《From Boardroom to Bedroom》


 Chapter 1

    Chapter 1


    Prologue


    ¡°And the estate, businesses, and all holdings will go to Miranda Dupree.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Sophie ckwood refused to stay silent. She didn¡¯t know exactly what to


    do, what to say, but she couldn¡¯t just sit there and do nothing.


    How in the hell did her father¡¯s ex-wife¡ªhis very young ex-wife¡ªmanage to sweep the entire


    inheritance? She was nothing but a gold-digging socialite.


    Uneptable.


    Sophie and her father had never been close, but to will everything to the much younger woman who


    was no longer even his wife was a p in the face.


    Buckley ¡°Buck¡± ckwood continued to disappoint her even in death. Sophie nced over to the


    woman in question who actually had the nerve to look surprised. Please, like she hadn¡¯t dug her ws


    so deep into Sophie¡¯s father... She knew this moment wasing.


    Sophie shifted her focus to her brothers who were equally as stunned at the will that their father¡¯s


    lawyer, Kace Lenc, kept right on reading from, listing off each item, as if giving everything to an ex


    were perfectly normal.


    Well, Sophie didn¡¯t have to stay and listen to this nonsense. She loved her brothers, but there was no


    love between her and Miranda.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sophie was surprised her narcissistic step-monster didn¡¯t have a whole camera crew here to document


    this portion of her life. Being one of the star of Secret Lives of NYC Ex-Wives¡ªNew York¡¯s version of


    The Real Housewives¡ªseemed to rule Miranda¡¯s life. The woman always had a crew following her,


    documenting every aspect of her glittery, shy lifestyle.


    This whole scenario really grated on Sophie¡¯sst nerve.


    Miranda already had millions. She didn¡¯t need all of this other stuff from Buck¡ªnot the money and not


    the ranch. Granted, Sophie didn¡¯t need it, either, but damn it, she and her brothers were blood


    rtions. Weren¡¯t they entitled to something?


    Did nobody see the vindictive woman Miranda truly was? There had to be a way to prove she wasn¡¯t all


    high and mighty like so many believed. Sure, the reality show portrayed her as a nurturing, loving


    woman... Sophie didn¡¯t believe that front for a minute.


    Channeling the growing pit of anger in her gut, she met Ken and Vaughn¡¯s furious stares as she


    exited the study of her father¡¯s estate.


    The only people she cared about were her brothers. They were a team, they always had been. And she


    knew they would work together to get this travesty of a will overturned. But right now, she was too


    furious to think, or to concentrate on what their next steps should be. She just needed to get away from


    her father¡¯s house, where she¡¯d never been happy and where she¡¯d just had to sit through a new


    betrayal. Most people would have been remorseful after a parent¡¯s passing, and part of Sophie was


    sad. Buck was her father, but he¡¯d always been a hard bastard to love. Turns out, that hadn¡¯t ended


    with his death.


    As Sophie made her way out into the bright, sunny day, she slid her sunsses off her head and onto


    her face. She needed a break. She just wanted an escape even if for just a few days. Royal, Texas,


    was such a beautiful town and


    Sophie absolutely loved it here. But like every small town, it was a hotbed of gossip, and thistest


    bombshell her father had dropped on them was bound to be the talk of the town for weeks. Everywhere


    she went, people would be whispering, specting. The thought made her skin crawl.


    But gossip can work both ways, she realized after a moment¡¯s reflection. If she yed her cards right,


    maybe she could turn the situation to her advantage. All the talking everyone would be doing about the


    scandalous ckwood inheritance would lead to lots of talk about Miranda, too. If Sophie could


    uncover anything¡ªa scandal, or a secret, or maybe whatever bit of leverage Miranda must have held


    over Buck to get him to disinherit his own children¡ªmaybe she could use it to get the will overturned.


    Sophie pulled out her cell as she settled behind the wheel of her sporty car. Time to get started.


    One


    Sophie barely recognized herself in the reflection of the mirrored elevator doors. Flying across the


    country, getting aplete makeover, anding up with a whole new identity had been quite the


    feat.


    But persistence paid off...or at least she hoped it would.


    She¡¯d traveled to New York to spy on Miranda. She had tried chasing down every possible lead in


    Royal...but none of them had panned out. After two months of failed attempts, she¡¯d realized she


    needed to widen her. If she was going to find anything, it would have to be in New York¡ªand it


    would have to be in a different persona. No one was willing to spill secrets to the stepdaughter who


    was known to hate Miranda¡ªbut perhaps a new identity would let her slip in under the radar. Sophie


    had no other idea how to find dirt on her stepmother, so she¡¯d taken a very hands-on approach.


    For a week now, Sophie had taken on this new look and role, but she still hadn¡¯t gotten used to being


    someone else. She¡¯d never been this deceitful or this scheming before.

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    But desperate times and all that.


    As the elevator continued to climb toward the floors that housed Green Room Media, Inc. building, she


    wondered exactly what she¡¯d be doing. She knew she¡¯dnded the job as a temporary consultant, so


    she hoped this was a position that would get her close to some cutting room floor footage. Maybe she¡¯d


    evene in close contact with some of the camera crew from Secret Lives.


    She needed to find some juicy tidbit on Miranda. Something to hold over her or, better yet, to expose


    her for the gold-digging, conniving attention seeker Sophie believed she was. Something that would let


    Sophie challenge the will and put ckwood property back in ckwood hands, where it belonged. A


    woman who always unted her life and her material possessions all over television didn¡¯t need


    anything more.


    Sophie and her brothers deserved their due inheritance. She didn¡¯t want to be a whiny child about it,


    but she¡¯d grown up in ckwood Hollow and the home held so many memories...memories that


    shouldn¡¯t have been just handed over to Miranda Dupree. Memories she and her brothers made with


    their wonderfulte mother that Sophie wanted to carry over into her own family or her brothers¡¯


    families one day. That legacy belonged to the ckwood children, not a second wife. Sophie wanted to


    do this for her brothers; she wanted them to have what they deserved. They all had plenty of money...


    This wasn¡¯t about that. This was about family, which they¡¯d never considered Miranda part of.


    Sophie didn¡¯t believe Miranda¡¯s sweet and innocent public persona...not one bit. The woman wouldn¡¯t


    be on one of the most scandalous reality shows on television if she were that perfect. There had to be


    something. Unfortunately, Sophie had made a point of avoiding Miranda as much as possible during


    her father¡¯s short-lived second marriage. She just in didn¡¯t know the woman well enough to know


    which closets to search for Miranda¡¯s carefully hidden skeletons. But surely they were around here


    somewhere, in the offices of the show that had been the centerpiece of Miranda¡¯s life for the past few


    years.


    Secret Lives was a popr reality show based on divorced women living in Manhattan. Of course,


    ratings hinged on how many scandals thedies could cause while disying theirvish lifestyles. It


    was tacky and tasteless¡ªbut it was popr, and it came with a big staff of people behind it, all working


    to keep it going. That was where Sophie had found her ¡°in.¡±


    Sophie had applied for a personal consultant position within thepany that produced Secret Lives.


    The security in the ce was top-notch, so she¡¯d had to get creative on getting in. No way would a


    ckwood be allowed in this office. Not with the death of Miranda¡¯s husband so recent. Just the word


    ckwood would raise too many red gs and Sophie would be shut out before she could even get


    started.


    A temporary job was the perfect opportunity to get inside.


    The only glitch? Sophie¡¯s poprity from her interior design YouTube channel, Dream It, Live It, forced


    her to alter her look. Usually, poprity was a great problem to have¡ªbut for the time being, it was


    getting in her way. If she didn¡¯t have so many loyal followers, she wouldn¡¯t have had to go to such great


    lengths to disguise herself.


    Nothing a little hair color, some carefully applied makeup, a sexy pair of cat-eye sses, a polished


    jacket and skinny jeans couldn¡¯t fix. She typically wore fun dresses because she always found a dress


    to be much morefortable than pants. So this outfit was definitely outside of her norm. So was the


    makeup. She much preferred a natural look, so the red lips werepletely out of herfort zone.


    And the hair? She was kind of digging this style. A little fringe around her face and the bold shade of


    ashy blond made her feel a little sassy. The self-esteem boost was much needed because her nerves


    were all over the ce.


    She was hopeful and quite certain nobody would recognize her now.


    So here she was, day one of her new job and fully embracing her new identity. Maybe blondes would


    have more fun.


    Oh, and of course her name was the biggest adjustment. That was something she had to fully embrace


    and always be aware of because if someone tried to get her attention and she wasn¡¯t focused enough


    to recognize her faked name, her cover would be blown.


    The elevator stopped and Sophie pulled in a deep breath.


    No. She had to stop thinking of herself as Sophie. In this building, and for the next week, she would


    have to think of herself as Roslyn Andrews. She could remember that, right? A nicebo of Sophie¡¯s


    middle name and her grandmother¡¯s maiden name. No problem. At least she¡¯d chosen something


    somewhat familiar. And she wouldn¡¯t have to get used to it for long.


    She¡¯d given herself a week timeline to get in, find the scoop and get out. She didn¡¯t like being sneaky¡ª


    that was quite the opposite of her personality¡ªbut she also felt that she and her siblings had been


    wronged. So, one week. Surely she could do some quick snooping?


    The elevator doors slid open and the posh offices of Green Room Media greeted her. The elegant


    white decor and semicircr desk in the middle of the spacious floor n were simple, yet ssy. The


    receptionist nced up from hisputer and smiled. She¡¯d talked with him before when she¡¯de


    for her interview just days ago. They clearly needed someone fast because they¡¯d hired Sophie on the


    spot.


    ¡°Ah, Miss Andrews. Wee back. Are you ready for your first day?¡±


    More than he knew. Would it be too obvious if she asked to view cut footage right off the bat?


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it,¡± Sophie said with a smile. ¡°Just tell me where I¡¯ll be.¡±


    Craig, she believed his name was, came to his feet and gestured toward the long hallway. ¡°You will


    actually be working right alongside Mr. Townshend, you lucky girl. He¡¯s amazing, but he demands


    loyalty and precision. His personal assistant is out on maternity leave, but that¡¯s no problem. If you


    need anything, you can alwayse find me.¡±


    Working with Mr. Townshend? As in Nigel Townshend? She would be his temporary personal


    consultant? Sophie didn¡¯t know if she was thrilled or terrified to be put in the most inner circle of the


    entirepany...and with the sexiest mogul to ever grace the covers of magazi


    nes. He was known as the British Billionaire Bad Boy. Any woman with breath in her lungs knew who


    Nigel was.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Sophie¡¯s heart fluttered and her stomach got a little schoolgirl giddy. Nigel was one very dominating,


    very powerful man. When Sophie had interviewed, she¡¯d thought for sure she was just going to be a


    gopher or someone to answer phones. She¡¯d hoped for more, but she also had to be realistic. She¡¯d


    only been trying to get her foot in the door.


    Well, she was in all right. Now she only had moments to mentally prepare to not only meet the sexy Brit


    but also topose herself so she didn¡¯te across as some nitwit who didn¡¯t deserve this position.


    She couldn¡¯t afford to be let go before she got what she came for.


    Sophie hurried to catch up with Craig as he made his way down the wide corridor.


    ¡°Are you sure this is the position I¡¯m here for?¡± she questioned.


    Craig came to a halt so fast Sophie jerked to a stop to prevent running into him. He nced around


    before leaning in and whispering.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear this from me,¡± he started. ¡°But Secret Lives has dipped a little in the ratings and Nigel


    is taking it upon himself to find out exactly why. He needs fresh eyes to help him fix the situation. That¡¯s


    where youe in.¡±

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    Well, that was no pressure at all. Nothing like being thrust right into the thick of things on day one. But


    at least it was a problem that didn¡¯t make her feel out of her depth. She did know a little about ratings;


    after all, she¡¯d built her channel into something of a phenomenon. Maybe she could actually make a


    difference here, too, and get the scoop she needed. A win-win.


    ¡°Does he not have anyone who has tried to help so far?¡± Sophie asked, still positive this position was a


    mistake.


    ¡°His assistant would probably have been a good asset, but she¡¯s unavable and Nigel wants someone


    from the outside.¡± Craig lowered his voice even more. ¡°I think the show is in jeopardy. He didn¡¯t tell me


    that directly, but... Well, I have some sources.¡±


    Oh, she had no doubt the receptionist knew all the ins and outs and was one of the best sources of


    gossip. Perhaps starting with a little break room talk over lunch would be a good starting point for her


    own project.


    Things were already starting off better than she¡¯d hoped. Surely if Sophie was dealing with the head


    honcho himself, she could gain ess to all the cut footage. But she still had to be careful and


    calcted about this. There was no room for errors and no way could she raise suspicions. Above all,


    she couldn¡¯t run into Miranda. Even with the blond hair, sses andpletely different wardrobe,


    Sophie knew her step-monster would recognize her.


    ¡°Mr. Townshend is waiting,¡± Craig said as he turned and put his hands on the gold handles of a set of


    white double doors. ¡°Wee to Green Room Media.¡±


    The doors swung wide and Sophie/Roslyn pulled in a deep breath.


    Showtime.


    * * *


    When he¡¯d asked for help, he hadn¡¯t expected a lush supermodel turned librarian. The sight of the


    curvaceous blonde with sultry sses and a confident smile hit him right in the gut. He was also a fan


    of glossy red lips.


    Those jeans should have been illegal, but he certainly wasn¡¯tining.


    Bloody hell. He didn¡¯t have time for this distraction. He hadn¡¯t even had time to interview anyone for


    himself and had trusted his most loyal, dependable employees to do that. But he¡¯d only asked for


    someone well qualified, professional and polished.


    He¡¯d certainly gotten thatst part; he had to assume the rest of her credentials were just as impressive


    as the outward package.


    This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Might as well embrace his new temporary consultant. Temporary being the key word. Off-limits was


    also another key word because he never ever fraternized with employees. He liked to date, but he¡¯d


    never gotten too serious...much to his family¡¯s dismay and disappointment.


    Most times the Townshends didn¡¯t understand why Nigel was in New York, growing his empire, and not


    back in Ennd, settling down and working on new heirs. He loved his family, he truly valued them and


    missed them like crazy. But he wanted to branch off from the dynasty and create his own legacy. This


    company and his shows were bigger than anything he¡¯d ever dreamed. He just needed to continue that


    trend of growth and sess in order to show his family that his goals and dreams truly were


    worthwhile.


    Pushing the family issues aside, Nigel kept his eyes locked on the striking woman in his office. Talk


    about a test in willpower. If she was going to be working alongside him for weeks or months toe,


    he would have to remember this was a professional environment. He demanded as much from each of


    his employees and he would never let them think that he was incapable of meeting those standards


    himself.


    Nigel came to his feet and rounded his desk. He was the boss, time for him to act like one and put


    these adolescent hormones to rest. His family considered him the infamous ck sheep for breaking


    away, and he was doing his best not to live down to that reputation. Just because a man didn¡¯t want to


    get married and produce a litter of children did not make him a failure.


    Of course, his sister was getting married next week and he was a groomsman, so that certainly didn¡¯t


    help matters.


    All the more motivation to turn these dwindling numbers around and get Secret Lives back on top of the


    rankings. Maybe then his family would be proud of the work he did.


    ¡°You must be Roslyn Andrews,¡± he greeted, turning all of his attention to the new employee. ¡°I¡¯m Nigel


    Townshend.¡±


    Her smile widened as she crossed his office and extended her hand. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure, Mr. Townshend.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Townshend is my father,¡± he corrected. ¡°You will call me Nigel.¡±


    With a delicate nod, she replied, ¡°Alright, Nigel.¡±


    His name sliding through her lips was just as magical and potent as he¡¯d expected. And all of his


    employees called him Mr. Townshend. He couldn¡¯t quite justify the reasoning behind his quick response


    to her calling him Mr. but here they were.


    ¡°I had no idea I would be working with you directly,¡± she added. ¡°Can I be honest?¡±


    Thebination of that sultry voice and the confident firm grip of her handshake assaulted every nerve


    ending he had. Her dark eyes red when he slid his hand into hers.


    Well, wasn¡¯t this interesting?


    She snatched her hand back and adjusted the purse strap on her shoulder. He had to give her credit,


    though, her smile never faltered.


    Self-assurance was a sexy trait. Add that to the alluring outward package and he might be in trouble


    with this one. Hell, he was already in trouble since they were on a first-name basis after a one-minute


    meet. He had employees who had worked for him for over a decade who still didn¡¯t call him Nigel.


    ¡°Please,¡± he replied. ¡°Honesty is our key policy.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    She adjusted her tortoiseshell sses. ¡°I¡¯m even more nervous now that I know I¡¯m working directly


    with the boss. But, I promise not to let my nerves get in the way of doing my best work.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯ve saved your best work for me because I need the best.¡±


    ¡°No pressure,¡± she joked. ¡°I hope I live up to your standards.¡±


    ¡°I have no doubt you¡¯ll do just fine. I¡¯ve seen your r¨¦sum¨¦. The fact that you work in interior design


    actually appealed to me because I believe designers look at every detail in all aspects of life and that¡¯s


    exactly what I need. And, I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ve heard anything, but I¡¯m not difficult to get along with,


    though I¡¯ve been told I have a dry sense of humor.¡±


    ¡°I have two older brothers. I¡¯m pretty good with holding my own, no matter the jokes.¡±


    With her honesty and sense of humor, Nigel could see they¡¯d get along just fine...so long as he kept


    reminding himself this arrangement was professional and temporary.


    How many times could he use those two words?


    Probably not enough, because he had a feeling he needed to keep those in the forefront of his mind as


    long as Ms. Andrews worked by his side.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± he told her, gesturing to the leather chair opposite his desk. ¡°Since I didn¡¯t sit in on the


    interview process, I¡¯d like to get to know a little about you before we begin our day. Like I said, I¡¯ve


    seen your r¨¦sum¨¦, quite impressive, and I¡¯ve heard my crew speak your praises.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ttered.¡±


    She should be. They¡¯d interviewed a slew of people for this position, but Nigel had put out very specific


    requirements. Interesting that the most striking, intriguing woman he¡¯d ever met was the one who had


    He worked with beautiful women every day. The entire cast of Secret Lives consisted of stunning


    ladies. But something about Roslyn seemed almost wholesome...which was quite refreshing in this


    field.


    Nigel unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt as he went back to his desk chair.


    Distance from her would help him keep his head in the game, so would focusing on the sole reason for


    her employment. He needed a new vision for the show and the only way he could see that happening


    was to bring in an outsider.


    There was no room for attractions or office escapades. Thest thing he needed was a sexual


    harassmentwsuit. Of course, bad press would drive up ratings, but he wasn¡¯t about to embarrass his


    family, put his own reputation on the line or degrade any woman.


    He respected women and his new consultant would be no different. There¡¯s no reason he couldn¡¯t find


    her attractive and keep a level head about himself...right?


    ¡°I saw you recently moved to New York,¡± he began, leaning back in his seat.


    Roslyn nodded. ¡°About a month ago. It was time for a change.¡±


    ¡°You came from Texas?¡±


    ¡°I did. My family owns a ranch.¡± She eased her purse onto herp and crossed her legs. ¡°My brothers


    still live there.¡±


    ¡°So why the drastic change?¡± he asked.


    A sadness swept over herThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    face for a second before she tipped her chin and silently gathered herself together. ¡°My father recently


    passed and it made me realize how fragile life is. I¡¯d always wondered what city life was like and I


    decided to take the risk.¡±


    Taking risks was certainly something he could understand and appreciate. He hadn¡¯t gotten this far


    without stepping outside the proverbial box and taking his own chances in business. He understood her


    need to be out on her own, away from her family, and he instantly admired her drive and


    independence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss,¡± he told her. ¡°I have to admit, I¡¯m impressed that you took such a leap.¡±


    ¡°No time like the present,¡± she stated with that same confident smile that punched him with another


    dose of arousal.


    ¡°You have a degree in design.¡± Nigel nced at the portfolio photos on hisputer screen he¡¯d been


    looking at before she¡¯d arrived. ¡°These are pretty impressive. Why the switch to media? Did you just


    want to make a change?¡±


    She shrugged one delicate shoulder. ¡°Why can¡¯t I do both? I¡¯ve always loved design and I¡¯m fascinated


    by media. Who knows? Maybe one day I can design living spaces and work areas for the stars. This is


    a good step in that direction.¡±


    Nigel leaned forward,cing his fingers together on his desk. ¡°Is that what you¡¯re hoping to gain here?


    The chance to meet celebrities and get your foot in the door?¡±


    Roslyn opened her mouth, but he quickly held up his hand. ¡°I¡¯m not judging,¡± he added. ¡°I think it¡¯s


    brilliant.¡±


    ¡°You got me,¡± sheughed. ¡°I¡¯m always thinking ahead. I figure if I¡¯m going to take the leap into a new


    kind of market, why not make it a big one? I want to cover a wide variety and when I have my own


    company, I¡¯ll be well versed in all the things.¡±

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly the type of asset I want on my team,¡± he told her. ¡°What¡¯s your favorite food?¡±


    Roslyn blinked, thenughed. ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Favorite food.¡±


    ¡°Um... I don¡¯t know. I guess sushi. Why?¡±


    ¡°I like to have dinner meetings and I want to make sure I choose something you¡¯ll enjoy.¡±


    He hated most kinds of sushi, but this was New York. Plenty of ces served a wide variety that could


    amodate both of them. For now, though, he wasn¡¯t quite ready to end this talk and he wasn¡¯t


    ready to dive right into work, though that¡¯s exactly what he should have been doing.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I show you around,¡± he said,ing to his feet.


    Craig would¡¯ve normally tour new employees, but Nigel had already blocked this morning off because


    he wanted to do so personally... Now he wished he had let Craig retain that honor.


    ¡°There are aspects of thispany that you should know from day one,¡± he continued. ¡°I want you to


    befortable and think of this as your second home for as long as you¡¯re employed here. We¡¯re all


    friendly and, for the most part, we all get along.¡±


    Roslyn stood and eased her purse back onto her shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s impressive with such a big


    corporation. I¡¯m excited to be part of something so positive.¡±


    Asmitted as he was to making sure his staff all worked well together, he wouldn¡¯t settle for


    anything less, Nigel needed a little more drama and action on the set of Secret Lives. The show


    couldn¡¯t afford to be all sweetness and niceness all the time. There needed to be a reason for viewers


    to tune back in, excited to see what would happen next¡ªbut right now, he just didn¡¯t have the answers.


    He did, however, have a new consultant eager to see the offices and he might just have to take her to


    the penthouse suite and show her that breathtaking rooftop view. The penthouse was used on asion


    for special events with the staff since it had arge boardroom table and full kitchen. But, it also had a


    private en suite that he would sometimes stay in when his office hours became too long and he just


    needed to crash.


    His job right now was to save his show, and this woman may be one of the most striking and gorgeous


    consultants he¡¯d ever seen, but he needed her and he wasn¡¯t going to do anything to jeopardize his


    show...especially by hitting on his newest hire.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    ¡°We¡¯ll start with the best part of the entire building.¡±


    Nigel gestured to the lift in the corner.


    ¡°Your own private elevator?¡± she asked, with a half grin. ¡°I¡¯m impressed.¡±


    ¡°There are perks to being the CEO.¡±


    And as the CEO, it was his responsibility to remain 100 percent professional, 100 percent of the time.


    He worked with gorgeous women every single day. This shouldn¡¯t have been any different...yet it was.


    Two


    Sophie wasn¡¯t sure how to deal with her spiral of emotions as she stood next to Nigel in the elevator.


    She wished she¡¯d known that she¡¯d be working directly with him. She wished she¡¯d known just how


    potent this powerhouse truly was. And she sure as hell wished she¡¯d known just how her entire body


    would heat because this was apletely new territory for her.


    Granted she didn¡¯t believe anything could¡¯ve fully prepared her for that heavy-lidded stare, the strong


    jawline, the right amount of expensive cologne and that polished British ent.


    Mercy¡¯s sake. She certainly hadn¡¯t counted on how sexy a conversation with a Brit would be. How did


    any woman in this office get work done? How was she going to get work done? She couldn¡¯t afford to


    get fired from her faux job because she was too busy fantasizing about the boss.


    The man opened his mouth and a slew of inappropriate thoughts filled her head. But that wasn¡¯t why


    she was here. Though the eye candy certainly didn¡¯t hurt.


    A man like Nigel Townshend wasn¡¯t just a panty-dropper, he was a billionaire bad boy with a bit of a


    reputation. He always had the sexiest women on his arm at award shows and debuts. He¡¯d been


    known to date some of the hottest supermodels in the industry, but, to her knowledge, he¡¯d never been


    seen with the same woman twice, which led her to believe he was a yer.


    And she was the total opposite, considering she¡¯d never been with a man.


    What would it be like to be with a bad boy? Maybe that was precisely what she needed. Perhaps she


    should give herself to a man who knew exactly what he was doing.


    Then again, she wasn¡¯t about to announce to a man she just met that she was a virgin. She wasn¡¯t


    ashamed of the fact, and she certainly wasn¡¯t sorry she¡¯d spent her years building her career and


    devoting every waking minute to growing herself as a sessful businesswoman and YouTube


    sensation. There was no rule or timeline for sex, and she¡¯d do it when she was damn well ready or


    when a man intrigued her enough to make her want to.


    Unfortunately, her new boss intrigued her way more than he should. She could easily imagine him


    doing a clean sweep of papers off his desk and ripping her clothes off in a heated moment of passion.


    The clothes would be utterly ruined, of course, but she wouldn¡¯t mind sacrificing these skinny jeans.


    Why were they called skinny jeans anyway when she clearly had curves and wore a size sixteen? If


    they were supposed to make her feel skinny, then they were failing.

 Chapter 6

    Chapter 6


    Regardless, she¡¯d much rather think of Nigel finding her irresistible. Maybete nights would turn into


    lingering nces or sensual touching. Not that she thought he¡¯d do anything inappropriate...but a girl


    could fantasize, couldn¡¯t she?


    The elevator chimed as the doors slid open. Just in time to pull her from yet another delicious


    daydream about her new boss.


    Good grief. She had enough issues right now. She needed to focus on the job her brothers had trusted


    her to get done. Getting down and dirty with the CEO of Green Room Media was not quite the angle


    she¡¯d been thinking of. Besides, she¡¯d promised herself to be back in a week and getting tangled in


    anything other than her n would eat up time she didn¡¯t have to spare.


    Nigel gestured for her to exit the elevator, and as soon as Sophie stepped out, her breath caught in her


    throat.


    ¡°I had the same reaction


    when I first saw the view,¡± he told her, staying right by her side. ¡°I admit, it never gets old. There¡¯s


    something so timeless, so ssy and sexy about the New York City skyline.¡±


    From this rooftop penthouse with a wall of ss windows all around the perimeter, Sophie felt as if she


    could reach out and touch the sun. She had to agree, there was something sexy about this view.


    Something almost...powerful, like because you were on top of the world that meant the whole world


    was yours tomand.


    Even with the wintery conditions outside, she was surprised by how bright the sky seemed to be from


    this angle.


    Wanting to explore each part of this magnificent space, Sophie took one slow step after another as her


    eyes raked over the rich masculine leather furniture, the chrome fixtures, the simplicity of the lighting


    and the breathtaking sights of the city. This was definitely a man¡¯s space.


    She told a slight lie when she¡¯d said she was a wannabe city girl. She mostly stayed to the country life,


    aidback style that fit with her personality and the way she designed. City life always seemed so noisy


    and rushed...not just the cars but everything and everyone else, too. She felt that people were too busy


    doing their own thing to truly listen to others.


    Sophie enjoyed people, she loved chatting and getting to know more about them. How else was she


    supposed to grow and develop her brand? She had to purposely put herself out there, so over the


    years, she¡¯d just defaulted to a social butterfly.


    Hey, that bold move had paid off, hadn¡¯t it? Her YouTube channel ranked in the top ten interior


    designers of the entire site and she could easily see herself climbing even higher.


    ¡°Come closer,¡± Nigel urged, cupping her elbow and escorting her to the windows. ¡°This is the ce I


    escape to when everything downstairs bes too much.¡±


    Sophie nced from the city below to the man at her side. ¡°And here I assumed there wasn¡¯t a thing


    you couldn¡¯t handle.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s lips quirked. ¡°Don¡¯t give away my secret.¡±


    ¡°Anything you say is safe with me,¡± she promised. ¡°I¡¯m not here to judge. I¡¯m here to help.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t here to expose him for anything...unless he was involved in some scandal alongside


    Miranda. And even then, she didn¡¯t want to hurt anyone so she wouldn¡¯t do any harm to Nigel.


