Venture Forward (30 page)

The cool morning breeze energized him. He’d been granted a new lease on life. Another distressing chapter had finally come to a close, and he was anxious to write the next with the woman who’d claimed his heart.

“Thank you for joining us. Again, we’re not taking any questions. Please respect Mr. Emerson’s privacy while he works with the…”

Suze’s voice faded as Paul hurried back inside the building with Kearney and A.J. in tow. He paced the marble floors, pulse racing. Giddiness. That was the best way to describe the feeling. “I feel so light right now. Is that crazy? That information has been anchoring me for years, and I’m finally free.”

“You did well out there. Suze will handle the press, and I’ll take care of our investors. You just focus on Avery right now.” A.J. pulled out his ringing phone. “And so the fun continues.”

“
AVERY, I’M…” HER MOTHER’S
blue eyes filled with tears. She wrung her hands together. “I’m sorry. I let the grief and guilt overshadow everything else in my life. I alienated you, the one person I could always count on.”

“Mom, I—”

“No, please let me finish. You need to hear it. When you left LA, I felt abandoned. Alone. Not that I blame you at all. I could have fixed things between us. Lord knows, you gave me plenty of opportunities, but I was stubborn and hurt. I had already lost one child, and then I came so close to losing you.” Tears streamed down Jane’s face. “Please tell me it’s not too late for us. Give me a chance to make things better.”

“I want that more than anything.”

“I never should have let things fall apart. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I promise we can fix this.”

A knock on the doorframe caught their attention. Paul entered the room, his tie loosened and his top button undone. Avery smiled, a fluttering sensation erupting in the pit of her belly as he dropped next to the bed, uncharacteristically disheveled and absolutely irresistible. “Poor baby. Did they put you through the ringer?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Jane sprang from her seat and wrapped her arms tightly around him. “Thank you for bringing me up here. Avery is so lucky to have someone like you watching over her.”

A red flush colored Paul’s cheeks, and Avery stifled a giggle. Would you look at that? Paul Emerson was blushing.

“I’m the lucky one. Your daughter means more to me than anything.”

“Make sure you tell her every day. Never let her doubt how special she is. Don’t make the same mistake I did.” Jane walked back to Avery and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to leave you two alone. I’ll be back later.”

“I’m sorry if I overstepped with your mom. I just figured—”

”Are you serious? I’m so glad you did. We have a long way to go, but I finally feel like we can help each other heal and move on.”

“I didn’t want you to miss the opportunity to repair your relationship. It wasn’t too late for you.”

“I’m so sorry you didn’t get that chance. Evan told me about William.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. He never could have given me what I needed.” Paul smiled, his breath so soft and warm, like feathers fluttering against her cheeks. “Only you have that power. You’re the one who inspires me to look toward the future. You’re the one who healed me, who saved me. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out.” His lips gently grazed hers, making every nerve ending to the tips of her fingers and toes tingle.

“You make me happier than I ever dreamed possible. But just for the record, you saved me first.”

PAUL TOSSED A FEW
Cherry Bites into his mouth, the heat of the late afternoon sunshine warming his face and arms. A loud ping from his iPhone confirmed everything was set, according to his very specific instructions. He glanced at his watch, a smirk curling the corners of his mouth. Those record execs had nothing on Avery Hunter when it came to contract negotiations, and she was definitely not giving them an inch on this one.

The biggest labels in the country were battling over CrowdRok’s newest virtual recording star, Cherise Williams. Fifteen years old, tall, gorgeous, and talented as all hell. Everybody knew it, including her late, beloved brother.

Darryl had been right. The kid had some set of pipes, and the virtual universe fell in love the instant she belted out her first note. With Avery negotiating on her behalf, she was headed straight to the top of the charts.

Fans gathered in front of Atlanta Records erupted into excited cheers as Cherise appeared. She gracefully moved through the throngs of people, chatting, signing autographs, beaming from ear to ear. Her mother and Avery followed, exchanging excited hugs.

He dumped the rest of the licorice into the trash and pulled Avery in for a lingering kiss. She tasted so sweetly of the citrusy-flavored Starburst he’d tossed her for good luck. His cock twitched, and he stifled a groan, refusing to let his own lust derail the plan. “Did you make her a bundle up there?”

“They didn’t even know what hit them when we were through.”

“That’s my girl.”

“Any idea where all these people came from?” She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at her plump pink lips.

“I might have asked Suze to make a few calls.” He hugged Darryl’s mother. “Congrats, Mrs. Williams.”

“Thank you both so much for everything. You gave my baby a chance to make her dreams come true.”

“We just gave her the tools. She’s the one with the talent.”

“I wish Darryl was here to see it.”

Avery smiled and squeezed her arm. “He is.”

Paul snaked an arm around Avery’s waist. It was pure torture, being so close, knowing what was waiting for him underneath her chic ensemble. “Mrs. Williams, the car is parked right over there. Take all the time you need. Let Cherise enjoy her moment. The rest of the kids are waiting for you at the Four Seasons. Everything’s taken care of, so have fun.”

He led Avery toward his car, nuzzling her ear. “I may have something special planned for you too.”

Avery popped a piece of orange Starburst into her mouth. “Really? Do I get a special night at the Four Seasons too?”

He snickered and slid into the driver’s seat once she was settled. “Yes, but that doesn’t come until a little later.” And he was counting the seconds.

The Bentley zipped along Melrose Avenue, weaving in and out of traffic. Why was every light conspiring against him? The phone beeped again with an incoming text, and he grabbed it and shot off a quick response. Chewing the inside of his lip, he floored the gas as soon as the traffic light turned green.

“What’s the rush?” Avery opened her handbag and pulled out a tube of lip-gloss. “Do we have a reservation somewhere?”

