by Hazel Taylor
Copyright © 2020 by Hazel Taylor
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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THE ISLAND SERIES
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The Billionaire Box Set
Hazel Taylor
Contents
Diamond Heart
1. Paige
2. Donovan
3. Paige
4. Donovan
5. Paige
6. Donovan
7. Paige
8. Donovan
9. Paige
10. Donovan
11. Paige
12. Donovan
13. Paige
Shape of Love
1. Cameron
2. Lily
3. Cameron
4. Lily
5. Cameron
6. Lily
7. Cameron
8. Lily
9. Cameron
10. Lily
11. Cameron
12. Lily
13. Cameron
14. Lily
15. Cameron
16. Lily
17. Cameron
18. Lily
19. Cameron
20. Lily
The Billionaire’s Lie
1. Jason
2. Jason
3. Jason
4. Tiffany
5. Jason
6. Jason
7. Jason
8. Jason
9. Jason
10. Tiffany
11. Tiffany
12. Jason
13. Tiffany
Diamond Heart
1
Paige
Staring at myself in the mirror, I could feel nausea erupting in my stomach. I had to get this job; I needed it or else I might have to find a new place to live.
Swallowing my nervousness, I ignored the memories of the past. No time for that, anyway. It was time for me to press on. I will get this job if it's the last thing I do. I told myself that mantra repeatedly in the mirror.
Taking one last look at my thrift store business suit, I couldn't help but tug on its hemline. It wasn't that I didn't like wearing skirts, but this one bordered on too tight and too short. Great for the club or a date, awful for an interview. Too late to fix it now.
Marching from the bathroom, I made my way up to the 12th floor. Oh, how I hate elevators, the way they shake and rumble when they move. I stepped out of the elevator smoothly.
“Good morning. Can I help you?”
"I have a 9 o'clock interview. Paige Stevens."
The receptionist's smile was welcoming despite the pristine, uncomfortable waiting room that looked like there wasn't a speck of dirt to be found.
“Yes, if you will please have a seat, Mr. Donatella will be right with you.”
Sitting down on a plush white chair, I tried to keep my nerves in check while studying the unusual artwork on the wall, something likened to a zebra on canvas. Not my taste but who was I to judge.
“Ms. Stevens.” Shivers slipped down my spine as a deep masculine voice called me. Holding my breath, I turned to gaze upon a most gloriously handsome man. While he didn’t smile at me, his eyes traveled down the length of my body, making it hard for me to stand on my own two feet.
He was tall with dark wavy hair that was almost too long. His eyes met mine with an indifference that bordered on coldness. Finding my determination, I stepped forward and extended my hand. Perhaps he wasn't so handsome after all. "Paige. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Donatella.”
His hand enveloped mine with an electric shock that I swear made my heart skip a beat. “Nice to meet you. Please follow me.” He let go of my hand and turned without another word.
It was all I could do but follow him. As I did, my thoughts and eyes couldn’t help but linger on how handsome his face was, or how tall and muscular he was from the back. Oh, to touch those shoulders, run my fingers through his sable hair.
Mentally pinching myself, I snapped out of my daydreaming as his long strides brought us to a large corner office with a wall of windows overlooking the city. There was no room for fantasies here. He might be my new employer and I didn’t want to go there.
"Ms. Stevens, I am looking for someone to replace my assistant Rachel, who is out on leave for a few months. I need someone to do my bidding on the spot. The agency sent you. Have you done this before?” His dark eyes penetrated mine.
If looks could kill, I would have been dead on the spot, but having an older brother, I’d learned early in life to be unaffected.
“I haven’t, but I have been a personal secretary.” Nervousness began to surface again.
He asked me a few more questions and after what seemed like forever, he leaned back in his chair, staring at me. The intensity of his eyes brought my nerves back tenfold.
“You understand that you will be expected to sign a legal contract about privacy and confidentiality.” It wasn’t stated as a question, so I kept my mouth shut. "Everything about me and my personal and professional life is to be kept confidential." His eyes wandered to my lips briefly. Perhaps I should have used a less daring lipstick.
“I know how to keep quiet.”
His eyes met mine and there was that spark again, something bordering on lust which he quickly buried.
“The agency highly recommends you.”
I could only nod and smile.
“You will be living at my house, at my disposal whenever.”
“Okay.”
“As you will see, I have a lot of money. One thing I won’t tolerate at all is stealing.”
I nodded my head. Understood.
“You will be caring for my daughter Amber as well. She’s 7.”
“I love children.”
