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Bride Of The eccentric CEO 42
She shifted to the side and I sat beside her, wrapping my arms around her body, spreading my hand wide across her stomach, and rocking her gently until I felt her relax.“Someone is anxious to meet you.”She laughed softly. “Meet us. It’s your voice he or she reacts to the most.”I smiled, dropping a kiss to her hair, then stroked her swollen belly.It had felt odd the first time I talked to her stomach. I felt like an idiot, lying beside her with my hand on her skin, muttering about silly things. Except, I liked it. I started reading books, humming music, talking about how much fun we were going to have when he or she was born—anything to connect myself to the life growing inside Katy. The first time I felt the push of a hand or foot against my skin, I actually wept. And for the second time in my life, I knew I was in love. Boy or girl, I would love and protect this child with everything in me. Knowing I would hold them in the next few hours, made my chest ache with a sweetness I sti
Bride Of The eccentric CEO 43
Katy tried to convince me to go home and sleep, but I didn’t want to leave either of them. I couldn’t. I wanted to be here with them and make sure they were both okay.My daughter slept in my arms. A tiny, fragile being, I already loved more than I thought was humanly possible. I couldn’t put her down. I watched as she squirmed, swaddled in a soft, pink blanket. Her rosebud mouth was pursed, her small fists fighting to escape the material. Katy had explained the whole swaddling thing to me, but I couldn’t resist loosening the cloth and letting out one of her hands. She gripped my finger with a strength that surprised and delighted me. My baby girl was strong. Her sleepy blue eyes, already so much like Katy’s, peeked up at me, then drifted shut, her grip never loosening.“She’s perfect,” Katy whispered. I looked up with a grin.“She is, Mommy.”Katy’s smile was wide and beautiful. “We have to name her, Richard.”“I know. None of the ones I liked suit her now that she’s here, and I can
Bride Of The eccentric CEO one
RICHARD I BENT OVER THE TABLE, the din of the busy restaurant fading into the background as I struggled to contain my anger. Repressing the urge to yell, I kept my voice low, fury dripping from the words. “What did you say? I’m sure I didn’t hear you correctly.”David relaxed back in his chair, not at all concerned by my ire. “I said,Tyler is being promoted to partner.”My hand tightened around my glass so hard, I was surprised it didn’t shatter. “That was supposed to be my promotion.”He shrugged. “Things changed.”“I worked my ass off. I brought in over nine million. You told me if I surpassed last year, I’d be made partner.”He waved his hand. “And Tyler brought in twelve million.”I slammed my hand on the table, not giving a shit if it drew attention to us. “That’s because the bastard went behind my back and stole the client. The campaign idea was mine. He fucking ripped me off!”“Your word against his, Richard.” “Bullshit. This is all bullshit.”“The decision is made, and the of
Bride Of The eccentric CEO Two
RICHARD BRIAN SIPPED HIS RYE, REGARDING me over the edge of the glass. “I agree that must burn, Richard. But what do you want me to do about it?”“I want another job. That’s what you do. Find me one.”He laughed dryly, setting down his glass. “We’ve had this discussion already. With your credentials, I can get you any job you want—except here. There’re two major players in Victoria, and you work for one of them. If you’re finally ready to move, give me the word. I’ll have offers for you in any major city you want to consider. Toronto is booming.”I huffed in annoyance. “I don’t want to move. I like Victoria.” “Is there something holding you here?”I drummed my fingers on the table as I pondered his question. I had no idea why I refused to move. I liked the city. I liked its proximity to the water, the restaurants and theatres, the bustle of a big town in a small city and especially the climate. There was something else—something I couldn’t put my finger on that held me here. I knew I
Bride Of The eccentric CEO Three
RICHARD THE NEXT MORNING, I HAD an idea, but I wasn’t sure how to execute it. If Graham Gavin wanted a family man, he’d get one. I only had to figure out how to accomplish that small detail. I could do it—it was my field of expertise, after all—I was an idea man.My main problem was the sort of women I typically had in my life.Female versions of myself. Beautiful to look at, but cold, calculating, and not interested in anything except what I could give them: the fancy dinners, expensive gifts, and if they lasted long enough, a trip away somewhere before I dumped them. Because I always did. I only cared about what they could give me, as well. All I wanted was something pretty to look at and a warm body to bury myself in at the end of the evening. A few hours of mindless pleasure until the stark, cold reality of my life set back in.None of them would be the sort of woman Graham Gavin would believe I’d spend the rest of my life with. Sometimes I could barely spend an entire evening.Mi
Bride Of The eccentric CEO four
RICHARD THE NOISE OF THE TREADMILL was a steady hum under my feet as I pounded away. I had hardly slept last night, and my mood was dark. Sweat dripped down my back and face. I picked up my towel and wiped it away roughly, tossing it to the side. My iPod blared with heavy music, and still it wasn’t loud enough, so I turned it up, glad the condo was soundproofed.I kept going, almost at a frantic pace. I had gone over all my options and plans in the dark of the night, coming up with two ideas.My first thought had been if Brian and Adrian got me in, I could try to bluff my way through an interview, telling Graham only vague details of the woman who supposedly changed my outlook and therefore, me. If I approached it right, I could manage to keep up a façade until I had proven myself to Graham, then have the unspeakable happen—this perfect woman leaves me. I could play heartbroken, and throw myself into work.Except from what Brian had explained, my idea probably wouldn’t work. It meant
Bride Of The eccentric CEO five
RICHARD THE BUILDING HOUSING THE GAVIN Group was a polar opposite to that of Anderson Inc. Unlike the vast skyscraper of steel and glass I worked from daily, this building was brick, only four stories high, and surrounded by trees. I parked my car after checking in with the guard at the entrance, who smiled pleasantly and handed me a guest pass. Entering the building, another security guard greeted me and let me know Graham Gavin’s office was located on the top floor, then wished me a good day.Minutes later, a secretary led me to a boardroom, handed me a fresh cup of coffee, and told me Graham would be with me momentarily. I took the time to absorb the details of the room around me, again struck by the difference between the two companies.Anderson Inc. was all about flash. The offices and boardroom were all state of the art—white and black was the predominant palette. Even the artwork was monochrome with lots of metal everywhere. Hard, modern chairs, thick glass-topped tables and de
Bride Of The eccentric CEO Six
KATHARINE “I DON’T UNDERSTAND,” I MURMURED into the phone, trying to remain calm. “I didn’t receive any other notice about this increase.”“I know, Miss Elliott. We only received the instructions two days ago,which is why I’m calling to inform you of the change.”I swallowed the lump in my throat. Four hundred dollars more a month. I needed to pay four hundred dollars more.“Did you hear me, Miss Elliott?”“I’m sorry—could you repeat what you said?”“I said the new fee structure begins as of the first.”I glanced at the calendar. That was two weeks away. “Is this even legal?”The woman on the phone sighed in understanding. “It’s a privately run home, Miss Elliott. One of the best in the city, but they also make their own rules. There are other places where you could see about moving your aunt— ones that are government run with fees set in place.”“No,” I insisted. “I don’t want to do that. She’s so well cared-for and settled.”“The staff is the best. There are other rooms, semi-priva
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