by Judy Angelo
She chuckled then. “The results are in,” she said as she leaned against him. “You passed with flying colors.”
“Thank God.” He gave an exaggerated sigh of relief and they both laughed.
The following weekend they paid a visit to Mary who treated them to an elegant five course meal.
“Mom, you outdid yourself.” Sam couldn’t believe her mother had gone to so much trouble but she was grateful. She could see that Jake was impressed, not just with Mary’s culinary skills but also with her artistic talent. After dinner he visited the room she used as her art studio and admired painting after painting. Within half an hour he’d bought four of them and commissioned her to do a painting for placement over the mantelpiece in his living room.
At one point Sam pulled him aside. “You don’t have to do this, Jake, just because it’s my mom.”
“But I want to,” he said, pulling away from her to look at yet another painting, “not because she’s your mom but because she’s a really good artist. I want our home to be ready for when you move in,” he looked back at her then, “as my wife.”
That made Sam blush. That word – wife – always had the same effect on her. Whenever he said it her heart swelled with joy and pride till she felt she’d burst with happiness. Okay, so it was corny, but she couldn’t help how she felt. She could hardly wait until the day she walked down the aisle and finally became his.
The week that followed was so busy for Sam that she only got a chance to see Jake once. It was as if the universe had conspired to keep her away from him so she would miss him all the more. As if she wasn’t suffering enough already, anxiously awaiting her wedding. They’d decided on a spring wedding and it was only October. And although she would need the time to get everything organized the wait was sheer torture.
Still, even when they didn’t get to see each other they always spoke on the phone, sometimes as many as three or four times a day. Sam had never thought herself the sentimental type but something had happened to her. She was a new, softer Sam who couldn’t wait to hear from her man.
Next morning, very early in the morning, she did. But it was not the kind of phone call she was expecting. Jake was on the phone, but it was not the man who had called the night before to wish her a loving goodnight. No, this man was angry.
“How could you do this to me?” The voice on the other end of the line vibrated with a rage Sam didn’t know Jake possessed. “I trusted you and this is what you do to me?”
“What?” Sam’s heart leaped into her throat. What the hell was going on? "What did I do to you?”
“You’re asking me that?” he raged. “You know me by now, Sam. You know how important my privacy is. And you go and sell me out like that?”
“What in the name of heaven are you talking about?” she practically shrieked into the phone. “What did I do to your privacy?”
“Don’t play stupid. It’s all over the newsstands.” He gave a grunt of annoyance. “I was in the drugstore this morning, standing in line, and there I was, on the front cover of the National Observer, with you.”
“What?” She gasped, her body going cold at the news. “How could that happen?”
Jake laughed but it was a laugh so cold, so bitter, that she shivered even as she clutched the phone to her ear.
“Sam, all I can say is, I’m very disappointed in you. You were the one woman in the world I thought I could trust. But not anymore.”
Before she could respond he hung up. Just like that, he was gone. And just like that, all her dreams of exchanging wedding vows with Jake went flying out the window.
Now she realized that what she’d had, had only been that – a dream. It had all been too good to be true.
CHAPTER TEN
When Sam was finally able to move from her frozen state she rested the phone receiver back into the cradle then clutched the bed sheet in her fists. Things had gone terribly wrong and she had no idea why. She had to find out what happened.
She tumbled out of the bed and ran to the bathroom where she did a quick wash then threw on jeans and a sweater then she was racing down the stairs and out the door. She drove to the nearest newsstand and bought a copy of the National Observer. And there she saw it – a headline that slapped her full in the face, ‘Mystery Billionaire Writer Revealed’. She almost dropped the paper in her shock.
There on the front cover was Jake and, to her horror, she was in the picture, too. She was standing slightly behind him but her face was quite visible. As she stared at the photograph she realized it had been taken the day after they’d had dinner at her mother’s house. They’d gone hunting for picture frames and were standing close together, admiring one with gilt edges. She’d reached out a hand to touch it and that was when somebody had snapped the picture.
Sam turned the page and her heart sank when she realized an entire page was dedicated to revealing Jake’s identity. She began to read and gasped. It was worse than she'd thought. The words jumped off the page at her. ‘Billionaire writer, Jake McKoy, was caught shopping with his bride-to-be, small-town girl Samantha Fox’. What in the name of heaven? How could anyone have known about that? The only people she’d told were the members of her immediate family. She frowned. Could the paparazzi have invaded Tonawanda?
She dropped her eyes back to the paper and skimmed through the article. It talked about his move to Tonawanda, his involvement in charities, and even the death of his wife. Then it talked about her – ‘The star-struck fiancée’, it called her. They said it was a Cinderella story, with the working class girl finding her prince in the most unlikely of places.