    But Sophie couldn¡¯t start digging just yet. She had to ease her way in. Day two, she¡¯d put more of a


    push on the plot since time was of the essence.


    ¡°I imagine there¡¯s quite a bit to escape from and many reasons to clear your head.¡± She focused her


    attention back to the view. ¡°Even the strongest people need to take a mental health break.¡±


    ¡°The business can be cutthroat at times,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°Too many divas to work with?¡± she joked, hoping he¡¯d follow her lead.


    ¡°Thedies on the show?¡± he asked, raising his brows. ¡°They¡¯re not terrible. A few can be demanding,


    but overall, they don¡¯t cause me too much trouble.¡±


    Not what she wanted to hear, but she¡¯d barely gotten started.


    Passing the time with Nigel certainly didn¡¯t make her angry.


    ¡°So, do you live up here?¡±


    Nigel turned his attention toward her. ¡°Oh, no. I¡¯ve stayed here asionally after long days of work, but


    I generally use this to take a break. We¡¯ve had a few in-house gatherings and private showings up here


    for the show.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to give the wrong impression,¡± she began, hoping she sounded stronger than she felt. ¡°I


    mean, you know you¡¯re an attractive man¡ª¡±


    ¡°People Magazine thinks so.¡±


    Sophie couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°As I was saying, I¡¯m not here for anything other than a great


    opportunity to learn and be an asset to your team and maybe grow my own skills on the side.¡±This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Nigel lifted one dark thick brow.

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    ¡°Professional skills,¡± she corrected, still unable to stop smiling. Oh, he was a naughty guy, and she


    couldn¡¯t help but like that quality.


    ¡°Believe it or not, I need a personal consultant and I take thispany very seriously.¡±


    He shoved his hands in his pockets and cocked his head in that sexy, arrogant way. There was no


    doubt Nigel was a force to be reckoned with. He was known around the world, not just for his charm


    and good looks, but for the way he¡¯d started apany and grown this reality show with high-ss


    divorcees andunched thesedies to superstardom...including Miranda.


    ¡°But since we¡¯re being honest,¡± he went on. ¡°You obviously have to know you turn heads.¡±


    While she wasn¡¯t vain, she also wasn¡¯t one of those women who feigned being ugly or put herself down


    in the hopes of gainingpliments. She was also well aware that some men found a plus-size woman


    unattractive. Those were the men she didn¡¯t have time for in her life.


    While it was gratifying to know that he didn¡¯t fall into that category, Sophie didn¡¯t want to get into this


    topic with Nigel. She couldn¡¯t afford distractions and she certainly couldn¡¯t afford a rumor of the new


    hire trying to get ahead by flirting, or more, with the boss. Rumors would just draw unwanted attention


    to her. Miranda couldn¡¯t know Sophie was anywhere near this office.


    ¡°Well, now that all of that is out of the way, is the attraction going to be a problem?¡± she asked, holding


    his gaze and forcing herself to face this head on. She¡¯d always believed in honesty.


    Well, except for her current situation, where she was lying about her name and why she was there. But


    some things were simply a necessary evil.


    ¡°No problem,¡± he assured her with a crooked grin and that toe-curling ent.


    Maybe other people were immune to Nigel and that sultry voice, but she was new here, new to him.


    She¡¯d have to put up her strongest steel defenses to keep some resolve between them.


    ¡°What else should you be showing me?¡± she asked. ¡°Maybe where my work space is? Or what projects


    you¡¯d like me to review?¡±


    He stared like he wanted to say something, but she raised her brows, a silent question waiting on him


    to answer.


    ¡°Craig set up an office next to mine,¡± he told her. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be working with me, then I need you


    close by. The space is not overlyrge, but you do have a window.¡±


    ¡°My own office?¡±


    Sophie certainly hadn¡¯t expected that. An office right next to Nigel? This position was better than she¡¯d


    ever hoped.


    Things were lining up almost too well for her. But she had to ignore the pull she felt toward her new


    boss and concentrate on what she came here to do. She didn¡¯t change her life and her looks just to


    snag a Brit. Getting the scoop on Miranda was priority number one.


    ¡°Does my officee with an elevator?¡±


    Nigel¡¯s lips twitched once again, and she noticed every time he became amused his blue eyes


    twinkled. So silly to notice such things, but she couldn¡¯t help but study and try to figure out more about


    him.


    ¡°Sure. It¡¯s the one you used to get from the lobby to the reception area.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sophie rolled her eyes. ¡°Not what I meant,¡± she joked.


    She turned her attention back to the view. This was certainly a far cry from the ckwood Ranch and


    its open skies with fields of green. Still, this was a different kind of beauty with all the steelbined


    with old structure. Her designer eye took in all the various shapes and colors. The snow seemed


    beautiful on the buildings and balconies. She wondered what a fresh snow would look like on the busy


    streets. Probably kids enjoyed ying in it and throwing snowballs.


    The wintery white had her thinking about the recent home office she¡¯d decorated in white and soft blues


    with various pops of green.


    ¡°Do you always study your surroundings?¡±


    Nigel¡¯s question pulled her back as he stepped in beside her. Sophie nced over her shoulder and


    shrugged.


    ¡°upational hazard. I love designing and creating, so my mind is always working.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re perfect for this position,¡± he stated.


    Sophie swelled with pride, but there was a niggle of guilt. She wasn¡¯t here because she wanted to


    ensure the greater good of Secret Lives. No, she needed to see those precious unedited outtakes with


    Miranda. Surely there were some that revealed behaviors or hinted at secrets the producers didn¡¯t want


    the public to see. There had to be something juicy there.


    ¡°With this being your first day, I won¡¯t bombard you too much. But tomorrow, you better be ready to


    work.¡± Nigel gestured toward the elevator. ¡°What do you say we go check out your office and then I¡¯ll


    have lunch brought in. Sushi?¡±


    Sophie nodded. ¡°Sounds perfect.¡±


    * * *

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    Nigel shoved his hands in his pockets and stared down at the magnificent skyline. He¡¯d been a


    complete idiot to bring Roslyn up here earlier. He never fraternized with his staff.


    But from the second she¡¯d stepped foot in his office, she¡¯d had a presence about her that had drawn


    him in. She¡¯d been poised, confident, polished, sophisticated. She¡¯d been witty and that smile had been


    like a heavy fist to his gut, knocking the air right out of him. She almost seemed too good to be true.


    And she had been honest. Brutally so when she¡¯d confronted him about the attraction between them.


    Part of him was impressed that she¡¯d been so bold, while the other part had secretly wished she


    would¡¯ve acted on her baser impulses.


    Bloody hell. What had gotten into him? He couldn¡¯t act like this, not even in his thoughts. Thispany


    was his everything. He¡¯de to New York wanting to start his own legacy and he had done a damn


    good job of it. He couldn¡¯t just throw that ster reputation away because he had the equivalent of a


    teenage crush. He had to regain control of this situation because Roslyn had been here for one day


    and he was already second-guessing getting involved with an employee.


    He had bigger issues to deal with¡ªlike the fact Secret Lives needed a major bump in the rankings.


    The cell in his pocket vibrated. There was never downtime where he was concerned, not in his position


    overseeing thepany and not when worki


    ng with several socialites.


    He nced to the screen and saw Seraphina¡¯s name.


    Seraphina Martinez, or Fee to close friends, was one of thedies on Secret Lives. She had a big


    lavish lifestyle and a giving heart. There was nothing low-key about her and she was a fan favorite.


    Especially after she came out with her bestselling cookbook, Not Your Mama¡¯s Cookbook.


    Nigel turned from the skyline view as he answered the call.


    ¡°Fee,¡± he greeted. ¡°How are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, thank you. Listen, I just wanted you to know I¡¯ve been thinking of your offer and I¡¯m not sure


    I can ept.¡±


    Not what he wanted to hear. Seraphina had fallen in love with real-life cowboy Clint Rockwell and they


    were nning their future together...in Texas. When she¡¯s talked about leaving the show, Nigel had


    tried to entice her into staying in NYC by offering her an impressive package that came with marketing


    for her cookbook, more airtime and a nice sum of money.


    ¡°Now don¡¯t turn me down yet, luv,¡± he told her. ¡°We can make this work. I was hoping you¡¯d consider a


    spin-off.¡±


    ¡°A spin-off?¡± she asked. ¡°Nigel¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just think about it,¡± he interrupted. ¡°A Southern series showcasing you and Clint in this new chapter of


    your lives would be something the viewers would love.¡±


    Not to mention maybe that would be the angle he needed to save his show.


    Nigel rubbed his forehead and pulled in a deep breath. He hadn¡¯te this far in his career to allow


    setbacks to deter him. There was no room to be a failure or even to be mediocre. Staying in the middle


    of the road in prime-time television might as well be the kiss of death. Another show woulde along


    and bump them right off.


    Maybe exploring new territory was something they needed to try. The cast had gone to Texas to


    Miranda¡¯s ranch for the Christmas episodes that had actually caused a slight uptick on the rating¡¯s


    scale.


    ¡°Clint is everything to me,¡± Fee went on. ¡°We¡¯re a team now, but I¡¯ll discuss this with him. I¡¯m not sure


    he wants all the cameras following us around Texas.¡±


    ¡°Just talk to him,¡± Nigel repeated. ¡°I bet an episode centered around your wedding would be a killer


    series opener.¡±


    Silence greeted him on the other end and he knew Seraphina well enough to know she was


    considering this option. His mind rolled from one idea to the next. This could be the key to those ratings


    he desperately needed to boost.


    ¡°I¡¯m just not sure,¡± she finally stated. ¡°Clint and I really want out of the limelight. We want to start fresh.


    Those fires that ripped through Royal really put things into perspective for me.¡±


    The fires she referred to had ultimately brought her and Clint closer together, but only after putting them


    both in a lot of danger. The town really pulled through and continued to rebuild. They¡¯d all been affected


    in one way or another.


    ¡°Think about it,¡± he told her. ¡°Talk to Clint.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± she replied. ¡°I know I still have some time left on my contract¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with thatter. See what Clint says first and get back to me. Let¡¯s not borrow worries just


    yet.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Nigel.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    He disconnected the call and blew out a sigh. His mind circled back to his new consultant and he


    wondered if she would be able to offer insight to a new project should Fee agree to it. He didn¡¯t want to


    disclose this new information just yet...but he hoped he could talk Fee and Clint into a spin-off, that may


    be the answer to his problems.


    Also, he wasn¡¯t about to spout highly sensitive inside business secrets to a brand-new hire. He missed


    his assistant right now. Merryl always knew what to do or the right things to say, but she was out with


    her new baby.

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    But even if the spin-off happened, and became a real sess, Nigel wasn¡¯t ready to give up on saving


    Secret Lives. It was the main show he¡¯d started all on his own once he rose to CEO at Green Media


    Room. He¡¯de to New York to do something grand, not having anything to do with the Townshend


    name. Secret Lives was what he had to show for all those years of hard work. It was his baby and he


    would do everything to see it thrive.


    With as sharp and witty as Roslyn was, and with her impressive r¨¦sum¨¦ on design, he knew she had a


    brilliant mind. He nned on putting that to use and making sure his show remained on the air.


    Could she be the miracle he¡¯d been waiting on? Was she even capable of doing what he¡¯d been unable


    to do himself?


    He didn¡¯t have all the answers, but he knew one thing for certain... He was going to get more time with


    Roslyn and he couldn¡¯t wait.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Three


    Sophie had been surprised when she¡¯d gotten to her office the next morning and there had been no


    sign of Nigel. Craig had said something about an emergency and had given Sophie a list of things to


    read up on for now. Later, she was to sit in on a meeting with a few of the crew members from the


    show.


    Perfect. A meeting was just the type of jumpstart she needed. No doubt the team would discuss the


    cast members and Sophie intended to take detailed mental notes on Miranda.


    A couple hourster, there was still no sign of Nigel, and Sophie had to admit, she¡¯d found herself


    thinking about him while she¡¯d been reading the materials in preparation for the meeting.


    The only way she could let Nigel in her mind, in her life, would be as a stepping stone to carry out her


    n.


    Unfortunately, she hadn¡¯t expected these newfound responses. No man had ever heated her the way


    Nigel did. She¡¯d never found herself wanting to throw away her innocence so fast, but Nigel pulled out


    a whole host of sensations she¡¯d never known existed within her.


    Maybe it was the bad boy power trip, or maybe it was the way he¡¯d looked at her like he was imagining


    her naked. Maybe it was the way he could banter with her like they¡¯d known each other for years.


    Regardless, she¡¯d never had an intimate rtionship, let alone a fling. That was the main reason she¡¯d


    had to bepletely honest yesterday. She didn¡¯t want Nigel to believe she was here for him or give


    him the wrong impression of her true nature.


    Well, her sexual true nature.


    If she¡¯d met him under different circumstances¡ªwhere she wasn¡¯t lying to him, where she¡¯d have had


    the time to actually get to know him¡ªshe might see where this attraction would lead.


    But the fantasy was moot and she had to remain focused.


    Sophie grabbed the documents and her cell off her desk and stepped from her office. The notes on


    marketing and uing filming ideas regarding Secret Lives had been interesting from a viewer


    standpoint...if she bothered tuning into the popr reality show. And she actually might religiously


    watch the show if Miranda weren¡¯t on there. The otherdies were in fact really interesting.


    Sophie had watched a couple of times, but just the sight of Miranda acting all sweet and kissing cheeks


    with her bling sparkling in the lights was enough to make Sophie gag and change the channel.


    The meeting room was down two floors and Sophie made her way into the elevator with a few other


    employees she didn¡¯t know. They chattered about office gossip, none of which was useful to her.


    When Sophie stepped into the meeting room, she found a seat at the end of the long table and smiled


    at the young man next to her.


    ¡°You¡¯re new,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m Miles.¡±


    Sophie nodded. ¡°Roslyn. Nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°These meetings are so silly,¡± he muttered as he leaned into her. ¡°Any of this information could be sent


    in an email, but Mr. Townshend is really cracking down. He¡¯s actually been on edge moretely. The


    ratings have dipped lower than ever.¡±


    Sophie kept quiet as Nigel entered the boardroom. His baby blues swept over the handful of


    employees beforending on her. A thrill shot through her and she had no idea how the man exuded


    such power in a room full of people and with just one simple look.


    ¡°I gather you all read the ma


    rketing notes,¡± he began as he took a seat at the head of the table. ¡°We¡¯re taking a new approach to


    the social media aspect and I want to make sure we¡¯re all on the same page.¡±


    Sophie listened intently as they went around discussing the new segments and how to best maximize


    the social media content. She watched as Nigel seemed to take to heart each employee¡¯s suggestions


    and she had to admire a man who didn¡¯t pawn staff meetings off on other employees or use them as a


    tform to spout his own ideas without listening to anyone else. He didn¡¯t patronize any of his crew


    members or make them feel like their ideas weren¡¯t worthy or of value. That spoke volumes for what he


    was like as a CEO.


    Sophie also wanted to chime in along with everyone else and tell them they were going about this


    completely wrong. From personal experience, she knew what pulled people in and she knew how to


    dive into a certain market to really target the niche market.


    Added to that, consulting was also about listening to all of the facts before offering up her opinion or


    suggestions. She was new and didn¡¯t want to step on toes on her second day, so she chose to just


    remain silent.


    Sophie did take down notes on things she would like to discuss with Nigel in private. She¡¯d rmend


    different angles on their current marketing ns. After all, she hadn¡¯t blown up on YouTube for nothing.


    She liked to think she¡¯d done a few things right and knew how to grab the public¡¯s attention. Of course


    it didn¡¯t hurt she excelled at her career choice, but she¡¯d had to market herself and be a brand to


    get that initial attention.


    Her eyes darted back to Nigel and...

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    Speaking of attention. He stared at her in a way no man ever had before¡ªlike he wanted more than


    her thoughts. And in a room full of people.


    Someone else started speaking, but Sophie didn¡¯t hear what they said. Nigel broke the spell by


    ncing away, but Sophie couldn¡¯t quite focus for the rest of the meeting.


    Once they concluded, she gathered her things and headed back to her office. That meeting hadn¡¯t


    produced anything she could use to further her n. In fact, very little was said about the show¡¯s stars


    at all. When filming was mentioned, it was mostly locations being brought up for uing shots and


    how they would be marketing the show by implementing new ideas.


    So, since there was nothing she could do right now to dig into Miranda¡¯s dirty secrets, she decided to


    stay in the marketing headspace and pull together some ideas and suggestions for the show. Sure, she


    wouldn¡¯t be staying long, but it would still look suspicious if she didn¡¯t have any work to show for her


    time on the clock. She couldn¡¯t just ignore the fact Nigel believed her to be legit. So long as she kept up


    this charade, she could possibly find everything she needed.


    Sophie had a spreadsheet she¡¯d used when first getting started on YouTube¡ªbasically the dos and


    don¡¯ts and what worked and didn¡¯t work when it came to brand promotion. The marketing field was like


    a strategic game and if the yers didn¡¯t know what move to make next, the entire n could be for


    naught.


    She realized there was an entire team here, but Nigel had wanted fresh eyes and that¡¯s where she


    came in.


    The moment Sophie stepped inside her office and circled her desk, she nced toward the doorway


    and let out a yelp.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to startle you.¡±


    Nigel leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His hair was just a bit


    mussed, as if he¡¯d raked his hands through it after the meeting.


    Clearly she¡¯d been so focused on her own thoughts, she¡¯d missed the fact he¡¯d practically been right


    behind her when she¡¯de in.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± she replied,ying her things down. ¡°I¡¯m actually d you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Is that right?¡±


    ¡°I have some things I want to run by you regarding a few marketing suggestions,¡± she replied, ignoring


    the way he just stood there, staring, like he¡¯d rather be doing anything else than talking about work.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you voice your thoughts during the meeting?¡± he asked, his brows instantly furrowed.


    ¡°Well, my job is to listen to all of the material before tendering my opinion,¡± she informed him. ¡°Plus, it¡¯s


    my second day and I wasn¡¯t sure your employees wanted to hear that I think most of their ideas are


    wrong.¡±


    Nigel studied her for a moment before he let out a bark ofughter and dropped his arms. ¡°I do


    appreciate all of this honesty you provide. But, if we¡¯re going to talk, I say we should do so over lunch.


    Meet me in the penthouse in thirty minutes.¡±


    ¡°I need about forty-five,¡± she stated. ¡°Trust me. I¡¯ve got something to share with you.¡±


    He stared at her for another minute. Sophie didn¡¯t miss the crackle of tension. Even if she was here as


    a ruse, she had to be up front because she¡¯d never been good at hiding her feelings. There was only


    so much lying she could handle.


    ¡°Listen,¡± she started. ¡°The attraction here is...¡±


    Nigel quirked a brow. ¡°Yes, it is,¡± he agreed with a smile. ¡°But, I would never get involved with an


    employee. I¡¯m strict about that. Especially now when my sole focus needs to be on the show.¡±


    Sophie nodded. ¡°Okay, good. Because I didn¡¯te here for a fling or anything else. I just can¡¯t stand


    tension and I had to talk about the proverbial elephant.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate your bold honesty.¡±


    With a shrug, Sophie sighed. ¡°It can put off some people.¡±


    ¡°Men?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Then they¡¯re fools.¡±


    There it went again...that crackling tension. She waited on him to say more, but he wouldn¡¯t. He¡¯d


    already made it clear he didn¡¯t socialize with employees. Too bad he didn¡¯t know she wasn¡¯t a legit staff


    member. Though he probably wouldn¡¯t be too thrilled with her if he knew why she was really there.


    Maybe it was better this way. They couldn¡¯t be together, but at least she knew he wanted to be.


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you upstairs in forty-five minutes,¡± she told him, needing to shut this moment down.


    Nigel offered her a grin and nod, then he turned and was gone. Sophie blew out a breath the moment


    he stepped away from her office. Revisiting the attraction issue wasn¡¯t going to get either of them


    anywhere they needed to be. She had to remain focused and so did he. They both had outside issues


    that needed their full attention...though he didn¡¯t realize that.


    And had she seriously considered getting into something¡ªa fling¡ªwith her fake boss? Sophie was


    either sleep deprived or else she hadpletely lost her self-control when it came to Nigel because


    she¡¯d gone this whole time without giving herself to a man. Was she really ready to jump into it all


    because of a sexy ent and some sexy stares?

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    No, she wouldn¡¯t lose sight of why she was here. Her job was to find what she needed to secure her


    and her brothers¡¯ family legacy. Nothing more.


    If maintaining her cover meant that her business ideas helped Nigel and she assisted in making any


    part of his team stronger, that would just be extra.


    Sophie figured by the end of this charade everyone would win.


    * * *


    Nigel was still smiling when Roslyn arrived at the penthouse suite. He should¡¯ve kept this meeting in his


    office, all professional, but that was not what hade out of his mouth, so here they were.


    The woman was quite intriguing. He didn¡¯t know her well, but everything he¡¯d uncovered so far seemed


    so fascinating. The fact she¡¯d basically called his staff ipetent both irked and amused him. He


    couldn¡¯t wait to see what she thought she knew that could beat the carefully crafted ns from the well-


    educated, experienced team he¡¯d personally vetted for these positions.


    Maybe her ideas held merit or maybe she was just full of herself. Either way, he admired her for having


    the confidence to speak up...as if he needed more reasons to find her attractive.


    Today she wore a fitted pair of ck ankle pants with a ck jacket and red pumps. Those damn


    pumps matched her lips. She looked like a ¡¯50s pinupe to life and, like an idiot, he¡¯d purposely put


    himself alone with her. But he had a feeling she could have shown up wearing sweats and sneakers


    and he¡¯d still have found her just as striking because his attraction wasn¡¯t just to the exterior... She was


    damn smart and bold. Qualities he couldn¡¯t ignore.


    And that was not smart of him. Not if he wanted to retain control over his emotions. He had to push


    aside his desires and the way his body responded when she looked at him. He already had one mess


    on his hands with the rankings of Secret Lives, he didn¡¯t need a scandal by having a fling with his


    consultant.


    ¡°I had lunch brought up,¡± he told her as she stepped from the elevator. ¡°There¡¯s quite a variety. I


    assume you don¡¯t eat sushi all the time.¡±


    ¡°I do like other things, you know.¡± She carried herptop and cell and walked to the chrome-and-ss


    desk in the corner to put her things down. ¡°But I skipped breakfast, so anything sounds great at this


    point.¡±


    While they made their tes, he took note of things she liked, things she overlooked. He found he


    wanted to know everything about her...and please her with this knowledge in the days toe.


    ¡°So, tell me, what do you know that my very well-trained staff doesn¡¯t? This is what I needed when I


    searched for a consultant. I need that fresh look on things from someone who isn¡¯t in the industry, but


    who still pays attention to all details.¡±


    They took a seat at the desk across from each other. Instead of starting on her lunch, Roslyn pulled up


    herputer and swiveled it around to show him a graph she¡¯d created.


    ¡°This is fairly rough, but I plugged in a few numbers to give you an example of what I¡¯m about to


    exin.¡±


    Intrigued, he ignored his lunch, as well. He watched as she pointed from one colored area to the next.


    She¡¯d clearly pulled numbers from thetest rankings that had been just discussed at the meeting. How


    the hell had she been so fast?


    ¡°You can see that the targeted viewers are mainly on social media during these times. But your posts


    are going up during different times and missing their mark.¡± She noted the difference, then clicked onto


    another screen and another graph. ¡°The posts are good¡ªbut most of them are getting lost in everyon


    e¡¯s feeds.¡± She pointed out a few posts that hade the closest to hitting the time slots she¡¯d


    highlighted. ¡°Look at the difference in engagement¡ªthe uptick in likes, retweets, responses. If you put


    up the juicier posts¡ªthe ones with more exciting content¡ªin these time slots, I think you¡¯d see huge


    results.¡±


    Nigel stared at the screen and listened to everything she said. All of her thoughts made perfect


    sense...which made him wonder why his very well-paid team hadn¡¯t considered this strategy before.


    This was the first he¡¯d seen anything like this.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You did all of this in the few minutes since we spoke?¡± he asked, turning his attention back to her.


    ¡°Well, I admit I jotted most everything down, but I also made some mental notes, so I may have missed


    a few of the opinions,¡± she admitted. ¡°But, it was merely a matter of plugging numbers in. I¡¯ve taken


    quite a few online marketing sses, so I just used what I¡¯ve learned. It¡¯s a rough draft, like I said, but I


    can get more concrete examples before the next meeting if you¡¯d like.¡±


    Sexy, sophisticated and smart. He was in a hell of a lot of trouble here.


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken marketing sses?¡± he questioned after a moment.


    She nodded and shifted herputer aside, then pulled her te and bottled water in front of her. ¡°I


    love design but I knew I wouldn¡¯t be able to grow and reach more clients if I didn¡¯t understand how the


    whole social media system works. I needed to know how to interpret all the ins and outs. No matter


    how good I believe my ideas are for decor, I won¡¯t get anywhere without understanding the dynamics of


    every aspect of business.¡±


    The more she talked, the sexier she became. She adjusted her sses, not in a coy flirty way, but out


    of necessity as they started to slip. A wayward strand of blond hairnded across her forehead and she


    swiped it back, tucking her hair behind her ear.


    ¡°So basically you want to practice the 20/20/20 method, as well,¡± she went on, oblivious to the fact the


    more she discussed business, the more turned on he became. ¡°Not only posting during the right times,


    but also actively engaging with various followers. The rule is twenty new followers, twenty new


    comments, twenty new likes. Now, with Secret Lives being so sessful, we can bump that number


    up. Viewers want to feel important, like they have that personal rtionship or connection to the


    ladies.¡±


    She plucked a juicy strawberry from the te, studied it and popped it in her mouth. Nigel had never


    been so jealous of a piece of fruit.


    ¡°I would rmend the cast of the show following the same method,¡± she added. ¡°They¡¯re your ticket


    to new viewers. If they aren¡¯t hyping up the show, nobody else will.¡±


    ¡°They post quite a bit during the season,¡± he replied.


    ¡°But what do they do in the off seasons? And are they posting the right content?¡± she countered. ¡°Are


    they getting viewers intrigued for another episode? Hinting at scandal or something teasing to pull more


    people into watching the new shows?¡±

 Chapter 12

    Chapter 12


    Nigel pulled up various social media ounts from the cast and scrolled through. He quickly saw that


    she was right¡ªtheir content needed to be more tailored, more focused. He had his marketing team


    divided into specialty groups, each one focusing on one specific area. Yet in less than two days, Roslyn


    had managed to nail down exactly what they needed and even had a damn graph to prove her point.


    After several moments of silence, Nigel ced his phone on the desk and pulled his own te over. He


    picked at his food, rolling around all the information inside his head.


    ¡°If I overstepped¡ª¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He stared across the desk. Roslyn didn¡¯t seem insecure as she met his gaze, which just raised


    his admiration another notch. ¡°You didn¡¯t overstep. These are things I need to know and you¡¯re going


    above and beyond in such a short time.¡±


    ¡°Good. I didn¡¯t want to step on toes, but I was hired for a reason.¡±


    His respect for this new hire continued to climb. Maybe she wasn¡¯t too good to be true. Maybe she was


    just this amazing and he¡¯d hit the jackpot.


    With each moment he spent with her, he found her beauty taking a backseat to her brilliant mind. Looks


    would only get someone so far in life and Roslyn was proving to be a great asset on many levels.


    Damn shame he didn¡¯t get personal with employees. Since his position was so prestigious and


    everything he¡¯d wanted when he came to New York, he wouldn¡¯t jeopardize that for anything. He


    wanted his family in Ennd to be proud of what he¡¯d done. He didn¡¯t want them to think he just came


    here and bounced from one beautiful woman to another. Yes, he dated quite a bit, but he also didn¡¯t


    flounce it all over the media, and he never ever dated someone from the show...or his office staff.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Roslyn was exactly the type of woman he hadn¡¯t known he was looking for. If she weren¡¯t working for


    him, then he wouldn¡¯t have minded getting to know her on a more personal level and building trust.


    Trust was so hard toe by in this industry when most people were only looking out for themselves


    and how they could get ahead.


