by Katie Dowe
Julian
He's a threat to her company. Will he be a threat to her heart?
A sexy pregnancy romance by Katie Dowe of BWWM Club.
Being vice-president of her own small bank has made Sydney Manchester proud of her accomplishments.
And when world-renown financier, Julian Gessner, threatens to take over her business, she will do what it takes to make sure it doesn’t happen!
Julian is cold, austere, and likes to remain strictly all-business.
But when he meets the beautiful and sophisticated Sydney, his plans begin to backfire!
And he finds that he can’t get her out of his mind!
Yet sleeping with each other only complicates matters…
Because now they have their families and legacy to deal with if they want to take it to the next level!
Settling down with each other seems like a lofty dream…
But can a life-changing revelation be the turning point in their relationship?
Find out in this emotional yet sexy romance by Katie Dowe of BWWM Club.
Suitable for over 18s only due to sex scenes so hot, you'll want your own billionaire Swiss banker!
Tip: Search BWWM Club on Amazon to see more of our great books.
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Hi there. As a special thank you for buying this ebook, for a limited time I want to send a copy of Jason free of charge directly to your email! It's a personalized story, meaning you'll add a few details about yourself (these won't be shared with anyone else) and you'll become the star of the story!! :D
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Copyright © 2018 to Katie Dowe and AfroRomanceBooks.com. No part of this book can be copied or distributed without written permission from the above copyright holders.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
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Chapter 1
“Have a seat, Sydney,” Marco Purcell said cordially, indicating one of the chairs in front of his large desk.
“You're making me very nervous Marco.” Sydney took her seat and crossed her long, slim legs, which were encased in tan stockings. “You're here at the crack of dawn and buried in paperwork.”
Marco Purcell, a middle-aged, sharply dressed Hispanic man looked over at her with a slight smile on his attractive face. “I usually leave these things to you.”
“That’s right. What’s going on?”
Marco took his time and looked at the beautiful woman seated opposite to him. She'd started at the investment bank as a teller six years earlier, fresh out of business school, but had risen up the ranks rapidly because of her hard work and astute business mind. Sydney Manchester was not just a pretty face but had the brains to go with it. He had cautiously approached her with the intention of making her his mistress but she'd calmly but firmly told him that she never mixed business with pleasure and didn't any attraction to married men. He'd jokingly told her that if he knew he stood a chance he would divorce his wife to be with her. She hadn't taken too kindly to that and had told him in her strict business tone that anything in that direction again was cause for a sexual harassment suit. He'd kept his desire for her secret from then on. “You've heard about Gessner Financials?” he asked her now.
“Who hasn’t? They own banks all over the world with the main ones in Switzerland. They make watches as well, the best in the world. I saw one in a magazine the other day and couldn't believe how much it costs.”
“Julian Gessner took over from his father three years ago and has been making waves all over.”
“I saw his picture in the financial magazines just recently. He's one of the youngest bankers in the world.”
“And also one of the most ruthless,” Marco said grimly and with obvious envy. “He has a penchant for buying up small financial institutions and getting rid of management. He calls it restructuring.”
Suddenly, fear clutched at Sydney’s heart. She'd been a part of Midtown Investment bank for the past six years and considered the place her home. She certainly spent more time here than the small but comfortable apartment where she lived. “Marco, what’s going on?”
He leaned forward on his desk and folded his hands in front of him. “We're primed for a takeover,” he told her bluntly.
“By Gessner Financials? What would they want with a small bank like ours?”
“It's privately owned, Sydney, and the brothers who have the largest shares are old and decrepit. They're rapidly on their way to the nursing home and want to shed their responsibilities.”
“But can’t you do something about it? Buy them out?”
Marco laughed softly. “I wish I could. I'm up to my ears in debt my dear. I've been living above my means. That's how it is when you have a wife who wants to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Our house and the apartment are mortgaged to the hilt and we're being audited as we speak.” He sighed heavily. “I'm afraid I'm on my way out.”
“What do you mean?” Sydney looked at the man narrowly. She'd suspected that he was using the bank's profits to line his own pockets but had thought he couldn't possibly be so stupid. But it now appeared that he was indeed that stupid.
“I borrowed some money and I'm not able to pay it back.” He clasped his hands again and looked pensive. “The bank is in trouble and investors are threatening to pull out if it doesn't change hands. I'm stepping down before I'm asked to do so.”
“What about us?” Sydney asked coldly.
He avoided her eyes for a moment before looking up. “Gessner is coming here in a week’s time. He'll be meeting with us as soon as he gets here.”
“That still doesn't answer the question Marco. What happens to the employees who have done everything by the books?”
