The Billionaire's Big Beautiful Bride (BWWM Romance Book 1)

by Fielding, J A

  Victoria smiled and then laughed.

  “Really?” she asked and Trina nodded.

  “You brought me out here so yeah, we are most definitely going to grab the freaking world by the balls.”

  She looked at Victoria and waited for her to raise her own glass before they toasted.

  “To new beginnings,” she said and Victoria nodded.

  “New beginnings.”

  “And maybe the old ones which are yet to be discovered,” Trina said and Victoria raised an eyebrow.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.

  “I know about the ‘work lunches’ and ‘meetings over coffee’ you have been having with Arthur,” she said. “Just saying.”

  Trina noticed Victoria’s cheeks flush a bright crimson shade when she said that.

  “It was just work. Nothing more,” she said in a soft voice and Trina nodded.

  “If you insist,” she said in a passive aggressive voice. “But I know you Vickie. When I first started working at HHM, I’d heard of this lawyer who was a hard ass and to be honest I had seen you in action once or twice. I would have hated to be on opposite sides with you and then bam! I come to HHM and find out that I am on the same team you are.” Trina took a sip of the champagne.

  “Not that I don’t like hearing all about my conquests but where are you going with all this?” Victoria asked.

  “Well, a few of my friends had noticed you but you wouldn’t even give my cousin Tyler a second look while the entire office was drooling as he walked by. Even I have to admit I have given him the look every so often.”

  Victoria laughed.

  “Oh come on,” she said and Trina shrugged.

  “What? It is not like he is my first cousin or anything. And it has been a long time since I got some, you know.”

  “Trina, that’s disgusting. He’s your family.”

  “Yes he is but like I said, all I do is look not touch…not that I haven’t been tempted,” Trina said as she took another sip.

  “Okay fine. I’ll play along…your cousin, I saw him. I mean it was nearly impossible not to. It is an office full of the same suits you see day in and day out so when a beautiful muscular nicely tanned and toned man shows up in the office, of course I noticed him.”

  “Alright, so we have a confession,” Trina said and Victoria nodded.

  “Yeah, but I was still trying to make things with Ian work out. So I did what anyone in a committed relationship would have done. I stayed put.” She reached for another strawberry. “If I had known, I might as well have gone with the flow.”

  “Wait, Tyler came to my office almost four months ago. That was in your first week at HHM.”

  Victoria nodded.

  “It was.”

  “So are you telling me that you have had issues for this long?” Trina asked and Victoria shrugged.

  “He had been a little distant lately. Maybe a little too much…and I should have smelled a rat back then. But I just thought it was the new job that was holding him back and everything.”

  “New job?” Trina asked.

  “He had just been transferred to the New York office and the whole relationship became near impossible…I mean I went from seeing him daily to seeing him twice or thrice a week and with our careers taking a toll on our personal time it was just hard working out a schedule…maybe a little harder on him than it was for me.”

  Trina held up a finger.

  “Do not make excuses for him,” she said.

  “I’m not…it’s just that I had been going up there any time I could and I always saw him in the company of the same woman. This red haired temp…and I thought she was just shadowing him and that was it but when I decided to surprise him last weekend, I walked in on him pants down.” She took a long sip of her champagne. “I mean I literally walked in on him and that woman riding him like there was no tomorrow.”

  Trina bit her lower lip.

  “He said that it was just the one time but I cannot really trust a word he is saying right now,” Victoria said before taking another long sip.

  “Well, like I said, I am going to handle the asset division and if you need a place to stay you can always stay over at my place until this whole property thing is sorted out.”

  Victoria leaned back on the couch and smiled at her.

  “You would do that for me?” she asked as she looked at Trina.

  “You brought me out here to the Swiss Alps. Something I never thought I would do…ever,” Trina said in a soft voice. “Well, I did see that they have an amazing spa in here. And the restaurant got five star reviews so that definitely sits well with me.”

  “Wait…what are you trying to say?” Victoria asked and Trina sighed.

  “While you are out there sliding down a snowy mountain, I will be having a hot stone massage and sipping on a mojito.” She leaned back and took a sip of her champagne. “That is the plan I have out here in the Swiss Alps.”

  Victoria laughed and shook her head.

  “Actually, the plan you have is not going to work because I went all out in getting you an instructor and everything,” she said and Trina shook her head.

  “No.”

  “Yes. Yes I did.”

  “Vickie, you are trying to get me to do stuff that isn’t normal. I mean I don’t even swim unless I absolutely have to which is why I never learned to swim until high school. And that was because swimming was a mandatory lesson just like math and science,” Trina pointed out.

  “Well, since I am not the only unattached person in this suite, I thought I would get us cute instructors and who knows, maybe something may happen,” Victoria said winking at Trina who was shaking her head.

  “Just what did you get me into, Simmons?” she asked and Victoria grinned.

  “Exactly what was coming to you. We need to get you laid,” she said. “And soon.”

