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Nineteen
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Loving a Tycoon Twenty
The longer she listened to Mick, the more hope grew inside Nicole. He might be a skunk, but he had some brilliant ideas on how to turn their profits around. As she watched the expressions on the shareholders’ faces, Nicole could tell they were softening toward Mick. Of course, he had a way with words, and his cocky grin and twinkling gray-blue eyes could change anyone’s mind. Nicole just prayed he could deliver what he promised. The day was long, and she had lunch brought in for everyone. Soon, the men had removed their suit jackets and rolled up their shirt-sleeves. Mick had taken off his tie and released a few buttons at his neck. As much as she wanted to hate him, she couldn’t stop admiring the way he was built. But it was more than that. He was a people-person, and she had the privilege of watching him win over almost everyone in the room. Including her. Several times she caught herself daydreaming, but then she quickly remembered he had a girlfriend. He was the unfaithful type
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-One
She leaned back against the same wall he was pressed next to, keeping her gaze on his. “I told you before, Mick. What you’d felt was a combination of the effect of the sleeping pills and the Colorado Bulldog you’d drank that night.”“No, I don’t think so.”“Tell me, lover-boy, why do you think you felt that way, especially since you already had a girlfriend?”The elevator jerked, landing them on the lower level, but neither of them moved. She wanted to hear his answer, and she didn’t want any interruptions. She quickly reached over and pressed the red stop button, keeping them inside for a few minutes longer. When she turned back toward him, she folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.Mick’s eyes smoldered, making them darker than before. Her heartbeat tripped several times, but she tried not to let it affect her in any way.“Six years ago,” he said softly, “I came to visit your grandfather to pay him back for the kindness he’d shown me by helping me get a car loan.
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Two
He put his car in gear and drove toward the main road. Was the feeling he’d been experiencing with Nicole really love? They’d only known each other for a few days, even though he’d dreamed about her for a few years. Mick Remington wasn’t a love-at-first-sight type of man. Shoot, he hadn’t ever given his heart to a woman. And yet, only after a few days, he was ready to make a commitment with Nicole? That was hard to believe, and he’d have to do some serious thinking before saying anything to her. The sun was setting earlier these days, and darkness had sneaked upon the little town. He slowed his car as he rounded a curve. A black truck with tinted windows driving the opposite direction zoomed past Mick, making him swerve out of the other vehicle’s path. What a jerk! Who would drive that fast on this particular road, anyway? Drunken fool! As he rounded the bend, a dust cloud from the ravine a half mile up the road captured his attention. The closer he came to that spot, he slowed his
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Three
Mick sat on the chairs in the hospital lobby, holding his throbbing head as he waited for someone to tell him what was happening with Nicole. Because he wasn’t family, they wouldn’t tell him anything. They’d bandaged his arms from the cuts he’d sustained when crawling across the broken glass, but thankfully, he didn’t need any stitches. It had been an hour and forty-five minutes since they arrived at the hospital. Too long, in his opinion. Why hadn’t anyone come out to let him know about her progress? Panicked voices from down the hall grew closer. He looked toward the corridor just as a man and woman rushed around the corner. Immediately, he recognized the cowboy who had stomped on Nicole’s foot that night in the lounge. Mick was betting the woman was Mary. When the woman with black, spiky hair looked at him, her eyes widened and her face paled. No doubt about it now. This was Mary. He stood and raked his fingers through his hair. “Mary?” She rushed to him and grasped his arm.
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Four
“Does Nicole know about her grandfather?” he asked the nurse. “No.” “Perhaps it’s best to wait until she’s recovering.” “Yes, of course.” The nurse turned to Mary. “I’ll let you know more when I hear it.” “Thanks, Caroline.” Mary gave the other woman a hug. On shaky legs, Mick moved back to the chairs in the waiting room. Mary and the cowboy joined him. “Mick? What happened tonight?” “I wish I knew. Our meeting with the shareholders ran late. Nicole and I were the last ones to leave. She got in her car and left first. I was only a few minutes behind.” He rubbed his throbbing head. “What I think happened was that there was a speeding truck on the road and Nicole swerved her car to keep him from hitting her – which is what happened to me when the jerk drove by my car. But then she went down the ravine.” “She’s so lucky that you were there to help.” Mary touched his arm and smiled. “I… I’m glad I was there, too.” Mick glanced at the cowboy who seemed to be concerned over Nicole.