Sickened, she folded the paper and began walking back to her truck. He’d worked so hard to remain anonymous, going so far as to move all the way out to this small town, only for this to happen. And worse, the kind of information included in the article could not have been picked up by an outsider. It included things he’d discussed with her in confidence. No wonder he was so angry with her. He’d come to the only logical conclusion – that she’d betrayed him.
But she hadn’t. And if it was the last thing she did she was going to find out what happened. It probably wouldn’t do her much good, not where Jake was concerned. He’d made up his mind about her and was gone out of her life, probably for good. But if even for her own sanity she had to find out. And she would start by calling the newspaper.
******
Holy crap. What had he just done? Jake was muttering to himself as he walked over the bridge toward his writing studio.
When he’d seen the photo and the article he’d been so incensed he’d jumped to the quickest and easiest conclusion – Sam must have been the source. How else could they have gathered all that information?
But after his volcanic emotions had erupted all over her he’d regretted his outburst. Damn. As old as he was he should have known better than to fly off the handle like that.
Because in his heart he knew there had to be another explanation. Now that the red veil of rage had lifted from his eyes he could see clearly. And he saw that he’d made a big mistake.
He pushed open the door and dropped the offending paper onto the desk. He would deal with that later. Right now he had to reach Sam and beg her forgiveness.
He picked up the phone and dialed the house. Five rings and then it went to voicemail. He hung up. He didn’t want to leave a message. He wanted to talk to her, take back his hurtful words before it was too late. He tried the cell phone. Six rings on this one then voicemail again. Was she deliberately avoiding his calls? He heaved a sigh. He couldn’t blame her, not after he’d blasted her like that and hung up. He hadn’t even given her a chance to respond.
Jake folded his arms across his chest and slid back in his chair, deep in thought. Who could have done this to him? After his head cooled down his heart told him it could not have been Sam. No, he had come to know her, and betrayal and deceit were not part of her make-up. But who else would have had access to such intimate details of his business?
The Smith and Connelly law firm had handled Jake’s affairs for years and he’d had nothing but respect for them. On his last trip back to Long Island he’d visited the law firm – the day after he’d gone to Jessica to say goodbye – and that was when he'd been introduced to Miss Marshall. She was young, maybe in her early twenties, with a flirtatious demeanor that Jake hadn’t particularly liked, but he’d let it slide. He’d had other things on his mind – like taking care of a special woman who he wanted to be a permanent part of his life. But in taking care of that part of his business he’d laid himself unprotected and vulnerable to someone who was probably an opportunist, waiting for her big break.
He picked up the phone again. This time he’d be calling Richard Connelly. He would not accuse, not without proof. He would not make that mistake twice. But he would certainly get an investigation going. If the woman had sold his information to the tabloids he wanted to know about it. He was not going to take this lying down. And right after his call he would hit the road to deal with another urgent matter – Miss Samantha Fox.
******
Sam paused outside the office door, delaying the moment when she would go in. She was sure her dad and Meg had already heard she was in the news with Jake. They’d bombard her with questions the minute she stepped through the door. And what would she say? The bubble had burst, she wasn’t engaged anymore, and it was back to life as usual? Heavens, she was depressed enough already but to add humiliation to her list of troubles right now – she just wasn’t ready.
She turned round and was walking back to the car when the screaming of tires made her whirl round and hop out of the driveway. A black SUV screeched into the space beside her truck. It was Jake.
Sam’s heart leaped at the sight of him. He’d jumped out, slammed the door shut and was walking purposefully toward her. Then her heart sank. Was he coming to tell her in person what he’d told her over the phone? She almost felt like backing away and running for cover inside the office.
But she didn’t. She stood her ground, folding her arms across her chest and fixing Jake with a cool, determined stare. She loved this man with all her heart but she would not let him intimidate her. She drew in her breath and steeled herself for the attack.
But it never came. Instead of blasting her with more words of anger Jake came to stand before her, looking contrite. “Sam,” he said, then stopped and the look he gave her was so full of pain that her heart ached to see it.
“Sam,” he said again, “I wish I could take back the hurtful things I said. I can’t blame you if you were to decide never to speak to me again but…can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Sam stared back at him, confused. Was this the same man who had told her off on the phone? What had caused this sudden change of heart?
Before she could respond he reached out and took her hands in his. She did not pull away.
“Could we sit in my car for a minute,” he asked, “just so we can talk? In private.” He cocked his head to one side and looked pointedly at the front window.
That was when Sam saw Alvin and Meg peering out, obviously dying to know what was transpiring between them.
“Alright,” she said, although reluctantly, “but just for a minute.”