“Something like that.” They were only a few blocks away, but cutting around all the congestion was taking forever. He tapped his left foot against the floorboard and fished for another bag of licorice in the console.

“Good, I’m starving. Those negotiation sessions always make me ravenous. I expend way too much energy, I guess. How did your meetings go? Are you solvent again?”

“Yeah. We’re good. Mia will be thrilled.”

“Excellent. I think I’m close to redemption. A couple more of VIP events, and then I’ll be in the clear.”

“Yup.”

“Why are you so distracted? You should be completely psyched right now. Blue Coat is on the mend, you escaped the clink, and SportSensor is exploding. What more could you possibly want?”

The car squealed to a halt at the valet stand in front of Hatfield’s Restaurant. He gazed at Avery, the breath catching in his throat. Blonde waves fell softly around her sun-kissed shoulders, flecks of gold glinting in her eyes. She was so strong, such a fighter. The several weeks recovering in the hospital and in rehab were spent plotting how she’d continue her takeover of the virtual recording universe. God, she was perfect. She was
everything
. “Come inside so I can tell you.” Grasping her hand, he led her into the foyer.

“Mr. Emerson, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” The maître’d pumped his hand then turned his attention to Avery. “Miss Hunter, welcome to Hatfield’s. Allow me to show you to your table.”

With a hand on the small of her back, Paul led her down a dark wood-paneled hallway.

“Um, what’s wrong with all these empty tables?” she whispered.

“Nothing at all. Just not what I planned.”

They stopped in front of a closed door. The maître’d gave a little bow and stepped aside. “Enjoy your evening.”

“A private room? I think I know where this is headed. Naughty boy.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. I already told you, that comes
later
. Don’t be so impatient.” He flung open the door. The room was breathtaking, with foliage spilling out of every corner and ornate chandeliers adorning the domed skylight. It was the perfect setting, executed exactly according to his request.

A small crowd of expectant faces greeted them. Everyone who mattered most was there: Mia, Chris, and their daughter Chloe, A.J., Pamela, Kearney, Evan and Steve, Jane, Tina, James, and a newly-pregnant Jessica — all thrilled to be part of the occasion.

Avery gasped. “What’s going on? I don’t understand. Is this about Cherise? Are we celebrating here in LA?”

“No.” He took her hand and looked deep into her eyes. “This is our engagement party.”

“Wh-what are you talking about? You didn’t even—”

“Do you remember what you just asked me in the car? You said ‘what more could you possibly want?’”

“Yes.”

“Well, my answer is you. You’re what I want,
all
I want.” Dropping to one knee, he held out a tiny, velvet Harry Winston box. Facets of the exquisite five-carat diamond engagement ring glimmered in the soft light.

“Ave, you were so determined not to let me self-destruct, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. I want all of you, forever, starting right now.” He stroked the side of her flushed, tear-streaked face and held up the ring. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes, oh my God,
yes
!” She pulled him to his feet and threw her arms around his neck as everyone cheered and held up their champagne flutes to toast the happy couple.

Paul pulled her close after all the congratulatory hugs, kisses, and well wishes were expressed. “You’ve made me happier than I ever imagined possible. I don’t want this feeling to end, and as long as you’re next to me, it never will.”

“You were taking a big gamble with that proposal. I mean, inviting everyone down here,
assuming
I would say yes.”

Her playful smirk made him ache with yearning. Oh hell, they couldn’t ditch their own party, but maybe there was a coat closet nearby.

“I’m a pretty shrewd guy if you haven’t already heard. Taking calculated risks… that’s kind of my thing.”

The End

Unlikely Venture
, Book One

Nothing Ventured, Book Two

Joint Venture
, Book Four (Coming Summer 2016)

CHAPTER ONE

Get that sweet sexy ass over here. I’m gonna f*ck you till you can’t walk.

MMM, YES. THE COME
hither text. No pun intended. Exactly what she needed… a few steamy hours with Danny’s hot body plastered on top of her writhing one. It was a necessary diversion to close the book on this week. And after that? Vodka. Anything to numb her mind. She’d tried to focus, holed up at the office, crunching numbers until her eyes grew bleary and bloodshot, a futile attempt to ignore the painful reality that was her life.

Sex was about the only thing she was willing to offer since her emotional state was about as stable as a one-legged elephant walking a tightrope. Her story wasn’t unique – deadbeat dad took off with a busty blonde, leaving his wife and daughter to pick up the jagged pieces of their once-happy lives. Yep, relationships equated to devastation and carnal urges always trumped romance.

Ding!

The elevator door creaked open and she almost choked on her next breath. Holy crap on a cracker. The tiny enclosure was graced by the presence of a single passenger who could only be described as sex personified. Her eyes raked over the length of his muscular body with the ferocity of a tiger stalking its prey. Danny who?

Tall with thick, dark hair, sinful lips, and a delicious ass, that last observation courtesy of the mirrors flanking him on all sides. A tight, white t-shirt clung to his broad chest and her fingers tightened around the handle of her laptop bag, itching to trace every last ripple. Sweet Jesus, she needed to get laid.

His gaze never left the phone in his hand as she stepped inside. And damn, it was a huge, powerful hand. The other one was tucked into the front pocket of his low-rise, hip-skimming black jeans but mmm, it would feel so nice tucked somewhere else.

Her pulse throbbed as the car sailed toward the lobby. A few more seconds and Adonis would wander out of her life forever, not that it mattered. His face was a mask of indifference; it never once shifted, nor did his eyes travel in her direction. Must be a model, and a gay one at that. But she’d still give her right arm for another few seconds to indulge in the X-rating fantasies looping through her lust-tinged mind. Maybe her left arm, too.