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Five
Nicole’s body ached. Even her hair hurt. But at least she was alive. When she’d seen that black truck coming straight at her, and her swerve causing her to run off the road and roll down the ravine, she thought she was a goner. She couldn’t remember anything after the car stopped. But then she had a very strange dream. She remembered seeing Poppie. They were in a white room… or in the clouds. But he wore a white suit. No longer was he sick. In fact, he looked like she remembered from when she was a child. Her grandfather had been a very handsome, robust man. In her dream, he’d walked up to her, smiling. “I love you, Nikki,” he’d said. “But you no longer have to worry about me. I’ll be very happy in Heaven. So please, don’t be sad, but live your life to the fullest. Never forget, you are a wonderful person with a loving heart.” When he gave her a hug, she’d felt his love so intense, it brought tears to her eyes… tears of joy. There was love all around them, and it was as if the roo
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Six
Nicole couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital bed and into her own bed. The only thing making her stiff and sore now was the horrible old hospital mattress. Thankfully, the doctor promised he’d release her before the funeral started. Mary had come to help her get dressed. Of course, Nicole didn’t need any help, but it was nice to have her friend here, anyway. For the past two days, everyone walked around her like they were stepping on eggshells because of Poppie’s death. She wished they’d stop. Her grandfather wasn’t in any more pain, and that made her happy. She’d miss him, but she had so many memories to cherish in her heart. She was anxious to see Mick again. He promised he’d meet her at the gravesite. The family purposely postponed the funeral until she was out of the hospital. As she sat on the edge of the hospital bed, Mary jabbered on about the argument she and Kent were having at the moment, as she applied Nicole’s make-up. She prayed her friend didn’t cake on the eyeline
Loving a Tycoon Twenty-Seven
Many people came to the gravesite service. Mick recognized people he’d known when he was a boy but had lost contact with. Some were still friends with Mick’s mother even though she lived in Long Island now with her new husband. The clouds decided not to block the sun during the service, but a breeze from the east came through and made the weather a little chilly. Nicole stood next to her mother, both wearing solemn expressions as they stared down at the casket. Nicole wore a lovely black dress. Nothing was fancy about it, except the fact that it fit her petite frame, and she looked amazing in it. Occasionally, she shivered. He wanted to stand beside her to keep her warm, to comfort her, and to show the town that he was in love with her, but he thought it best to stand back with the others. The minister read the eulogy which was perfect for James. Mick thought highly of the man, and he deserved the best tribute. Nicole wiped tears from her eyes before laying a rose on her grandfather
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Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Eight
Fear kept Brooke’s feet frozen to the floor. Her mind screamed at her to move – to run – to hide. But her body wouldn’t listen.He’s going to catch me. And kill me!Closing her eyes, she held back the tears. She was a failure. As much as she had tried to not let her cousin’s degrading comments get to her these past several months, Brooke heard Robin’s voice ringing in her memory, telling her that she was nothing but trash – that she was a disgrace to the family.All Brooke had to do was sneak into the room, take a few pictures, and leave. Well, she’d done most of the things on her list.She listened to her uncle’s hurried footsteps coming her way. There was no place to hide in this room where he wouldn’t eventually find her. She might as well stay. Perhaps she could pretend to be asleep on his couch and tell him she’d taken too many migraine pills… since that’s what happened with Justin and the Jeep. And, her uncle did know she suffered from migraines.She glanced around the room until
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Seven
Brooke’s whole body trembled as she walked alongside her sister toward Uncle Tony’s luxurious home. As a child she’d been in awe of him and his wealth. Now, she pitied the man who had to break the law just to provide for his spoiled daughter and stuffy, arrogant wife.During the drive here, Tiffany had chatted nonstop about Robin’s heartbreak, and the horrible man who’d broken Robin’s heart. Brooke tried to act sympathetic while listening to her sister, but she couldn’t stop the elation growing within her. Justin hadn’t been horrible when he dumped Robin. He’d been smart.Brooke and her sister stopped on the porch. Tiffany was a foot taller than Brooke, but just as slender. Flipping a lock of her chestnut colored hair over her shoulder, Tiffany gave Brooke a stern look.“Do not make Robin upset.” Brooke managed to hold back the laugh that threatened to escape from her mouth. She nodded. “I don’t plan on doing that, Tiff. I’m not the monster she has told people that I am.”
