"There you are," Jessa said.
She'd caught me scowling at the elevator gates as I fought the urge to find her. "Sorry. Hi. I'm surprised to see you," I spluttered.
Jessa smiled and looped her arm through mine. "Your building is quite amazing."
"Because of your touches," I said. It was intoxicating to have Jessa so near.
I wanted to lean down and nuzzle her bare neck, but Jessa was an important woman now. All I could do was smile, be a gentleman, and hope I'd see her again.
"Speaking of my family's connection with this building; Do you think I could steal you away to talk business? We have a lease to straighten out," Jessa winked.
She pressed the elevator button and blinked up at me. I swallowed hard and kept myself very still as we rode arm in arm up to the penthouse offices.
Jessa squeezed my arm as we walked onto the top floor. "So, tell me. How much would it cost for an exclusive renovation of this floor?"
My arm went lax, and I stumbled back. "You want to stay?"
"Why would I think of going anywhere else?" Jessa asked. "What would people say?"
I laughed. "You know what they should say? They should say that this was all just a tangled romance and that finally, you found happiness."
Jessa came forward and took my hand. "Business first."
She led me through every square inch of her father's office, and we sketched out extensive changes. The layout would go back to the original with built-ins recreated and glass artists employed. I was entranced.
And then Jessa branched out into her plans for the business itself. The way her mind grasped the bigger picture and found ways to elevate it had me speechless.
It was no wonder I felt she was out of my league.
I stopped, feeling my rebellion rise up again. I could never turn away from a challenge. And Jessa was worth it.
"You are absolutely amazing," I said, not being able to rip my eyes away from her face.
Jessa stuttered to a stop and pressed an embarrassed hand to her mouth. "Stop. I promised myself I would be professional. We have business."
"And then unfinished business?" I asked.
Jessa gave a slight nod and then straightened her shoulders. "Now how about I agree to let the architectural magazine of your dreams document every part of the transformation in return for a reduced fee?"
I couldn't stop smiling. "Ms. Lauren, you drive a solid bargain, but I have an addendum."
She raised an elegant eyebrow at me.
"You have to sign on as my consultant. I need your expert eye for the finishes," I said.
Her cheeks colored and she sent a nervous eye to the corner of the ceiling. Jessa was worried about Marcus and the security cameras. She was a celebrity now, tied into scandal and shot to success. Everyone was waiting to see every inch of her life.
"How about we go to my office and sign the papers right now?" Jessa asked. "The office is one place I've already started renovations myself."
Jessa led the way into her father's office. I was only two steps in the door when she turned and threw herself into my arms.
I laughed. "You had the cameras removed?"
"I like my privacy. Especially nowadays," Jessa reassured. She slid out of the hug and stepped nervously back.
"And what was the hug for?"
"I'm sorry for everything that happened. Your name being dragged through the mud and the investigation—"
I stopped her with a kiss. I couldn't help myself. Jessa was all that I had thought about, all that I had wanted.
And the feeling of her melting in my arms, responding to my kiss, flooded me with such heat that I stiffened. "We should go," I said.
"Oh, but I just need a minute to breathe," Jessa smiled.
I laughed. "They'll gossip about the time spent in here. Time to go, Ms. Lauren. You have a newly-minted reputation to think about."
Jessa was quiet on the elevator ride down, and I fought the urge to hit the emergency button and wrap her in another tight kiss. Had I said something wrong? I had tried so hard to do the right thing; I was struggling that second to do the right thing.
Jessa Lauren needed to get on with her life. The sky-high trajectory of her career meant that I would just get in her way.
As we got down closer to the lobby, I caught her hand and kissed it. "I hope you find happiness, Jessa."
The elevator bobbed to a stop, and the sleek metal of Jessa's art deco gate hissed open. I stepped away, to make sure everything looked proper and then the doors started to open.
Jessa turned and caught me by the collar, crushing her sweet petal lips to mine.
The elevator doors opened wide, and we struck quite a pose within the swirling scrollwork and gleaming metal of the lobby. There was a sudden hush of surprise then flashes from camera’s and then applause.
Jessa smiled. "I've decided," she whispered, "Ms. Lauren isn't afraid to go after what she wants."
I kissed her again and then took her arm. It was so wonderfully relaxing to see Jessa take the lead. I had always fended for myself, lead the crew, and fought for everyone else. Now I had her, and she was far fiercer than me.
Jessa navigated the crowded New Year's party with a deft and calculating compass. She schmoozed with my new renters and found possible collaborations like a shark scenting blood three miles away. It was absolutely exhilarating.
It wasn't until we were halfway under the glittering chandelier that doubt swept across my mind. What if Jessa was using me? I couldn't help but see the ways that our now-documented romance would boost her social appeal. We had had a rocky road before so how did I know I could trust her?
Power like she suddenly had could go to a person's head.
It was as if Jessa could feel my hesitation. She stopped and turned into my arms. "The count-down will be happening soon. This is the perfect spot, don't you think?"
"Wait, what? New Year's." I took a breath. "Jessa, what exactly are you doing?"