  “Says the person who is looking to hide from the fact that she has feelings for a workmate,” Trina said and Victoria shook her head.

  “Right now you are the main person here. And we are focusing on you,” she said.

  Trina refilled her glass and sighed loudly. Suddenly, Christmas alone in her apartment looking outside the window was looking better.

  Chapter 3

  When she woke up the following day, Trina wanted at that moment more than ever to simply get away from Örnen. Victoria looked a little too excited to get out there and ski but Trina had more than a few reservations. For starters, she had never really done this before. She had never even considered a ski trip. All she had planned on doing that day was getting a whole lot of room service and catching up on her sleep. But Victoria had other plans. She had already got her a ski suit. And as Trina looked at the suit Victoria had picked out for her, she could not help but have a million and one questions. For starters, how did they even have a size for her? Which sane full figured woman ever considered skiing as an ideal sport? She was still looking at the suit wondering if and when she was going to get out of bed when Victoria walked in all cheery. She was in full gear ready to go out and ski and she had pulled her hair in a ponytail.

  “Come on, I already got breakfast,” she said and Trina sighed loudly.

  “It’s too early for this,” she groaned and Victoria shook her head.

  “Don’t be like that. I got you all your favorites. Crispy bacon, eggs sunny side up and barbecue sausages which by the way are delicious,” she said as she pulled the covers off Trina. “There is also coffee and bagels so you can get that kick to get started.”

  Trina sat up and looked at her.

  “Have I told you that with every passing minute I keep on thinking that I should have stayed back home?” she asked.

  “Well, the best thing about a holiday in a foreign country is the experience. New people, new culture, new…everything.” Victoria shrugged. “And you will not get to experience any of that from inside here. Behind closed doors.”

  “Is this still about setting me up with so
meone?” she asked as Victoria walked out of the bedroom. She got the tray with Trina’s food.

  “No, it’s about making sure that you get out of Switzerland with the complete experience as God intended.” She handed the tray to Trina and smiled. “There are a number of instructors out there so you don’t need to be worried about it. And if I don’t see you out there in an hour, I am going to have security come up here.”

  Trina smiled at her as she began walking towards the door.

  “Thanks for breakfast. You’re a doll,” Trina called out.

  “You’re welcome and I was serious about security,” Victoria called out before she walked out of the suite.

  A smile played on Trina’s lips as she looked down at her tray. She uncovered the plate and inhaled deeply. It smelled delicious and the coffee was a special kind of blend. That much she could tell just from the aroma alone. She reached for the remote and switched on the TV before she took the first bite of her eggs.

  “Just what the hell do people do to their eggs?” she wondered as she took another bite. “These are amazingly delicious,” she thought as she took another bite. It was like an explosion of spicy flavor in her mouth and she could not even understand what it was that made her want to eat more and more.

  She turned her attention to the TV as she slowly ate, all the while wondering if she should really take Victoria up on her offer. As far as she could tell, the hotel had amazing service and the food…well, it was out of this world. Deliciously perfect. She had absolutely no reason to leave her hotel suite but knowing what Victoria was like, she knew that the whole calling security to the suite was not just a threat, it was a promise. When she was done with her breakfast, she took a shower and struggled to pull on the ski suit before she put on the gray jacket and boots. She pulled her hair in a loose French braid before she stood in front of the mirror and a smile played on her lips.

  “I actually look pretty good,” she thought as she looked at her reflection.

  As she stood there, she realized that a well-tailored garment, however tight was all she needed to make her look perfect as was evident in what she was wearing. She took a long deep breath and began walking out of the suite. But as soon as she was out of the door, she could tell that she had made a mistake. She wanted to go back and just chill in bed all day. But a part of her also wanted to go out and see what the excitement about skiing was all about.

  When she got off the elevator, she bit her lower lip as she made her way outside. And even though she was looking forward to understanding the overrated sport that was skiing, the truth was that she was a little scared. Her heart was racing as she walked out of the resort and into the cable car. The fact that she had to think about what to say when she walked into the cabin once she got up the mountain. And just that conversation alone was freaking her out. She was so lost in her head, she didn’t realize that she was already up the mountain. She looked around the cabin and sighed. It felt like she had walked out of reality and right into a mid-western movie scene. Everyone sipping on their drink and an all dressed up barman.

  “Or is he just serving tea and coffee?” she wondered as she walked towards the counter.

  She was just about to ask for an instructor when a man who was standing there sipping on what she assumed was a latte looked at her.

  “First time?” he asked and she forced a smile.

  “Am I that obvious?” she asked.

  “Well, you are in full gear but you have no skis. So considering that you have everything including the ski poles, I’m guessing that you are here to ask where you can get ski blades,” he said. “Since everyone here already has their own blades.”

  “Uh-huh,” she said.

  “So, are you looking to rent a pair?” he asked.

  Trina smiled at him and shrugged.

  “You should really make a career out of telling fortunes or something.”