She followed him to his vehicle and climbed into the passenger seat. “Jake,” she said, even before he’d settled into the seat beside her. “I don’t know what made you change your mind but I want you to know I didn’t do it.”
“I know you didn’t, Sam.”
“But how?”
“I just know it. Which is why I feel so bad about what I did earlier." He sighed. “Will you forgive me, Sam? This doesn’t change anything about our plans, right? You will still marry me?”
Sam said nothing as she stared at his tortured face. Finally, she heaved a sigh of sadness. “Jake, I’m sorry, but I don’t know if I can.”
“What? But why not?”
“I love you, Jake, so much. But after what happened, how can I trust you?” She dropped her eyes and bit her lip. “If something else goes wrong will you be just as quick to blame it on me?”
At her words Jake's face darkened and she could almost feel his pain. “There’s something I have to tell you, Sam.” His voice was quiet and sad. “On my last trip to Long Island I visited my attorney and changed my will. Along with my parents you’re now one of the beneficiaries of my estate.”
“But…we’re not even married.” She frowned as another thought came to her. “Jake, you hadn’t even asked me yet.”
“I know. But what I knew then was that I loved you and I wanted to be there for you. I wanted to know that if anything were to happen to me you’d be alright.” He shifted in his seat and looked like he was going to take her hand but then he stopped. “Life is so fleeting, Sam. What if I’d had an accident on the drive back? I just wanted to know you would be fine.”
“Even though I wasn’t your wife?”
He nodded. “I asked you to marry me with the confidence that you would say yes. I love you, Sam, and I know you love me, too. Please, don’t let us both suffer because of my stupidity.”
“But we still don’t know who did this.”
“I can make a fairly good guess,” he said with a slight twist of his lips. “That new secretary who took notes of the meeting and had access to my files, she knew I added you to my will. She probably saw this as an opportunity to set herself up for life.”
“But now that your identity has been revealed you won’t be able to hide anymore.” She gave him a worried look. “How will you handle it?”
“There’s only one way I’ll be able to.” He reached over and took her hand then. “Only if I have you by my side. Will you stay with me and help me get through this?”
She looked down at their clasped hands then raised her eyes to his. She shook her head. "You've been such a bad boy, blowing hot and cold, torturing me all this time. But I’ll help you,” she said, smiling, “on one condition.”
“What is it?” he asked, the tension gone from his face, his eyes twinkling with relief. “I’ll do anything.”
“I’ll marry you,” she said with a little laugh, “on condition that you never ever doubt that I love you with all my heart.”
“Deal. And always know that whatever stupid mistakes I make, I love you and always will.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Please let my actions speak louder than my rash words.”
“They do,” she whispered, her heart full of love for this selfless man who was giving so much to others and now to her.
And the greatest thing he had given her was his love.
This time when their lips met in a kiss she knew it was to seal a love that would last for the rest of their lives.
THE END
Thank you for reading ‘Sweet Seduction’. I sincerely appreciate your support. If you liked this story please visit the Amazon page where you can click on the ‘Like’ button at the top of the page. Positive reviews are also very welcome! That’s the best support any author could ask for.
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The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series by Judy Angelo
Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire
Volume 2 - Maid in the USA
Volume 3 - Billionaire's Island Bride
Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception
Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon
Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction
Box Set - Bad Boy Billionaires Collection, Vols. 1 - 6
COMING IN AUGUST:
Daddy by December
T
o Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)
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VOLUME 1 - TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE
THE TAMING OF A PRINCESS...
Serena Van Buren, the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman, can't wait to begin her three-month tour of Europe with her college mates. Little does she know that fate has other plans in store!
Instead of dancing with handsome Italians and dining with charming Frenchmen Serena finds herself trapped in a six-month internship with overbearing business tycoon, Roman Steele - an arrangement orchestrated by her own father.
Serena is determined to show Roman that she won't yield to the demands of any man, boss or no boss. She's a Van Buren, after all, known to wither a man with one look. But Roman Steele is like no man she's ever met before. Suave, sexy and stunningly handsome, there's something about him that she can't resist. It looks like Serena Van Buren has finally met her match.
A sweet and saucy romance that will have you smiling...
Click on the link to get: TAMED by the BILLIONAIRE
VOLUME 2 - MAID IN THE USA
WHO EVER SAID BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS AND MODEST MAIDS DON'T MIX?
Celine Santini couldn't have been more shocked when billionaire bachelor Pierce D'Amato offers her a job as nanny to his four-year-old charge. After all, he hardly even knows her. But after finding herself thrown into an unexpectedly intimate encounter with him, are they really strangers? Celine is captivated by the green-eyed heartthrob who takes her heart ransom but how can she give in to her feelings when they're from two totally different worlds?