She blinked. "Dayton, it's me. I'm trying really hard not to change, and I realized my best bet was you. I loved you before, and I love you now. I need you to help me keep my head on straight."
The crowd around us started to count down, and I couldn't stop smiling. We left together in the wee hours of the New Year and started the best years of our lives.
Epilogue
I didn't know that Dayton would remember what I said or quote me later during our wedding vows. He made me laugh out loud in the middle of the ceremony.
Luckily it was just a few of us on what was now my yacht. I asked Mike to walk me down the aisle, and I couldn't have asked for a better man since my own father was missing. He was so fierce and yet so gentle, and when we reached Dayton, I saw tears in his eyes.
It was the happiest moment.
And yet when people ask me my happiest moment, I always think of that elevator ride with Dayton.
I had agonized for hours about whether or not to go. I had the dress and a solid net of friends willing to go as my entourage. Karina was ready at my side.
"You haven't seen him since you broke up with Robert. I know everything happened so fast, but don't you want to talk to him?" Karina asked.
"Everything is still happening," I pointed out. "My parents are heading for divorce court, I'm just barely keeping the board of trustees afloat, and the patents go before a judge soon!"
Karina grabbed my arms. "Who cares about any of that? You have money and prestige. You also have everyone's attention. This is the perfect moment to decide who you are and what you want to do."
So we went to Dayton's grand re-opening.
The Miller Building felt like home, but one that had been touched by Cinderella's fairy godmother. I had become so accustomed to the scaffolding and plastic, the tarps and buckets, that I had missed the entire transformation.
I had imagined that Dayton would greet me at the steps like Prince Charming, but then he shied away.
"This was a terrible idea," I told Karina.
She turned me back around and pushed me towards where Dayton was trying to act inconspicuous. "He's trying to be a gentleman. He's trying to give you your space."
"But I don't want my space. I want to talk to him," I said.
Karina laughed. "Exactly. Think about that Ms. Lauren."
I decided to go for what I wanted. At first, I invited Dayton upstairs just so we could talk everything through. Then there didn't seem to be anymore that needed to be said.
Dayton kissed me, and I knew.
So, when he remained the gentleman and kissed my hand in the elevator, I made a decision.
And on our wedding day, I told him that I would always choose him, every single day.
NOTE FROM KYLIE
I hope you enjoyed Dayton and Jessa’s story. I thought I would throw in a bonus title for you. Something a little more dirtier and darker, if you like that kind of read. Jump into ‘INDEBTED’ and you’ll find yourself rooting for Holly to kick some ass and for her and her daughter to have their happily ever after!
Enjoy on the next page!
INDEBTED
Prologue
It had been a long night.
With a low groan, Holly stretched, trying to work out the kinks in her lower back as she freed her hair from its tight bun at the base of her neck. She’d been on her feet for almost twelve hours and she couldn’t wait to sink down into a chair and let her exhaustion overwhelm her.
Since two that afternoon, it seemed like huge parties had come through the door one after the other. A twelve top and then a fifteen top for lunch, two parties of twenty for dinner and a private event that had the entire staff of the restaurant scrambling. But, after all that work – a day of sheer chaos – the numbers reflected their outstanding work.
They’d made well over six thousand dollars, and Holly would sleep well tonight.
As she gazed over the establishment and the employees bustling to clean before closing, she smiled. It seemed like only yesterday she had looked at the empty space with Tommy and he told her all the dreams he had for it. Prime Miami restaurant space didn’t come cheap, but the man had a master plan and he hadn’t disappointed.
But then, Tommy had never been one to disappoint. It was one of the reasons Holly married him. Since they were teenagers, he’d always taken care of her.
As she reached down to fold a soiled table cloth for the laundry, Holly’s lips curved upward into a fond smile. When they were in high school, things were so different. They were young and carefree, and the entire world was laid at their feet. Tommy always said that the moment he’d seen her, he knew she was the one, but the truth was that their relationship had been a little over two years in the making.
But once they were together, they were inseparable. His dreams were her dreams, and her dreams his.
But things had been different lately.
As she glanced at the closed door of her husband’s office, Holly’s smile faded somewhat.
The past few months had changed him – and she was still at a loss in figuring out why. Her usually even tempered husband seemed constantly angry and on edge – the tiniest thing that Maddy did at home set him off and he snapped at only the slightest provocation. Where the restaurant used to be his passion, it now seemed as if he barely had the energy to run things – and the moment he had an opportunity, he always turned to drinking to settle his nerves.
Tommy had never been a drinker. Sure, he had his vices – football, good food and badly made Hawaiian shirts, but the most he ever had before was a beer or two before dinner. These days, Holly found empty liquor bottles around the house every few days. She wondered if the alcohol might be fueling Tommy’s temper, but was hesitant to speak to him about it.
Holly was his partner – in life, love and business. But every time she mentioned his recent change in mood, he rebuffed her. Told her it was all in her mind.
And so, she stopped. At least, she had for a few weeks.
Recently, she found herself struggling to keep her mouth shut. She worried about Tommy’s health. He seemed paler and paler every day, and his usually impeccable dress had become sloppy. It seemed he barely had the wherewithal to speak to his daughter, and Holly was beginning to wonder what had happened to the man she married.