    But while a more intimate kind of trust wasn¡¯t an option between them, that didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t


    enjoy Roslyn¡¯spany, perhaps more than he did with any other employee.


    ¡°If you start with Seraphina¡¯s ount, for example.¡± Roslyn pulled up the page and turned her phone


    toward Nigel. ¡°Even her bio could be catchier.¡±


    Nigel felt the brewing of a headache and shook his head. ¡°Seraphina may not be part of the show much


    longer.¡±


    He hadn¡¯t meant to let that out, but his instinct told him Roslyn could be trusted. She¡¯d gone to great


    lengths to prove herself and if he wanted someone to help him grow in the rankings, she would need all


    the pertinent information.


    Roslyn¡¯s dark eyes widened. ¡°Oh, um... I wasn¡¯t aware. Not that you needed to tell me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he replied. ¡°I actually just found out recently that she was considering leaving¡ªthough of


    course, we don¡¯t want her to go. I was on the phone with her this morning offering her another option.


    That¡¯s why I was a few minuteste to the meeting.¡±


    ¡°Does she want to leave?¡± Roslyn asked. ¡°What will she do?¡±


    Nigel had kept asking her that very question. ¡°She¡¯s moving to Texas with a cowboy she met while she


    was filming down there. She and Clint are getting married.¡±


    Roslyn smiled. ¡°Well, that¡¯s great news for them and for the show. That¡¯s a huge marketing tactic and


    an angle that every viewer would love. A happily-ever-after for one of your favoritedies is like gold.¡±


    ¡°Which is why I want her and Clint to do a spin-off,¡± he confided. ¡°I¡¯ve talked to her about it, but she¡¯s


    not sure Clint would be on board.¡±


    Roslyn¡¯s gasped. ¡°Yes. A spin-off would be perfect. There¡¯s nothing more valued than a real-life love


    story and people put so much faith in such fairy tales.¡±


    ¡°Fairy tales?¡± he questioned. ¡°You don¡¯t believe in true love?¡±


    Roslyn shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not often I see it in action. I mean, I love my brothers and they love me. Actually,


    my oldest brother has found love, but that¡¯s a rarity, in my opinion. I can¡¯t say I had love from my father


    and he certainly didn¡¯t have it for my mother. He cheated on her and made no qualms about it even


    after she passed away of a stroke. I guess I¡¯m just jaded on the whole thing.¡±


    Interesting. For someone so passionate about her work, it seemed that Roslyn went theplete


    opposite way when it came to her personal life.


    ¡°So if a man showered you with bouquets of your favorite flowers, you wouldn¡¯t be tempted to fall a little


    in love?¡±


    Roslynughed as she sat her phone down and reached for her bottled water. ¡°A bouquet of flowers is


    so clich¨¦d. If a man brought me a single stem with heartfelt words, that would mean more than an


    entire expensive bundle.¡±


    ¡°So you need pretty words?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need anything,¡± she corrected. ¡°I deserve someone who is honest and wants


    to open his heart to me alone. I just don¡¯t think that man exists.¡±


    Nigel processed her words, understanding pain masked by a wall of defense.


    ¡°And what about you?¡± she asked. ¡°Do you believe in true love?¡±

 Chapter 13

    Chapter 13


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s some type of unicorn myth, but I haven¡¯t exactly had time to devote myself to looking.


    Though my grandmother is more than ready to marry me off and start another line of Townshends.¡±


    ¡°That sounds a bit archaic,¡± she scoffed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know my grandmother. The woman is a force to be reckoned with. I¡¯m terrified of her.¡±


    Roslynughed. ¡°Well, maybe you should be looking for Mrs. Townshend.¡±


    Or maybe he should work on figuring out how to get Roslyn out of his every waking fantasy. How could


    he even think about another woman with the way he wanted her?


    And what Nigel wanted, he always got.


    Now if he could figure out how the hell to get around his own rule of not getting involved with his


    employees all while saving his show, he could retain his sanity and stay in control.


    Four


    Sophie pushed away from her desk and came to her feet, adjusting her shirt over the top of her ck


    pencil pants. She really wished she hadn¡¯t gone all out in the transformation. She missed the


    comfortable yet fashionable dresses that had be her trademark. A good maxi and flip-flops


    sounded perfect right about now.


    But with it being winter in New York, she was happy for the extrayers. Mercy, that wind could be


    brutal. She certainly missed the warmth and sunshine back in Royal, but she truly felt like she was


    getting somewhere here...and she didn¡¯t mean with just Nigel.


    A tap on her door frame had her lifting her head to see Craig. ¡°Hey. Mr. Townshend called and wants


    you to meet him for dinner. He texted you the address and time, but he wanted me to follow up with


    you.¡±


    Sophie reached for her phone on her desk. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear anythinge through,¡± she muttered.


    She tapped the screen and, sure enough, there was a message from Nigel about dinner, but she¡¯d also


    missed two from her brothers. Clearly she needed to check in.


    ¡°Got it.¡± She smiled at Craig and waved her phone. ¡°I forgot I put it on vibrate earlier.¡±


    ¡°No problem,¡± he replied. ¡°So, how¡¯s everything going? Settling in okay?¡±


    Sophie nodded. ¡°Seems to be going really well.¡±


    ¡°I overheard Mr. Townshend chatting with a few guys from the camera crew.¡± Craig stepped into her


    office and lowered his voice. ¡°He mentioned you and some of your ideas for capturing snippets for


    teasers for social media.¡±


    Sophie couldn¡¯t help but feel a swell of pride. Over their lunch yesterday, she¡¯d not only discussed


    posts but also various ways to showcase small segments to continue to draw new viewers in. She was


    trying to appeal to all walks of life, no matter the stage a woman was at. Divorced, married, stay-at-


    home-mom, career woman, whatever. There was something in each cast member that could appeal to


    any potential female viewer.


    But on the coattails of her pride came the guilt. While she may actually be good at her job, she hated


    being deceitful. Nigel and Craig and everyone else she¡¯d encountered were so nice to her, making sure


    she felt like part of the team.


    ¡°Well, I just hope those ideas pay off for Secret Lives,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Seraphina might be off the show.¡± Craig cringed. ¡°That won¡¯t be good.¡±


    So apparently it was still just at the rumor stage¡ªNigel must not have told anyone but her. She felt


    quietly honored at his faith in her discretion. Sophie might want to pull out all the gossip on Miranda she


    could, but she wasn¡¯t about to add anything to the mix or get into the lives of the other women. And


    there was no way she¡¯d betray anything Nigel trusted her with...unless Miranda¡¯s name came into the


    mix.


    ¡°That would be a shame,¡± she replied. ¡°It seems all the women mesh really well together.¡±


    Craig shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Between the ratings and the potential loss of one of the cast members, I


    just hope the whole show doesn¡¯t go under. But, that¡¯s just my nerves talking. We still have some great


    women.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a favorite?¡± she prompted.


    Craig smiled. ¡°Doesn¡¯t everyone? I¡¯m partial to Miranda. That whole Southern charm she has is so fun.


    Plus, she¡¯s probably the nicest out of the bunch.¡± He grinned at her. ¡°You look surprised¡ªdid you get a


    different impression of her? It¡¯s always difficult to tell on screen, but even when the camera is off, she


    treats the staff with respect and is always so friendly.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Ugh. Not at all what she wanted to hear. But that was just one opinion and Sophie had just gotten


    started.


    ¡°Nobody can be that sweet all the time,¡± she countered with a smile to soften her doubts. ¡°I bet you


    know some juicy dirt on all the cast.¡±


    Craig yfully raised a hand to his lips and mimed turning a lock before he shrugged.


    ¡°I knew it,¡± she joked, but she wished he¡¯d give up a little more information. ¡°How long have you been


    here, Craig?¡±

 Chapter 14

    Chapter 14


    ¡°Three years.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ve definitely seen thedies at their best and their worst.¡±


    He nodded and leaned his shoulder against the wall. ¡°You could say that. There have been a few cat


    fights behind the scenes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure,¡± she added. ¡°Strong, independent women like that? There would have to be some alpha


    tendencies that sh.¡±


    ¡°They do,¡± he agreed. ¡°For the most part, though, they get along. Maybe that¡¯s why the ratings have


    dipped. People expect more drama from such reality shows. Thesedies usually pull for each other


    because they all understand what it¡¯s like to be a divorced woman trying to start over.¡±


    Or trying to dig her greedy ws into things that don¡¯t belong to her.


    ¡°Plus, they all really bonded over the fires that broke out while they were helping Miranda deal with her


    new inheritance after her ex passed away,¡± Craig added. ¡°All of that was something out of a movie.¡±


    Yeah, Sophie was well aware of what a nightmare all of that had been...and still was. The inheritance,


    the fires. Royal was still recovering and the Texas Cattleman¡¯s Club clubhouse is undergoing yet


    another renovation. Only a few years ago the entire ce had been revamped and updated. With these


    recent fires, a portion of the beautiful main building had been damaged.


    But Royal was a tightmunity. There may be drama and gossip, but when push came to shove,


    everyone pulled together.


    Sophie¡¯s cell vibrated on her desk and she nced to the screen.


    It was her brother Ken.


    ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me,¡± she told Craig. ¡°I need to take this.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± he told her, pushing off the wall and heading to her door. ¡°I¡¯ll let Mr. Townshend know you¡¯ll


    meet himter.¡±


    She waited until she was alone before she took a seat behind her desk and answered the call.


    ¡°Ken. What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Irina and I haven¡¯t heard from you for a few days. Any news?¡±


    Irina and Ken were madly in love after an affair that led to them realizing they were perfect for each


    other. Irina had been their father¡¯s maid, and had a dark past as a mail-order bride, but Ken treated


    her like royalty.


    ¡°Nothing I can use,¡± Sophie admitted.


    The only thing she¡¯d gained was a stack of steamy fantasies about her utterly delicious boss...but


    Ken probably didn¡¯t want to hear that. Divulging the fact that she was working right alongside the


    hottest man who gave her all the feels and all the dirty thoughts might not be the best idea. And yet,


    who could me her? It wasn¡¯t her fault she was having a difficult time focusing whenever Nigel was


    near.


    ¡°Are you doing okay?¡± he asked. ¡°I worry.¡±


    Always the worrier where she was concerned¡ªand even more so now that she was in New York


    undercover.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine and I promise to let you guys know as soon as I see or hear anything useful,¡± she vowed. ¡°It¡¯s


    just taking more time than I thought. So far, Miranda is dubbed a saint.¡±


    Ken snorted. ¡°Doubtful. Maybe you haven¡¯t talked to the right people.¡±


    ¡°Well, there are quite a few here,¡± she admitted. ¡°I¡¯m working my way through.¡±


    Sophie kept her voice low since her door was open, but she hadn¡¯t heard any activity out in the hallway.


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping to get into the film room and check out some of the cut scenes,¡± she murmured.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°That might be the ticket, and the proof, we need. If she admits to manipting Dad, or using some


    trick to push the will through, we¡¯ll be able to challenge it in court,¡± Ken agreed.


    ¡°How¡¯s everything in Royal?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Same. Irina is still nning our big bted honeymoon trip and I¡¯m working on another deal with a


    developer in Houston.¡±


    Sophie loved that her brother had found such happiness with Irina. They¡¯de together after Irina


    had suffered an abusive marriage. Buck had rescued her by offering her a job and a way out, but


    Ken was the one who had truly healed her heart. Ken and Irina were meant for each other and


    Sophie was d they¡¯d finallye back together after years of knowing each other and dancing


    around the attraction.

 Chapter 15

    Chapter 15


    The ckwood children deserved their own happiness, but Sophie wasn¡¯t sure settling down with


    some perfect guy was in the cards for her. She certainly wasn¡¯t looking for love. Such an emotion didn¡¯t


    exist for everyone and she wasn¡¯t holding her breath that it would happen to her.


    But lust? Yeah, that was not an issue.


    Nigel made her want to throw out her vow to hold on to her virginity until the right man came along.


    She¡¯d decided long ago there wasn¡¯t a right man or anyone she felt worthy enough to gi


    ve that piece of herself to.


    She didn¡¯t want to have sex just for the sake of having sex. Maybe she was in the minority with that line


    of thinking, but she didn¡¯t answer to anyone and she was proud of the fact she didn¡¯t sleep around to


    feel good about herself.


    Nigel, on the other hand, had her envisioning flings and heated nights...and naughty whispers in her


    ear with that sexy British ent. Maybe if he¡¯de along sooner in her life, or if she were here under


    different circumstances, she would see just what could happen if she let herself go and let her desire


    guide her decision-making.


    ¡°Sophie?¡±


    She jerked her attention back to the conversation. ¡°Sorry,¡± she replied. ¡°I got distracted.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re okay?¡± Ken asked. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this. We can find another way to contest


    the will and make Miranda give up what¡¯s ours.¡±


    ¡°I swear, I¡¯m fine,¡± she insisted. ¡°Listen, I need to get back to work, but I¡¯ll be in touch.¡±


    ¡°Love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too,¡± she replied before she ended the call.


    Sophie nced at the time and realized she only had a few hours before she had to meet Nigel. There


    were a couple angles she was working on for him and she wanted to finish up. The more she proved to


    be useful, perhaps the more he would trust her with the show¡¯s secrets. He¡¯d already disclosed


    Seraphina¡¯s personal issue. He was bound to know something about Miranda that went beyond public


    knowledge.


    Sophie¡¯s entire goal here had hinged on her finding useful gossip or some sort of concrete proof that


    Miranda had lured Buck into giving his estate to her. Sophie didn¡¯t believe her father had done so just


    because. But even if he had, Sophie didn¡¯t think she and her brothers should just be cut out of a family


    legacy.


    Since Sophie was working so closely with Nigel, perhaps she should find ways to use that to her


    advantage. He would know these women better than probably anyone on the set. They trusted him and


    confided in him.


    Sophie wasn¡¯t about to use her body to get information¡ªshe would never do something like that. But


    spending extra time with Nigel over dinners oring up with new ideas to get into his office for extra


    minutes could lead to conversations she could useter.


    After all... Nigel had clearly made it apparent he was interested. Maybe he would trust her with more


    and then she could get back to Royal...before she ended up losing her innocence.


    Five


    Nigel came to his feet when Roslyn entered the private room. He¡¯d requested his usual spot on the


    second floor of Manhattan¡¯s poshest restaurant. He wanted no interruptions.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I¡¯mte.¡± Roslyn pulled off her red scarf and coat, then shook out her golden hair. ¡°It takes


    quite a bit longer to get around the city than where I¡¯m from.¡±


    ¡°Country girl,¡± he joked, gesturing for her to take a seat in the curved booth next to him.


    The hostess took Roslyn¡¯s coat and scarf before leaving them alone.


    The flickering candle and the tight bundle of white roses in a gold vase on the table set a romantic vibe,


    one he wasn¡¯t purposely trying to create. He¡¯d wanted to spend time with her, and he¡¯d wanted a good


    dinner. Why couldn¡¯t he have both? The decor wasn¡¯t his fault¡ªit came with the room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your crazy traffic into ount next time we meet,¡± she told him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll send my driver next time,¡± he replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I doubt you do that for your other employees.¡±


    True, but she wasn¡¯t just any employee. An argument he wasn¡¯t going to have now. He¡¯d just send the


    car next time and she would have no choice but to allow him to make her life easier.


    ¡°Which reminds me of something I¡¯ve been meaning to ask,¡± she added, turning to face him. ¡°Everyone


    in the office calls you Mr. Townshend, yet you told me to call you Nigel.¡±


    Busted.


    ¡°You¡¯re working closer with me than most of them do. Would you like a ss of wine?¡± he asked,


    instead of going in circles with an argument he¡¯d ultimately win anyway.

 Chapter 16

    Chapter 16


    ¡°White, please. And nice dodge.¡±


    Nigel merely smiled with a wink as he got the waiter¡¯s attention and ordered drinks. Once they were


    alone again, he shifted toward her.


    ¡°Craig tells me you¡¯ve been busy all day. I believe the words he used were huddled over yourputer


    and muttering to the keyboard.¡±


    Roslyn smiled and tipped her head. ¡°I may have been working on a few things.¡±


    ¡°Such as?¡±


    She turned and reached inside her bag and procured a folder. ¡°I was hoping you¡¯d ask. I went ahead


    and came up with some possible scenarios for some uing segments. Just a few things that would


    entice viewers to keep tuning in and expand your base.¡±


    Intrigued, and more than turned on at her work ethic and passion, Nigel eased closer. He wanted to get


    a look at what she¡¯d brought, but he¡¯d be lying if he imed he didn¡¯t want to just get closer, to inhale


    that sexy floral scent that permeated from her. For such a country girl, she seemed to blend right in with


    this city life. She worked hard, hustled harder and had ss, beauty and brains that just begged for


    anyone around her to notice.


    Why was he torturing himself? Why didn¡¯t he just find another woman to spend time with...and one that


    would guarantee a satisfying ending to the evening?


    Because none of the women he knew fascinated him like Roslyn Andrews.


    Nigel listened to her talk, watched as she flipped from one graph to the next and even discussed pulling


    in a few celebrity appearances, perhaps at a cocktail party hosted by one of thedies.


    ¡°Because if they hype up the event on their social media, you will instantly expand your viewer base,¡±


    she finished.


    Nigel extended his arm along the back of the booth. ¡°Impressive.¡±


    Her smile beamed and her eyes sparkled. ¡°I really think the solution to your problem is simple, but it will


    require a little grunt work.¡±


    Story of his life. He¡¯d never met anyone who worked harder than him...until now. But her ideas and


    ingenuity were the exact match he needed not only to keep his show afloat but to rise higher than ever


    in the rankings.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a break,¡± he told her. ¡°I skipped lunch and I¡¯m hungry enough to order one of everything.¡±


    Roslynughed. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m that hungry, but I¡¯d love an appetizer or bread to go with this wine.¡±


    They ordered and once they were alone again, Nigel wanted to dive into more about her personal life.


    There was a need to learn everything about her, which he couldn¡¯t exin, and wasn¡¯t even going to


    try. It had been a long time since a woman intrigued him like Roslyn. Everyone in the office who had


    met her so far had been just as fascinated and impressed by her work ethic and her drive... Her sweet


    Southern ent also went a long way in charming some of the men.


    Nigel didn¡¯t like it, but he couldn¡¯t me them. Roslyn was theplete package.


    ¡°So, you came to the city because you wanted a change after your father¡¯s passing,¡± he began. ¡°Are


    you enjoying the lifestyle here? Other than the traffic, that is.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely an adjustment. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d ever get used to all the chaos. Texas is a big state and I¡¯m


    used tond and green grass with sunny blue skies.¡± She hesitated before tipping her head and


    leveling his gaze. ¡°Where are you from originally?¡±


    She wanted to turn the tables? Fine by him. He didn¡¯t mind sharing his backstory, especially if that


    meant she was just as interested in him as he was in her. Maybe that was his ego talking, but he didn¡¯t


    miss the way she looked at him. He¡¯d been hit on and charmed by many women¡ªa man in his


    powerful position was prone to such things. Roslyn wasn¡¯t trying to seduce him with her pretty words or


    sexy clothes...yet she did all the same.


    Everything about her turned him on and the differences between them kept tugging at


    him to uncover more. Because the more he found how different they were, the more he realized how


    much theyplimented each other.


    ¡°My family is back in Cumbria, Ennd,¡± he told her. ¡°Beautiful countryside and I love it when I¡¯m there,


    but I also love the city. No reason I can¡¯t have the best of both worlds. I understand the appeal of vast


    land with green as far as the eye can see. That sounds like where I grew up.¡±


    ¡°I bet you have horses,¡± she guessed, curling her fingers around the stem of her wine ss. Yet, she


    never took her eyes off him as she smiled.


    ¡°We do,¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s something my grandmother and I always shared a passion in. When I go


    home, we always have a date at the stables.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned your grandmother before. I take it you two are close.¡±


    Roslyn shifted in her seat, causing the strands of her hair to brush against his hand behind her back.


    He couldn¡¯t resist sliding the ends between his fingers, his eyes darting to the golden strands.


    ¡°Your hair is so damn soft,¡± he muttered before he could stop himself.


    ¡°Your grandmother.¡±

 Chapter 17

    Chapter 17


    ¡°I¡¯ve never felt her hair.¡±


    Roslynughed. ¡°We were talking about your grandmother.¡±


    ¡°We were, but I¡¯d rather talk about you.¡±


    She hesitated for a second and the moment was broken. He pulled his arm back, not wanting to make


    her ufortable ore across as a creepy boss. Hadn¡¯t he told her he wouldn¡¯t get involved? How


    did she continue to pull him in? It was that damn mind of hers. She was too fascinating, too


    intoxicating. He continually wanted more.


    ¡°Tell me more about this hometown of yours,¡± he said. ¡°You know, Miranda also lived in Texas for a


    time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± she replied. ¡°I made it a point to study up on all the cast. I assumed that was part of my


    job, right?¡±


    ¡°Always circling back to work.¡± Nigel shook his head and reached for his ss. ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone


    who cares about work as much as I do.¡±


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Well, I care about my job and making a good impression,¡± she stated. ¡°I¡¯ve always believed anyone


    can make a difference, no matter how small their position or their financial background.¡±


    She had the perfect words for everything. Literally everything.


    He¡¯d been toying with an idea since thest staff meeting, but he¡¯d thought it too soon to jump the gun.


    Now, though, he wasn¡¯t so sure. Maybe his idea was exactly what was best not only for him, but for the


    company.


    ¡°I want to run something by you,¡± he told her.


    ¡°Okay. Are we back to discussing work?¡±


    Nigel couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°For the time being. What do you say to working as the lead on the


    marketing for Serephina¡¯s wedding? I mean, not the actual wedding, but the marketing of the buzz


    around the show? If you could draw something up that I could show her, maybe we could convince her


    to air their nuptials¡ªpossibly into a new spin-off.¡±


    The idea rolled out of him as he continued on, hoping she would take this on. Roslyn¡¯s eyes widened,


    her mouth dropped open. After a moment, she regained herposure and took a sip of her wine.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m ttered you¡¯d consider me for one of the most important episodes if that happens.¡± She


    muttered the word as if rolling the idea around in her mind, thinking out loud so as to rify her answer


    in some way. ¡°I would love to draw something up for you. I hope that will convince Serephina to agree


    to the show.¡±


    A heavy weight lifted from his shoulders. Things seemed to be falling into ce and Nigel was certain


    that everything he ever wanted was right in front of him.


    ¡°Who knows what will happen, but I¡¯m confident with your ns and ideas. Fee will have a difficult time


    turning this down. She loves the otherdies and this show, and she still wants to see everyone


    seed. I have faith in you that you¡¯re my key to getting this show back at the top of the rankings.¡±


    Something passed over her face, something he couldn¡¯t quite identify. After a moment, Roslyn squared


    her shoulders and gave a clipped nod.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    * * *


    Sophie drained her second ss of wine and wondered yet again what the hell she¡¯d gotten herself


    into. Agreeing to another project for Nigel? She didn¡¯t have time for all of this. She needed to get in and


    out of this job and this persona before Miranda knew she was here. She needed to get back to her life


    in Royal and back to her legacy.


    But she couldn¡¯t turn Nigel down. When he looked at her with that hope in his eyes, she knew how


    much he wanted this show to thrive. She saw how hard he worked, how invested he was in the


    program he¡¯d created. Isn¡¯t that what she wanted? She wanted the life she worked so hard for, the life


    she was entitled to.


    Nigel could¡¯ve asked her anything and she would¡¯ve agreed.


    She reminded herself that the closer she pulled herself to the mogul, the better her chances were to


    find the exact information she needed. On the other hand, taking on a longer project may prove to be


    dangerous...from all angles. Still, she would stay until she got the ammunition she needed on Miranda


    and then Sophie would have to go.


    ¡°How was your dinner?¡± Nigel asked.


    Sophie nced down to her te and was shocked she¡¯d been able to eat a bite, what with the guilt


    and nerves fighting for top spot in her belly.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she lied with a smile. ¡°Much better than grabbing takeout and heading back to my apartment.¡±


    Her uptown penthouse was actually perfect. She¡¯d spared no expense when looking for a short-term


    lease. She¡¯d had to pay for the entire month, but she would be out long before that...she hoped.


    The ss walls she had offered her a spectacr view of Central Park, and with the snow they¡¯d had


    lately, every time she looked out her windows, she felt a little bit of giddiness. She didn¡¯t have snow in


    her part of Texas and the nket of white always took her breath and inspired her for future designs.


    ¡°We can dine together every night if you prefer not to eat alone,¡± he replied, cing his napkin on the


    table.

 Chapter 18

    Chapter 18


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a date.¡±


    ¡°Of course not. You know I don¡¯t date employees.¡± Nigel quirked a brow. ¡°Did I imply it was?¡±


    ¡°Actually, yes.¡±


    Heughed and shrugged. ¡°I like yourpany, both professionally and personally. You¡¯re not immune


    to all of this, either.¡±


    There went those nerves again. And when he¡¯d toyed with the ends of her hair? Revved up all of her


    sexual urges with the simplest of ways. Still, he didn¡¯t get involved with his staff, or so he kept saying,


    and she couldn¡¯t throw away her virginity on a man she was lying to and essentially using.


    Except, she wanted to. Mercy how she wanted to.


    She was so out of her league here. The flirting, the charm... She was aplete innocent in every


    sense of the word.


    ¡°Dating would certainlyplicate things,¡± she finally stated. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m only working for you


    temporarily and for all you know I have a boyfriend back in Texas.¡±


    Nigel reached for her hand, stroked his thumb along the top of her knuckles, and stared directly into her


    eyes so intently that she¡¯d swear he could see into her soul.


    Oh, boy. He may keep saying he didn¡¯t date employees, but he hadn¡¯t said anything about making said


    employees ache with desire.


    ¡°If you have a man in Texas, then he¡¯s a fool for letting youe here alone.¡±


    Oh, that low British ent had her toes curling in her Ferragamo pumps. There went that belly flutter


    again.


    ¡°Do you hit on all of your employees?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never made a pass at any woman I worked with,¡± he exined. ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted to.¡±


    Until now.


    The words hovered between them and she wished she could ignore the ring bells and red gs


    waving in her mind. If this were another time, another ce, if she could show him her true identity and


    start over, then maybe this attraction could lead to something more.


    But the harsh reality was she was only here to take down her ex-step-monster. She¡¯d gone to drastic


    measures to do so and she couldn¡¯t get sidetracked now¡ªnot when she¡¯d promised her brothers. And


    besides, how could they build anything real between them now? She couldn¡¯t keep up the facade


    forever, and the more deeply they got involved, the more betrayed he¡¯d feel when he learned she¡¯d


    been lying to him all along.


    ¡°I have to attend the CBN Awards Ceremony on Friday. I was going to go alone because it¡¯s not a big


    deal and I know this isst minute but...¡± That thumb continued to stroke her hand and he eased just a


    touch closer. ¡°Join me.¡±


    ¡°Nigel, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll send my personal stylist to your office tomorrow morning,¡± he went on. ¡°Choose anything you want


    and I¡¯ll make sure hair and makeup are informed you¡¯ll need their services. They¡¯lle to you, so


    don¡¯t worry about that.¡±


    Was she living in some warped version of Pretty Woman? Turning into someone she wasn¡¯t and getting


    a makeover to go out and be draped on the arm of the hottest man she¡¯d ever met?


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    If her brothers had any idea Nigel Townshend was hitting on her, or the way he kept looking at her and


    touching her, they¡¯d have had her on the jet back to Texas before she could even say Pretty Woman.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how it would look¡ªmy going to an awards show with you,¡± she replied. ¡°Especially since


    I¡¯m new and we just started working more closely together.¡±


    Not to mention the fact if the cast of Secret Lives was there, Miranda would recognize her right off the


    bat. sses and blond hair would only cover so much.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you want to go with thedies from the show?¡± she asked. ¡°You know, like a united front?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a ceremony for them,¡± he replied. ¡°It¡¯s for directors, producers, creators. It¡¯s a small affair, but


    I¡¯m expected to attend.¡±


    Miranda wouldn¡¯t be in attendance? He was offering up a free dress, hair, and makeup, and a night of


    schmoozing?


    Beyond all of that, Sophie had never felt such a pull, such an instant bond to another


    man. How could she just ignore all of that? Yes, this was the worst possible timing considering the


    circumstances, but she was in the thick of things now, so...