He smiled a devilish grin that could stop hearts. "Great. You can move in tonight; we will discuss things later. If all goes well when Rachel comes back, I will give you a great reference."
“Thank you, I look forward to working for you.” Again, his eyes seemed to wander to my lips, making me want to lick them.
He tapped the desk with those strong hands of his like a drummer before standing. “Well, Ms. Stevens, the front desk receptionist will have my address and the papers you will need to sign for me. You can start bringing your things to the house anytime. Lance, my driver, will pick you up.”
Following his lead, I rose to stand before him. Compared to my 5’2”, he was very tall. Good thing I was wearing heels today. “Thank you, Mr. Donatella.” I extended my hand.
That shivery, weak feeling came over me again as his hand held mine a bit longer than necessary. "You can call me Donovan."
“Paige.”
“Yes, I know.” He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before smiling again. “You know, Paige, in my family we seal deals a little differently.”
Was that darkness clouding his eyes? I swallowed. “How’s that?”
2
Donovan
Holding on to her hand, I moved around the desk to stand before her. “Like this.” Leaning in, I touched my lips to each of her cheeks. Releasing her hand, I decided it best to step back and couldn’t help but notice the somewhat surprised look on her face. “See you later.”
When she left, I had to undo my tie. I had a new assistant. I stared pensively at the door she’d just left through. I had to admit there was just something about her. Something I just couldn’t put my finger on. It was as if she might look better in a pair of combat boots and tight, short black shorts than that skinny, short white business suit she wore.
I was going to have a problem with those lips. Ruby red, full on the bottom, the kind of lips that distracted a man, made him think of other things.
It was those other things and those lips that distracted me all day long as I went about my day from the office to the gym, back to the office, to home. I didn't like it at all. As a father, I tried hard every day and night to avoid relationships with women.
Oh sure, I loved women, but not the drama and the baggage that tended to come with them, both theirs and mine. After Lindsay left three years ago, I’d decided to end that part of my life. I had a daughter, a successful career, more money than I would ever know what to do with, even a dog. What more could I ask for in life?
Sometimes my physical needs kicked in for that feminine touch, but in those moments I took care of business discreetly.
When I finally arrived home, I could hear the commotion no brick walls could ever contain.
“Daddy, Daddy! I missed you today.” Amber threw herself into my arms as if we hadn’t seen each other in years.
“I missed you too, Amber.” Joy filled my heart as my little girl held tight to my neck.
“Daddy, I made you a card today. Look.” She planted a kiss on my cheek as I sat down to look at her creative project. “It’s a cat. I know Ridley won’t like it, but I like cats. Do you like cats, Daddy?”
“I do, but I lean more towards Ridley and dogs.”
"Well, dogs and cats can get along, you know." With a flurry of tulle, she jumped off my lap and began twirling round and round. “I met Ms. Stevens. She’s pretty.”
"She is my new assistant until Mrs. Bennett returns.”
“I know, Daddy. Does she like to dance and sing?”
“I’m sure she does. Where is she anyway?”
“She is in her room.” My thoughts wandered back to our first meeting this morning. Taking a mental check everything was under control, I followed my twirling princess.
“Here she is.” She danced right into the room without a thought at all, and I wanted to laugh. Poor Paige would soon realize how informal we were here. “Hi, Ms. Stevens, what’s that?”
She wore the same suit and one suitcase was open on the bed in front of her. Her eyes met mine and she smiled. “Hello, Mr. Donatella, just unpacking my stuff.”
“Can I have one?” Amber had danced over to the nightstand to find a HUGE jar of candies. Curiosity plagued me. Anyone with that much candy must see the dentist often.
“Wow!”
“I know, sorry. I take it everywhere I go and refill as needed. Stress eater.”
“Well, let’s hope I don’t stress you out too much.”
“Oh, you probably will. It doesn’t take much. Thankfully I have really good teeth.” The way she wordlessly held the jar out to Amber, allowing her to help herself without missing a beat, made me smile. Two points for the new assistant.
“Well, when you’re ready we can meet in my office to get down to business before dinner.”
Although she was across the room with the bed between us, it was hard for me to keep my thoughts on the business at hand even with Amber in the room.
“All right.” The way her hair moved when she nodded her head made me long to undo it from its pins and let it slide down her neck.
“Donovan.” I wanted to pretend I didn’t hear my mother’s voice from down the hallway. She had sniffed out the new assistant. "Donovan, oh there you are, Amber." She stopped to stand beside me, sizing up my new assistant. "Could I have a word with you in private please?”
“Of course, Mother.” My eyes automatically rolled in the back of my head as she left, leaving a smile on both Amber’s and Paige’s lips. “I’ll be back.”