  “Someone has suggested I move to Vegas but I declined,” he joked and Trina laughed. “Finally, we got a smile from the lovely lady.”

  It was not until that moment that she noticed just how perfect the man she was talking to was. He was tall and even under the jacket and jeans he had on, she could tell that he had that perfect underwear model body underneath.

  “Stop it, Trina!” she thought as she looked at him. It had been all of seven seconds and she was already undressing a stranger. She fiddled with her French braid and bit her lower lip.

  “This lady is basically looking for a little more than ski blades actually,” she said.

  “Oh really?” he asked. “What else can I help you with?”

  “An instructor,” Trina said. “It’s my first time here…actually first time on a ski trip.”

  “Great. Because I have been standing here waiting for someone to take out to those snowy mountains,” he said and she raised an eyebrow.

  “You are an instructor?” she asked, the surprise in her voice a little too obvious making him raise his own eyebrow.

  “I have a feeling that you don’t believe me.”

  “Well,” she started. “I don’t mean to make you out as a liar but instructors do not usually just wait by the bar waiting for clients.”

  “Well, it is too cold out there and back at the hotel, everyone is looking to do anything but ski,” he said. “Trust me, I am a great instructor and my rates are so affordable, the word affordable basically describes me.”

  She frowned again.

  “I heard how bad that sounded,” he said. “Comedy is another thing off my career plans.”

  Trina smiled again.

  “Yeah, you probably should stick to your day job.”

  “So does that mean that you are taking me up on my training offer?” he asked and she pretended to take a long deep breath.

  “Fine,” she said in an exaggerated sigh. “I think I can squeeze you in.”

  He smiled.

  “I cannot believe that I get to be your trainer?” he asked “My first client of the day.”

  “You can charge the fee to my suite,” she said and he shook his head.

  “The training is part of the Ornen experience,” he said. “No additional charge.”

  “Oh…wow. I thought I was going to have to pay for this,”

  “Well, this is the first time I am getting a first timer so I thought that as a sign of goodwill, I would offer the class for free,” he said.

  “But you don’t get paid,” she pointed out and he shrugged.

  “Actually I do. In more ways than one,” he said smiling and Trina nodded.

  “I love the special deal. It’s too good,” she said in a soft voice. “It almost feels like a steal.”

  “Well, it’s not. Just the resort making sure that all our guests feel welcome,” he said and she fiddled with her braid again.

  “I need to get your ski blades and a hat,” he said. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  “Alright. I’ll be right here,” she said. “I’m Trina Crews by the way.”

  “Axel,” he said in a soft voice. “Axel Anderson.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “Why don’t you have a seat as I go get changed. You can have a complementary drink on me. Some juice or coffee maybe.”

  Trina shook her head.

  “Thanks but no thanks. I just had breakfast,” she said. “I’ll just wait.”

  “Alright then. I won’t be long,” he said before he walked off leaving her standing at the bar and somehow, she suddenly needed to get a drink. A shot of tequila would do but then again, so would an entire bottle.

  She looked around briefly and slowly made her way to the waiting area. She didn’t know why but her heart was racing a little more than she would have wanted it to. Suddenly, she did not feel so bad about being out here. The whole idea of Victoria bringing her along did not seem so bad. She sat down and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited. As she sat there, it hit her. This was the first time in a long time that her mind was actually relaxed. Every ti
me she was in her apartment, she was always thinking of work. It was like her mind was in a constant working state. But this was different. Or maybe it was being in that particular place.

  For the first time in a long time, her mind was relaxed.

  There was no case on her mind.

  No deposition.

  No judge to call or district attorney to have long sarcastic conversations with.

  She was still in a blissful state when Axel walked back to where she was.

  “Ready to go?” he asked, smiling. She looked at him and smiled back. She was tempted to tell him that he looked pretty cute in the beanie hat he had on.

  “Ready,” she said as she stood up.

  “Good,” he said in a soft voice as he stretched his hand out to her. She put her hand in his and he helped her up. “So, I have to ask this question. It’s standard operating procedure.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  “On a scale of one to ten, just how scared of heights are you?” he asked and she frowned.

  “What?” she asked.

  “We are on top of a snowy mountain and we are about to slide down the side of said mountain really fast on basically what are sliding shoes,” he said and she shrugged.

  “I am not sure I have such a problem with heights but sliding down a mountain, that’s a big deal. A pretty big one to me considering I have never even considered doing it before.”

  He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

  “Never considered it?” he asked and she nodded.

  “This is not my idea of a vacation,” she said.

  “Really?”

  “Well, if I wanted to do a physically demanding exercise in a snowy area, I would have stayed home where it is snowing and gone to the gym,” she said and Axel smiled.

  “You really don’t like the idea of being up here, do you?” he asked.

  “To be honest, hell no! My idea of a vacation is a place with an ocean and sand. Where I have to put on minimal clothing,” she said and he grinned even louder.