    Sophie smiled. ¡°I¡¯d love to go.¡±

 Chapter 19

    Chapter 19


    The smile that spread across Nigel¡¯s face had her wondering if she¡¯d just sacrificed every part of her


    sanity...and her heart.


    Six


    ¡°Okay, Nigel,¡± Lulu said, as she stepped from her en suite. ¡°I¡¯ll try to hint around to Fee about her


    wedding. I agree it would be amazing to make it a special episode of the show.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Lulu,¡± Nigel replied. ¡°I knew I could count on your support.¡±


    She disconnected the call and slid her cell into the pocket of her robe.


    Lulu Shepard may be one of the stars on Secret Lives, but her life was crumbling. Her very best friend,


    the one she confided in and went to when she needed a trusted soul, was leaving the show.


    Seraphina had found love and was moving to Texas to begin her life. Lulu was happy for her, but


    selfishly she wanted her friend to stay in her life, as a constant, reassuring presence. Though she did


    love the idea of the wedding being aired for the world to see. The love Fee and Clint found should be


    shared and celebrated at any opportunity.


    But after the wedding...what would Lulu do with Fee so far away? Their luncheons would be reduced to


    texts and asional calls. Even now, Fee was away more than she was home, spending as much time


    as she could with Clint in between packing up her life in Manhattan. It was almost enough to make Lulu


    wish she¡¯d stayed longer in Texas... But no, it was better that she¡¯d left.


    This show was such a huge part of her life and she loved every aspect of it. She truly had no idea what


    she¡¯d do if the show failed or if she didn¡¯t have that constant in her life anymore.


    The doorbell rang and Lulu nced to the time. Nearly ten o¡¯clock. Who would be stopping by thiste?


    Clearly someone the doorman knew, but he hadn¡¯t buzzed her to let her know, meaning it was either a


    neighbor or the guest was on the list to be allowed up unannounced.


    That narrowed down her suspects to just a handful.


    She crossed her penthouse and looked out the peephole. The one person she both wanted to see and


    wanted to avoid stood on the other side.


    Kace Lenc.


    She tightened the knot on her silky robe and pulled in a shaky breath as she slid the lock and opened


    the door.


    ¡°Kace.¡±


    Those warm brown eyesnded on her and she felt the jolt just as fiercely as if he¡¯d reached out and


    touched her.


    She¡¯d done some reckless things with Fee and the cast of the show, but none had been as reckless as


    starting to lose her heart to Kace. The man was the opposite of her, he lived in Texas, he irritated the


    hell out of her... But she couldn¡¯t deny there was still something about him that turned her on in ways


    she couldn¡¯t exin.


    She¡¯d seen a different side of him when they¡¯d helped clean up from the fires in Royal. He¡¯d not been


    so cocky and arrogant. He¡¯d been...strong, powerful,manding in a ridiculously sexy sort of way as


    he¡¯d worked to get things organized and put the town back in order.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    And she¡¯d ultimately given in to that attraction. Who could me her? There was no way she could


    keep denying herself, denying him.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she finally asked.


    His eyes raked over her state of undress and she shivered once again. Who knew a stare could be so


    potent?


    Kace took a step forward, urging her back until he was inside and could close the door behind him.


    ¡°I¡¯m in town for business,¡± he told her. ¡°I was walking to my hotel and the next thing I knew, I ended up


    here.¡±


    ¡°Without calling or texting?¡± she asked, irritated that he could get to her on every level. ¡°That¡¯s rude,


    Kace, even for you.¡±


    He took one step closer. ¡°Are you going to turn me away?¡±


    Lulu crossed her arms to keep from reaching for him. ¡°No. No, I¡¯m not.¡±


    The smile that spread across his face had her wondering what the hell she was getting in to.


    * * *


    ¡°Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?¡±

 Chapter 20

    Chapter 20


    Sophie didn¡¯t need the words. She could tell by the way Nigel kept close to her side, the way his eyes


    would roam over her as if he knew exactly what she looked like out of this sultry red dress that fit her


    every curve.


    When she¡¯d seen all of the options for her to try on, she¡¯d fallen in love with this one immediately,


    unable to stop herself from imagining how Nigel would respond to the sight of her in it. He hadn¡¯t


    disappointed. She should¡¯ve turned him down, she should¡¯ve stayed focused on her task and not


    gotten swept up in all of the glitz and mour and limo rides with a sexy man.


    Yet here she sat in the back of his car as they maneuvered through the city streets. He shifted in his


    seat and his leg brushed hers, as if she needed the reminder of how close they¡¯d been all evening.


    Throughout the entire night, Nigel had constantly touched her in some way¡ªhis hand on her lower


    back to guide her, his thigh aligning with hers beneath the table at dinner, a simple hand holding hers


    as he led her to and from the car.


    ¡°There wasn¡¯t a man in that ballroom who wasn¡¯t mesmerized by you,¡± he went on. ¡°I¡¯m d you were


    my date.¡±


    ¡°So this was a date?¡± she asked, trying to search his face as the shes of the lights off the streets and


    buildings shed across his features.


    ¡°What if it was?¡±


    Be careful.


    The voice rang through her head, but she ignored it. There was nothing careful about being this close,


    this attracted to the man she was deceiving.


    She¡¯d never misled a single person in her life and here she was lying to the one person she actually


    wanted to get to know on a personal level.


    But there was so much chaos going on in her life, how could she even think about something personal


    with Nigel? Their lives were worlds apart and he didn¡¯t even know her real name.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t get mixed up with employees,¡± she countered.


    He slid his fingertip along the slit in her skirt...the one that extended all the way up her thigh. Sophie


    shivered as her eyes darted from his hand to his face.


    ¡°I never have,¡± he agreed, with a level gaze. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ve changed my mind...if you¡¯re interested.¡±


    Up and down that fingertip went. He touched her nowhere else, but she couldn¡¯t suppress the arousal


    that spiraled through her. She needed to put a stop to this... She¡¯d needed to stop him long ago, such


    as when he¡¯d asked her to join him for dinner or when he¡¯d stared at her in the penthouse office like


    she was the most delectable thing and he was a starving man.


    ¡°Nigel¡ª¡±


    His finger stilled. ¡°Should I stop?¡±


    Sophie pursed her lips as a silent sparring battle took ce between her awakened wants and


    common sense.


    But she¡¯d put her career ahead of her personal life for so long. Couldn¡¯t she just take what she wanted?


    Just this once? Who said she had to save herself for the right man? What if that perfect one never


    came along? What if Nigel was the right man?


    ¡°You¡¯re thinking,¡± he murmured. ¡°I can practically see you arguing with yourself.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes I just want to ignore what¡¯s right, what¡¯s expected of me.¡± Her thoughts spilled out before


    she could keep them inside. ¡°Do you ever have that guilty feeling that you¡¯re being selfish?¡±


    Nigel¡¯s eyes dropped to her lips. ¡°Every decision I make is on purpose. So, no. I don¡¯t have regrets.¡±


    Of course, someone as powerful and confident as Nigel wouldn¡¯t second-guess his actions. He likely


    had his life allid out to perfection with no worries of consequences.


    Sophie had always prided herself on her own strength, but sitting in the back of a dark car with her faux


    boss had her willpower shrinking. Even before tonight, he?


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    ?d mesmerized her and made her wish for and want more than she¡¯d ever allowed herself.


    Why couldn¡¯t this be easy? Why couldn¡¯t she have met him under different circumstances? Why did


    she have to choose between holding true to her legacy and the promise to her brothers and going after


    what she desperately wanted?


    Before Sophie could say anything, the car came to a stop and momentster, her door opened. The


    driver extended his hand to assist her and as soon as she stepped out, she realized they weren¡¯t at her


    penthouse, but back at Green Media.


    She nced back to Nigel as he exited the vehicle.


    ¡°That will be all, James.¡±


    The driver got back into the car and drove away.

 Chapter 21

    Chapter 21


    ¡°How am I going to get home?¡± she asked.


    Nigel smiled. ¡°If that¡¯s where you want to go, I¡¯ll have hime back.¡±


    ¡°And my other option?¡±


    ¡°Coming up to the penthouse with me.¡±


    She took one step toward him, silently telling him she wanted just that. She wasn¡¯t sure why he brought


    her here, maybe he wanted to do some workter, maybe he wanted her to feel like they were on


    neutral ground since they both worked here...she had no clue.


    Her imagination went into overdrive and she wasn¡¯t so sure she was ready for more than this sexual


    banter and heavy tension. But if not now...when?


    They were clearly attracted to each other and they were both adults. She was tired of always working.


    Even with her fake work she was working.


    While she loved her job, it had alwayse ahead of her own personal life. Like now. Even her faux


    job was getting in her way.


    Sophie adjusted her clutch beneath her arm and pulled in a shaky breath.


    ¡°I could use a drink first,¡± she admitted, shivering against the cold.


    Nigel removed his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders. Now she was fully enveloped by his


    scent, his warmth. Another stepping stone on this path they¡¯d started down together.


    A ss of wine sounded good right about now. Who knows, maybe they could start talking and she¡¯d


    find more information on Miranda, because so far her search had turned up nothing useful. Wasn¡¯t that


    why she was here? To get some sort of proof that her stepmother swindled her way into the will and


    deceived Buck?


    Or maybe Sophie was here at this moment to do something for herself. To finally give in and take what


    she¡¯d denied herself for so long. Because right now, she wanted to be here for Nigel and absolutely


    nothing, or no one, else.


    ¡°A drink,¡± he repeated with a crooked grin. ¡°I can manage that.¡±


    She¡¯d never been more aware of any man in her life than she was in that elevator on their way up to


    the penthouse. There was plenty of room, yet he stood at her side, with his hand beneath his jacket at


    the small of her back where her dress dipped low and exposed her bare skin.


    That woodsy cologne of his had tantalized her all evening. She¡¯d never been turned on by a man¡¯s


    scent before, but, well, everything with Nigel was bing her first.


    The door slid open and she stepped into the penthouse. As she walked through, the lighting


    automatically lit up her path. The view of the city below drew her to the wall of windows. The swirling


    snow shone bright as it caught the various lights from buildings and the streets below.


    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d be so mesmerized by snow.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s dress shoes shifted across the hardwood floors. ¡°You look good in the city. This life suits you.¡±


    If he only knew how much she missed her old self. Her boots and flip-flops, her long, flowy dresses.


    Pants were of the devil and she was so over them. Give her a nice maxi or A-line sheath any day over


    skinny jeans and tailored jackets.


    She missed the ranch and wondered what all was going on now. She missed her French-inspired home


    in her luxurious gatedmunity. And she desperately missed her own bed.


    A sh of an image with Nigel in her bedroom pierced her thoughts. He could never be there. He could


    never know she was truly a ckwell. If he ever discovered why she was truly here, he¡¯d never forgive


    her and he¡¯d never believe she hadn¡¯t set out to deceive him.


    If he could have only known the real Sophie without this deception getting in the way...


    ¡°You prefer red or white?¡±


    Sophie nced over her shoulder to Nigel at the bar in the corner. She offered a smile and gripped the


    lapel of the jacket, pulling it tighter around her chest.


    ¡°I think you know by now I prefer white.¡±


    He picked up the stem he¡¯d already poured. ¡°Just making sure,¡± he said, returning her smile.


    As he made his way over to her, Sophie tried to put her worries, her betrayal out of her mind. She took


    in the sight of her date bringing her a ss of wine, thought of how quickly he¡¯d wrapped her in his


    jacket, remembered how he¡¯d been impressed with her ideas and gave her credit for them without


    stealing them as his own when he very well could have.


    Nigel was a noble man, a man she could easily fall for...was already falling for.


    This date was going far beyond what she¡¯d envisioned.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22


    Date. She really shouldn¡¯t let that term settle in because actual dating wasn¡¯t possible for them. A date


    would imply there could be more, but other than attraction and flirting...this was all there could be.


    Unless she was up front with him with as much as she could be and still not ruin her quest for the


    downfall of Miranda.


    ¡°I¡¯m not naive,¡± she told him as she took the ss. ¡°I¡¯m also not going to deceive you.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Well, not any more than she had to.


    Nigel held onto his tumbler and raised his brows. ¡°Is there something you think I¡¯ve misunderstood?¡±


    She pulled in a breath and took a sip of her wine before she exposed a very personal truth. ¡°I¡¯ve been


    focused on my career and trying to grow my design business, so my social life has taken a backseat.¡±


    More like it wasn¡¯t even in the car.


    ¡°I want to be the best at any job I do,¡± she went on. ¡°So dating hasn¡¯t exactly been on my radar.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it as apliment that you made an exception for me.¡±


    Sophie rolled her eyes. ¡°You would,¡± sheughed before pulling in a deep breath. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to


    say is that I realize you called this evening a date and I¡¯m positive you brought me up here hoping we


    could extend our...um...¡±


    ¡°Oh, now you¡¯re shy?¡± he asked. ¡°You¡¯ve been so blunt and honest since you came to work for me.


    Don¡¯t stop now.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± She squared her shoulders and tipped her chin. ¡°We¡¯ve already agreed there¡¯s an attraction, so


    I won¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t hit every button for me.¡±


    ¡°Is there a but?¡±


    ¡°But,¡± she went on, ¡°you need to know one vital piece of information before you decide anything else


    about me.¡±


    He took a sip of his own drink and took another step closer to her. ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been with a man before.¡±


    Seven


    Nigel stared at Roslyn and waited for her tough or tell him she was joking. But those bright eyes


    continued to hold his and she didn¡¯t even offer a hint of a smile.


    An innocent. He honestly didn¡¯t know any adult who was still a virgin. Yet the one woman he¡¯d been


    craving for days¡ªeven though it sure as hell seemed much longer than that¡ªstood before him as


    vulnerable as she could be. Quite the juxtaposition to her bold, confident personality in every other


    aspect of her life.


    She hadn¡¯t had to tell him, yet she¡¯d trusted him with her most personal piece of information.


    ¡°I totally understand if you want to end with the drinks and call your driver toe get me.¡±


    Without a word, Nigel took the ss from her hand and sat both of their drinks on the ent table.


    Turning back to face her, he stepped closer to her and framed her face until she had no choice but to


    look directly at him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve said this before, but I¡¯ve never met anyone like you.¡±


    Her eyes studied him. ¡°I can¡¯t tell if that¡¯s a good thing or a bad thing.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± heughed. ¡°Definitely good.¡±


    ¡°So... I¡¯m staying?¡±


    His body stirred and he had to force himself to move slowly. He¡¯d never had to worry about this before,


    but he found that her being a virgin wasn¡¯t a turn off at all...quite the opposite, actually.


    ¡°Everything from here on out is your call,¡± he told her, grazing his thumb across her plump lower lip.


    He¡¯d never relinquished control of anything in his life, but found that¡¯s exactly what he wanted to do


    with Roslyn. He not only wanted herfortable, he wanted to follow her lead, to learn with her as she


    expressed herself and explored her passion.


    Nerves settled deep and he had to tamp down the anxiety over the thought that he was taking


    advantage. He wasn¡¯t about to do anything she didn¡¯t want, but he had questions.

 Chapter 23

    Chapter 23


    ¡°Were you that focused on work you didn¡¯t take time for yourself?¡±


    ¡°I want to make a name for myself,¡± she told him. ¡°Personal life could alwayseter.¡±


    Or now.


    Nigel leaned in and slid his lips across hers. Her swift intake of breath and the increased pulse at the


    base of her throat only increased his need to make her feel everything she¡¯d deprived herself of.


    The fact that he was the first one to even make her think about giving herself up in such a way was


    more than an ego boost...it was a bloody treasure.


    ¡°So why are you here with me?¡±


    She licked her lips and he knew the act stemmed from nerves and not some practiced ploy. ¡°Because I


    can¡¯t help myself,¡± she murmured honestly. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt drawn to someone the way I¡¯ve been drawn


    to you. I know it¡¯s not right since you¡¯re my boss and I¡¯ve tried to ignore what I feel.¡±


    Nigel eased the jack


    et from her shoulders and tossed it aside. ¡°What do you feel?¡±


    He tipped her head and braced one arm around her lower back to hold her firmly against him.


    ¡°Attracted, desired.¡± Her eyes dropped to his mouth. ¡°Aroused.¡±


    For someone so innocent, she knew all the right words to say. She raised her hand, hesitated, then


    ced it on the side of his face.


    There was that hint of insecurity. He¡¯d never seen even an inkling of that in the office. She¡¯d always


    been confident and strong. Even in the minor position she¡¯d been hired for initially, someone like


    Roslyn was too big in life to be a simple consultant.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid,¡± he told her, even though fear pumped through him. He wanted everything to be


    perfect for her. Roslyn deserved more than for him to swipe off the top of his desk andy her out.


    She¡¯d never done this before and he had to respect her reasons why...even if they were foreign to him.


    Nigel took her hands in his and stepped back. Then he led her to the oversize leather sofa and urged


    her down. As she sat, those expressive eyes stared back at him. He¡¯d have given anything to rip that


    excuse for a dress off her body and explore her tempting curves with his eyes, his hands, his mouth,


    but he didn¡¯t want to rush or frighten her.


    Self-control was key here.


    Roslyn started to reach for the top of his pants, but he pulled away. Confusion shed across her face


    as she stared back up at him.


    Nigel dropped to his knees in front of her, circling her waist with his hands, and leaning in to brush his


    lips across the swell of her breasts where her dress dipped.


    ¡°Trust me,¡± he murmured over her heated skin. ¡°Let me make you feel good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling pretty good already,¡± she sighed, settling deeper into the sofa.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    The re of her hips beneath his hands had him eagerly roaming down and pulling the skirt of her red


    dress back up over her shapely legs. He shifted his focus between her eyes and the dark skin he


    revealed inch by inch. He didn¡¯t want to miss a single part of her experience.


    Roslyn stared down at his hands, her mouth open, her lids heavy. Desire looked good on her and he


    nned on making sure she knew just how desirable she truly was.


    Anticipation pumped through him, knowing no other man had ever touched her in such a way. The


    experience seemed heightened, the intensity raised to a dizzying degree. He was too far gone, and


    from the little pants and sighs, so was she. Obviously she wanted this just as much as him.


    Nigel nced down to peek at the ckcy panties visible from beneath the slit of the skirt. He slid his


    thumb over the delicate material, right at the point where he knew she ached.


    Her gasp had him smiling. So responsive, so passionate. She was utterly perfect, and he hadn¡¯t even


    pleasured her yet.


    When the snug dress wouldn¡¯t move anymore, Nigel gripped her hips and tugged her into a halfying


    position. Better. Now he could shift the dress a bit more and expose the rest of thosecy panties.


    His breath left his lungs as he finally took her in from the waist down. He¡¯d never seen a sexier sight


    and he ached to touch her, to taste her.


    Roslyn¡¯s hands threaded through his hair as she continued to stare back at him. The want and need he


    saw looking back at him had Nigel ready to give her anything she wanted...and more.


    Unable to wait a moment longer, he leaned down and slid his lips over her, where thecy seam met


    skin. She trembled beneath his touch and Nigel continued to hold onto her hips as he explored her with


    his mouth.

 Chapter 24

    Chapter 24


    Those fingers in his hair tightened, pulled, and only further aroused him. Roslyn had all this pent-up


    passion and he was about to make here undone.


    He curled his fingers over the scraps of material at her hips and slowly eased the panties down her


    legs. She still wore those bedroom heels and he most definitely wanted those to stay in ce. He was


    a sucker for a woman in heels.


    ¡°Nigel,¡± she whispered.


    He stilled, raking his gaze up her body until he met her eyes. ¡°You trust me?¡±


    She bit her lip and nodded. Nigel slid one fingertip over her, earning him a soft moan.


    He eased farther down, settling his shoulders between her parted legs. She continued to thread her


    fingers through his hair, as if she couldn¡¯t stop touching him. He was so damn aroused and turned on,


    but this moment, this night, was all about her. He never believed selfishness had any ce in the


    bedroom and he sure as hell wasn¡¯t about to start now.


    While he¡¯d love nothing more than to shed this suit and show her exactly how much he wanted her, that


    would do Roslyn no good. He wanted her to see exactly how great this could be, how perfect her first


    sexual experience should feel.


    No pressure, right?


    His lips barely grazed her center and her hips bucked. The need for more had him sliding one finger


    into her.


    Roslyn cried out and he absolutely loved the sounds she made...loved knowing he was the one making


    here undone.


    When he reced his finger with his mouth, Nigel knew he¡¯d never experience a sweeter, more erotic


    moment in his life. Roslyn moaned as she arched into his touch.


    Nigel pleasured her until she gasped his name and fisted her fingers in his hair, pulling tighter than


    before. Her heels locked behind his back, the point of her shoe dug in and he didn¡¯t care one bit.


    This. Was. Everything.


    Roslyn had a passion that he¡¯d never seen in another woman. She had an abandon that proved she


    wasn¡¯t ashamed to be herself, to expose the most intimate side of herself.


    Nigel waited until her trembling ceased before he kissed her inner thighs and eased up. When he


    nced down, he took a mental picture, never wanting to forget this for a second. Her hair hade


    undone, now spread all around her. Her eyes were closed, her mouth open, a sheen across her chest,


    her breathing rapid.


    Roslyn looked exactly like what she was...a woman well loved.


    But he had no clue what to do now. Nigel had never been in this situation before. He¡¯d never been so


    bloody attracted to a woman, and a virgin at that. And she still was a virgin.


    Damn it. He was more scandalous than the stars of his show. If anyone found out he¡¯d taken his brand-


    new hire to bed, his reputation would be shattered. It would give weight to every doubt and reservation


    his family had expressed, every time they¡¯d told him that New York wasn¡¯t his ce and he should


    come home where he belonged. He¡¯d built a life for himself here that he could be proud of¡ªhow could


    he risk throwing that all away?


    And yet how could he resist this woman who had given him this beautiful gift? Besides, she was


    showing him such trust¡ªsurely he could show a little trust in return that everything would work out.


    Nigel pushed aside any thoughts that didn¡¯t center around Roslyn. Because right now, and for the


    foreseeable future, all he wanted was to continue showing this woman just how much she was desired.


    Eight


    Sophie pulled in a shaky breath and attempted to sit up and right her dress.


    They had just broken all the rules. This could hurt the business he loved so much and it could


    jeopardize her n to protect her family¡¯s legacy. But she wasn¡¯t sorry this had happened. How could


    she be? Nigel had just pleasured her in the most intimate way and he hadn¡¯t even fully undressed her.


    He slid his hands over her thighs, up to her waist, and pulled her forward.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say,¡± she muttered, feeling reality crash back down.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything,¡± he replied with a naughty grin. ¡°Believe me, this was my pleasure.¡±


    Speaking of...


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, more than you know.¡± He cut her off with a lowugh that seemed to hold more frustration than


    humor. ¡°But this was about you. I¡¯ve wanted you since you stepped foot into my office. I can¡¯t resist


    you, Roslyn.¡±


    &n

 Chapter 25

    Chapter 25


    bsp; There it was. The reason she couldn¡¯t fully enjoy her first sexual experience. Nigel didn¡¯t even


    know her real name. Guilt and disappointment spiraled through her. She¡¯d finally chosen to give herself


    to someone, and her pleasure had been robbed by her lies. She had nobody to me but herself.


    How could she let this go any further? Clearly Nigel cared for her on some level. He¡¯d taken his time,


    he¡¯d made love to her with his mouth, and now he looked as if he was perfectly content with nothing


    more.


    Why couldn¡¯t she have met him before the deceit? Why couldn¡¯t she just tell him who she was and why


    she was here?


    Because her brothers were counting on her and she couldn¡¯t let them down. Miranda had no right to


    take ownership of a family legacy that meant nothing to her anyway.


    ¡°I may be inexperienced,¡± she told him. ¡°But I¡¯m not naive or dumb. You¡¯ve got to be...frustrated.¡±


    Again, he let out a throatyugh. ¡°I¡¯ll admit to being a trifle ufortable.¡±


    His smile slowly faded and those lingering eyes continued to hold her in ce. Another burst of arousal


    slid through her, coupled with fear of all the unknownponents that made up this warped


    rtionship.


    At some point, this was all going to blow up in her face and they were both going to end up hurt. The


    longer she stayed, the more involved they became, the more Sophie knew there would be no good way


    for this to end.


    Nigel sighed and came to his feet. He raked a hand over his mussed hair and stared down at her, then


    offered a soft smile.


    ¡°You look good spread out over my couch,¡± he told her. ¡°I¡¯ve envisioned you several times, in several


    ways¡ªspread across my bed, in my shower, on my desk.¡±


    Sophie adjusted her dress and stood, tugging the material down to cover her thighs. ¡°You¡¯ve been


    busy,¡± she joked, though her nerves were even more out of control than they¡¯d been before he¡¯d


    pleasured her.


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯ve never met a woman like you.¡± He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and raked his


    thumb over her chin. ¡°Nobody has been able to distract me from work before and nobody has ever


    made me want to put them first in everything. You¡¯ve put some spell on me.¡±


    Sophie swallowed, unable to form words to follow his deration. This was getting too deep, too


    intimate... But she knew tonight was just a stepping stone for the future. She wasn¡¯t innocent enough to


    think they¡¯d just stop here.


    ¡°I could say the same,¡± she replied, still recovering from his touch. ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect any of this.¡±


    She had to tell the truth where she could. Maybe he¡¯d even turn out to be understanding. After all, he¡¯d


    have to see that her attraction to Nigel had nothing at all to do with her n to reveal Miranda for the


    ruthless gold digger Sophie believed her to be.


    But what if he took it badly? What if he threw her out...and then called Miranda to tell her everything?


    She couldn¡¯t bring herself to risk it.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Lying to his face made her miserable. She¡¯d never felt so guilty, so ugly. But she¡¯d already started this


    and she would see it through.


    ¡°The new responsibilities I¡¯ve given you have nothing at all to do with this attraction,¡± he told her. ¡°I


    need you to know that. In a very short time, you¡¯ve proven to be a worthy asset.¡±


    Sophie smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you gave me an extra project to get in my pants. But I¡¯m d to know you


    find my ideas of value.¡±


    At least she could be a little proud of the effort she¡¯d put into this faux job. If she¡¯d learned anything


    from her father, it was how to work hard no matter the upation.


    She just wished her father would¡¯ve thought more of her and her brothers and shown some real care


    toward them¡ªin his life or in his death. Money and assets aside, she didn¡¯t know why he wouldn¡¯t


    leave them a part of his legacy. Why he would throw it all at Miranda like she deserved more in her


    blingy, snobby life. The woman mainly stayed in New York with her friends and outgoing lifestyle. Her


    ce in Royal was just a getaway.


    Even though Sophie and her father had had a strained rtionship, having everything removed from


    her life where he was concerned seemed so final, so heartbreaking. Like she just had to sever any ties


    she had with him. He was her father, she still loved him and she had nothing of his to hold on to.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you decided to go to the ceremony with me tonight,¡± Nigel interrupted her thoughts, reaching


    for her hand andcing his fingers with hers. ¡°You may not believe me, but I typically go alone.¡±


    Sophie tipped her head. ¡°I do find that hard to believe.¡±


    Nigel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in closer to his solid, powerful body. ¡°And I find it hard to


    believe no man has captured your attention or your heart yet.¡±


    She stilled. ¡°Is that what you¡¯re after? My heart?¡±


    Nigel slid his hands over her backside and squeezed. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to fall in love, not when I¡¯m busy


    building an empire and a name for myself. But I wouldn¡¯t mind somepanionship while you¡¯re in


    town.¡±


    ¡°A fling?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s such a juvenile, crass term.¡±


    He slid his lips over hers, so softly she had to grip onto his shoulders to keep herself grounded in the


    face of the tenderness.

 Chapter 26

    Chapter 26


    Sophie eased back and studied his face. ¡°Then what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason we can¡¯t enjoy each other¡¯spany,¡± he told her. ¡°I like being with someone


    whose body isn¡¯t the only sexy part. You¡¯re a match to my business mind and that¡¯s refreshing in this


    industry. You challenge me to be better and that¡¯s quite an admirable trait.¡±


    Again, she was ttered he found her useful and formidable, and that he noted she was smart. That


    meant so much to her because she did pride herself on being an educated woman.


    ¡°Is that all you want mypany for?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Hell, no.¡± He slid his hands up over the curve of her hips to settle at her waist. ¡°I want to be the man


    who continues to awaken this inner vixen. I want to be the man who shows you what intimacy can be.


