by Tracy Reed
Real Love
Tracy Reed
Copyright © 2019 by Tracy Reed
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, business establishments, event or locals is entirely coincidental.
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No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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Making or distributing electronic copies of this book constitutes copyright infringement and could subject the infringer to criminal and civil liability.
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Cover Images:
© Forgiss / Masterfile
Created with Vellum
To my first loves
God
Mommy and Dad
Contents
Introduction
INTENTIONAL CURSE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
GENERATIONAL CURSE
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
About the Author
Also by Tracy Reed
Thank You
Introduction
Thank you for reading Real Love! This boxed set includes Intentional Curse and Generational Curse. The first two books in the Generational Curse series.
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Sign up for newsletter to find out about new releases at readtracyreed.com/newsletter! And you can join my Facebook group for fans to discuss my books: Tracy’s Reeders.
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Happy reading…
INTENTIONAL CURSE
TRACY REED
Chapter 1
Eric looked around the room at the assorted social elite. He was here because it was one of the many functions his father demanded he attend. Being around this stuffy crowd was not his first choice for the evening. His plans for the evening were a lot less vanilla. His body was in the Park Avenue penthouse, but his mind was at La Porte Noir. His hand stroked the vintage gold key in his pocket that would gain him entry into Manhattan’s most prestigious gentleman’s club.
He sipped his drink and wondered how much longer he had to stay at the stale party. He surveyed the room, looking for at least one woman he could flirt with. He’d given up any hope of flirting with a beautiful woman. Most of them were the arm candy of the old rich geezers who controlled most of the city.
He looked at his watch, eight thirty. He’d only been a prisoner at this party for thirty minutes, yet it felt like hours. He left the bed of a very hot and eager woman, to come rub elbows with this boring society crew. All of this schmoozing was necessary for his practice. Eric wanted to be the go to marriage therapist for the upper echelon of Manhattan. He had visions of being a contributor on the morning news programs, as well as a host of his own radio show. However, the only way that was going to happen, was with the support of this society crowd.
He needed some air. He started towards the terrace, when he spotted a woman that could make this evening tolerable. He sipped his drink and watched the woman flirting with someone. He watched her carefully, reading her body language. Her body was screaming. Every time the guy took a step towards her, she took two steps back. She was cool in the way she danced around his attempts to get closer to her. The casual way she tilted her head and smiled was mesmerizing. She leaned in, whispered something, then the guy smiled and left.
Eric kept his eyes focused on her, waiting for her to look at him. When their eyes connected, he knew he had her. She smiled and walked out to the terrace. Her exit to the terrace was the starting bell of their seduction game. He sipped his drink and searched the room for the guy she was talking to. He looked to his right and spotted him talking with another woman. Odd. The woman he was talking to and falling over, was the opposite of the hot dish on the terrace.
He waited a couple of minutes and then walked out to the terrace. He looked around for the woman, but didn’t see her. He finished his drink, placed the glass on the table, and started back inside.
“Leaving so soon?”
He looked in the direction of the voice, and stepping out of the dark, wearing a cream colored cocktail dress, was the reason he was on the terrace.
He stopped and looked her up and down. She was definitely nothing like the women he normally pursued. This was a prize, a jewel. He knew he had to be very cool.
“I have other plans.” He smiled.
“Other plans?”
He stroked the gold key that was in his pocket. “Yes, I promised an associate I’d meet them for a drink.”
The associate was about five feet seven, with waist-length black hair, dangerous curves and a mouth and body willing to do whatever he wanted…for a price.
She walked over and grazed his arm and a shock went up his arm. “Shame,” she said as she sipped her drink.
He grabbed her hand. “Why is that a shame?”
“I thought we might get to know each other.” She smiled.
He let go of her hand, bit his bottom lip and surveyed her body again. Could it be possible this was a party girl disguised as a socialite? “Get to know each other.” He nodded. “What did you have in mind?”
“My mind is filled with several possibilities. However, I refuse to disclose any of them to a stranger.” She tilted her head and smiled.
“Eric.”
“Olivia.”
“Olivia, who?”
She shook her head. “You have to earn my last name.”
He stepped closer, leaving only a few inches of empty space between them. “Any suggestions on how I might ear
n your last name?”
“If you have to ask, then maybe you aren’t the kind of man I’m looking for.” She smiled.
Not only was he the kind of man she was looking for, he was definitely the kind of man she needed. He felt his body writhing with excitement at the possibility of taking this wild cat into one of the empty rooms and getting to know her better.
He stroked her arm, leaned in close and whispered, “Why don’t we get out of here.”
She exhaled, and softly uttered her response. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because, my date wouldn’t be too happy with my leaving with someone else.”
“You mean that guy you were talking to?” She nodded. He looked over at the guy he saw her talking to earlier. “He appears to be occupied with someone else.”
“That’s business.”
“Business…”
She bit her bottom lip. “Yes, I told him to make nice with her.”
“Why would you do that?” A wild idea popped into his head.
“Because her father owns Printiss Pharmaceuticals, and my date needs a sponsor for his next research project.”
Eric leaned back and looked at Olivia and then it hit him. This was Olivia Bennett. Her family was very powerful and connected in New York. Having her pushing his career was more valuable than the best publicist in the city. Heck, she probably knew the best publicist. If he played his cards right, he could get her to help him.
Chapter 2
Eric stood near the front door of Cafe Milan, waiting for Olivia. He didn't want to risk being embarrassed if she didn't show. He wasn't used to being in this position. He was always the aggressor. He called the shots. He had a long list of women eager to be with him, but none of them could do for him what Olivia Bennett could do. Olivia could help him gain entry into the world of the New York Power brokers. Eric came from money, but his family lacked connections and power.