They needed to talk – the sooner the better. She just wanted to know what was wrong so she could help fix things.
Holly was still deep in thought when the office door opened. She had worked her way through half of the massive pile of tablecloths she was tending to when a gentle hand landed on her shoulder.
Inhaling sharply in surprise, she looked to see Tommy staring down at her.
Holly’s heart broke for him. Though she knew the man lay down next to her late every night, it looked as though he hadn’t slept in weeks. There were deep, dark circles beneath his eyes and his eyes were bloodshot. A week’s worth of stubble covered his jaw, and he smelled faintly of booze.
“Babe…we need to talk.”
Immediately, her heart leapt into her throat.
Without a word, Holly raised her hands to cup the face of the man she loved, searching his deep brown eyes for answers. Ultimately, she sighed, standing on her tip toes to peck his lips softly. What was coming couldn’t be good. The question was: How bad was it?
“I’ll get us a drink.” With that, she ran fingers through her dark hair, headed for the bar. Teddy, the bartender, moved immediately out of the way at the grave expression on her face.
Holly wasn’t much of a drinker, but she suspected she was going to need something strong for the conversation they were about to have. She grabbed a bottle of scotch with two glasses before heading toward the deserted front of the restaurant – where her husband was already seated and waiting for her.
Holly could feel his eyes on her as she poured their drinks slowly – as her heart pounded against her ribcage and her hand shook slightly. Though it was obvious that her husband was suffering for some unknown reason, she herself hadn’t been unaffected.
Holly was hurting too.
But now that the moment of truth had obviously come…she was nervous. Anticipatory and scared. All she wanted to do was fix the void that had grown in their family – right in that instant – and to recapture their happiness.
Taking a seat across from him, she slid his glass across the table. Tommy reached for it – catching her hand before she could release the glass and sliding his thumb over her knuckles. It was a gesture they had always shared – from the time they dated as teenagers up until the last – a few weeks ago when they were at the park with Maddy.
The sensation of Tommy’s fingers, calloused from hours of knife work, running over her own had Holly swallowing the tears that threatened.
Tommy sighed, his gaze rising from their entwined hands to hers. The concentration of emotion there took Holly’s breath away, and she was surprised to see her husband’s eyes clouding with moisture. “Babe, I’m sorry for the past few weeks. I know things have been hard for you…that I’ve been difficult as hell…But I’ve gotta tell you everything now. Things have escalated to a point where…” He exhaled hotly, his mouth snapping shut before he tried again. “I just need to get this all out there…and hope you don’t hate me for it.”
Hate him?
Why on earth would she hate the man she loved?
At that moment, a brisk, cool evening breeze rushed in as the front door opened. Holly sighed, releasing Tommy’s hand to turn. She could have sworn she had locked the door. She had half risen from her chair by the time she looked up – but even so, it was far too late.
Within an instant, several things happened.
Three men in black entered the restaurant, the first immediately making a beeline for Holly. There were masks covering the intruders’ faces, but they were all able-bodied men – they moved quickly and purposefully.
Before Holly could protest, a steel-like arm clamped around her waist and another about her neck, choking her as she struggled for breath. She was ha
uled back against a solid chest and lifted off her feet so she dangled at least a foot in the air, and her eyes wide with shock.
Dimly, she heard the sounds of other workers screaming as gunshots were fired and her gaze darted over to see them being herded towards the back of the restaurant by the second intruder – a firearm in his hand.
The world took on a hazy, almost dreamlike appearance as she heard Tommy’s outraged yell. When Holly turned her attention back to him, what little air she had left whooshed from her lungs. The third man grabbed him, locking his arms behind his back with a single arm while the other shoved a wickedly glinting knife up under his chin to kiss his jugular.
Had holly been able to speak, she would have screamed.
Tommy, for his part, fell silent with the blade against his throat, his entire body going stock still.
“That’s right, Tommy boy. Now you’re getting it.” The masked man holding him spoke, and Holly’s blood ran cold. Fear laced with adrenaline coursed through her veins. When combined with her severe lack of air, spots started to swim before her eyes.
But her captor wasn’t strangling her – just incapacitating her. She could still see everything that occurred before her with horrifying clarity.
“Now you’re getting just how monumentally you’ve fucked up.” Tommy’s captor hissed into his victim’s ear.
“Please…”Tommy finally managed to gasp, even as a drop of blood trickled down his windpipe. “Don’t do this. It doesn’t have to be like this.”
Holly bucked in her captor’s arms as a strangled sob escaped her. Who were these men? What did they want?
“I think you’re mistaken Tommy boy.” The man standing over her husband spoke again, his voice devoid of any emotion whatsoever. “We’ve given you chance after chance, and now it’s time for you to pay up.”
A shudder passed though Tommy’s body and he groaned as the man above him wrenched his arms even further behind his back. “This is all you’re doing, buddy. Just remember that.” Holly watched in horror as the man drew the knife across her husband’s neck in a smooth, precise motion.
Billionaire's Match Page 13