    I¡¯m a jealous bastard and I hate the thought of any other man being any of those things to you.¡±


    Sophie shivered at hismanding, authoritative tone. She¡¯d learned vital information about Nigel


    tonight: he was a giving lover and he was a force to be reckoned with. As strongly independent as she


    prided herself on being, she couldn¡¯t ignore his advances and she didn¡¯t want to.


    But why couldn¡¯t she enjoy Nigel¡¯spany while she was here? She was a grown woman and didn¡¯t


    need to make excuses for going after what she wanted. She wasn¡¯t going to hurt him or Green Room


    Media. All Sophie wanted to do was find some juicy dirt on Miranda and then she¡¯d be on her way.


    But Sophie needed to find the scoop sooner rather thanter. Her week was nearly up, and she had


    nothing to take back to Texas other than the best sexual experience she¡¯d ever had. She wasn¡¯t ready


    to go, the thought of leaving had knots of anxiety and tension balling up within her.


    Emotionally, she couldn¡¯t afford to keep up this charade. Even though she¡¯d devised a sneaky scheme,


    she truly wasn¡¯t a ruthless person and she didn¡¯t like stooping to this level. But, if she left, she¡¯d be


    leaving Nigel and she wasn¡¯t ready.


    ¡°You seem to still be thinking.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s words cut into her thoughts and she redirected her attention to him.


    ¡°Maybe I wasn¡¯t persuasive enough,¡± he added, bending down to run those talented lips along her


    exposed neck.


    Sophie dropped her head back and curled her fingertips into his shoulders. Did anyone ever say no to


    this man?


    ¡°I¡¯m yours,¡± she muttered, helpless against his persuasion. ¡°For as long as I¡¯m here.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know if she should hurry and get out before she got hurt or take her time and enjoy the ride.


    * * *


    ¡°We haven¡¯t received confirmation of your plus one.¡±


    Nigel pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He could handle the cat fighting and nit-


    picking of thedies from Secret Lives without breaking a sweat, but when it came to his grandmother,


    he somehow resorted to a child being scolded.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t sent in my plus one, yet,¡± he replied, blowing out a sigh.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware. Hence the nature of my call.¡±


    Dame ire Worthington never failed to choose sharp, witty words and there wasn¡¯t a soul in the


    family, or anywhere else in Cumbria, that dared cross her. In addition to being strict and demanding,


    she was also loving, loyal, respected...and that¡¯s why he hated letting her down.


    Nigel turned from the wintery view of the city to face the leather sofa...the one he¡¯d had Roslyn spread


    out on justst night. He¡¯d told himself that he¡¯de up here to think and get away from the office for


    the day, but perhaps he just wanted to return to the scene of the best night of his life.


    He had no clue what was happening with his new temporary employee, but he knew he wanted more


    from her...professionally and personally. Why couldn¡¯t he have both? He made the bloody rules and


    owned thepany. He wanted her to stay on permanently, not just because he wanted her in his bed,


    but because she¡¯d already brought so much to Green Room Media. Workce romances happened all


    the time¡ªthere had to be some kind of protocol they could follow to keep everything scandal-free.


    ¡°Nigel.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes,¡± he stated, shifting his attention back to his grandmother. ¡°I know. Plus one.¡±


    ¡°The RSVP was due in by today. I¡¯m sure it slipped your mind with as busy as you are with your city


    life, so that¡¯s why I called. You can just tell me you¡¯ll be bringing a date to your sister¡¯s wedding and I¡¯ll


    make sure catering gets the urate number.¡±


    As if an inurate count of his one date, orck of, would throw off the filet Oscar-style menu. His


    grandmother made it no secret he was only getting older and that she disapproved of the fact that he


    still hadn¡¯t settled down, let alone started working on producing the next generation of little


    Townshends.


    His grandmother was old school and British...there was no arguing with her and she damn w


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ell knew it. But for all that, she certainly wasn¡¯t the pearl-wearing, tea-sipping elderly woman. She


    worked hard all her life, raised her children without a nanny and ran their horse farm alongside her


    husband. She understood his reasons for wanting to build his own empire and the move to NYC, but


    she wasn¡¯t backing down on his settling soon to start a family.


    ¡°You are cutting this close,¡± she added. ¡°The wedding is next week, you know.¡±

 Chapter 27

    Chapter 27


    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    His sister was marrying the love of her life...or so she said. They¡¯d chosen Valentine¡¯s Day as their


    wedding day, which was just a little too cutesy for him, but she hadn¡¯t asked his opinion.


    Nigel had met his soon-to-be brother-inw a handful of times when he¡¯d gone home and the guy


    seemed like he¡¯d fit into the Townshend family perfectly. But Nigel was in no hurry to bring home a


    woman. It would take someone special to get him ready to introduce her to the rest of the n.


    An image of Roslyn shed through his mind.


    No. Hell, no. First of all, when he brought a date, they wouldn¡¯t expect her to be someone from the


    office. Second, he couldn¡¯t bring Roslyn because...well...


    Why not? She would actually be the perfect candidate. She was poised, she could definitely hold her


    own and there was nobody else he¡¯d want on his arm.


    Nigel couldn¡¯t prevent the smile that spread across his face. His family would have no way of knowing


    Roslyn was from the office. If she came as his plus one, it would give him another opportunity to get to


    know her on a deeper level. He wasn¡¯t ready for thatmitment his grandmother was after, but


    spending more time with Roslyn would give him more insight to her. A fake rtionship for the sake of


    his family wouldn¡¯t hurt anything, right?


    After that, he could exin they broke things off and nobody would have to know.


    That is, if Roslyn went along with this crazy n.


    ¡°And for pity¡¯s sake, wear a tie,¡± Dame ire scolded. ¡°I know you have your own style, but this is a


    ck-tie affair.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± Ideas rolled through his mind on how to approach Roslyn with his proposal. ¡°I promise I


    won¡¯t do anything to embarrass you or the family.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please,¡± she chided. ¡°Nothing embarrasses me, but I do have standards. I expect you and your


    date to be here noter than Wednesday. The wedding is Saturday.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± he vowed.


    ¡°You both will be here,¡± she corrected.


    Nigelughed. Of course she¡¯d assume he was bringing someone simply because she said so. He told


    her to give everyone his love before he disconnected the call.


    He stared at the phone another second and finally shot off a text before he could think better of it.


    Going up against a persnickety, hardheaded old grandmother called for drastic measures.


    Meet me at the office penthouse.


    He hit Send, then quickly added another text.


    I need a favor.


    It was Saturday night, so maybe she was out on the town, but he didn¡¯t think so. Roselyn worked hard


    and seemed to put her career above socializing. He didn¡¯t want to discuss his family¡¯s drama and


    wedding issue via text. And he just wanted to see her...the wedding was just the perfect excuse.


    Nigel didn¡¯t want Roslyn to think he was aplete jerk who only wanted to get her undressed. He¡¯d


    meant what he¡¯d said when he told her that he respected her and nned to take his time.


    Time would prove to be the ultimate forey, especially since she¡¯d already said yes to his advances.


    And a trip to his home? He couldn¡¯t wait to take her back to the ce where he had grown up, where


    he¡¯d dreamed. He¡¯d continue to charm her with the grand estate of Shrewsbury Hall. The home itself


    rivaled Buckingham Pce with all the rooms, windows, ornate architecture and decor.


    Roslyn would love his childhood home if he could get her there. He couldn¡¯t imagine any interior


    designer not falling in love with the rich history and all the stories behind each room and heirloom.


    Nigel had to talk her into being his plus one first. Coming off their encounterst night, he hoped fate


    was in his favor.


    Nine


    ¡°Meet your family?¡±


    Sophie knew getting physically involved with Nigel was risky, both to her heart and her mind, but flying


    all the way to Cumbria, Ennd, to be his plus one at his sister¡¯s wedding? And for Valentine¡¯s Day?


    That was more than just taking a step in a dangerous direction¡ªit was practically bungee jumping off a


    cliff. Meeting the family, attending a wedding that would equate to something from royalty and


    pretending to be his girlfriend for the sake of duping his family?


    More lies might just do in her mental state and she wasn¡¯t sure she could keep all of them straight.

 Chapter 28

    Chapter 28


    ¡°I know this is out of nowhere,¡± Nigel stated, raking a hand through his hair, clearly stressed.


    She¡¯d only known him a short time, but she¡¯d never seen him this flustered. Clearly he was in a bind


    and wasn¡¯t any morefortable asking her than she was being invited. She also had to assume that


    he wouldn¡¯t havee to her had he¡¯d had another choice.


    ¡°My grandmother is quite persistent,¡± he added, his dark eyes pleading with her.


    ¡°But, what about my job here?¡± she asked, still reeling from the out-of-the-blue request. ¡°I mean, what


    will everyone think? First I¡¯m hired as a consultant, then I¡¯m put in charge of heading up the marketing


    for the wedding episode that may or may not happen, then I go to an award ceremony with you and


    now a family wedding back at your home?¡±


    Her mind was spinning just saying all of this out loud. Talk about a whirlwind experience. But the


    biggest issue for her was the thing she didn¡¯t dare say aloud¡ªbetween getting swept up with Nigel and


    his charm and sex appeal, and her inability to deny him anything, she was running out of time to


    uncover information on Miranda. Every angle she¡¯d tried ended up a dead end. Everyone she spoke to


    absolutely loved the woman.


    ¡°I know it looks crazy... It is crazy,¡± he amended, reaching for her hands. ¡°Nobody here has to know


    about where we¡¯re actually going. I can say I have you going on a trip to scout potential locations for


    the show.¡±


    More lying. For someone who used to pride herself on honesty, she¡¯d fallen down the rabbit hole of


    deceit and she wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d find her way back out anytime soon.


    If she went away with him, Sophie knew they¡¯d pick up where they¡¯d left off the other night... That both


    thrilled and terrified her. She¡¯d never wanted anyone the way she wanted Nigel and that was what


    scared her most. How could she ever let him go?


    Nigel¡¯s strong hands held hers as he continued to stare at her, imploring her with his eyes.


    ¡°How long will we be gone?¡± she asked.


    A toe-curling smile spread across his face. ¡°Five days.¡±


    Five days in an English countryside estate with a man she was quickly falling for, during which she¡¯d


    have to pretend to be his girlfriend so his family would get off his back. Seriously, what could go wrong?


    Sophie had lied to get to this point and now she was taking this acting skill on an international tour.


    What would her brothers think when she told them about this venture?


    Maybe she should keep this part to herself. She didn¡¯t want to use Nigel. That part kept niggling at her.


    She may be lying in her position here, but she wasn¡¯t lying about her growing feelings or attraction. She


    wasn¡¯t that good of an actress. But all of these emotions werepletely unexpected and causing


    issues she hadn¡¯t nned on.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to pressure you,¡± he told her. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to ask anyone else.¡±


    The fact he trusted her with meeting his family and only added to her shame. He was being so


    transparent with his life with her, as far as she knew, and she was aplete phony.


    Yet she couldn¡¯t say no. She wanted to spend more time with the man who made her wish this were all


    real. He made her daydream about a real rtionship, a real attraction...a real affair instead of one


    based on lies.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± she told him. ¡°I¡¯ll go to Ennd.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s shoulders rxed as he stepped closer her and gripped her hands to his chest. ¡°You will love


    my home and my family. Dame ire can be overwhelming at times, but she does everything out of


    love.¡±


    Sophie wasn¡¯t sure how she¡¯d deal with arge, loving family and a doting grandmother...especially one


    with a title. Sure, she and her brothers were close, and she¡¯d loved her her mother, but the rtionship


    with her father just left her feeling broken.


    What would her life be like if she had a close rtionship with her father? Maybe the oue of the


    will would¡¯ve been different and Sophie and her brothers would have had their legacy given to them.


    She only had her brothers now and they were depending on her. Even though Ken had said she


    coulde home, she didn¡¯t want to let them down. She wanted to be the one to make everything


    right. She wanted to give them back what had been taken away.


    ¡°What should I pack for this wedding?¡± Sophie asked, ignoring the ring horns and red gs in her


    head.


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Nigel quirked a brow. ¡°I¡¯ve got everything covered. My jet will be ready to go Wednesday morning and


    your dresses and jewelry will be on board.¡±


    And Sophie fell just a little deeper into this Pretty Woman scenario.


    * * *


    Central Park was absolutely gorgeous in the winter. Freezing, but breathtaking and so picturesque.


    Sophie huddled deeper into her coat as she walked along the curved path through the park. The brisk


    air gave her a freshness that she didn¡¯t find in Texas heat. Besides, she¡¯d wanted to get out of the


    office and take a much-needed break.


    She¡¯d tried calling Vaughn, but she¡¯d only gotten his voice mail. She stopped at a park bench that had


    been cleaned off and took a seat, pulling out her phone to call Ken.

 Chapter 29

    Chapter 29


    She had to tell them what she¡¯d be doing, but she¡¯d been stalling, struggling with her guilt. In all of this


    snowballed mess, she had to be honest with someone. She couldn¡¯t exactly leave the country without


    letting her brothers know. She respected and loved them too much to lie... She¡¯d done enough lying as


    it was.


    Sophie dialed and wrapped her arm around her midsection to hold in the warmth of her coat. Ken


    answered on the first ring.


    ¡°There¡¯s my favorite spy.¡±


    Sophie inwardly groaned, hating the nickname, even though this had all been her idea. ¡°Good to hear


    your voice, too.¡±


    ¡°Found out anything yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m getting closer,¡± she stated, which was partially true. She was actually going to a meetingter with


    two members from the camera crew. If anyone knew about behind the scenes shenanigans, it would be


    them.


    ¡°I hope to have some information within the next few days,¡± she added. ¡°But I called to tell you that I


    have to do a bit of traveling. I¡¯ll still check in and keep my eyes and ears open, but... I¡¯m going out of


    the country.¡±


    ¡°Out of the country?¡± he repeated. ¡°How does that fit into the n when Miranda is going to be in New


    York for filming?¡±


    Yeah, she was still trying to figure that out herself. In her original n, she would have already left New


    York by now with the sought-after evidence in hand. As it was, she would have to dodge Miranda if she


    popped into the office, but Sophie had seen the uing shooting schedule and there was no reason


    for Miranda to be at Green Room Media for the next few weeks.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do anything to raise suspicions,¡± she defended. ¡°I was asked to travel, so that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Swirls of snow fluttered around and mesmerized Sophie as she clutched the cell. For someone so


    ustomed to heat, she really was enjoying her time in NYC during the winter. Maybe she should visit


    more often. Perhaps she should even incorporate some of her videos here for inspiration... Well, once


    she could go back to being Sophie ckwood, posh interior designer and not Roslyn Andrews,


    temporary consultant and wannabe mistress to Nigel Townshend.


    ¡°And going out of town is a direct order from the boss?¡± Ken joked.


    ¡°Pretty much,¡± she muttered, as die-hard runners braved the cold and jogged by. ¡°Listen, it¡¯s only for


    five days and I promise I haven¡¯t lost sight of the prize.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t. But, Darius said that Miranda invited him to ckwood Hollow. I don¡¯t know what


    she has up her sleeve.¡±


    Sophie gripped her coat and the cell as dread settled into her belly. ¡°He¡¯sing there?¡± she


    eximed.


    Darius Taylor-Pratt was their half sibling...a secret revealed after their father had passed. Even in


    death, her father continued to work his controlling hands in their lives.


    ¡°Apparently,¡± Ken replied. ¡°She may be trying to pit him against us, but I¡¯ll keep my eye on things


    here. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is she plotting?¡± Sophie muttered.


    Frustration and confusion settled in alongside her guilt and she wondered if any of them woulde


    out of this entire situation unscathed. And all because her father had been selfish or blinded by his


    young ex-wife and decided none of his children deserved their legacy.


    Miranda sure as hell didn¡¯t deserve it, either. Buckley had been twenty-six years older than his bride.


    Why else would a beautiful young socialite marry a wealthy older man if not for the money she could


    get out of him? Miranda made no apologies for liking the finer things and Sophie knew the woman was


    just gathering a nest egg for the rest of hervish life. And now she was pulling in Darius.


    Sophie hated sounding spoiled and the issue truly didn¡¯te down to money, but the fact Miranda just


    didn¡¯t deserve a dime of what should have been theirs. She didn¡¯t deserve the family home that held so


    many memories of Sophie¡¯s childhood. Sophie¡¯s brothers deserved to keep the estate, to pass down to


    their children one day.


    ¡°Does Vaughn know Darius ising?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We talked this morning. You know he doesn¡¯t like all this family drama, but he does want to


    know what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Sophie still didn¡¯t know why her father had never confessed there was another heir. Maybe he¡¯d wanted


    them to find out after his death so he wouldn¡¯t have to deal with the questions, the repercussions. Or


    maybe he had wanted them to all be in an upheaval, perhaps pitting against each other. She truly had


    no idea what his ultimate n had been for his children.


    Sophie came to her feet and sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t keep me out of the loop just because you¡¯re worried. I¡¯m


    doing this grunt work and I deserve to be included as soon as you know anything.¡±


    ¡°I promise to call you when I learn more,¡± he vowed. ¡°So, where are you going that¡¯s taking you away


    on business?¡±


    Sophie didn¡¯t want to lie anymore. She was tired of it. Even though she knew she¡¯d take bacsh from


    Ken and Vaughn, she had to be up front, because that¡¯s what she expected from them.


    ¡°Cumbria.¡±


    ¡°What the hell for?¡±


    Sophie cleared her throat and made her way back down the path. ¡°Nigel is taking me for his sister¡¯s


    wedding.¡±

 Chapter 30

    Chapter 30


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You heard me.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Sophie. You¡¯re getting in too deep there. You need to juste home and we¡¯ll figure out


    something else. Traveling with Nigel Townshend to his home is a bad, bad idea.¡±


    Sophie bit the inside of her cheek, trying to quicklye up with the right words to reply, but Ken


    beat her to it.


    ¡°Oh, no. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re sleeping with your fake boss.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping with him.¡± Not yet. ¡°He asked me to be his date because his grandmother is always on


    his back about not settling down. He figured if I went, they would at least leave him alone for a few


    days and he could enjoy his sister¡¯s celebration without getting hassled.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. And you¡¯re telling me he¡¯s not interested in you?¡±


    Oh, he was more than interested. Her body still tingled from just how interested Nigel Townshend was.


    There was nothing about her feelings for Nigel that she¡¯d be sharing with her well-meaning brothers.


    ¡°Listen, I know what I¡¯m doing and I¡¯m a big girl. You worry about finding the scoop on our long lost


    sibling and I¡¯ll work on Miranda.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about Miranda right now,¡± Ken growled. ¡°You can¡¯t get caught up in a love affair


    with Nigel. You¡¯re vulnerable, Soph. You¡¯re grieving and totally out of your element. Besides, Miranda


    will know what you¡¯re up to if she catches you anywhere near her showrunner.¡±


    ¡°Stop worrying about my mental state. I¡¯m fine,¡± she assured him, even though she was worried herself.


    ¡°And nobody is going to catch me. I barely recognize myself in the mirror with all this blond hair and


    these sses.¡±


    It was true. She missed her dark hair. The blond did horrid things to her skin tone, but a dye job was


    worth the sacrifice if she could get some ckmail material on Miranda.


    She mighte across as all mama bear on the screen, doting on her costars and always trying to


    help, but nobody was that squeaky clean and wholesome. There had to be some proof that Miranda


    had done something underhanded to get the ckwood money¡ªsomething that would justify getting


    the will thrown out. Sophie wasn¡¯t sure how she could make this work to their advantage, but she had


    to try. No way was she giving up her childhood home that easily. If they could just get Miranda out of


    Royal for good, they could all move on to the next chapter of their lives. They hadn¡¯t gotten along with


    the woman when she¡¯d been married to their father, so now that he was gone, there was no reason for


    her to stick around.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading back to work,¡± she told her brother. ¡°Keep in touch and don¡¯t make me beg for


    information.¡±


    She disconnected the call and made her way back to Green Room Media. She ha


    d a meeting to get to, a trip to prepare for and a stepmother to bring down.


    All in a day¡¯s work.


    Ten


    Nigel settled into his seat as the jet taxied down the runway. He nced at Roslyn, trying to figure out


    why she¡¯d been so quiet and reserved on the way to the airport and since boarding.


    Maybe he¡¯d been too demanding by asking her to be his date. Maybe she¡¯d felt pressured, like her job


    would be on the line if she refused. That wasn¡¯t the type of man he was, nor was it the type of man she


    deserved. He wanted her to know she mattered, she was valued. Not someone he considered


    disposable if she didn¡¯tply with his wishes. And certainly not who could be bought.


    Bloody hell. Since when did he try so hard to impress a woman? He actually cared what Roslyn


    thought of him. Oh, he¡¯d always prided himself on caring for his dates, his rtionships, but no other


    woman had impacted him like Roslyn.


    He admired her talents, her brilliance, and he couldn¡¯t ignore the sexual pull, the desire and passion


    he¡¯d witnessed. Thebination continued to make him wonder if there was something else


    smoldering beneath the surface...and he couldn¡¯t wait to explore.


    Bringing Roslyn to his family¡¯s estate was risky, but hell, he¡¯d taken risks his entire life... Why stop now


    when the reward could be so memorable and thrilling?


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    When the ne lifted, Roslyn gripped the seat and closed her eyes. A minimal act, but one that hinted


    at why she¡¯d been so closed off since they¡¯d boarded. Well, he¡¯d finally found her w. He had honestly


    wondered if she was too good to be true...and if fear of flying was her only drawback, he was in real


    trouble.


    Nigel didn¡¯t want amitment or love or anything crazy long-term, but he enjoyed Roslyn and couldn¡¯t


    help but want to see where all this went.


    He came to his feet and crossed the cabin to the other white sofa, taking a seat, and her hand. He


    squeezed, earning him a quick nce.


    ¡°What was that for?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You looked like you needed it. Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were afraid of flying?¡±


    Roslyn lifted a shoulder and nced down to their joined hands. ¡°Pride? Fear of admitting I¡¯m wed?


    It¡¯s silly, actually. I mean, flying is the safest form of travel, or so the saying goes.¡±


    Nigel shifted in his seat and took both of her rigid hands in his. ¡°Rx,¡± he told her. ¡°I¡¯ve never been in


    a crash yet.¡±

 Chapter 31

    Chapter 31


    Roslyn rolled her eyes and gave a half grin.


    ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± he murmured with a smile. ¡°But, seriously, having a fear is nothing to be ashamed of.


    Why didn¡¯t you ask me to sit with you and hold your hand?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never asked anyone to hold my hand when I¡¯ve been afraid,¡± she countered. ¡°Talk about


    humiliating.¡±


    ¡°Everybody is afraid of something.¡±


    She quirked her brow and leveled his gaze. ¡°And tell me what your fear is? Besides your grandmother.¡±


    Nigelughed, but she wasn¡¯t far from the mark. He¡¯d never discussed his true anxieties or insecurities


    with anyone before.


    ¡°Failing my family,¡± he finally admitted. ¡°They were all stunned when I wanted to move to New York and


    start my own brand and work in television. I need this show to continue to seed not just for me but


    for them. And then there¡¯s my personal side. Settling down, marrying, and starting the next generation


    of little Townshends is actually expected of me and I know my family is disappointed that I¡¯ve waited


    this long. I could always find a woman and start a family, but that¡¯s not what I want. My parents were


    married a long time before my mother passed from a stroke. I want love. I¡¯m just not sure when it will


    find me. I¡¯m just so swamped with work and growing the brand.¡±


    Nigel stopped himself before he went on too much. He already sounded like a fool for believing in love.


    Roslyn had already said she wasn¡¯t sure the emotion truly existed and he wasn¡¯t so sure there was


    someone out there for him, either.


    At what point should he give up and just find a woman he¡¯d want to be the mother of his children? Did


    he actually have to love her in a way old romances said a husband should love a wife? What was even


    normal these days, anyway?


    ¡°Family really means that much to you.¡±


    Roslyn¡¯s murmured words pulled him back.


    ¡°Family is everything,¡± he stated. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to all this trouble to bring a date.¡±


    Her wide smile made her eyes sparkle. ¡°And here I thought it was because you couldn¡¯t stand being


    away from me.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Nigel moved closer, settling his hands on either side of her hips until she had her back pressed against


    the leather couch.


    ¡°That, too,¡± he said before he slid his mouth over hers.


    She moaned against his lips, sliding her hands over his shoulders and threading her fingers through his


    hair. Just the simplicity of her touch had his arousal pumping through him. He had to remind himself


    that she was still innocent, but he also couldn¡¯t ignore how passionate she was.


    When Roslyn arched that curvaceous body against his, Nigel slid his hands beneath the hem of her


    silky blouse and found warm satiny skin.


    Roslyn tore her mouth from his and dropped her head back, his nameing out on a whisper from


    her lips.


    ¡°Tell me what you want,¡± he demanded.


    He wasn¡¯t going to do anything she wasn¡¯tfortable with, but he wanted her more than he wanted


    his next breath...and they certainly had plenty of time on this flight for him to show her just how much


    he needed her.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± he repeated, easing back to watch her face, to look for any hesitation that might indicate she


    wasn¡¯t ready for more.


    Her eyes met his and she smiled...and his body responded. There was nothing in her eyes but hunger,


    desire and anticipation.


    His hands shook as he slid her shirt up and over her head. When he tossed it to the side and reached


    for the straps of hercy ck bra, she reached up and framed his face with her hands.


    ¡°You¡¯re nervous,¡± she stated with a soft smile. ¡°That¡¯s adorable.¡±


    Adorable. Not a word anyone used to describe him since he¡¯d probably been a toddler.


    And nervous? Nigel wasn¡¯t about to admit any such thing...no matter how true the statement. They both


    needed this. They both had been dancing toward this moment since she sashayed into his office in


    those hip-hugging jeans and killer heels, dazzling him with her beauty and impressing him with her


    knowledge and her mind.


    Instead of answering, he dipped his head to graze his lips over the swell of her breasts just above the


    outline of that sexy-as-hell bra.


    Roslyn eased down as he reached behind her back and unhooked the garment. She jerked it from her


    arms andy on her back, staring up at him, her eyes silently pleading for him to take her.


    Definitely no hesitation here. This woman knew what she wanted, knew whom she wanted. Nigel may


    not understand why she¡¯d waited so long to give herself to a man, but he was damn happy she¡¯d


    chosen him.


    He didn¡¯t know what this said about her true feelings, but he couldn¡¯t analyze that right now. He wanted


    her and she sure as hell wanted him.

 Chapter 32

    Chapter 32


    With her blond hair all fanned out around her and her bodypletely exposed from the waist up,


    Nigel didn¡¯t hesitate to remove the rest of her clothes, including her shoes. Once sheid bare beneath


    him, he came to his feet and made quick work of shedding his own things.


    There were certainly perks to owning your own jet. Privacy being the key.


    The way her eyes raked over him had Nigel hurrying even more. He procured protection from his wallet


    and covered himself before settling over her.


    Her hands trembled as she slid her fingertips up his arms and over the curve of his shoulders.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯re both nervous,¡± she told him with a shaky smile.


    This might as well have been his first time, too, because he did not want to screw this up. He wanted


    Roslyn to experience


    everything she deserved and more. Her satisfaction hinged on his every touch, his every move.


    Everything that happened here would be with her forever...and he knew this experience would be


    lasting for him, too.


    Believing in someone was key in his life and he knew he had her trust if she had decided to give her


    virginity to him. The idea humbled him and made his confidence grow even deeper toward her.


    Nigel was about to ask again if she was okay, but her knees came up on either side of his hips and she


    wrapped her legs around his waist. Nigel leaned down and covered her body, her mouth, still without


    joining thempletely.


    Taking his time was what he should have been doing, but all Nigel wanted to do was be one with her, to


    finally feel her heat and know her pleasure...to take everything she was willing to give.


    Later they could explore. Between his own wants and her arched body and soft moans, Nigel knew


    they were both just as eager.


    He lifted his head slightly, wanting to see every emotion she disyed as he slid into her.


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Roslyn didn¡¯t disappoint.


    Her mouth dropped open a second before she bit her lip, her lids fluttered shut, and she tipped her


    head back, pressing her breasts into his chest.


    She. Was. Perfect.


    Nigel moved carefully at first, more than aware of each sound or expression she made. They settled


    into a rhythm so effortlessly, as if they¡¯d done this before...or as if they were meant to be.


