Sweet for You: A BBW Billionaire Romance

by Harper Ashe

  “You’re not his type, you know. He only used you to get what he wanted,” Tom said, stopping Abby in her tracks. “Now that the desserts line has been launched, he’ll toss you aside, just like he did with me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he already has a tall, thin model lined up to suck his billionaire dick when he gets home tonight.”

  Abby’s stomach churned at Tom’s crude yet accurate remark. Silently, she counted to ten while taking corresponding deep breaths, a technique she learned from the BBW support group to avoid being baited by fat haters.

  When her nerves were as calm as possible, she smiled as sweetly as her upset stomach would allow and winked at Tom. “Mr. Blake and I are colleagues. Nothing more, nothing less. With the successful launch of Sweet for You, I wouldn’t be surprised if he promotes me to head of new product development. I think that used to be your title, right Tom?”

  Turning her back on him, she walked away with her head held high and tears streaming down her face.

  ~~~

  Once she got home, Abby changed out of her party dress and into comfortable clothes, threw a few essentials into a duffel bag, and called her sister.

  “Hi Claire. It’s Abby.”

  “Hey sis. Is everything okay? It sounds like you’re crying.”

  “I am. Remember when Robbie Halliday broke your heart in tenth grade?”

  “Like it was yesterday,” Claire responded.

  “What did you do to get over it?” Abby asked.

  “I’m not sure I ever did,” Claire said. “But drowning my sorrows in a pint of Ben and Jerry’s helped, at least temporarily. Nowadays, I’d add a Lifetime movie marathon as a kicker.”

  “Will you let mom and dad know that I’m coming home for the weekend? I’ll bring the ice cream if you scope out a few movies to watch and make sure the On Demand is working.”

  “You got it. Even though I can tell you’re upset, it will be great to see you, Abby. I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Claire,” she said through another wave of tears. “Maybe we can pull a sister’s all-nighter. It’ll be like old times.”

  “Yeah, except you’ve now got a great career in the city and I’m still living in our parents’ basement.”

  Abby tried to laugh, but the sound came out more like a strangled sob. “Glad to see you haven’t lost your self-deprecating sense of humor.”

  “Well, the Branson sisters are known for both their curves and comedic timing.”

  “I still have curves, but seemed to have lost my ability to laugh, at least temporarily,” Abby confessed.

  “I’ll do my best to be funny enough for both of us,” Claire replied. “Drive safe, sis. I’ll see you soon.”

  Chapter 12

  Stephen’s phone rang. The caller ID was Unavailable and he answered without a greeting.

  “She’s home,” the voice on the other ended stated before ending the call with a click.

  His cheek twitched. He wasn’t sure why Abby had left the launch party before it was over, why she left town so abruptly, or why she had refused to answer his calls ever since, but he was about to get to the bottom of it.

  Martha and Jenna had both informed him that Abby had a family emergency, but he wasn’t buying it. Something happened at the party, but he didn’t know what. At least not yet.

  He wondered if her abrupt departure had something to do with Tom Parker, who was found lurking in the parking garage by security and detained until the police arrived. If Tom had done something to hurt her, he would make him pay for it.

  Stephen and his driver had been on 24-hour standby ever since Abby had gone missing, waiting for word from his private investigator that she had returned from wherever she had disappeared to. Within minutes, Stephen was seated in the back of his town car and on his way to her small apartment.

  ~~~

  Before Abby had a chance to unpack her bag, she heard the knock at the door.

  That was fast.

  Grabbing her wallet, she pulled out a $20 bill and flung the door open, expecting the pizza delivery man. Instead, it was Stephen standing at her doorway, looking mad as a hornet and handsome as hell.

  “Stephen, what are you doing here?”

  “Looking for you. Were you expecting someone else?”

  “As a matter of fact, I was,” Abby said, tucking the $20 bill into her jeans pocket.

  “May I come in?” he asked.

  “Sure.” Abby stepped aside so he could get by her.