I found her in my office, lounging on the couch. "What is it, Mother?" The comfort of my chair provided no relief from her constant drama.
“I know it’s none of my business and I know Rachel is on maternity leave, but do you think you are doing the right thing hiring this woman?”
As usual, she had a way of summing up my life into one nasty sentence. "She will be fine,” I sighed. “She’s highly recommended by the agency.”
She must have sensed my thoughts because she played the green card, as always. “I’m merely concerned about my granddaughter. I don’t want her exposed to a crazy person, a thief or who knows what else.”
I could feel a headache coming on already. “Mother, she is my daughter and she is fine. You don’t need to worry.”
She fussed with the bangles on her wrist as I watched, waiting. She wasn’t finished yet, not by a long shot. “If you say so, Donnie, but if she gets out of line at all, I am personally firing her.”
She rose like a regal queen. Cleopatra would have been proud, I, however, felt bored.
She struck a pose, eying me as she delivered her coup de grace. "Get her to change out of that outfit, she looks like a hussy. I don't want Amber to think that is an acceptable way to dress." Then she swept toward the door but stopped before she got there—obviously for effect.
Fluffing her wavy hair, she gave me the Look.. It was coming, I could feel it in my bones. The Look always introduced her favorite topic, one that was so utterly exhausting I wanted to relent most days. “Are you dating someone?" She didn't want an answer, just carried on. "Amber needs a mother, you know.” She paused, then lit up as if she‘d just had a brilliant idea. “You know, Cassandra, Roger's daughter, is recently divorced, awful situation. Anyway, she is so beautiful with that blond hair. She’s also tall, which should appeal to you, and she loves children. Something could be arranged.”
I forced myself not to growl. “I don’t need a matchmaker, Mother. I can hire one if I decide I do.”
“I know.” She seemed to sulk now.
I had put an end to this right away. Just like that, it hit me, an idea forming in my head. “Actually, Mother,” I said, “there is something I want to share with you. I do have someone in my life.”
She gasped, immediately returning to her seat on the couch. “You do? Who?” Her eyes glittered like diamonds as she leaned forward, hands clasped before her, smiling. I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. “Wait, don’t tell me,” she mused. “Talia, Simons daughter? No, is it Monica, your cousin Jemma’s best friend, that pretty Brazilian model?”
"No." I wasn't about to reveal anything yet. I needed to finish formulating my plan first. For now, I would whet her curiosity. "I will give you a few hints, but nothing more until I am ready to reveal all at dinner tonight."
“Please do tell. You know I love solving mysteries.”
“You know her,” I teased. “She has dark hair and eyes, and she’s petite.”
“Hmmm, petite you say. Is it Vanessa, that woman Tyler wanted to set you up with at the ski lodge?”
“That’s all I am saying for now.” I had to get away, deal with the details. This would finally put an end to all her scheming to marry me off for the sake of her granddaughter. “Mother, I have some things to do, and you have some people to think about. I will see you at dinner.”
“Okay, dear, but I’ll be dying of curiosity.” She got up and headed for the door, but, being physically incapable of not having the last word, she turned one more time before she left and gave me a stern look. “Remember what I said about her outfit, Donnie. Not good for Amber to emulate.”
“Understood, Mother.” I felt so thankful when she removed herself from the room. I loved my mother, always would, but she was a bit dramatic. It always made me wonder if acting was some wild card in the family genes.
Recalling the outfit in question, I felt my desire stir. Ms. Paige Stevens was certainly a beauty to behold. Dark hair
tied up in a ponytail, tight and short crisp white business suit, no makeup except for those ruby lips. I had to admit my mother did have a point; she did look rather sultry. While I enjoyed it, Amber shouldn’t see that.
3
Paige
When I got called to his office an hour later, I wasn’t sure what he was going to say.
As I entered the room he sat once again behind a huge desk looking strong and confident.
He didn’t speak at first, just shut the door, then sat back down and looked at me with those intensely dark eyes of his. What in the world could I have done already to deserve that look?
After what seemed like forever, he tapped on the keyboard of his computer and then pulled out a checkbook.
“Did I do something wrong? Am I being dismissed or something?”
Looking up, he didn’t smile, just stopped what he was doing and leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on his desk. How unbelievable was this? He wasn’t going to tell me.
“What kind of game is this, Mr. Donatella?” I could feel the anger starting to boil. “It’s one thing to tell someone you have a job and maybe change your mind, and another to let them move their stuff into your house like they have that job, then ask them to leave.”