    The thought was silly, but there was no other way to describe the manner in which they fit and moved


    so beautifully.


    She whispered his name on a plea as the rhythm of her hips quickened. Nigel followed her lead. She


    mayy beneath him, but all control was in her hands.


    Roslyn¡¯s fingernails bit into his back as her climax took over. She arched, tightened her knees against


    his hips, and let out a cry of passion. Never before had he seen anything so erotic, and yet vulnerable.


    Her abandon had him losing control even further and following her into his own release. Nigel gripped


    her hips and slid his mouth over hers to connect them in every way possible.


    The hum of the engines and the heavy breathing in his ear were the noises in the cabin as his body


    came down from its high.


    Nigel eased up, ncing at Roslyn who had the widest smile on her face, her eyespletely locked


    onto him.


    ¡°If you were trying to distract me from flying, you did a hell of a job.¡±


    Nigelughed and pulled away from her, taking her hands to bring her up to his side.


    ¡°Well, since we have several more hours, I say we take this to the back bedroom so I can make sure


    you arepletely rxed.¡±


    Roslyn came to her feet and held out her hand. ¡°Show me the way.¡±


    Eleven


    Cumbria, Ennd, was exactly like Sophie had imagined. Rolling snow-covered hills and little cottages


    dotted thendscape alongside the curvy road. The entire trip from the airstrip toward the Townshend


    estate was picturesque and she couldn¡¯t keep her eyes off the scenery. It was like being transported


    back into another time. One where life was simple and carefree. Much like the life she enjoyed back in


    Royal.


    Perhaps she and Nigel weren¡¯t so different after all. He¡¯d admitted how protective he was of his family,


    and he was clearly going to great lengths to please them...something she could totally rte to.


    More and more she was seeing howpatible they were.

 Chapter 33

    Chapter 33


    After that memorable ne ride, it was a wonder she could focus on anything but her tingling body.


    She couldn¡¯t stop herself from a constant rey of every single arousing touch. Those hours only


    pulled her in deeper to his world, making her want more, making her wish things were different.


    Nigel reached over to take her hand and gave a gentle squeeze. ¡°Nothing to worry about. My family will


    love you. We just have to pretend like we¡¯re in love.¡±


    She didn¡¯t even know how to unpack that whole statement, but she should at least attempt.


    Nervous? She had far surpassed nervous when it came to meeting his family. His grandmother went by


    Dame for crying out loud.


    And pretend? Yeah, she¡¯d gotten that down pat and honestly deserved some Oscar for her


    performance.


    Love? No, there was no love here. A good healthy dose of lust and sex, but not love. She couldn¡¯t allow


    herself to think along those lines because she was already falling, and at some point, she¡¯d have to


    guard her heart from tumblingpletely out of her control. She just didn¡¯t know where to draw the


    boundary lines.


    ¡°Do you want to talk about what happened on the ne?¡± she asked as she turned from the postcard-


    worthy view to face him.


    He steered the car around another sharp turn before shing her a grin. ¡°What do you want to talk


    about? I had a great time. Best flight of my life.¡±


    She wondered how many times he¡¯d used that bedroom for other women he whisked off around the


    world. Jealousy had no ce here, after all she was lying to him and they¡¯d made no promises to each


    other. Still, she couldn¡¯t help where her mind wandered.


    ¡°Maybe I should have brought you on my ne sooner,¡± he joked.


    Sophie got a nasty pit in her belly. ¡°Do you seduce many women on your private jet?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go there,¡± he growled. ¡°I¡¯m not a yboy like the tabloids want people to believe and I certainly


    don¡¯t seduce women in my jet.¡±


    ¡°You had my clothes off before we reached cruising altitude,¡± she countered. ¡°You seemed pretty


    experienced.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been a monk, but I swear that I have not taken any other woman to bed on my ne.¡±


    He sounded so sincere and Sophie really had no reason to disbelieve him. But the whens and wheres


    of his former affairs weren¡¯t really the issue here. Of course, he¡¯d had women and rtionships before


    her. He was a sexy, powerful man. Good grief, they weren¡¯t even in a rtionship and she already had


    the unhealthy girlfriend mentality. They¡¯d had sex and she was his pretend girlfriend for the rest of the


    week. Sounded simple enough, right?


    But nothing was simple about her emotions or sex. If she¡¯d thought she was falling for him before, the


    intimacy on the ne had only exacerbated the issue. Now she didn¡¯t know if her feelings stemmed


    from the man she finally gave herself to or if they came from the fact he truly was a genuine guy and


    not the yboy the media yed him out to be.


    Any other thoughts or words died in her throat as Nigel turned into a long drive where the grounds were


    surrounded with tall evergreens covered with a nket of crisp white snow.


    As he turned thest curve of the drive, the trees opened up to reveal a vast two-story brick-and-stone


    home. There seemed to be windows everywhere and juts of bay windows on both floors. Sophie


    imagined many reading nooks in those bays.


    The home looked old, but not unkempt. The estate went right along with her original impression of the


    town¡ªeverything about this ce was like she¡¯d stepped back in time. She couldn¡¯t wait to explore the


    inside, get inspired for even more future designs, and learn of the history behind such a manor.


    Arge pond sat in front of the home and she could only imagine summertime here with the grounds


    blooming with colorful flowers. But even with the freshly fallen snow, the estate was breathtaking.


    She¡¯d uploaded some old material to her YouTube channel for the next month so she didn¡¯t have to


    worry about keeping up while she was undercover. But she would certainly be taking mental notes from


    this ce for ways to incorporate new and old into any living area.


    ¡°Wee to Shrewsbury Hall,¡± Nigel told her as he circled the drive and pulled to the front entrance.


    She¡¯d heard him say that name before, but seeing the vast home made her realize it was certainly


    worthy of such an upstanding title. And she¡¯d thought her family had money. This ce could hold


    three of her own French provincial home. The mansion also made her father¡¯s ranch estate seem


    small.


    A man in a wool coat and hat immediately came out and opened her door. Sophie pulled her coat


    around her chest and thanked him.


    Nigel came around the car and shook the man¡¯s hand. ¡°Thank you, William.¡±


    ¡°d to have you back home, Sir Nigel.¡±


    Sir. Of course, he¡¯d be addressed as such.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to be here.¡± Nigel nodded toward the home. ¡°Is everyone inside?¡±


    ¡°Dame ire is waiting on you with bourbon and some snacks. She figured you¡¯d be hungry after your


    flight and would need to rx with a drink.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You mean she¡¯s ready to grill my girlfriend and me?¡± Nigel asked.

 Chapter 34

    Chapter 34


    ¡°That, too, sir.¡±


    Sophie was still reeling from the girlfriendment when Nigel took her hand and led her up the stone


    steps to the front entrance. The architecture alone was drool-worthy and Sophie couldn¡¯t wait to see


    the interior. She could only imagine the videos she could shoot from here...if she were actually here as


    herself and had the opportunity to do such things.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    She missed her design shoots, but since going undercover, she¡¯d had to back off just a bit. She still


    replied toments and answered her DMs on her social media ounts, but she was itching to get


    back to new material...and Shrewsbury Hall was the absolute perfect backdrop.


    Too bad she wasn¡¯t here as Sophie ckwood, interior designer.


    Hell, she wasn¡¯t even here as Roslyn Andrews, consultant. She was here as an imposter of an


    imposter. Good grief. It would be a miracle if she didn¡¯t need therapy after this entire ordeal.


    And after the hit to her mental state¡ªand, inevitably, to her heart¡ªshe had better find some seriously


    juicy dirt on Miranda once she returned to New York.


    ¡°From what you¡¯ve said before, I wouldn¡¯t have taken your grandmother for the bourbon type,¡± Sophie


    muttered as they reached the door. ¡°I assumed tea and cookies, or biscuits as you call them.¡±


    Nigelughed. ¡°Don¡¯t try to stereotype her. You¡¯ll never find a box that fits the personality of Dame


    ire Worthington.¡±


    Sophie didn¡¯t know


    whether to be afraid or amused, but before she could decide, Nigel opened the double doors and swept


    her inside.


    All air caught in her lungs as Sophie took in the magnificent foyer that extended up to the second floor.


    Straight ahead was a fountain with a curved staircase nking either side.


    The chandelier¡¯s beaming lights bounced off the marble floor, the fresh floral arrangements at the base


    of each staircase were perfectly ced inrge marble urns. Not only was the entrance something from


    a royal magazine but the fragrant aroma from the wintery mix smelled so inviting.


    This setting could have easily been ripped out of a fairy tale and Roslyn wished more than anything she


    could let herself get swept away into this fantasy life.


    ¡°There¡¯s my city boy.¡±


    Sophie turned her attention to a tall striking woman with a stylish pixie cut. The silver-haireddy had


    on a pair of jeans and a bright green sweater paired with little silver sneakers. Not at all the image


    Sophie had had in her mind of the Dame. But her rxed style did put Sophie a little more at ease.


    Nigel¡¯s grandmother came up and wrapped her arms around him before easing back and turning her


    focus, and affection, to Sophie. She found herself enveloped in a strong embrace and caught Nigel¡¯s


    smirk and smile over the shoulder of Dame ire.


    ¡°Wee, wee,¡± she greeted, pulling away from Sophie. ¡°I¡¯m ire.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Dame Worthington. I¡¯m Roslyn Andrews.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s grandmother waved a hand and shook her head. ¡°None of this Dame nonsense. Those titles


    are so archaic. Call me ire. And while you¡¯re at it, tell me how you managed to capture my


    workaholic grandson¡¯s attention to get him to bring you here.¡±


    ¡°Can we at least take our coats off and get settled before you start grilling her?¡± Nigel asked. ¡°And you


    ordered me to bring a date, so don¡¯t pretend to be surprised.¡±


    ¡°As if you ever listen to me,¡± ire muttered. ¡°You¡¯ve never brought a woman here in your life, so I¡¯m


    already impressed with this one.¡±


    Sophie removed her coat and handed it to a man who seemed to appear out of nowhere, along with


    two others, to take their things.


    Nigel had never brought ady home? That was rather interesting. Did he mean it when he said he just


    wanted her here as a guise or did he actually want to spend alone time with her and have her meet his


    family?


    Sophie didn¡¯t know what all the answers were and she couldn¡¯t wrap her mind around it now. If there


    was a chance that Nigel had truly wanted to share more of his life with her, then she feared the guilt


    would consume her. She wished she could go back and tell him everything, wished she could start


    fresh. Maybe then what they shared could actually be real.


    But she couldn¡¯t go back and she definitely couldn¡¯t tell him the truth now.


    ¡°William said you had bourbon,¡± Nigel said after the staff took their things.


    ¡°Your favorite,¡± ire replied with a wink.


    ¡°Oh, please. You introduced me to that brand when I turned eighteen and told me not to settle for


    anything less.¡±


    ireughed. ¡°Guilty. Soe on in and let¡¯s chat.¡±


    She wedged herself between Nigel and Sophie, looping her arms between them, and led them into


    another massive room with high ceilings. The firece on the far wall crackled with a warm fire and a


    tray of fruit, cheese, cookies, and other finger foods was set out on the table between therge leather


    sofas.

 Chapter 35

    Chapter 35


    ¡°Is Ellen here?¡± Nigel asked.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be alongter. Your sister is very eager to see who you brought home.¡±


    Sophie settled onto the sofa next to Nigel and across from ire. She hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d be this


    nervous to meet his family, but after their romp on the ne, she was a bundle of mixed emotions.


    ¡°Now, tell me how you met,¡± ire said, sping her hands like a proud grandmother.


    ¡°At the office,¡± Nigel piped in. ¡°You know I have a policy about not dating employees, but Roselyn


    changed all of that.¡±


    They¡¯d discussed their story and decided to keep it as close to the truth as possible.


    ire¡¯s eyes darted between them, thennded back on Nigel. ¡°Do you always work? Wait, don¡¯t


    answer that. I know you do. Do you at least take this poor girl out to dinner?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Nigel replied, reaching for a lemon square. ¡°We¡¯ve had several work dinners.¡±


    ¡°Nigel Phillip Townshend,¡± she scolded.


    Heughed. ¡°I¡¯m kidding. Rx.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ire turned her focus to Sophie. ¡°You must be a saint to put up with him. He¡¯s given me every one of


    my gray hairs, I tell you.¡±


    Sophie settled her hand on Nigel¡¯s knee. ¡°Ignore him. One of the first things he asked when I started


    working with him was what my favorite food was.¡±


    ¡°For work meetings?¡± ire asked, raising one perfectly shaped brow.


    ¡°For a real date,¡± Nigel chimed in. ¡°I knew the second I saw her I wanted her as more than my


    consultant.¡±


    ¡°Office romance. Well, it¡¯s yourpany and I think it¡¯s romantic...so long as you keep romance in the


    rtionship and not just in the form of a spreadsheet.¡±


    ¡°I like her,¡± Sophieughed, ncing to Nigel. ¡°You had me afraid toe.¡±


    Nigel cringed and ire let out a burst ofughter. ¡°Did he, now? I¡¯d love to hear what picture he


    painted of me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to know what he said about me, too.¡±


    Sophie turned to the entrance of the living area as a beautiful, curvy woman came striding through. Her


    long dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders and she looked as if she¡¯d juste in from riding a


    horse given her tight ck pants, tall brown boots, and bright red fitted jacket.


    ¡°Ellen, you¡¯re just in time.¡± ire came to her feet and kissed the woman who had to be her


    granddaughter on the cheek. ¡°Nigel¡¯s girlfriend was just dishing on workce romance and what he


    truly thinks of his family.¡±


    Nigel muttered a curse under his breath and rose to greet his sister. Sophie stood as well, nervous at


    encountering another family member. Maybe she could knock these little meetings out one by one and


    not be so nervouse the day of the wedding.


    ¡°Workce romance?¡± she asked, eyeing Nigel. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you all candy hearts and bouquets of


    flowers.¡±


    ¡°Actually, Roslyn doesn¡¯t like bouquets,¡± he said. ¡°She thinks they¡¯re clich¨¦d.¡±


    She turned to him. ¡°You remembered that?¡±


    His eyes shifted from her eyes to her mouth and back. ¡°I remember everything you¡¯ve ever said to me.¡±


    Sophie¡¯s heart picked up and she knew then, Nigel wasn¡¯t faking a rtionship. He meant what he¡¯d


    said. And she knew in that moment he was getting in just as deep as she was... But did he know? Was


    he aware of how he looked at her with his emotions in his eyes?


    Dread filled her stomach at the thought of Nigel getting hurt in the end. She had never wanted to crush


    anybody except Miranda. All she¡¯d wanted to do wase to New York, scope out some cutting room


    floor footage and talk to some crew members. She¡¯d wanted to be in and out in a week¡¯s time.


    Yet here she was, spending the next five days in Ennd pretending to be Nigel Townshend¡¯s girlfriend


    when she really wanted to be his everything in real life.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± Ellen said, staring at Sophie. ¡°You look familiar. I think I know you from somewhere.¡±


    Sophie froze as Ellen¡¯s brows drew in and she pursed her lips in thought. Sophie had note this far


    to be outed, but her disguise wasn¡¯t foolproof and Ellen was smiling like she might just know Sophie¡¯s


    dirty little secret.

 Chapter 36

    Chapter 36


    Twelve


    With Nigel out of the country, Lulu was set on getting Fee to agree to the spin-off¡ªor at least the


    wedding episode for Secret Lives.


    ¡°If that¡¯s really what you want to do, I¡¯ll stand behind you,¡± Lulu


    told Fee.


    The cameras moved around but Lulu ignored them. She¡¯d gotten more than used to having her entire


    life filmed. Today she was having lunch with Seraphina as they chatted about Fee¡¯s uing move to


    Texas. While she hated losing her best friend, she understood how much Fee loved Royal and the


    people there¡ªnot just Clint, though the love Fee had for her fianc¨¦ was certainly something special.


    When the cast and crew had been there for Christmas at Miranda¡¯s estate, they¡¯d all fallen a little in


    love with the charming town. And after those devastating fires, Lulu more than understood Fee¡¯s need


    to be with the man she loved in his hometown.


    After all, hadn¡¯t they all wanted tond a cowboy?


    Unfortunately, the only one who¡¯d caught her eye, and gotten on herst nerve the entire time she was


    there, was Kace the snarkywyer... The snarkywyer who¡¯d shown up at her penthouse just to talk a


    few days earlier. Sure, like they¡¯d ever just talked. At this point, they couldn¡¯t be alone for two minutes


    without clothes falling off. Mercy, the things that man could do with his hands.


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Fee asked, reaching for her water ss.


    ¡°What? Oh, yes. Sorry.¡± Lulu smiled and pushed thoughts of Kace aside. ¡°Just thinking.¡±


    ¡°About anyone I know?¡±


    Fee¡¯s eyes twinkled, her smile all-knowing. Lulu didn¡¯t keep secrets from her best friend, but she wasn¡¯t


    about to voice anything about Kace on camera. Sure, her admission to her attraction to the sexy


    Southern attorney would get ratings going, but she wasn¡¯t ready to share her feelings with the world or


    Kace. There had been enough footage of the two of them bickering during the cleanup from the fires


    last month. By the time this show aired that they were filming today, who knows where she¡¯d stand with


    him. Would she tell him her feelings? Would he admit to his?


    ¡°Let¡¯s concentrate on you and your new love,¡± Lulu stated, giving her friend a wink. ¡°I say we throw a


    big going away party. I¡¯ll host and we¡¯ll do it on my rooftop terrace.¡±


    Fee lifted her ss in a mock toast. ¡°You know I¡¯m always up for a party.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. I¡¯ll get everything together.¡±


    And ying the dutiful hostess would give her the distraction she needed from one Kace Lenc.


    Lulu waited until the cameras left to pull out her begging for the wedding episode and questioning her


    friend about the spin-off. She loved Fee and didn¡¯t want to put her on the spot for all viewers to see.


    Fingers crossed Fee would be in agreement for both. Nigel was counting on Lulu to make all of this


    work out and she didn¡¯t want to let him down.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    * * *


    ¡°That was weird how my sister insisted she¡¯d seen you before,¡± Nigel stated, gesturing for Sophie to


    enter their second-floor suite.


    Sophie¡¯s heart still hadn¡¯t gone back to a regr rhythm after that close call. The scrutiny with which


    Ellen kept staring had had Sophie ready to hop back on Nigel¡¯s jet and head back to New York.


    ¡°Weird,¡± she agreed, forck of anything else to say.


    As she eased past him and into the room, Sophie gasped at the view. A wall of patio doors leading out


    onto a private balcony drew her across the room, ready to take in the beauty of thend from above.


    Heavy gold drapes outlined each side of the doors and she was positive no royal pce was arranged


    more beautifully. Her decorator eye would take in all the details of the roomter, but she wanted to


    step onto the balcony and look over the snow-covered grounds.


    ¡°It¡¯s freezing out there,¡± Nigel said when she utched one of the locks.


    ¡°I just have to see it for a moment. I¡¯m imagining the beauty in the summer.¡±


    She shoved open one door and took in the crisp fresh air. Sophie blinked against the bright white


    covering of snow that stretched over the grounds for as far as her eye could see. The evergreens were


    ented with winter and she hated that she¡¯d missed seeing this ce all decked out for the holidays.


    She imagined perfectly decorated Christmas trees with gold-and-white stockings hung from each of the


    fireces, dinner parties with morous dresses, and champagne fountains.


    She turned from the view and came back in,tching the lock behind her.


    ¡°You grew up here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I lived here my entire life, except for my schooling, until I moved to New York.¡± Nigel shoved his hands


    in his pockets and nced around. ¡°This is actually my room, not a guest suite.¡±

 Chapter 37

    Chapter 37


    Of course, they would be staying in his childhood room. If that didn¡¯t add anotheryer of guilt, nothing


    would. She wanted toe clean with him; she wanted to tell him everything. But how could she and


    still stay loyal to her brothers?


    It was supposed to be so simple. A few days at Green Room Media, snooping for exclusive footage,


    chatting with some camera guys. In theory it all sounded like a perfect plot...but somehow the


    execution had gone astray and now she risked breaking her heart and hurting the one man who made


    her want to forget this entire vendetta.


    ¡°Quite the little prince,¡± she joked. ¡°Though I imagine you stood on your balcony and had the best


    imagination as a child. I know I would.¡±


    He smiled and started to cross to her. ¡°And what would young Roslyn have imagined?¡±


    Young Sophie would have loved this room. ¡°She would have pretended to be a queen overlooking her


    land, protecting her castle and her family.¡±


    Not so far removed from grown-up Sophie.


    ¡°Really?¡± He closed the gap between them and took her shoulders in his hands. ¡°That little girl wouldn¡¯t


    have dreamed of a knighting to rescue her from the tower?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never needed to be rescued,¡± she countered. ¡°I¡¯m the one who would save the day. Always.¡±


    Wasn¡¯t that what she was ultimately doing now? Sacrificing to save her family¡¯s legacy?


    And who knew what would happen now that Darius wasing to Royal and Miranda wanted to


    connect with him.


    One thing Sophie knew, she refused to let ckwood properties, holdings and finances stay in the


    hands of a gold-digging socialite who probably already had her sights set on another unsuspecting


    wealthy man. Sophie couldn¡¯t figure out why she hadn¡¯t already remarried, but maybe the perfect


    billionaire hadn¡¯te along, yet.


    ¡°You¡¯re very protective of your family,¡± he stated, sliding his thumbs up along her neck and jawline. ¡°I


    admire that.¡±


    He had no idea the lengths she¡¯d go to.


    ¡°You and your sister must have a special bond,¡± she replied. His touch had her body tingling and trying


    to concentrate on the actual conversation was difficult. ¡°Since you are part of the wedding.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve always been close. She¡¯s older than me, so my grandmother doubled the pressure on her to


    settle down and have children.¡± Nigelughed. ¡°Now that she¡¯s closing in on that goal, Grandmother


    has turned her attention solely on me. You¡¯ve been warned.¡±


    Sophie reached up and gripped his wrists, returning his grin. ¡°I can handle myself for a few days.


    Besides, I don¡¯t mind ying your girlfriend. You¡¯re not exactly an ogre.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s lowugh curled those nerves tighter in her belly. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as apliment. You¡¯re pretty


    sexy, too.¡±


    After the way he¡¯d worshiped her body on the flight over here, she didn¡¯t need the words. She was well


    aware of how he thought of her. During their time on the jet, Sophie had pushed aside all of the outside


    problems facing them, all of the lies and deceit. She¡¯d focused on them, on the pleasure and desire.


    But reality hit hard now that they were here and she had to maintain the facade. Sophie only hoped she


    could get through these five days without Ellen circling back to how Sophie looked familiar.


    ¡°You know, we don¡¯t have to be down for dinner for a while,¡± Nigel said, backing Sophie toward the


    four-poster bed.


    ¡°If we lose track of time and miss dinner, your grandmother will reprimand both of us.¡±


    Nigel shook his head. ¡°If she thinks there¡¯s a chance you¡¯re going to help with the next generation of


    Townshends, she¡¯ll lock us in here and to hell with all dinners.¡±


    The idea held its temptations...but she knew it was nothing more than a fantasy. Even without the


    deception hanging between them, Sophie was sure this world wasn¡¯t for her. The Townshends were


    pretty much as powerful and wealthy as royalty. And even though the ckwoods were wealthy in their


    own right, the differences were vast. City and country life were quite different. Nigel may have grown up


    in this gorgeous countryside town, but he was all city. He wasrger than life, someone who needed


    that hustle and hard work. Royal, Texas, wasn¡¯t for someone who needed that rush of moving from one


    project to the next.


    Sophie, on the other hand, loved heridback lifestyle back home. She loved the ease of her work, the


    thrill of designing for others at her own pace.


    Nigel kissed her neck and Sophie realized how silly and foolish she was being by thinking there would


    ever be anything more between them. Instead of a foundation for a true rtionship, they had a fling,


    they had a farce for the next few days, and they had her lies. Not exactly future-building material.


    ¡°I thought we were faking this rtionship,¡± she murmured, thrusting her fingers through his hair.


    ¡°Only some parts.¡± His lips moved over her heated skin. ¡°I want you. Nothing about that is a sham.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t argue, not when she wanted him just as fiercely.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    In a flurry of hands and stolen kisses, their clothes fell to the floor. Sophie stumbled back onto the bed


    and Nigel followed her down, pressing his weight against hers and into the soft thick pile of nkets.


    Sophie hadn¡¯t known she had such passion inside her until she met Nigel. Never before had she


    wanted to forget her goals and give everything, including and especially her body, to one man.

 Chapter 38

    Chapter 38


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Nigel eased off the bed, leaving her to watch as he crossed the room. The brightness from the daylight


    filtered in through the ss doors, casting a


    glorious glow on his magnificent form.


    She didn¡¯t even try to turn away or hide the fact she was tantly staring.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Nigel rummaged around through his luggage until he pulled out a box of condoms. Sophieughed.


    ¡°Wow. Feeling optimistic, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    He shrugged. ¡°Hopeful. Besides, we¡¯re here for five days.¡±


    ¡°Are you nning on us leaving this room?¡± she asked as he stalked back toward her. ¡°You do have a


    wedding to be in.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t miss my sister¡¯s wedding.¡± He sat the box on the side table and climbed back on the


    bed. ¡°I also wouldn¡¯t miss the chance to explore this body again. I don¡¯t think I appreciated it enough on


    the ne.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯d say you appreciated me more than enough,¡± sheughed. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    With a bold confidence she¡¯d never felt before, Sophie came up to her knees and pressed her hands


    on his bare chest. She shoved him back onto the bed and straddled hisp.


    ¡°I think you¡¯ve had enough control for once.¡±


    Leaning back against the headboard, Nigel ced his hands behind his head and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m not


    about to argue with a beautiful woman.¡±


    She had no idea what she was doing. She only knew she wanted total power over him for this moment,


    so she let her desires guide her.


    Sophie reached across to the nightstand and grabbed a condom. There was no hiding her shaking


    hands as she tore open the wrapper and carefully covered him.


    He never took his eyes off her.


    That intense stare added to her nerves...and her arousal. This man could be so potent without saying a


    word or even reaching for her. The way he looked at her, like she was the most important thing in his


    life, was so foreign to her. She could tell he was falling for her, even if he hadn¡¯t said so or maybe he


    didn¡¯t even realize it himself.


    But she couldn¡¯t, wouldn¡¯t, dwell on emotions right now. Nigel had awakened something inside her and


    she wanted to spend their time together not worrying about the issues back home. For the duration of


    her stay here, she would y the dutiful girlfriend and sultry lover.


    Those would be the easiest lies she¡¯d ever told.


    Bracing her hands on his chest, Sophie joined their bodies. The moment they connected, she let out a


    sharp cry. This was so much different than what she¡¯d experienced earlier. She didn¡¯t know if it came


    from the dominance on her part or the position, but Sophie closed her eyes as sensation after glorious


    sensation rolled through her.


    Nigel¡¯s hands gripped her hips and she lifted her eyes to focus on him. Yeah, there was that look, the


    one she could identify¡ªsomething stronger than lust...something she feared would get them both hurt.


    Ignoring the impending broken heart, Sophie ced her hands on either side of his head and leaned


    down. Her hair curtained them both as she slid her mouth over his. She wanted everything he had to


    offer and more. She wanted to consume him, to join with him in every way. The ache in her body grew


    as her hips pumped against his. The spiral of euphoria slithered through her as she tore her lips away


    and cried out.


    Nigel gripped her backside as his own body jerked and trembled. Sophie watched as the pleasure


    overcame him, and she wondered if anything could everpare to this moment.


    She didn¡¯t believe so. All she could do was enjoy these next few days, because when they got back to


    New York, she was going to have to finish her n and head home as soon as possible. The longer


    she spent with Nigel, the more she worried he might just be the one she hadn¡¯t known she was looking


    for.


    Thirteen


    Nigel didn¡¯t know why he was so damn nervous, but he stood outside of his suite door and adjusted his


    bowtie. He hated these bloody things, but since he had to stand up with the groom, he had to wear


    one.


    He¡¯d left Roslyn to get ready on her own while he¡¯d gone to see if anyone needed help with setting


    things up for the ceremony. Ellen had decided to get married in the grand ballroom of the estate and


    there were bustles of wedding nners, florists, caterers, and who knows who else all around the east


    wing on the main level.