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Six
“Justin?”The sweet voice behind Justin pulled him from his conversation. He turned on the bed and faced Brooke, standing in the doorway, looking so beautiful. She clutched her hands to her stomach.“Hold on a moment, Brad,” Justin told his friend on the phone before smiling at Brooke. “What is it, angel?”Slowly she walked to him and stopped in front of him, touching his arm. “I think I can help you with Uncle Tony.”He arched an eyebrow. “You can?”“I know something that can put my uncle in prison.”“Really?”Nodding, she took a deep breath and slowly released it. “He smuggles illegal immigrants over the border, which is how Snakes came to work for him. He hires them, so he can get away with not paying them a full wage.”“Are you kidding me?” Justin’s heart hammered. He grasped her hands as excitement shot through him. There might be hope in getting Tony arrested after all.“And, there’s more.” Her smile widened. “He gives them fake ID’s and social security numbers.”“How do you kno
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Five
Brooke didn’t know what to believe anymore. Obviously, she couldn’t trust her own heart. Justin had made her trust him. He’d made her fall in love with him, too. True, he didn’t force her, but because of his actions and words, how could she not have become transfixed by his charm? How could she have gone unaffected?Now she didn’t know whether to trust him or not. But hearing Justin say he wouldn’t marry Robin made Brooke’s heart sway toward forgiving him. She wanted to believe Justin. He’d shown her a wonderful, kind and loving man these past twenty-four hours. He might have apologized to her, but it was difficult to know what to believe anymore.Sitting by the fire didn’t accomplish anything, especially when she could hear him on the phone. He’d made several calls. One of them was to his mother as he explained in a sharp voice why he would never marry Robin. He’d even told his mother not to interfere in his life ever again.Quietly, she snuck back down the hall and stopped in front
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Four
Justin sighed one long exasperated breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes.”“You’re, Justin… Monroe? The same man engaged to my cousin?”“Correct again. I was engaged to Robin.”Tears swam in Brooke’s eyes, her lips quivering. “You – you – lied to me?”He squeezed his eyes closed and swore softly. Looking at her, he shook his head. “I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you my last name.”“Why?” her voice rose.“Because at first it didn’t matter, then once we got to talking, I didn’t want to tell you because then I knew you wouldn’t open up to me.”“That’s a stupid excuse, Justin.”Inwardly he growled and grasped her wrist, but she pulled it free again. “Brooke, will you just listen?”“Listen to a liar? No, I’m done listening to you. I’m done being fooled by all men!”“Brooke, please understand, I didn’t tell you the truth because I wanted you to get to know me. The real me – not the fiancé of a Robin Pierpont. Believe me, they are two different people.”“Believe you?” Sh
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Three
Justin hoped he’d proven his theory about good guys. Not once did Brooke seem uncomfortable around him, and he was willing to bet her feelings for him were also getting stronger. Although he hadn’t known her for a full day, he’d never forget Brooke or this weekend.She tempted him on many occasions, and he could tell she wanted to kiss him, but he held himself strong and tried to make their time together productive. They played every board game Brad had in the cabin, and when they ran out of games, they made up some of their own.They laughed so much, his sides hurt. But he enjoyed sharing this time with her. She made him feel alive, once again, and he’d missed that over the years.She didn’t ask him about his life, for which he was relieved. Brooke wouldn’t take the news about his engagement to Robin very well, so he avoided the subject. Thankfully, she didn’t ask what his last name was, either. He was certain Tiffany had mentioned it.For dinner, he scrounged through the cupboards a
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-Two
Justin’s chest ached, and he actually felt her pain. As he continued to stroke her silky hair, he prayed that he’d be able to stay strong for her. She needed comfort and support since nobody had given that to her, and he wanted to be the man who understood. The one man she could trust.His heart broke into pieces as he imagined all she’d gone through. What could be worse than being physically abused and then having friends and family turn their backs and distrust you?“After a few weeks had passed,” she continued in a strained voice. “I discovered I was pregnant.”The statement took him totally unaware, and when she lifted her head to look into his face, he knew she saw shock.“Yes, you heard me correctly.” She blinked away the liquid filling her eyes again. “I had the hardest time deciding whether or not I should keep the child or put it up for adoption.” She pulled herself straight, but he still kept his arms tight around her. “Anyway, my pregnancy started showing and I was beginnin
Loving a Tycoon Seventy-One
Justin arose from his sleepless night, turned and slung his legs over the side of the bed. He rubbed his eyes then peered through half-closed lids at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Eight a.m. It’d been quite a while since he’d awakened this late. The change was nice.He stretched before sliding his feet into Brad’s slippers sitting on the floor. The morning chill caused goose bumps to ripple over his skin, so he hurried to the closet to find Brad’s robe. Justin pulled on the heavy terrycloth, tying the sash around his waist.Turning toward the window, he opened the shade and squinted against the sun’s brilliant glare as it touched the snow-covered ground. The impact of last night’s blizzard had left the mountains covered in white powder, but this morning only a few flakes drifted from the sky.He yawned, shaking the sleep out of his mind before heading into the living room to start a fire. As he set the wood in place, his mind drifted back to last night. Brooke had left him in a f
Loving a Tycoon Seventy
A moment of silence stretched through the air as Justin listened to Vince Gill’s song. The singer’s soothing voice echoed through the room, creating a cozy feeling. Justin closed the glass doors to the fireplace, and Brooke’s angelic hum rose above the crackle of the burning logs.Relaxing against the wall, he let himself enjoy the music as her voice blended with the singer’s. It had been so long since he enjoyed anything. Justin’s hectic life kept him going in one direction or another, not allowing a moment for himself. It was a miracle he’d even had time to date Robin, let alone get engaged. Thanks to his meddling mother, he’d somehow found the time to pop the question. Or maybe she’d popped the question. He couldn’t remember.In fact, his mother was the one who purchased the ring because his schedule was so time-consuming and he kept forgetting. His interfering parent reserved the perfect restaurant and she made sure the limousine picked him up from the office to deliver him there