Although his father offered to fund his campaign to be the most sought after therapist, he lacked the connections to gain access to that group of the New York elite. His father's money could only get him so far. He needed someone like Olivia to introduce and vouch for him with the city’s power brokers.
He paced back and forth and looked at his watch. She was late. He decided to give her five more minutes and then he'd...he didn't have a plan. Unfortunately, he had put all of his eggs into this one basket.
He turned around, looked up and saw the woman who could change his life. He knew he had to play his hand very carefully. He wouldn't mention anything about her being late, although it annoyed him. Nor would he let on that it irritated him that she didn't tell him her last name. He figured she had her reasons. But, he already knew who she was. As she approached him, he braced himself for the ride.
She stopped in front of him. "Hi. Sorry, I'm late. My meeting ran a little longer than I expected."
Not exactly the reaction he was expecting. "That's okay."
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No." He smiled.
"Liar," she smiled. "Because I'm late, lunch is on me."
"No, I invited you."
"That you did." She smiled.
Over dessert, they shared more small talk. She seemed different, not as feisty and wild as she did at the party. It was like he was out with someone else. He had to change his plans. He hated to admit that he liked this Olivia better. She seemed real, relatable and sweet. She was everything he didn't like in a woman, yet he found himself drawn to her.
"So are you going to tell me your last name?" he asked.
"You surprise me." She sipped her coffee.
"How?"
"I thought you would have checked me out."
"I did." He leaned back and looked her up and down. "And I like what I see."
"Touché."
He leaned his elbows on the table. "I would like to see you again."
She sipped her coffee and placed her cup back on the saucer. "Why?"
"Why?" He never had a woman ask him why he wanted to see her.
"Yes. Why would you like to see me again?"
"I want to get to know you."
"And then?"
He shifted in his seat, looked at her, and saw glimpses of the woman he met at the party. He needed an answer that would assure him a second date. "After that meal. I would like to schedule another date." She laughed. "Did I say something funny?"
"Your entire approach is hilarious." She hailed the server. "We'll have two champagnes. Thank you." She patted the sides of her mouth. "Where was I?"
"Laughing at my invitation."
"Oh yes. You want to schedule another date with me."
"Is there something wrong with that?" He was insulted, but he needed Olivia. She was his ticket into a world of opportunity.
"You obviously want something from me."
"To get to know you." He sipped his coffee.
The server placed the champagne glasses in front of them. Olivia took a sip, placed her glass back on the table and stared at Eric. "Why would I want to get to know you?"
It felt like he was interviewing for a job. When he thought about it, he was. He was hoping to secure the position of Olivia Bennett's man. He looked deep into her eyes, searching for an answer that would convince her that not only would another date be fun, it would also be beneficial.
He inched his chair closer to hers. He gently stroked her forearm and her breath caught. He had her. He remained cool. He inched closer still and watched her reaction. He could tell she was trying to be cool, but her guard was down. She may have walked in holding a good hand, but he had all aces.
He leaned over and whispered, "You want to get to know me, because I'm the only man to make your heart race, blood boil and get you hot in places you're too embarrassed to tell anyone."
She pulled her arm away. "I...I uhm..." He sipped his champagne and watched her fidget. "That's very presumptuous of you."
"Is it? Or is it the truth?"
"I have to go."
She started to get up and he grabbed her thigh. She felt faint and fell back into her chair. "I think you really want to have dinner with me, but you're scared."
"Scared...what makes you..." She patted her chest. "I am not scared."
"But you are. You talk a good game, but..."
"Game? You think I'm playing a game?"
"I think you want to explore this, but only on your terms. Unfortunately, I'm not playing by your rules."
She looked at him and he was stone faced. "Bennett."
"Excuse me?" He knew her name, but hearing her say it was music to his ears.
"My last name is Bennett. But then you already knew that." She lifted his hand and placed it on the table.
"Yes."
"When did you figure it out?"
He sipped his champagne. "That's my secret. So Olivia Bennett, will you join me for dinner, day after tomorrow?"
She patted her mouth, folded her napkin, placed it on the table and stood up. "Mr. King." He looked shocked at her calling him by his full name. "I'm not sure this was a good idea. Goodbye." She walked away.
Chapter 3
Eric sat in his office trying to figure out how he messed up with Olivia. He had the perfect plan. He would take her on a few dates before seducing her. Once he seduced her, she'd be under his spell and she would volunteer to introduce him to her powerful friends. Instead, he was trying to figure out how to get her to go on a second date with him.
His mind drifted back to lunch with Olivia. It was clear she was attracted to him. It was also obvious she was afraid of the reaction he ignited in her when he touched her. This was a foreign situation for him. Eric was used to women quickly giving in to his suggestions. He needed a plan. His phone rang, interrupting his brainstorming session.
"Dr. King, your appointment is here."
"Show them in. Thank you."
He walked around the front of his desk and waited for his patient to enter. He focused on the doo
r. When the door opened, his assistant walked in first. "Doctor, Ms..."
"Bennett." He finished his sentence. Olivia walked past his assistant. "That will be all, Bryan. Thank you." His assistant closed the door.
Eric watched as Olivia strategically positioned herself on the sofa. She attempted to close the slit on her black skirt, but the effort was futile. She wore that suit for a reason. Women like Olivia Bennett are strategists. She came here for a reason, and he wasn’t letting her leave without knowing why.
He stared at her crossing and uncrossing her legs, until there was just enough fabric covering her thigh. He wasn't sure what it was about Olivia that he found attractive. Physically, she was nothing like the women he normally dated and bedded. She definitely bore no resemblance to the women at La Porte Noir. She was wholesome, sweet, and classy with a lot of sass. The way she carried on and teased him seemed out of character. That was it. She was playing a game and for some reason, she had chosen him to be her new plaything.