  “You disappeared before the party was over. Did Tom Parker have something to do with that?” he asked.

  “Tom? No. Didn’t Martha tell you? I had to go to my parents’ house for a few days.”

  “Do your parents live in an area that doesn’t have cell service?” Stephen’s voice hard, cold and accusatory.

  “I-d-do- don’t think so.”

  “Then there must be another reason why you didn’t return my calls. All two dozen of them.”

  Abby turned her back on him, blinking back the tears that refused to end. It hadn’t been easy to let his calls go to voice mail, but she couldn’t risk taking his call and breaking down on the phone. After the sixth or seventh call, she had turned off her phone. “I needed some time to think.”

  Stephen put his hands on her shoulders and she flinched slightly. Gently, he turned her around. “Time to think about what?” he asked.

  “About you, me, my job at Blake Foods...Lola.”

  “Lola? What does she have to do with you needing time to think? I wasn’t even aware that you knew her.”

  “I don’t,” Abby said. “But you clearly do.”

  “Of course I know her. She worked as a Blake Foods spokesperson a few years ago.”

  Abby noticed that Stephen had the familiar confused look on his face, which she found astounding. How could he be so smart and ruthless when it came to business matters and so clueless about personal relationships?

  She sighed in annoyance. “After all this time, are you still that dense?” she asked rhetorically. “Fine. Let me spell it out for you. I love you, Stephen. And when I saw you with Lola, it broke my heart because I knew I could never have you. So I ran away from the launch party and drowned my sorrows in Ben and Jerry’s and a Lifetime movie marathon with my sister. Are you happy now?”

  “What did you say?” Stephen asked with a stunned look on his face.

  “I said I was drowning my sorrows with ice cream and chick flicks with my sister.”

  “No, I got that part. What did you say before that?”

  “Seeing you with Lola broke my heart,” Abby whispered.

  He took her face in his hands and stared into her tear-filled eyes. “And what did you say before that?” he asked tenderly.

  She paused, thinking it was cruel of him to make her repeat her declaration while her heart was breaking all over again. “I said I love you.”

  Stephen smiled, and it was Abby’s turn to look confused. “A year ago, when I realized my company needed to launch something big to stay competitive in this business, all I could think about was developing our new diet desserts line,” he said sincerely, passionately. “But sometime over the last several months, that changed, Abby. Now, all I can think about is...you.”

  “What about Lola? Aren’t you two together?”

  “She’s just a friend. I invited her to the launch party because I knew the paparazzi would follow her and give our launch more exposure.”

  Abby tried to laugh through her tears. “There I go, messing things up again by jumping to conclusions.”

  “That’s one of the many things I love about you,” Stephen said, using his thumbs to brush away the tears from her cheeks.

  Abby held her breath. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that I love you too, Abby. I’m saying that my company could fail tomorrow and it wouldn’t even matter, because you’re sweeter and more delicious than anything Blake Foods could create.”

  “Pinch me, Stephen,” Abby whispe
red so softly that he could barely hear her.

  “Pinch you? Why?”

  “Because I need to make sure that I’m not dreaming.”

  He grinned. “I’ll do something better than that,” he said, tilting her face up with his hands and bringing his lips to hers. He kissed her deeply and so completely that all doubt was erased from her mind. This wasn’t a dream – it was a dream come true!

  As if by instinct, her arms reached out and wrapped around his waist, pulling their bodies closer together as she returned his kiss with fervor. Molten heat passed between them, igniting flames of pent-up passion that revved up their already-racing hearts and melted the divide that had kept them apart for so many months.

  To Stephen, nothing felt more right than hearing Abby say she loved him and having her soft body pressed against his hard frame. He let his hands drop away from her face and roam freely down her body until she was moaning against his mouth. He caressed the curves that his eyes had memorized months ago, the curves he had ached for every night since.

  “Marry me, Abby,” he begged against her lips, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the ring he had bought weeks earlier. Letting his hands trail down her body, he dropped to one knee and opened the box. With that traditional symbol of love, he offered her his heart.

