by Terri Lane
He took her to an open field in the countryside where a helicopter was waiting. You can always count on Bret to have a grand entrance!
“Hi, honey,” he greeted, giving her a peck on the cheek. “I’ve missed you.”
Since when did he start calling me ‘honey’? Tasha wondered in disgust. “Bret, it’s good to have you back. Can we talk somewhere quiet?”
“Of course, my love,” he replied with a smile. “But I was thinking maybe we could go on a tour outside of town first in my helicopter? I want to point out to you our new hotels in the area.”
“I see,” was all Tasha could say as she climbed into the helicopter with him. It was only now that she seemed to notice his arrogance and self-centered ways. Perhaps she’d been too blinded before by his wealth, fame, and power. Or she’d assumed that all billionaires were like that.
Inside the chopper, he tried to seduce her, but she had resisted subtly, always shifting his attention to other things.
Soon, to her relief, they positioned to land on the rooftop of a tall building in a nearby city.
Bret took her hand and asked her to look down. To her utter shock, she saw the words “I love you, Tasha” spelled with big, colored stones on a garden at the rooftop. She was speechless.
Bret pulled her closer to him as they landed. He led her out of the helicopter and onto the romantic pocket garden that had been styled elegantly with fresh flowers and ribbons. The surrounding city view was fantastic, giving the whole setup a different ambience.
All of a sudden, a violinist appeared and began playing a romantic melody.
“Uh, what’s up?” Tasha asked, turning to Bret. She secretly wondered if it was his birthday surprise for her.
He smiled at her then and knelt on one knee. Holy shit.
“Tasha Winters…” he began, pulling out a small box from his pocket. “Will you marry me?”
Tasha was in shock. For a while, she couldn’t speak. Then she pulled him up to his feet and softly said, “I’m sorry, Bret. This is just-”
He put a finger to her lips to silence her. “I understand it seems too fast and shocking for you, Tasha. You need time to think about it and I respect that. But I also want you to know that while we were apart, I’d realized just how much I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“That’s very touching,” she murmured, confusion evident on her pretty features. “But as you said, it is very shocking. I didn’t expect this from you. I mean, I couldn’t even define what we had between us.”
“I know,” he said, taking both of her hands in his. “And it’s my fault, Tasha. Someone like you shouldn’t have been treated like that. You are definitely wife material for a billionaire like me.”
In her mind, she could see Alex guffawing at that line.
*
The following week was the most chaotic in Tasha’s love life, as she tried to avoid Carter’s attempts to talk to her while getting confused over the big romantic gestures of Bret.
“It should be a no-brainer,” she told Alex one time. “Bret has always been good to me, even if he hadn’t been willing to commit before. But these past few days, he has shown me that he’s evolved into that ideal man.”
“And what about Carter?”
“Carter is someone I want to forget. Our history’s just too painful. I want to start anew.”
“So then you have your decision right there,” Alex said. “As you said, it’s a no-brainer.”
“Yeah… So why am I still confused?” Tasha asked in frustration.
“I’ll tell you why,” Alex said in a firm tone. “It’s because your heart is saying otherwise. You’re in love with Carter and you won’t admit it. Come on, Tash. You’ve never loved Bret!”
“It’s still too soon,” Tasha said. “It’s like we’re starting over now.”
“Are you having sex again?” Alex blurted out, her eyes wide.
“No!” Tasha answered.
“Good.”
“He’s being real sweet about it too,” Tasha added.
Alex snorted. “I don’t know, Tasha. There’s something about him that bothers me.”
Tasha didn’t say anything, but deep down she agreed with her best friend.
For the next two weeks, Tasha spent more time working and pampering herself rather than entertaining invitations from the two billionaires in her life. She knew other women would die to be in her place. But to her it didn’t matter if both of them left. She could fend for herself. She didn’t need either of them. Furthermore, she wanted alone time to think the situation over.
She had just finalized the first batch of websites for Walton Enterprises in their New York headquarters. After leaving the conference room where she’d met with some of the top managers of their US hotels, she headed to the room that had been granted to her for a short stay so she didn’t have to hurry back to Solvang.
While resting, a few knocks came at the door. Then she saw a brown envelope being slipped through the thin slit beneath the door. Curious and somehow alarmed, Tasha grabbed the enveloped and threw the door open. She looked out the hallway. There was no one there so she ran toward the elevators, where she caught a glimpse of the creepy bald guy that had been following her around in Solvang.
“Wait!” She shouted, stopping the elevator doors from closing just in time. She stepped in and faced him bravely. “Who are you?” She demanded.
“Nobody,” he answered curtly. The elevator started moving downward.
“Please, why have you been spying on me?” Tasha asked. “What do you want?”
He looked away.
Tasha remembered something that her sister Tyra had said. She took a deep breath and asked, “Do you work for my real dad? Who is he? I want to meet him.”
He couldn’t very well get rid of her then, but he obviously didn’t want to talk. She pleaded with him until they reached the lobby.
He got out fast.
