternoons meant a massive rush to the elevators so the weekend could start. But after she called to check on her sister who promised she was staying hydrated and doing well, Paige hopped on the elevator and headed up to the thirty-first floor. Gina had been her first friend at Conners—they’d met at the Starbucks down the block and struck up a conversation about whipped cream.
Gina was in her sixth year at the corporation and her first year on the executive floor. The changeover to the new CEO—some hotshot playboy—had been rocky for her. She’d taken the promotion as assistant to the old Mr. Conners right before he retired. He’d been a patient, detail-oriented man totally unlike his successor who took no prisoners. So Paige was determined to help Gina any way she could.
“So what’s it like working for the new CEO?” Paige asked. “Do you like him or his grandfather better.”
“The grandson is more laid back, but still a perfectionist workaholic like his grandfather.”
“I’ve never seen him. He doesn’t come down to my floor. Guess I’m in the dungeon.”
“He’s super hot. But we do have a few hotties up here.”
“You do? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I swear I would’ve been up here in a heartbeat.”
“Because most of them are married.”
“That figures.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
“So our new boss is a notorious playboy?”
“Totally. But he doesn’t date anyone from the office. He keeps everything strictly professional. He’s nice to look at...but that’s it. He’s quite the bachelor from what I hear. Dates world-famous supermodels and everything. Changes girlfriends as often as he changes his clothes. Women can’t get enough of him. But who wouldn’t want a hot billionaire CEO?”