    Nigel had ended up in the study, reading texts from Seraphina telling him she was so sorry, but she and


    Clint had made the decision not to film a spin-off. She went on and on about how she knew this would


    not be what Nigel wanted¡ªassuring him that she¡¯d had a lengthy conversation with Lulu about the


    prospect of a new show¡ªbut Fee wanted to let him know that she was certain it wasn¡¯t for her. She


    would be happy to talk contract removal once he returned home.


    Nigel cocked his head from side to side, trying to alleviate some of the pressure of this bloody


    buttoned-up shirt and tie. He had no clue what to do about Fee¡¯s contract right now, and that was


    something he¡¯d have to put on the back burner¡ªat least for today.


    His sister was getting married and Roslyn was no doubt going to looking breathtaking. He¡¯d had five


    gowns for her to choose from that his personal stylist had assured him any woman would love.

 Chapter 39

    Chapter 39


    He tapped his knuckles on the door and then reached for the knob. The moment he pushed it open,


    every thought vanished as he took in the sight of Roslyn across the room, standing in front of the floor-


    length mirror.


    Her eyes met his in the reflection as she fastened one earring. Her honey blond hair fell in waves over


    one shoulder and the ruby red strapless gown fit as if the designer had all of those luscious curves in


    mind.


    The material draped down in the back and scooped low in the front. A little re at the bottom only


    entuated Roslyn¡¯s pinup shape.


    ¡°I hope you like it,¡± she told him, turning to face him and smoothed her hands down the front of the


    dress. ¡°I know it¡¯s a little shy for a wedding, but someone told me red was your favorite color.¡±


    shy? More like elegance and sex all rolled into one. The dress, the woman... It was all utterly


    perfect.


    Nigel moved on into the room and smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve been talking to my grandmother.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    Nigel stopped before he reached her, afraid if he got too close they may never leave this room. The


    sight of her had him forgetting any issues with Secret Lives and the dealings back in New York.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s customary to show up the bride,¡± he told her.


    ¡°Oh, I doubt I could do that,¡± Roslynughed. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Ellen¡¯s wedding dress yet, but I¡¯m certain


    she¡¯s going to be stunning.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m positive I won¡¯t be able to take my eyes off you. Maybe we could skip the ceremony and just hit the


    reception.¡±


    When he started to reach for her, she skirted around him with anotherugh.


    ¡°You¡¯re a groomsman,¡± she reminded him. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure your family would notice if you weren¡¯t


    there.¡±


    ¡°With the way you look right now, I don¡¯t really care what my family thinks.¡± He took a step toward her,


    his gaze raking over her once more beforending on her eyes. ¡°I couldn¡¯t imagine being here without


    you.¡±


    Roslyn¡¯s smile faltered and she nced down to her hands.


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    Nigel reached for her, curling his hands around her arms. ¡°Everything alright?¡±


    Her dark eyes came back up to his. ¡°I need to tell you something.¡±


    Good conversations never came from that starting point. Nigel smoothed his thumbs across her skin,


    toying with the thin straps across her arms.


    ¡°You look worried,¡± he told her. ¡°Whatever it is, you can tell me. I trust you.¡±


    She opened her mouth, then closed it. A momentter she pasted on a smile that he knew she¡¯d


    forced.


    ¡°I just...¡±


    Worry rolled off her in waves so Nigel leaned forward and slid his lips over hers for a second before


    easing back.


    Roslyn licked her lips and sighed. ¡°I think I¡¯m falling for you.¡±


    Well, that wasn¡¯t what he¡¯d thought she would say and he had to admit, he wasn¡¯t surprised.


    Scared like hell that the words were out in the open, but not actually surprised. He wasn¡¯t oblivious to


    how she looked at him, how she touched him.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s wrong,¡± she went on in a hurry. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be faking this while we¡¯re here, but¡ª¡±


    ¡°Roslyn.¡± He had to stop her. ¡°You¡¯re intriguing, you challenge me, you¡¯re sexy as hell and I enjoy our


    time together. I just... I can¡¯t offer love. I¡¯m married to this show, to growing it even bigger. A rtionship


    with love andmitment... I don¡¯t know when I could offer that. You deserve more than I¡¯d be able to


    give you.¡±


    Roslyn closed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°I should¡¯ve kept my feelings to myself,¡± she muttered.


    ¡°No,¡± he countered. ¡°I¡¯m d you shared what you¡¯re feeling. I just...can¡¯t say the same. I care for you,


    but love isn¡¯t something I can do.¡±


    She returned her anxious gaze to his, but Nigel kissed her forehead. He wished he could give her


    everything she deserved, everything she wanted. But love was huge and he couldn¡¯tmit to


    something so strong, so permanent right now...not when he was in limbo of making or breaking the


    show he¡¯d worked so hard to produce.

 Chapter 40

    Chapter 40


    ¡°Besides, there¡¯s plenty about me you don¡¯t know,¡± he retorted. ¡°Let¡¯s enjoy the day and then we can


    work on taking things slow once we get back to New York.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think New York and slow belong in the same sentence,¡± she stated. ¡°But, I agree. We should


    enjoy today and then we¡¯ll talkter.¡±


    Nigel wrapped her in his arms and wondered if she was the one. His grandmother had already fallen in


    love with Roslyn, but Nigel wondered if all of this was too good to be true.


    Were they meant to be? He¡¯d known her such a short time, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the strong pull or the


    deep connection they¡¯d already formed.


    But he also had to remember that the show came first for now. There was too much going on, too many


    people depending on him and his social life; his love life would not be taking top priority.


    * * *


    Sophie swayed in Nigel¡¯s arms in the ballroom. Try as she might, she couldn¡¯t forget the overwhelming


    guilt she¡¯d felt when he¡¯d told her he wanted to get to know her more. She¡¯d opened her mouth and her


    thoughts, her feelings hade tumbling out and she couldn¡¯t take them back.


    She¡¯d wanted toe clean about everything. She hated lying to this amazing man, but instead of


    telling him the full truth about her background, she¡¯d told him her honest feelings instead.


    How could she love him, though? How could she make such a im when he didn¡¯t even call her by


    her own name?


    She¡¯d taken something so beautiful, so mind-blowing, and turned it into something ugly and fake. What


    would he say when he found out why she¡¯d infiltrated hispany to spy on a woman he likely


    considered a friend?


    Sophie gripped his shoulders and closed her eyes as the soft music enveloped them on the dance


    floor. He would no doubt hate her once he discovered who she truly was and she deserved nothing


    less.


    But she would relish this fantasy moment for as long as she could. She didn¡¯t want to ruin his sister¡¯s


    wedding. But once it was over, she was going to have to tell him. If he wanted to get to know her more,


    if there was even an inkling of a chance for them, he¡¯d need to know the truth before things went any


    further.


    First, she¡¯d have to talk to her brothers because all of this started when she¡¯d vowed to find dirt on


    Miranda. There was overwhelming evidence that nothing sinister existed on the woman. Maybe she


    wasn¡¯t a monster like they thought. It was a possibility they had to consider, but then what would they


    do? Sophie still wanted the childhood home and estate to go back to her brothers. The home had to


    stay in their family...it just had to. But if they couldn¡¯t challenge Miranda in court, what other option did


    they have?


    She would have to figure out what the next move should be once she spoke with Vaughn and Ken.


    Miranda aside, Sophie couldn¡¯t lie to Nigel anymore. Her feelings far surpassed anything she¡¯d


    expected and now that she was in so far, she couldn¡¯t keep deceiving him. Once he discovered who


    she was, Sophie would just have to ept any bacsh she received.


    The song came to an end and Sophie pulled back. ¡°I¡¯m going to grab a ss of champagne.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Nigel drew his brows together. ¡°Everything okay? You seem like you¡¯re not all here.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t been all here since she¡¯d started this whole charade, but she nodded.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you dance with your grandmother while I take a breather?¡±


    He stared another moment before nodding and releasing her. Sophie gathered the skirt of her dress in


    one hand and maneuvered her way off the dance floor. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she¡¯d


    logged the beauty of the reception with all the lighting and crystal beading draped from the elegant


    table arrangements and the chandeliers suspended from the high ceilings, casting a kaleidoscope of


    colors across the marble floor.


    There were gorgeous people everywhere dressed in stunning gowns and sharp suits. And Sophie felt


    like such an imposter...likely because she was an imposter.


    She¡¯d barely stepped away from the dancers when a member of the wait staff came by with a tray of


    champagne sses. Sophie smiled and grabbed one, needing something to hold to upy her shaky


    hands.


    ¡°Thank you foring.¡±


    Sophie spun around to see Ellen smiling and holding her own ss.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Sophie replied. ¡°You had the most beautiful wedding I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±


    Her satin gown was positively radiant, showcasing a vintage vibe with ace ovey. It was strapless


    with a re from the waist and a delicate train. Her headpiece was a simple diamond headband with a


    sheer veil that trailed the length of her train. Three strands of crisp white pearls adorned her neck.


    ¡°I mean, thank you foring home with my brother,¡± Ellen rified. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him this happy


    and I¡¯m pretty sure I have you to thank.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, he makes me pretty happy, too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re good for him,¡± Ellen said, then took a sip of her champagne. ¡°I hope he¡¯lle home more


    often¡ªand bring you with him. I¡¯ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister.¡±


    ¡°I have two brothers, so I know how that feels,¡± Sophie replied with augh.

 Chapter 41

    Chapter 41


    But the guilt continued to mount. Her lies had trickled so far off course from the simple n she¡¯d


    initially concocted. Now she was lying to sweet, innocent people, intruding in this family event where


    she didn¡¯t belong. She¡¯d likely be in photographs of this day and when Nigel or Ellen saw them, they¡¯d


    have to relive this all over again. The betrayal and the deceit.


    Ellen reached for her hand. ¡°Then I do hope we can get to know each other more. I swear I feel like I


    know you from somewhere, but it must just be how quickly we connected. You know how with some


    people, you just have that instant click.¡±


    Yeah, that must be it.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m just really d my brother found someone he actually wanted to bring home,¡± Ellen went


    on. ¡°He¡¯s always so busy working, maybe you can convince him to take more time off and visit his


    family.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do,¡± Sophie promised with a smile.


    Ellen leaned in and gave a one-armed hug before turning back to the reception and her


    guests...leaving Sophie alone with her drink and thoughts bouncing around. Even though this was all


    based on lies, Sophie had very good intentions, but she didn¡¯t know if anyone other than her brothers


    would see that.


    Even a ss of champagne wasn¡¯t making Sophie feel better or helping her forget her problems. Once


    this magical day was over and she and Nigel were on their way back to New York, she would have to


    talk to him. She might have started this whole vendetta against Miranda, but the entire n had


    snowballed and what could have potentially been the greatest thing in Sophie¡¯s life was now likely


    ruined to the point of no return.


    Nigel swirled his grandmother around on the dance floor and caught Sophie¡¯s eye. When he sent her a


    wink, her entire body jolted from love.


    She did love him. There was no denying the truth now that it stared her in the face...literally.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Now she had to figure out if she could clean up this mess she¡¯d created, manage to reim her rightful


    inheritance, and hold on to the man she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been looking for. Oh, and wait to see if he


    could fall for her because he was still unsure.


    Sophie didn¡¯t see a way to get out of the impending broken heart and she had nobody to me but


    herself.


    Fourteen


    Sophie bundled her coat closer around her neck as she made her way from the car to Nigel¡¯s jet.


    They¡¯d spent another day at Shrewsbury Hall after the wedding, but now they needed to get back to


    work.


    And she needed to get back to reality...which meant she needed to tell Nigel the truth.


    Sophie figured once they were settled in for their flight would be the perfect time. He couldn¡¯t storm out


    and maybe she could get him to see how all of this had gotten out of her control.


    Not that she would make excuses. There were none. She¡¯d tantly lied to him and each time he


    called her Roslyn, she felt...well, like she was her own dirty little secret.


    How could she have expected to prove Miranda was evil when Sophie had been doing evil herself?


    Sophie boarded the jet as nerves curled through her. She¡¯d spoken with both of her brothersst night


    and they supported her decision to tell Nigel. They¡¯d agreed that maybe there was no dirt to be found


    on Miranda. They would have to find another way to get their property.


    Settling into one of the white leather sofas, Sophie fastened her seat belt as she waited for Nigel to


    finish speaking with the pilot. She wasn¡¯t nearly as nervous about flying this time, perhaps because she


    had too much on her mind. No matter how many times she rehearsed her speech, she was terrified to


    just let those words out in the open.


    Nigel stepped thro


    ugh to the cabin and his eyes immediately locked with hers. Her time was up.


    ¡°Are we all set to go?¡± she asked.


    Nigel sighed and settled back against his seat. ¡°We¡¯re all good.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound good.¡±


    He lifted a shoulder and nced back at her as heced his fingers in hers. ¡°I hate leaving my family. It


    never gets easier. That¡¯s the real reason I don¡¯t visit more. My grandmother thinks it¡¯s because I work


    so much, but that¡¯s not it. I can carve out time, it¡¯s just difficult toe here and then have to leave


    again.¡±


    Sophie understood that need to be close to family. She loved her brothers with her entire heart and


    couldn¡¯t imagine living in another country where she couldn¡¯t see them anytime she wanted.


    ¡°Do you ever think of moving back?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not really,¡± he admitted. ¡°I mean, I love it here, but I¡¯ve made a home and a life in New York. I need to


    visit home more often, though.¡±


    ¡°Your grandmother and sister would love that,¡± Sophie told him. ¡°Family means everything at the end of


    the day.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Which is why I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll join me when I return next month.¡±

 Chapter 42

    Chapter 42


    ¡°What?¡±


    Sophie stilled. Return with him? He couldn¡¯t mean that. He couldn¡¯t really want her toe back. First


    of all, this was just pretend and second of all, in a month, they likely wouldn¡¯t be speaking.


    Her heart hurt because he stared at her with such hope in his eyes while he waited on her answer.


    ¡°My family seemed to take you in as one of their own and if we¡¯re getting to know each other more and


    more, it only seems right that youe back with me.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I mean, if you want to.¡±


    Roslyn closed her eyes just as the ne took off down the runway. Her breath caught in her throat but


    the fear she had of flying took a backseat to the fear she had of breaking Nigel¡¯s heart.


    She simply couldn¡¯t do it. Not now. Not when he was pouring out his raw, honest feelings. He may not


    have been using the L word, but he was already inviting her back and that spoke volumes.


    He literally was handing her everything, and if she told him the truth now, she would be throwing it all


    right back in his face. He would hate her.


    There had to be a better way.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± he murmured, squeezing her hand when the ne tipped up. ¡°Just breathe.¡±


    He thought she was being silent and avoiding speaking to him because of her fear... If only he knew.


    If only he knew her real name, her story...would he still want anything to do with her?


    Sophie opened her eyes and shifted to face him. ¡°I¡¯d love toe back with you, but first I want you to


    meet my family. Well, my brothers. Then we¡¯ll see if you still want me to join you.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s smile widened. ¡°You think I¡¯m going to meet your brothers and get scared off? Are they that


    bad?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re wonderful.¡± But the truth was brutal. ¡°I just want you to know everything about me before we


    go any further.¡±


    He stared at her another minute and Sophie wished she could just get up the courage to tell him the


    truth right now like she¡¯d mentally prepared herself to do, but she couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to meet your brothers,¡± Nigel told her as he leaned in and slid his hand across her cheek and


    through her hair. ¡°I want to know everything about you, Roslyn Andrews.¡±


    Sophie ckwood.


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    It was on the tip of her tongue, but she said nothing like the coward she was.


    How could she ever use Miranda of anything at this point? Sophie had betrayed Nigel day after day


    and she¡¯d had the nerve to call it love. But she did love him. She¡¯d made a mistake that she couldn¡¯t


    take back and there was no way she could¡¯ve ever seen this disastering. Never before in her life


    had she purposely set out to hurt someone, to tantly lie to someone¡¯s face. Going into this whole


    charade, she knew she¡¯d be lying, but she honestly didn¡¯t think the end result would be so painful for so


    many.


    The guilt and shame settled heavy in her heart as Nigel kissed her. The intimacy poured out of him and


    she just hoped he could find it in his heart to forgive her.


    * * *


    ¡°Do you have a second?¡±


    Nigel turned from his office windows and faced the doorway where Miranda stood.


    ¡°For my biggest star? Of course.¡±


    Mirandaughed as she stepped in and closed the door at her back. ¡°I know I can always count on you


    for an ego boost.¡±


    Nigel truly did love each of the Secret Livesdies in different ways. Miranda was genuine and loving.


    Always eager to help others. He couldn¡¯t imagine anyone not feeling drawn to her, though he¡¯d heard


    about her difficult rtionship with her ex-stepchildren.


    Nigel knew Miranda and the ckwood siblings didn¡¯t get along, but he really never understood why.


    Then again, he didn¡¯t know the ckwood kids, either.


    He¡¯d never had one problem with Miranda and he respected her as a businesswoman and an asset to


    his show.


    ¡°What are you doing in New York?¡± he asked. ¡°If you¡¯d told me you wereing, I would¡¯ve arranged


    lunch.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about that.¡± Miranda tucked her red hair behind her ear. ¡°I was in town for a few


    meetings with some potential investors for Goddess Inc.¡±

 Chapter 43

    Chapter 43


    Goddess Inc. was Miranda¡¯s baby, which happened to be the country¡¯s fastest growing fitness empire.


    The woman was a force and she had already made a huge impact in the industry.


    ¡°I can have dinner arranged for us,¡± he told her. ¡°I have a new consultant that I¡¯d like to introduce you


    to. She¡¯s got some great ideas about the show and how to boost ratings.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love to meet her,¡± Miranda stated.


    Nigel shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the window ledge. ¡°So, what brought


    you by? I know you didn¡¯t just pop in to say hi.¡±


    Miranda adjusted the clutch beneath her arm and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m worried about Fee. With her


    leaving the show and all.¡±


    Nigel pulled in a deep breath. ¡°As much as none of us want to lose her, change can sometimes be a


    good thing.¡±


    ¡°She told me you asked her to consider a spin-off.¡±


    ¡°I did and she decided to just make a fresh start with her new life, without all of the cameras.¡± Nigel


    shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t me her. I don¡¯t like it and I want her to change her mind, but I can see why she¡¯d


    want to just enjoy her new marriage without any added stress.¡±


    Miranda pursed her lips. ¡°Are you looking to rece her on the show?¡±


    He¡¯d thought about that. He actually wanted to discuss that with Roslyn, but since they¡¯d gotten home


    from Ennd yesterday, he¡¯d been so busy ying catch up. Work that he hadn¡¯t been able to handle


    through emails and long-distance phone calls had be a bit of a pile, so he hadn¡¯t had the chance.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t decided on that just yet,¡± he answered honestly. ¡°We may see how things go without. I hope I


    can talk Seraphina into making a guest appearance every now and then.¡±


    At least they could work out the rest of her contract doing things that way.


    ¡°Let me set up dinner reservations and we can talk more,¡± he told Miranda as he reached for the


    phone.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Miranda waved a hand. ¡°I actually have to get back to Texas. I have a few things still to clear


    up after Buck¡¯s death.¡±


    ¡°Well, next time you¡¯reing to town, you¡¯d better give me a heads-up,¡± he warned with a smile.


    ¡°Of course I will,¡± she promised.


    Miranda crossed the room and kissed his cheek. ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can talk to Fee about those guest


    appearances. It might sound sincerering from a friend and not the man writing her checks and


    talking about contracts.¡±


    Nigel nodded. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate that.¡±


    Miranda left his office alm


    ost as quickly as she¡¯de. He really didn¡¯t know what to do about Fee leaving. A few weeks ago that


    news would¡¯ve stressed him out and had him losing sleep. But since meeting Roslyn and having her


    upy most of his thoughts, work wasn¡¯t as stressful.


    Part of him felt like a teen with a crush. Which was absurd since he was well into his thirties. He didn¡¯t


    want Roslyn to be too good to be true. The fact she gave herself to him for the first time spoke volumes


    for her character and her feelings toward him. He knew she couldn¡¯t have been intimate with him had


    she not felt so strongly about him.


    He was supposed to meet her brothers soon. Roslyn promised to have theme to New York and


    they¡¯d all meet at her penthouse for dinner. He was excited to get to know all facets of her life, but he


    didn¡¯t know why she¡¯d seemed so worried. Her family couldn¡¯t beplete monsters. Besides, he


    wanted to try to explore the idea of more with her. He¡¯d told her he couldn¡¯t love her, he didn¡¯t have it to


    give, but that had been fear. He wouldn¡¯t have taken her home if he wasn¡¯t feeling something stronger


    for her.


    Nigel wanted to see just how far this would go and there was nothing that would change his mind.


    Fifteen


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Sophie stepped from her office just as a sh of red hair caught her eye.


    The gasp escaped her as she turned back into her office and quickly shut the door.


    Miranda was here? Why? Did she know what Sophie was doing? Had shee to rat her out?


    Sophie leaned back against the door, trying to listen, but she heard nothing. With her breath caught in


    her throat, Sophie closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. If Miranda had revealed her secret and


    Nigel knew the truth, he¡¯d be in here any second.


    Craig¡¯s muffled voice echoed down the hall followed by Miranda¡¯sugh. Good, she was moving away


    from Sophie and Nigel¡¯s offices.


    Just keep going. Get on that elevator and get the hell out of here.

 Chapter 44

    Chapter 44


    Sophie had known there was a possibility Miranda might show up at the office, but considering Sophie


    had nned on getting in and out in a week, she hadn¡¯t been too worried.


    Now, well, she¡¯d been here a couple weeks and knew she was tempting fate with each additional day


    she stayed.


    Sophie had texted her brothers and asked how soon they could get to New York. She¡¯d told them


    everything and pleaded with them to help her with Nigel. Maybe that was still a coward¡¯s way out to


    have backup, but she was desperate to hold on to the best thing that had ever happened to her.


    Hopefully Vaughn and Ken could be here tomorrow and Sophie could get all of her lies out in the


    open and tell Nigel exactly who she was and why she¡¯d deceived him. She had to make him


    understand that every part of what happened between them was real¡ªespecially the part where she


    was falling in love with him.


    Until all of this mess was over, Sophie wasn¡¯t going to be able to rx. And now she had to watch out


    for more Miranda sightings. Perhaps she should stay in her office or, better yet, feign sickness and


    head to her penthouse where she could hide out until she could confront Nigel.


    Either way, Sophie was walking a thin line and at any second she could fall off and get lost in her web


    of deceit.


    * * *


    Nigel had just eased into the back of his car when his cell rang. He¡¯d spent twelve hours at the office


    today trying to formte a game n for some grand going away party for Seraphina. Of course, the


    event would be aired, but the show needed to be the grandest of all. A ck-and-white cocktail party at


    the Waldorf? A luau in Hawaii? He wasn¡¯t sure what would be the best, but he did n on getting


    Roslyn¡¯s take on several ideas.


    As his driver pulled away from the curb, Nigel answered his phone without looking.


    ¡°Nigel Townshend.¡±


    ¡°Always so professional.¡±


    He smiled at his sister¡¯s teasing tone. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in Moro now,¡± she told him. ¡°We just arrived after a couple days in Spain. It was beautiful, by


    the way, thanks for asking.¡±


    Nigelughed and settled into his seat. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. He¡¯d take even


    a second of rxation at this point. Trying to figure out ways to save his show from plummeting into an


    abyss while losing one of their top cast members was quite stressful.


    Which was just another reason he couldn¡¯t wait to see Roslyn. She always made things seem better,


    brighter.


    ¡°So why are you calling your brother when you should be spending time in newly wedded bliss?¡±


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you alone?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I just left the office, so I¡¯m with my driver.¡± rm bells went off in his head. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you


    okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, but I¡¯m worried about you.¡±


    ¡°Me? Why?¡±


    Ellen sighed. ¡°You remember how I kept saying Roslyn looked familiar to me?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to tell you this,¡± she murmured.


    Nigel sat up and gripped his cell. ¡°Just say it,¡± he demanded. That trickle of fear down his spine had


    him on edge.


    ¡°Her real name is Sophie ckwood.¡±


    ckwood. As in... Miranda¡¯ste ex?


    ¡°She¡¯s actually a famous designer,¡± Ellen went on. ¡°I was watching one of my favorite YouTube


    channels on the ne and that was when it hit me. She has a massive following on her channel Dream


    It, Live It. I¡¯ve watched so many of her design videos that I should have recognized her right off the bat,


    but she¡¯s altered her look. She¡¯s not a blond naturally and she doesn¡¯t usually wear sses.¡±


    Nigel rubbed his forehead as his sister¡¯s words settled in.


    ¡°Are you positive?¡± he asked, hoping she wasn¡¯t, but knowing she was or she never would¡¯ve called.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

 Chapter 45

    Chapter 45


    Nigel¡¯s chest constricted. His driver continued toward Roslyn¡¯s penthouse. No, Sophie ckwood¡¯s


    penthouse.


    Why the deception? Because of Miranda? To get back at her for some reason? He didn¡¯t know the


    answers, but he sure as hell deserved them...starting with why she had used him, going so far as to tell


    him she was falling in love with him.


    Going so far as to sleep with him over and over.


    Nigel clenched his jaw and willed himself to remain calm. He had to talk to Roslyn...or whatever the hell


    she wanted to call herself. He had to hear her side, though he couldn¡¯t imagine there was a defense


    strong enough to make him forget what she¡¯d done or warrant forgiveness.


    ¡°Nigel,¡± Ellen said. ¡°Are you still there?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here. I¡¯m on my way to her penthouse right now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said again. ¡°I don¡¯t want you hurt.¡±


    Hurt? Yeah, he was, but bloody furious might be closer to his current mood.


    ¡°Will you text or call meter?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m worried about you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he lied. ¡°Thank you for telling me¡ªyou did the right thing. Go enjoy your honeymoon and


    we¡¯ll talk when you get back.¡±


    Nigel disconnected the call and immediately typed in Dream It, Live It in his phone¡¯s browser. His heart


    sank when a smiling brte popped up onto the screen. She casually leaned against the side of a


    pale yellow sofa. She wore a pretty floral dress with very little makeup and she was actually barefoot


    and holding a ss of wine. She had her head tipped just so and a perfect smile for the camera.


    This was his Roslyn.


    No. This was Sophie ckwood with millions of followers. She was clearly a major sess¡ªand not


    at all in need of a job. Yet, she¡¯de to Green Room Media and infiltrated herself as a consultant,


    going so far as to sleep with her boss...and for what? Obviously something to do with Miranda, but


    Nigel didn¡¯t know why he¡¯d gotten involved in this family drama.


    He clicked through the different thumbnail photos of the videos. She certainly did look different with all


    that rich dark hair.


    Bloody hell. She looked sexier, more natural.


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    And he still got that tug of arousal when he saw that smile and those curves. No amount of betrayal


    could turn that off.


    ¡°Sir, should I wait?¡±


    Nigel realized the car hade to a stop. He shoved his phone back into his pocket and reached for


    the handle.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure how long I¡¯ll be,¡± he replied. ¡°Just don¡¯t go too far.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Nigel had no clue what would happen once he confronted Ms. ckwood. Right now she felt like a


    total stranger. He¡¯d told her he wanted to get to know her more on a deeper level, but he¡¯d had no idea


    he didn¡¯t know her at all. He hadn¡¯t even known her damn name.


    Everything over the past few weeks had been a lie and Nigel wasn¡¯t leaving here until he got the


    answers he deserved.


    * * *


    The guard had alerted Sophie to a visitor and Sophie granted him permission toe on up. She


    nced around the penthouse and onto the balcony where she¡¯d set up ate-night dinner. She knew


    Nigel had been working so hard.


    She wanted to do something for him to let him know she admired the way he juggled everything. She


    also wanted to pamper him just a bit.


    Vaughn and Ken had reluctantly agreed toe tomorrow, so this would be thest night Sophie


    would have with Nigel before he discovered the truth. She just wanted one more magical evening with


    the man she loved before she potentially lost him forever.


    A heavy lump of guilt settled in her throat. Time was running out and she would have to make the most


    of every moment tonight.


    When the elevator chimed and slid open, she nced across the penthouse as Nigel stepped out. He¡¯d


    clearly been raking his hands through his hair. The stress of the show was getting to him. She offered a


    smile, but it dropped into a worried frown when he didn¡¯t return the gesture.