  “W-wh-what?” Abby stammered, unable to believe what she was seeing or what she was hearing. It couldn’t be possible that Stephen was proposing could it?

  As if he could read her mind, he said it again. “Marry me.”

  “Yes. Yes!” Abby cried, tears of joy streaming down her face as he slipped the gigantic diamond on her left hand ring finger. With the light glinting off the blindingly bright ring, Abby took Stephen’s hand and dragged him over to the couch. This time, she let him pull her on top of him, kissing him deeply as their bodies melded together, lips and hands searching, tasting, exploring.

  With a jolt of déjà vu, Abby cursed softly. “Crap, there’s something I need to do. I’ll be right back.”

  “Isn’t that what you said the last time I was here?”

  Abby nodded. “I needed to shave my legs, just like I do now,” she explained, blushing.

  In that moment, Stephen’s full recollection of his drunken night in her apartment came rushing back to him. She hadn’t rebuffed his advances that night. She had just excused herself to go to the bathroom! Stephen held her tightly. “I’ve been such an idiot!”

  “About what?”

  “About so many things.”

  “Well, I won’t argue about that. But I love you anyway!” Abby said as she scurried toward the bathroom, only to return a few seconds later. She pressed the $20 bill into Stephen’s hand and gave him a quick kiss. “Give this to the pizza guy when he gets here – and promise me you won’t fall asleep this time!”

  “I promise,” he said, grinning, taking her hand and using her fingers to cross his heart in a solemn vow.

  As Abby ran off to shave her legs, Stephen’s laughter echoed behind her.

  ~~~

  The orchestra began to play, signaling that it was time for the bride and groom’s first dance. Although they were mingling with their guests and separated by the crowd of well-wishers, their eyes met from across the ballroom.

  He walked toward her, slowly but purposely, never letting go of her gaze. She thought he looked breathtakingly handsome in his impeccably-tailored black tuxedo and the signature pink Sweet for You tie she had given him the night before the launch party.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, Mrs. Blake?” Stephen said, holding out his hand.

  Abby grinned. “Twice, Mr. Blake. But I don’t mind hearing it again.” She put her hand in his and he led her out to the dance floor.

  Her white gossamer wedding gown with an empire waist flowed freely around her body, making it seem as if she was floating across the ballroom. The fitted bodice, cut scandalously low, highlighted Abby’s ample cleavage. Stephen’s appreciation for her curves was apparent.

  “Hey mister,” she teased, “my eyes are up here.”

  He looked up with a wolfish grin. “That gown looks stunning on you, my dear, but I must confess: I really can’t wait to get you out of it.” The newlyweds laughed as the groom twirled his bride around the dance floor.

  If Abby had been paying attention, she would have seen the thinner girls with flat chests watching enviously from their tables around the dance floor, hoping that one day, they too would meet a billionaire who would sweep them off their feet.

  But she no longer cared about those girls. Her full attention was on the man she had married that day. The man who loved her – curves and all. The man she loved with her heart and soul.

  As the orchestra music hit a crescendo, Stephen paused and pulled Abby tight against him, crushing her full breasts against his firm chest. Time seemed to stand still as he bent his head and passionately captured her lips with his. As the couple kissed publicly for the second time that night, the ballroom erupted in applause.

  “I’m sweet for you, Abby Blake,” he said.

  “I’m sweet for you too, Stephen Blake,” she said.

  “Now and forever,” they said in unison.

  While the orchestra played another song and the dance floor filled with wedding guests, Abby glowed with happiness. Although it took her a while to realize it, there was no doubt about it: Stephen Blake was every bit as wonderful as the fantasy man in her dreams!