“I’m going to call the cops on you! The CCTV has you on camera and I know the owner of this building. I swear you’re going to jail!” Tasha said angrily, her voice growing more panicked every minute.
That made him stop and turn around. He looked annoyed. “I’m not afraid of any cops, but your father will kick the hell out of me if we get any form of media coverage,” he growled.
“My father…” Tasha repeated in a whisper. “Who is he? Tell me.”
He started walking to the front doors where a Rolls Royce was waiting for him. “Get in,” he instructed to her. Without thinking, she climbed into the luxurious car with him.
“For years after you were born, since your father found out about you, he’d been trying to locate you. When he finally did, he hired me to look out for you but to never reveal anything about him.”
“Why?”
“He was rebuilding his career and his reputation, trying to be a better man so that someday he’ll feel more deserving to be called your father.”
“Please, I want to meet him,” Tasha begged.
“That’s not possible at this time,” the man said, shaking his head. “I’m already in trouble to even be talking to you now. But … I wanted to warn you…”
“About what?”
He gestured to the envelope she was holding. “Open that.”
When she did, she pulled out some photographs that made her blood boil and the color drain from her face. They revealed Bret Walton with all the women he’s been seeing and sleeping with in various places.
“When we discovered that he’d proposed to you, we figured it was time to let you know that he’s a total fake,” he spat out. “He’s using you, Tasha.”
“What for?” she asked, wonderful memories of her time spent with Bret running through her mind.
“He’s a ruthless businessman,” the bald guy told her, his eyes flashing with anger. “He’s so greedy he’s gone to all this trouble to woo you and gain your trust.”
“Why me?”
The man looked her in the
eye seriously. “Your father owns more properties than Walton. They’ve been competing for decades. Most of his secret acquisitions are in your name. You’re a billionaire too, Miss Winters.”
*
Tasha sat in her favorite spot at Paul’s Pancakes, stuffing her face with blueberry and cheese pancakes.
“You’re going to get fat, Tasha,” Alex warned, looking at her with great concern.
“I don’t care,” Tasha answered.
“What’s going on? I thought you’d already sorted that whole Walton fiasco,” Alex said. “And besides, you never even loved him in the first place.”
“Yeah, good for me, Tasha replied, wrinkling her nose at the thought of her affair with the billionaire she now despised. He had definitely not taken it well when she’d turned down his marriage proposal, bought out their existing partnership contract, and cut all ties with him. Fortunately the bald man, Anderson, and his team were making sure Bret wouldn’t retaliate or hurt her in any way.
“I can’t believe you have all this money now,” Alex whispered with an excited grin. “And that you’ve got a parent again! Your real dad!”
“Crazy, huh?” Tasha said. “I have yet to meet him, though. But Anderson assured me it will be real soon now.”
“So you and this Anderson guy are now buddies?”
Tasha laughed. “Yes.” But then her face turned serious again. Her best friend Alex recognized the nervous twitch in her nose and the anxious drumming of her fingers on the table.
“You’re driving me crazy with that drumming thing.” Alex hissed.
“Sorry,” Tasha said, stopping the habit at once. “I’m just nervous because any time now, Anderson would be calling to report to me about his findings.”
“Findings on what?” Alex probed.
Tasha looked her in the eye. “On what happened to Carter’s dad.”
“You asked him to investigate that?”
“Yeah, well, he’s capable of it so I used the opportunity.” Tasha leaned forward. “Alex, I need to know. I still have feelings for Carter, alright? And if I’m going to give us a second chance, I have to know the whole truth about what had transpired and driven him away. I think it’s got something to do with his dad going to prison.”
Suddenly, her phone rang. Tasha almost jumped. She picked it up, listening intently. “Yes… uh-huh…” she was murmuring. Then she got very quiet. Afterward, a tear rolled down her cheek.
Alex reached out to squeeze her hand and mouth I’m just here.
When Tasha finally put the phone down, she looked to be in shock. Then all of a sudden, she broke down, crying softly, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
On Sunday morning, Tasha sat by the lake, admiring the beautiful scenery and waiting for Carter to show up.
“It’s you,” a deep male voice suddenly said from behind her.
Tasha turned around to meet his gaze. “You came.”
“I thought this was going to be another boring couch potato Sunday, but I was shocked to find a bald guy on my doorstep asking me to come with him in his brand-new Mercedes Benz.”
Tasha laughed. “Sounds gay to me. Why’d you go with him?”
Carter shrugged. “I was curious.” He raised both hands to stroke her cheeks. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m glad I took the risk.”
“I’m glad too,” Tasha told him truthfully, smiling widely.
“Who would’ve thought you’d be up to something like this…” Carter said. “That man looked like a thug dressed in a suit.”
“He was in a suit?!” Tasha said in surprise, laughing again. “Oh, Anderson is a really sweet guy within.”
“So who’s this Anderson and why did you have me kidnapped and shipped here?”
Tasha motioned to the boat waiting at the shore. “I didn’t want to have another boring Sunday either. I figured we could resume our boating sessions.”
“I see.”