“I'll make sure to let Gessner know how loyal you and the others have been.” There was a tinge of sarcasm in his tone. “Who knows? Maybe he'll hand you my job.”
“And I would deserve it.” Sydney got to her feet and stared at him, her dark brown eyes cool. “I'm not going to feel sorry for you Marco. I live on the salary I earn and still manage to save some money. You're an investment banker for crying out loud! What does it say to our investors when the man who is in charge of their money isn't able to manage his own?”
“You have no right to speak to me that way!”
“I have every right.” Sydney took a deep breath and calmed herself down. “If you would excuse me, I have work to do.”
*****
“Julian darling, how nice to see you!” Elena Gessner said in obvious delight as she looked up from the book she was reading to see her tall, handsome son standing framed in the doorway. “I was just enjoying this provocative book that Mia brought over and I am utterly entranced. Sit.” She patted the embroidered ottoman near to the chaise lounge she was half lying on.
Elena Gessner suffered from a rare degenerative brain disease that had her lucid one moment and foggy the next, not knowing who she was or thos
e around her. She was a strikingly beautiful woman with long slender limbs, lustrous dark brown hair streaked heavily with blonde, and green grey eyes. Her skin was of the finest alabaster and surprisingly unlined for her sixty years. Her son took after her except that his hair was a darker brown. “Mother,” he leaned over and kissed her cheek. She was in a care facility that was more like a luxury resort and had round the clock care. He sat on the ottoman and turned to her. “How are you?”
“I'm fine darling,” she looked at him quizzically. “Why do you always look so stern?”
His face broke into a smile that had his eyes lighting up. She was the only one who could bring out a smile from him. He had little use for social graces and was always thinking about the next business venture. “How's this?”
She laughed in delight and touched his arm briefly. They were the biggest name in Zurich and were respected wherever they went. Even though Elena couldn't do social events anymore she was always mentioned in society as having hosted some of the most engaging parties ever enjoyed. “Much better darling. Now, tell me what’s going on in the company.” She placed the bookmark to mark the spot she was reading and placed the thick volume onto the cherry wood table next to the chair. “I know you want to spare me the boring details of the business but I do want to know darling.”
Julian patted her hands gently. “You get bored as soon as I mention numbers and bottom lines. You used to forbid Dad from speaking about work when we were at the dinner table.”
Elena placed her hand over his and her eyes turned reflective. “Elias was such a one for business. He loved what he did so much that he couldn't help but share it with others,” she laughed gently. “He was so proud of his grandfather’s heritage that he would do anything to maintain it. You are just like him.” She smiled at him. “I understand you're going to America?”
“Who told you?” he looked at her in surprise.
“I have eyes and ears everywhere darling,” she said with a laugh. “I wish I could come with you.”
He opened his mouth to say something then decided against it. “That might be a possibility in the future. I'm going to be spending some time there.”
“Will you promise me something?”
“Anything,” he said solemnly.
“I know that you're very good at what you do. And you take over a company and transform it and make it a whole lot better. This bank you're planning on taking over; please remember that there are employees who are on tenterhooks wondering what their future will be like. Be gentle.”
“I'm afraid I don’t the meaning of that word,” he teased her softly as he squeezed her hands. “I'm always fair Mother.”
“I know darling.” She sobered up. “I like days like this when I'm able to recognize you and able to have a normal conversation with you. That’s the hardest part of this disease that I suffer.”
“I promise you that I will make every effort and spare no expense to try to get you back to normal.”
“I know darling,” his mother said with a smile. “Now, how about a glass of wine before you leave?”
*****
Sydney stepped out of her heels and sank down onto the sofa in front of her bed, stretching out her legs and wriggling her toes wearily. She'd spent most of the day dealing with clients and trying to fend off questions and concerns. Marco, the spineless bastard, had muttered that he had meetings to attend and had left her to face everything on her own, including questions from employees.
“Give it to me straight Syd,” her friend Lorna from HR had said to her as she took a seat inside her small office. “Do I have to go and look for something else or are we safe?”
Sydney had put aside the financial report she'd been perusing and had looked at her friend. Lorna Gibson had been the one to interview her and the woman had put her at ease. She was five years older than Sydney and had always been the first to root for her when she got her promotions.
“I don’t know what the full story is, Lorna. Marco's being shifty.”
“You must have heard something,” Lorna had insisted. “I have a strong feeling that this place will be history as far as we're concerned.”
“I'm hoping that it doesn't get to that.”