  ~~~

  -END-

  ~~~

  Thank you for reading Sweet for You. If you enjoyed this billionaire BBW romantic novella, please consider leaving a review so other readers looking for sweet romance know what to expect!

  I love to hear from readers. Keep in touch by visiting www.HarperAshe.com.

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  Here’s a Sneak Peak at my upcoming release, The Billionaire and His Publicist:

  A Career-Driven Woman

  When a chance encounter with rich playboy Trevor Jantz leads Carrie Carlson to the job offer of a lifetime, she is determined to keep her personal and professional lives separate. Working as Mr. Jantz’s personal publicist won’t make that easy – especially since there’s a whole lot more to the cocky Texan than good looks and old money.

  A Billionaire Oil Tycoon

  Billionaire Trevor Jantz is used to getting what he wants. And after spending one hot night with public relations specialist Carrie Carlson, the ruggedly handsome CEO of Jantz Oil wants the sexy, California blonde back in his bed. He’ll do whatever it takes to get her there – even if that means letting her into his heart.

  Desire that’s Bigger than Texas

  There’s no mistaking the heat between the charming billionaire and his pretty publicist. But when their red hot desire grows into something more, old wounds threaten the budding romance. Will the unlikely couple find a way to overcome Trevor’s pain from the past and Carrie’s reluctance to trust in true love?

  EXCERPT:

  “Please, I’ll take any flight you’ve got. Just get me out of the city!”

  “I’m sorry, miss, but even if I could find you a seat, it wouldn’t do any good. The airport’s officially shut down. There’s a blizzard coming, you know.”

  Carrie Carlson did know about the blizzard. In fact, that’s all she had heard about for the last 36 hours, ever since the cabbie dropped her off at LaGuardia only to have her flight out of New York cancelled at the last minute.

  She had been trying to rebook her flight ever since, but everything was full and now all incoming and outgoing flights were grounded. To make matters worse, she had checked her suitcase upon arrival and couldn’t get it back. She was exhausted, in need of fresh clothing and desperate to get home to warm and sunny California.

  The agent patted Carrie’s tan hand. “Your best bet at this point is to get a room, get some rest and come back tomorrow,” he said. “See that woman over there, the one in
the yellow vest? That’s Darla. If anyone can find you a room in New York City in a snowstorm, she can.”

  “Thanks,” Carrie said. She picked up her travel documents, slung her computer bag over her shoulder and slogged through the crowd. Thankfully, Darla’s line was short; there were only three people waiting.

  While biding her time, Carrie admired the man two spots ahead of her. He was tall – a few inches over six feet – with tousled dark hair, broad shoulders cloaked in red plaid flannel and the nicest ass she had ever seen in a pair of Levi’s.

  Her eyes roamed down the back of the stranger’s strong legs, which ended in a pair of well-worn, expensive-looking cowboy boots. If the man’s front was anything like his back, well, hot damn!

  Sadly, the stranger was gone all-too-soon, but that meant that it was almost Carrie’s turn to see if Darla could find her a room. She scanned the crowd looking for dark hair before dropping her eyes and searching for cowboy boots. But the guy was gone.

  The person in line behind Carrie nudged her back. “It’s your turn lady.”

  “Oh, thanks.” She stepped up to the counter where she was greeted with a wide smile by the short woman in a yellow airport personnel vest.

  “I’m Darla, airport concierge. What can I help you with today?”

  “Hi Darla, I need a room for the night. It doesn’t need to be anything special. Just a bed with a shower, and maybe room service.”

  The smile on Darla’s face quickly faded away. “Oh dear, I’m afraid the entire city is sold out due to the blizzard.”

  Tears pooled in Carrie’s eyes and she blinked rapidly. “The entire city?”

  The concierge frowned. “Unfortunately, yes. Even the homeless shelters are turning people away.”

  “Really, I don’t need much space,” Carrie said. “Even a cot in a closet would do. Please, Darla, I’m desperate!”

  Darla leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I might have one option for you, but it’s nothing official if you catch my drift.”

  Carrie nodded. At this point, she was willing to consider ideas that weren’t completely on the up-and-up.

  “I happen to know of a gentleman who is traveling alone and has a two-bedroom corporate suite at the Royal Plaza,” Darla said, her tone hushed. “You’re a very attractive young woman, so he might be willing to let you stay with him.”