Tasha stepped closer and placed her arms around his neck. He looked taken aback, but he smiled. “I smell something fishy…” he said.
“I know about your dad, Carter.”
Carter was silenced. Tasha waited for him to say something. And after a while, he took a deep breath and asked, “About why he went to prison?”
Tasha nodded quietly as she gazed into his eyes and tried to understand him. Her heart went out to him. “Why didn’t you tell me he was dealing drugs and that your family had been threatened by this anonymous mafia guy?”
“You know the answer, Tash,” Carter replied. “I would never, ever let you get involved in something like that. When I realized my life had been turned around into this insane mess, I knew I had to get as far away as possible from you.” He paused, his eyes taking on a distant look as he recalled the painful moments and the most difficult decision he’d had to do.
“You could have talked to me at least.”
“You would have tried to follow me or look for me, Tasha. I know you.”
Tasha nodded in understanding. She wanted to argue, but she’d thought about it a lot before this day and she knew that if it were her in his place, she would have done the same thing.
“Have you visited him, Carter? Are you on good terms?”
“He has repented and is trying to change,” Carter answered in a sad tone of voice. “After Mom took her own life because of him, he finally awakened. I blamed him for a long time. I was filled with so much hatred… But we’re healing… Slowly getting there…”
“That’s good, Carter,” Tasha said. “I guess we both have new beginnings with our dads to look forward to, huh?
Carter’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yeah… Alex mentioned something about that. Have you met him yet?”
“Not yet, but he’s flying over next week.”
“That’s fantastic!” Carter said. “I’m happy for you, Tasha.”
“Thank you,” Tasha answered. “I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I can’t believe it! I still have a living parent who’s been watching out for me all these years. My biological dad.” She shook her head in disbelief.
Carter smiled and pulled her closer, hugging her tightly. “It seems like the perfect time for new beginnings, don’t you think?”
Tasha met his eyes shyly, but did not say anything.
Carter continued. “Tasha, after everything my dad has done… I blamed him for ruining our family and even destroying my life… But somehow, I’ve finally forgiven him just like you’ve forgiven me.” He whispered in her ear. “Do you think it’s too late to start again and maybe have a brighter future?”
Tasha pulled away gently and looked into his eyes. “Are you referring to him and you or to us?”
“Both.”
“It’s not too late, Carter,” Tasha answered softly. “For both.”
Carter bent forward and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was sweet, reminiscent of good times and yet symbolic of greater moments to come.
They kissed passionately, their arms wrapped around each other, ready to explore the possibilities of the future. This time, Tasha could feel the openness and genuine connection.
“I love you, Tasha,” he murmured. “I never stopped loving you all these years.”
“Thank you for everything, Carter. I love you too. And to be honest, I don’t think I ever stopped loving you too.”
They shared another sweet kiss, relaxing in each other’s embrace and knowing there was a lovely future ahead for them.
No pretensions, no secrets. It felt amazingly liberating. And as they shared stories while gliding on the lake, surrounded by the natural exquisiteness of the place, she knew it was the start of something true and beautiful.
“I’ve a gift for you, Carter,” Tasha blurted out.
He gave her a surprised look. “For what?”
“Well, consider it a thank you gift for all the kindness and sincerity you’ve shown me since we saw each other again. And you’re not allowed to say no.”
“But…”
“
No buts,” Tasha interrupted.
He threw his hands in the air. “Alright,” he said, chuckling. His eyes twinkled as he gazed at her lovingly.
She took two folded papers from her pocket and handed them to him. His eyes bulged when he read what was written on the e-tickets.
“Two tickets to Paris?! Are you out of your mind?” Carter exclaimed. “I can’t accept this. I mean, you shouldn’t splurge your savings just for…”
“Ssshhh,” Tasha said, placing a finger on his lips to silence him. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only billionaire now.”
He gave her a puzzled look.
“It’s a long story,” Tasha said with a smile. “So, how about next weekend?”
Carter grinned. “It’s a date.”
THE END
= Bonus Book 10 of 20 =
Big Bad Bodyguard -
Bodyguard Romance
I still can't believe this! Raven thought to herself for the tenth time that day as she handed the old lady in front of her a signed copy of a book with her face on it.
All these people are here to see me? Raven Williams, the author of the bestselling novel, strong black lady in a man’s world, thought to herself. It may have taken Raven some couple of tries and a whole lot of nay sayer’s stomping on her dream, but she had finally been able to tick something else off her bucket list.
Raven was a huge bucket list fanatic, and just a few months ago, she had finally been able to publish her first book. However, nobody had expected it to do as well as it had done so far. In fact, it had not only gained so much traction among the black female community that the publishing company had rushed to sign another contract, but it had also been a huge hit amongst women of all races. The book was a rolling stone and her publishing company was eager for a sequel.
Raven had just spent more than an hour signing her books for fans that had come out to see her. That is right, I have fans. Raven thought to herself with a smile. The book was about her time in a corporate business world majorly dominated by the male population—white males, and the steps she had taken to making it at the top of her field.