Now in her apartment she thought back to the conversation she'd had with Marco. She had worked so hard to get where she was now. She loved the job and had been so psyched when she kept getting promoted. She'd started as a teller but knew she wasn't going to continue to be one forever, and she'd been right. She'd gone hungry and practically naked before and never wanted to experience that again. Now she stood the chance of losing her job because of some careless man who was too weak to live within his means. She peeled off her stockings and took off the suit she'd worn to work and headed for the bathroom in her tiny black underwear. Reaching up, she bundled her long black hair and twisted it into a knot on top of her head, securing it with pins. She examined herself critically. Sandra Manchester had been a beauty in her day and had even had a short stint as a lingerie model when she was younger. She'd passed on her beauty and fine features to her only child. Sydney had large dark brown eyes, tapered eyebrows and a straight face with a nearly straight nose. Her complexion was a delightful mixture of heavy cream mixed with a blend of dark chocolate and was flawless. She was slender with generous breasts and a small waist. She had idly contemplated going into modeling but had dismissed the idea immediately. She enjoyed working with figures and had decided to take that turn. She took off the rest of her clothes and went to run the bath before going to the double sink to clean off her makeup. She didn't really need the enhancement but she worked in an environment where you were watched like a hawk and that meant that appearances mattered a great deal. Which to her was very unfortunate. She finished up and stepped into the fragrant bath, allowing her head to drift back onto the cushioned headrest. Closing her eyes, she deliberately got rid of the worries plaguing her, time enough for that tomorrow.
*****
Julian quickly got out of bed and went immediately to put his clothes back on, his mind on the series of meetings he had lined up before he left for America.
Lenora almost groaned in obvious disappointment as she watched him pull the pants on over his long, lean muscles. “Do you have to leave?” she asked as she stretched, the movement causing her small breasts to pull upwards. He ran his eyes over her milky white skin and didn't feel even a frisson of desire. “I have some work to catch up on,” he told her briefly as he reached for his shirt. He'd stopped by on his way home to his apartment and had had a glass of wine with her. They had ended up in bed but it had been a disappointment, immediately after taking off his clothes he'd realized that it had been a big mistake.
“When are you leaving?”
“In a few days,” he said evasively. He buttoned up his shirt and ran long, slim fingers through his thick hair to give it some semblance of order. “I'll let myself out.” He turned to leave but stopped as she climbed off the bed and hurried over to him. She clung to him, reaching up to put her hands around his neck.
“I wish you would stay,” she whispered, her green eyes almost begging.
“I can’t,” he stifled the impatience and the need to extricate her hands from around his neck. “I have to go.”
She stepped back reluctantly. “When will I see you?”
“I will let you know.” He bent and kissed her cheek. “Get some sleep,” he said briefly and strode away..
Julian didn't drive to his apartment immediately but diverted and went towards a less affluent part of the neighborhood where the houses were small but neat and the people lived simply. He parked near the curb and sat there for a moment before getting out of the vehicle. It was late but he knew she would be up and waiting for him. He knocked on the door gently and it was opened immediately. The small blonde woman hurled herself into his arms and he held her tight before letting go and letting her lead him into the small living room where a cheerful fire burned in the hearth. “I thought you wouldn't come,
” she said softly as she sat next to him and held his hands. She adored him and it showed in her expression and the touch of her hands. Lina Gessner was the Julian's half sister. Julian's father had left him letters, telling him about her. At first he'd been tempted to ignore them but out of curiosity he'd gone to see her. He had taken one look at the petite gentle beauty and had felt a tenderness he'd never felt for another being aside from his mother. He had been cautioned by his dad that his mother should never know as it would break her heart and after a lot of contemplating he'd decided not to tell her. And now it was too late. “Would you like some tea?”
“No,” he pressed her hands in his to keep her there. “I'm leaving in a couple of days.” He had tried to offer her more money than his father had left for her but she'd refused and told him that she was more than content. He made it his point of duty to come and see her whenever he could and they would talk for long hours.
“For the USA,” she said dreamily. “I think one day I would like to go there and see New York. What do they call it? The big Apple?”
“Yes. Would you like to come with me?”
She looked at him, startled. “You would like me to?”
“You're my sister Lina, it would be my pleasure.”
She hesitated. “I hate to tell you no Julian, but I have so many obligations. The children need me.”
He nodded in understanding. “Another time perhaps.”
“But tell me all about it and send me pictures.”
“I'm not going as a tourist Lina,” he told her in amusement. “I have things to do.”
She nodded and stared off into the fire. “Do you think he loved her?”
He knew instinctively what she was talking about. “I don’t know,” he told her honestly. “I know that he was in love with my mother and she with him.”
“Then why did he cheat on her?” she asked bluntly and then shook her head immediately. “I'm sorry, that was rude of me.”
“You were being honest,” he said with a trace of irony. “I wonder about that myself. I wish you would take me up on my offer.”