    ¡°Rough day?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You could say that.¡±

 Chapter 46

    Chapter 46


    Sophie crossed to the ind bar and grabbed the drink she¡¯d made for him.


    ¡°I thought you could start with a nice bourbon before dinner,¡± she told him, handing him the tumbler of


    amber liquid. ¡°I¡¯ve set us up over next to the balcony so we can still see the beautiful view, but not


    freeze.¡±


    Nigel tipped back the drink and sat the ss back on the bar. He shoved his hands in his pockets, but


    remained silent. Work must have really kicked him down today. She¡¯d never seen him so worn or quiet.


    ¡°I have good news,¡± she told him. ¡°I got in touch with my brothers and they can be here tomorrow. I¡¯d


    love for us to all do a nice dinner if you think you can leave the office early enough.¡±


    She turned toward the ind to start filling the tes with pasta.


    ¡°Your brothers,¡± he repeated slowly. ¡°Would that be Vaughn and Ken ckwood?¡±


    The te dropped from her grasp and shattered onto the floor.


    ¡°And that would make you Sophie,¡± he added.


    Sophie nced over her shoulder. Nigel held up his phone to show her a muted video from her


    YouTube channel.


    ¡°I had no idea you were so popr until I discovered this,¡± he went on. ¡°Sophie ckwood, a YouTube


    sensation and brilliant interior designer.¡±


    Sophie gripped the edge of the counter. ¡°Give me a second to exin.¡±


    ¡°A second? Oh, I think you¡¯d need much longer than that, don¡¯t you? I mean, you¡¯ve clearly been


    nning this for a long time.¡± He dropped his arm and shoved the phone back into his pocket. ¡°How


    long would you have gone on with this charade, Roslyn?¡±


    Tears pricked her eyes, but she needed to put up a strong front and not be seen as weak. She needed


    him to understand her actions, her reasoning. He understood family loyalty, didn¡¯t he?


    Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted you to meet my brothers,¡± she exined. ¡°I wanted to tell you everything with


    them here so they could help me exin what we were up against.¡±


    Sophie started to step toward him, but nced to the shards of the broken te near her bare feet.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to cut yourself.¡±


    Nigel muttered a curse under his breath and stepped over the mess, the broken te crunching


    beneath his shoes. He gripped her by the waist and lifted her up and over, setting her down safely a


    good distance away.


    Even in his anger, he was still a gentleman. How could she not be in love with him? He obviously cared


    for her or her actions wouldn¡¯t have hurt him so much.


    That sliver of information gave her hope. She knew he¡¯d be hurt no matter how he discovered the truth,


    but she just wished she could¡¯ve been the one to tell him. Now the betrayal seemed so much harsher.


    ¡°Who told you?¡± she asked.


    Nigel shook his head. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re the one who lied and used me.¡±


    Sophie recalled the sh of red yesterday.


    ¡°Miranda,¡± she murmured.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Sophie held his gaze. ¡°Miranda told you, didn¡¯t she? I saw her at the office yesterday.¡±


    Nigel¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You saw her and didn¡¯t say anything? Afraid of getting caught?¡±


    ¡°I have valid reasons for everything I did.¡±


    The muscle in Nigel¡¯s jaw clenched and he propped his hands on his hips. ¡°Miranda didn¡¯t tell me


    anything, so clearly she doesn¡¯t know you¡¯re here.¡±


    In that case, Sophie had no idea how he found out, but it really didn¡¯t matter. All that mattered was that


    she¡¯d hurt him. She had to find a way to make him understand why she¡¯d done this. Would he believe


    her if she told him she¡¯d give up the vendetta against Miranda for a second chance with him?


    At this point, no. The shocking news was too fresh, the pain too raw.

 Chapter 47

    Chapter 47


    ¡°My father¡¯s will left everything to Miranda,¡± Sophie started. ¡°My brothers and I got nothing.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re seeking revenge as some sort of poor little rich girl?¡±


    Sophie swallowed and blinked back unshed tears. ¡°I know that¡¯s what it looks like, but the money has


    nothing to do with it. Miranda doesn¡¯t deserve anything from my father. She just married him for the


    fortune¡ªthe ranch and all of its history mean nothing to her. She has my childhood home and


    everything else that should remain in the ckwood family.¡±


    Nigel stared at her from the slit in his lids. ¡°So you came here to what? Find dirt on Miranda and then


    ckmail her into giving you back what you want? That sounds petty and childish.¡±


    ¡°No, it sounds like my brothers and I want our home back. We want to be able to keep that in the


    family,¡± she cried. ¡°Miranda doesn¡¯t care about Royal like we do. She has her own life, her own empire.


    My brother and his wife are expecting a child and we want to carry on the ckwood legacy.¡±


    Sophie stared at him, waiting for some sign that he understood where she wasing from. That he


    might get her loyalty wasn¡¯t a bad thing even if she¡¯d made a bad choice.


    ¡°And did you find what you were looking for?¡± he finally asked.


    Sophie crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°No. I didn¡¯t find anything negative on Miranda. And I certainly


    wasn¡¯t looking to fall in love.¡±


    Nigel let out a humorlessugh and turned from her. ¡°Don¡¯t throw that word out, not now. You don¡¯t


    know what love is. You don¡¯t lie to the people you love and you sure as hell don¡¯t deceive them.¡±


    Sophie took a few steps forward, close enough that she could reach out and ce her hand on his rigid


    back. He stiffened even more, but he didn¡¯t turn to face her.


    ¡°I never meant to deceive you,¡± she stated. ¡°When I applied for the job at Green Room Media, I wanted


    to talk to people, get some scoop against Miranda. I never ever thought I¡¯d be working that closely with


    you.¡±


    ¡°Yet you did.¡± Now he did turn, causing her hand to fall away. ¡°You got close to me. You slept with me


    and for all I know that was part of the n.¡±


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    He shook his head and raked both hands over his messy hair. ¡°Once you realized you¡¯d be working


    one-on-one with me, I¡¯m sure that just fit right into your deceit. I mean, who better to get gossip from


    than the CEO? No one in thepany has spent more time with Miranda than me. Giving your virginity


    was above and beyond, though.¡±


    ¡°Stop,¡± she ordered, the pain slicing her heart too deep. ¡°I never wanted to be with a man until I met


    you. I knew in the end you¡¯d find out who I was, but by the time I realized I loved you, it was toote for


    there to be any easy way toe clean. I was afraid of ruining things between us, so I didn¡¯t know how


    to tell you the truth. But you have to know that I couldn¡¯t have given myself to you had I not fallen so


    hard.¡±


    ¡°All of this is so convenient,¡± he mocked. ¡°You justnd a job with me, have ess to nearly everything


    regarding the show and you get a free trip to Cumbria. I can¡¯t believe I was so naive not to trust my gut


    when I wondered if this was too good to be true.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to be over,¡± she said, her voice softening as the gnawing ache threatened to constrict


    her. ¡°I know you¡¯re angry and confused and hurting. I also know I don¡¯t deserve to ask anything of you,


    but I¡¯m asking that you take time and think before you just throw me out of your life.¡±


    ¡°You think any of this is up to me?¡± he snarled. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who threw this all away. You did. You


    could¡¯ve told me at any point over the past weeks who you really were, but you opted not to. Or, hell, at


    the very least you could¡¯ve told me when you imed you started falling in love with me.¡±


    ¡°Looking back, I see that,¡± she admitted. ¡°But that would have meant letting down my family¡ªchoosing


    you over the promise I made to them. I told my brothers I would follow through and find the information


    we needed. I didn¡¯t want to let them down.¡±


    Maybe appealing to the side of family loyalty would get him to see she wasn¡¯t aplete monster.


    ¡°I¡¯m the same person you were with in Cumbria,¡± she told him. ¡°I never lied to you about my feelings.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the same person at all,¡± he countered. ¡°I didn¡¯t even know your name.¡±


    Shame consumed her and she nodded. ¡°But you know my touch and you know I love you. If you think


    back to our time together, you¡¯ll see that. You remembered what I said about that single stem, you


    know my food quirks, you know how well we mesh on a business level. We work together perfectly


    from every angle. Once you get beyond the shock and the anger, I hope you¡¯ll realize that no matter


    what happens, I¡¯ll always love you.¡±


    He said nothing, just continued to stare at her. Sophie wanted so badly to reach for him, to have him


    wrap his arms around her and tell her that he didn¡¯t hate her, that they would work this out.


    But that was foolish thinking. His forgiveness was something she didn¡¯t deserve.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to meet your brothers,¡± Nigel finally said. ¡°Needless to say, you¡¯re no longer wee at


    Green Room Media and you¡¯re no longer part of my life. So go back to Texas and deal with your family


    drama there, but leave me out of it.¡±


    Without another word, he turned and headed to the elevator. Sophie watched as he stepped in and


    didn¡¯t even look back at her. She kept waiting, hoping for something else, but there was nothing. He¡¯d


    literally cut her out just that fast.


    The moment the doors slid closed behind him, Sophie let the tears fall. She¡¯d brought all of this upon


    herself. There was nothing to show for her efforts¡ªno dirt on Miranda and no rtionship with Nigel.


    She was literally going back to Royal empty-handed, alone and in worse shape than when she¡¯d


    arrived in New York.


    Sophie turned toward the kitchen and stopped when she noticed the broken te. Clearly the only


    thing she was good attely was destroying everything around her. She only wished her heart would be


    as easy to clean up as this dish.


    Sixteen


    In the five days since he¡¯d seen Sophie, Nigel still couldn¡¯t bring himself to go up to the penthouse of


    his own office building. The one space he¡¯d always gone to for sce now held memories too painful to


    revisit.

 Chapter 48

    Chapter 48


    He stared out the window of his office, watching the snow swirl around, remembering how the kes


    would stick to Sophie¡¯sshes.


    Sophie. The name seemed to fit her, yet it was so strange to think of her that way. Like a bloody fool,


    he¡¯d watched too many of her videos. Maybe he was just a masochist, but he¡¯d wanted to see the real


    Sophie ckwood in her element.


    She¡¯d positively shined and was so personable, so fun.


    He hated to admit that he recognized in her the woman he¡¯d started falling for. He¡¯d thought Roslyn had


    been just a facade, but Sophie was the same, just like she¡¯d said. And yet there was such a difference


    that he couldn¡¯t put his finger on. He tried yet again to push the thought away and refocus on work.


    The gray skies didn¡¯t help his mood right now, neither did the fact that he couldn¡¯t pinpoint a location to


    have the farewell party for Seraphina. He wanted to make things as easy as possible for her and Clint.


    His cell vibrated on his desk with an iing text and Nigel nced over his shoulder. Ellen¡¯s name


    popped up.


    On a sigh, he grabbed his cell and opened the message.


    I haven¡¯t heard much from you. I¡¯m worried. Nana doesn¡¯t know anything because she just messaged


    me about ¡°that nice American girl¡±ing back next month and doing a girls¡¯ luncheon.


    Bloody hell. His grandmother would be heartbroken over all of this. Perhaps he should stick to the


    original n of just telling her they broke up. He didn¡¯t want to tell her that Roslyn was really Sophie


    and that she¡¯d lied to them all.


    Granted, he¡¯d taken Sophie home under the pretense of her being his girlfriend so he¡¯d lied, too.


    This entire situation was a mess. So much deceit, so much pain.


    Nigel typed back a quick text, telling his sister he was fine and just busy at work and that he¡¯d take care


    of Nana.


    He hadn¡¯t even put his phone down when it rang and Miranda¡¯s name appeared.


    Nigel swiped the screen to answer.


    ¡°Miranda. What can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I hope this isn¡¯t a bad time,¡± she replied.


    Considering he was wallowing in his own self-pity party, this was the perfect time for a


    distraction...unless there was more bad news.


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving the show,¡± hemanded.


    Miranda¡¯s softughter came through the phone. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m not calling about work. I¡¯m calling


    about your personal life.¡±


    ¡°Is that right?¡±


    ¡°Listen, I¡¯ve never stepped foot into your private affairs, but I need to now,¡± she went on. ¡°I know Sophie


    was in New York trying to find something damning on me. I also know she was working for you.¡±


    Nigel crossed his office and sank down onto the leather sofa. ¡°Did you know the entire time?¡±


    ¡°I found out before I left the office,¡± she stated. ¡°I pondered what to do with the information.¡±


    Nigel dropped his head back on the cushion and pulled in a breath. ¡°So that¡¯s why you are calling me?


    She didn¡¯t find out anything, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. There¡¯s nothing negative about you to


    be found here, no matter how hard she looked.¡±


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Well, I appreciate that, but that¡¯s not the reason for my call.¡±


    Nigel really didn¡¯t want to talk about Sophie to anyone. He¡¯d even dodged talking to his own sister


    during these past several days.


    There was no question he¡¯d been falling in love with Roslyn, even though he¡¯d tried to deny his feelings


    because he¡¯d wanted to wait. The fact was, he¡¯d been falling from day one. The pain wouldn¡¯t be so


    crippling and crushing if he¡¯d just wanted her for sex. He missed her. He missed her smile, the way


    she¡¯d hold his hand, her quick wit and sharp mind... He missed everything.


    ¡°I¡¯m thest person who shoulde to her defense, but I am,¡± Miranda went on. ¡°Sophie and her


    brothers feel like they were wronged in the will after their father¡¯s death. I can¡¯t me them for that.


    They¡¯ve always thought I was after the ckwood fortune. I wasn¡¯t, but given the way things happened


    with the will, their suspicious do make sense.¡±


    ¡°Not to anyone who knows you,¡± he informed her. ¡°You don¡¯t have a callous bone in your body.¡±


    ¡°Well, Buck left me strict orders before his death and I¡¯m just trying to respect those wishes,¡± she said.


    ¡°Sophie is loyal to her family, Nigel. I truly believe she never meant to hurt you in any way.¡±

 Chapter 49

    Chapter 49


    Stunned, Nigel listened as Miranda defended her former stepdaughter. Nothing about that should have


    surprised him, though. Miranda was always the peacemaker, the one who would jump in to help


    anyone with no questions asked. She had a natural need to see those around her happy...even,


    apparently, those who were set on destroying her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure why you¡¯d want to help her out,¡± Nigel said.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m helping you both,¡± Miranda replied. ¡°You know how gossip spreads. I learned that you


    took Sophie to Ennd to Ellen¡¯s wedding. That tells me you really like her. I¡¯ve never heard of you


    wanting to take someone home, let alone for a family wedding.¡±


    ¡°It was a front to keep my grandmother off my back about settling down,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°That may be part of it,¡± she agreed. ¡°But don¡¯t discount your feelings. You don¡¯t have to tell me what


    they are. Just be honest with yourself. Enough lies were told and I wanted you to know the type of


    person Sophie really is. Her father wasn¡¯t the easiest man to love and he wasn¡¯t always the best to his


    kids, but he¡¯s trying to right a wrong from the grave and unfortunately, he¡¯s using me to do it¡ªsetting up


    enough of a mystery that the kids see me as an enemy.¡±


    Nigel had no clue what was all going on with that mess. But he knew Miranda¡¯s kind heart just wanted


    to make peace. He also knew she wouldn¡¯t have called if she didn¡¯t believe Sophie was a good person.


    ¡°You can do what you want, but I just had to share my thoughts,¡± Miranda added. ¡°And, if you were


    wondering, Sophie is going to be working on the Texas Cattleman¡¯s Clubhouse renovations. She¡¯s


    doing so free of charge and paying for the decor she uses. That information isn¡¯t public knowledge


    because she didn¡¯t want people to know. I believe that speaks to the type of woman she is.¡±


    Miranda said her goodbyes, leaving Nigel even more confused with his thoughts and his jumbled


    emotions. He had no clue what to do right now, and for the first time in his life, he felt utterly out of


    control.


    All he knew was that he wanted this ache to cease. How the hell did he get over the one woman he


    wanted, but shouldn¡¯t?


    * * *


    Lulu smiled across the table at Kace.


    ¡°So, what do you say?¡± she asked, barely able to contain her excitement.


    She¡¯d asked Kace to lunch...not a date. This couldn¡¯t be a date. It just couldn¡¯t.


    But the sexy cowboy attorney from Texas might just be the best add-in to Secret Lives if he¡¯d simply


    agree to make a few guest appearances. When the show had filmed in Royal, the viewers had


    positively eaten up all the Southern charm those men had.


    Of course there had only been one man who charmed Lulu enough to capture her attention and he sat


    right across from her still battling himself with the answer.


    ¡°Did you ask Nigel or the other women about this?¡± he finally asked.


    Lulu picked up her water ss and took a drink. ¡°I wanted to see what you said first. As for the other


    ladies, they¡¯ll totally be on board.¡±


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Who wouldn¡¯t? The man was a walking fantasy in a Stetson and shiny boots.


    ¡°Is this for the show¡¯s ratings or because you can¡¯t stand to be without me?¡± he asked with a smirk.


    ¡°The ratings, though I¡¯m not sure we have it in the budget to pay you and your ego.¡±


    Kace eased back in his chair and propped onerge strong-looking hand onto the table. Lulu couldn¡¯t


    ignore the desires just the sight of his hand pulled from her.


    So what if her intentions to get him on the show were because she wanted him around her more? She


    was human with basic needs. Maybe they¡¯d been at


    each other¡¯s throats at one time, but sex changed everything.


    ¡°Just say you¡¯ll do it and leave the rest up to me,¡± she urged. ¡°Unless you hate the city life.¡±


    He let out a low sexyugh. ¡°New York isn¡¯t exactly my speed, but it¡¯s doable every now and then.¡±


    Lulu barely resisted the urge to leap over the table, straddle hisp and hug him. ¡°Does that mean


    you¡¯ll do it?¡±


    His kissable lips twitched. ¡°If you can line up everything and get all the working parties to agree, I¡¯ll do


    it.¡±


    Lulu let out a slight squeal and pped her hands together. ¡°Perfect. You won¡¯t regret this.¡±


    Kace leaned across the table, taking her hands in his as he lowered his voice. ¡°Make no mistake. You¡¯ll


    owe me.¡±


    And that sounded like the most delicious promise ever.

 Chapter 50

    Chapter 50


    Seventeen


    Sophie stared at her sketch pad and what she¡¯did out so far, then she stared back at the nearly


    completed room. The architect and contractor had done a marvelous job of restoring the burnt portion


    of the clubhouse. Now she was trying to find a way to keep the decor true to the rest of the clubhouse,


    plus add in some special touches to really celebrate the reopening of this wing.


    ¡°Looks like some things still need decorated.¡±


    Sophie nearly dropped her sketch pad as she spun around at the familiar voice. ¡°Nigel,¡± she gasped.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    He casually leaned against the doorway that had yet to be trimmed. With a gray T-shirt and worn jeans


    and even a pair of cowboy boots, he fit in perfectly. She¡¯d never seen him in boots and she couldn¡¯t


    help but smile.


    ¡°Are you relocating to Texas?¡± she asked, nodding to his new attire.


    With his hands in his pockets, he shrugged. ¡°I figured I should at least try to look the part. I draw the


    line at the hat, though.¡±


    How could he have her smiling when looking at him hurt so much? But as conflicted as she felt, she


    knew he was here for a reason. She only hoped she was that reason.


    ¡°Did youe here looking for me or are you filming in Royal again?¡± she asked, unable to stand the


    anticipation.


    ¡°Maybe both,¡± he replied.


    Nigel pushed away from the door and took a slow walk around the open space. He didn¡¯t say a word as


    he continued to survey everything...which consisted of drywall, paint cans and etched ss windows.


    Maybe he¡¯de to drive her crazy and make her pay for what she¡¯d done to him. Although, she didn¡¯t


    know how much more she could suffer because living without him had been pure hell these past few


    days.


    ¡°I hear you¡¯re doing the decorating,¡± he finally said as he focused his attention back to her.


    Sophie clutched her pad to her chest. ¡°I am. I wouldn¡¯t trust this to anyone else.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen your videos¡ªyou¡¯re good at what you do,¡± he replied. ¡°They¡¯re lucky to have such talent.¡±


    Stunned at his des, Sophie simply said, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Nigel took one step, then another, until he came to stand within inches of her. His eyes roamed over


    her face, her hair, beforending on her eyes.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    ¡°You dyed your hair back,¡± he murmured, reaching out to smooth a strand behind her ear.


    Sophie shivered at his touch and leaned in just enough to feel his warmth. ¡°I wanted to get back to


    myself now that I¡¯m home.¡±


    She didn¡¯t know how long they were going to do this small talk and dance around the proverbial


    elephant in the room. Seeing him again only reminded her of all that she¡¯d had that she¡¯d then thrown


    away...not that she¡¯d thought of anything else since returning to Royal.


    ¡°I like this better,¡± he told her as he dropped his hand, but didn¡¯t take a step back.


    The familiar woodsy scent of his cologne enveloped her, making her recallying against his chest and


    sleeping when they were in Ennd. Making her remember when he¡¯d first wrapped her in his jacket


    on that snowy night.


    So many memories made in such a short time. Nigel had packed such a powerful impact on her life


    and embedded himself so deeply into her heart.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked, unable to stand the silence and the nerves eating away at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m here for you.¡±


    Fear ebbed away as hope flowed in. Sophie wanted to reach for him, but she needed to hear what he


    had to say. What had made hime all the way here instead of calling or texting? What happened in


    the five days after she¡¯d left?


    Because since she¡¯d been back, all she¡¯d thought of was where she could¡¯ve righted her wrongs. But


    once she was caught in that downward spiral, she¡¯d beenpletely out of control and she¡¯d had no


    way to stop.


    ¡°I got a call from Miranda,¡± he added.


    Sophie blinked. ¡°Miranda? What did she call you about?¡±


    ¡°You. She came to your defense without hesitation.¡±

 Chapter 51

    Chapter 51


    Seriously?


    Sophie didn¡¯t know what to say to that remark. She¡¯d never known Miranda to want to help her out. Of


    course, there was all those people who sang her praises and swore that Miranda was practically a


    saint, but Sophie hadn¡¯t experienced that side of her. Truth be told, they¡¯d never really interacted much,


    not even when Miranda and Buck had still been married.


    ¡°What did she say?¡± Sophie asked.


    Nigel smoothed a hand over his jaw and the back of his neck. He seemed so exhausted, which only


    matched her own situation. She hadn¡¯t slept for reying the past few weeks over and over in her


    head. She wondered if he¡¯d been awake all night thinking of her, too.


    ¡°She basically said that you had valid reasons foring to New York.¡±


    How the hell had Miranda known Sophie was in New York? Had she seen her that day?


    ¡°I found out that Craig mentioned my new consultant when he was chatting with Miranda,¡± Nigel went


    on. ¡°I had actually talked to her about meeting you, obviously not knowing the truth, and then Craig was


    talking about how amazing you were and how you could be on the show because you¡¯re just as


    stunning as the others. I mean, you know how Craig gossips. He ended up showing Miranda a photo.¡±


    ¡°She could¡¯ve called me out right then,¡± Sophie murmured. ¡°Why didn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say she knew why you were there at that point,¡± he told her. ¡°But when she called me, she


    exined how you and your brothers feel cheated with the will and everything.¡±


    ¡°We were cheated,¡± Sophie reiterated. ¡°We still don¡¯t understand why we were cut out.¡±


    ¡°I get that.¡± Nigel gave an understanding nod. ¡°I don¡¯t get why you continued to lie to me, not once we


    started getting so close, but I know why you initially came to New York. You were trying to save your


    family¡¯s legacy. Believe me, I above anyone else understand the importance of showing family loyalty.¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why she came to my assistance,¡± Sophie thought out loud.


    Nigel reached for her arm and slid his fingers down to hold her hand. ¡°Maybe because she¡¯s not the


    monster you all think she is. Maybe because she wants to see you happy. I truly believe she wants to


    fix her rtionship with you and your brothers.¡±


    Sophie wasn¡¯t so sure about fixing things, but she also wasn¡¯t so sure that Miranda was out to take


    everything. She¡¯d seemed just as surprised at the will as the rest of them. Maybe that hadn¡¯t all been


    an act.


    ¡°And her call made youe?¡± Sophie asked.


    Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    He squeezed her hand. ¡°Her call made me think a little more about what this must have been like from


    your point of view. For years I¡¯ve been somewhat of a ck sheep for leaving Ennd and not


    marrying or settling down. Family is important to me, even though I¡¯m not jumping in to produce heirs.¡±


    Sophie smiled. After having met his grandmother and sister, and seeing where he came from, the


    archaic sounding trait wasn¡¯t so bizarre after all.


    ¡°Honestly, I couldn¡¯t stand be


    ing without you,¡± he finally said. ¡°The office was lonely, even though my staff is bustling all over the


    ce. Every time I looked at events for the showing up, I wondered what you would think or how


    you would change things. I can¡¯t even go up to my penthouse because I see you disyed on that


    couch. And now I can¡¯t go back to Ennd because Nana thinks we¡¯re a couple.¡±


    Sophie smiled. ¡°Is that all?¡±


    Nigel took another step forward until they were toe-to-toe. He framed her face with his hands and


    leaned in, barely a breath from her mouth.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not all,¡± he whispered. ¡°I love you and I want you. I won¡¯t ask you to give up your life here.


    I¡¯d never do that. I¡¯ll fly back and forth if need be. I don¡¯t give a damn at this point, I just need you.¡±


    Sophie¡¯s heart nearly exploded. She never thought he would forgive her, and she sure as hell never


    thought Miranda would be the one to turn him around.


    Had Sophie been wrong all this time? Was Miranda really just misunderstood and wanting to make


    things right?


    Sophie wrapped her arms around Nigel¡¯s waist. ¡°I need you, too. I¡¯ve been miserable knowing that I


    hurt you. I just, I didn¡¯t know what to do and my loyalty was so torn¡ª¡±


    Nigel covered her lips, cutting off her sentence and any other thought she may have had. Nigel was


    here, he was holding her, kissing her and loving her. None of this was a dream and while she didn¡¯t


    deserve his forgiveness, she wasn¡¯t going to turn him away. She¡¯d never take him for granted again.


    Sophie eased back, sliding her fingers through his hair. ¡°I swear, I¡¯ll never lie to you about anything ever


    again.¡±


    Nigel smiled. ¡°That¡¯s good, but I hope you know what you¡¯re getting into with me.¡±


    ¡°I have a pretty good idea.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll need to make you an extra on the show,¡± he stated. ¡°I¡¯m sure ratings would skyrocket with


    the most sought-after designer.¡±

 Chapter 52

    Chapter 52


    Sophieughed. ¡°Well, we¡¯d have to marry and divorce since the show is about exes.¡±


    Nigel shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m never letting you go, but I¡¯m sure I can sneak you in somehow.¡±


    He continued to stare at her and Sophie had never felt so excited and anxious and thrilled all at the


    same time.


    ¡°And you still have toe back home with me next month,¡± he added. ¡°My grandmother will grill you


    on babies and weddings.¡±


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    Sophie met his gaze and grinned. ¡°I¡¯m open to both.¡±


    Nigel kissed her again, then wrapped his arms around her and picked her up, spinning her around.


    ¡°I¡¯m never letting you go again,¡± he told her. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind a houseguest because I packed a


    large suitcase.¡±


    ¡°Stay as long as you like,¡± she told him.


    ¡°How about forever?¡±


    Sophie kissed him again and knew she¡¯d been given a second chance at her first love. Nothing could


    steal her happiness now.


    * * *


    Don¡¯t miss a single installment of


    Texas Cattleman¡¯s Club: Inheritance


    Tempting the Texan by USA TODAY


    bestselling author Maureen Child


    Rich, Rugged Rancher by Joss Wood


    Avable January 2020


    From Boardroom to Bedroom by USA TODAY


    bestselling author Jules Bet


    Avable February 2020


    Secret Heir Seduction by Reese Ryan


    Avable March 2020


    Too Texan to Tame by Janice Maynard


    Avable April 2020


    Her Texas Renegade by USA TODAY


    bestselling author Joanne Rock


    Avable May 2020


    Keep reading for an excerpt from me It on the Billionaire by Naima Simone.


    WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM


    Luxury, scandal, desire¡ªwee to the lives of the American elite.

 Chapter 53

    Chapter 53


    Be transported to the worlds of oil barons, family dynasties, moguls and celebrities. Get ready for juicy


    plot twists, delicious sensuality and intriguing scandal.


    6 NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH!


    me It on the Billionaire


    by Naima Simone


    One


    Honor thy mother and father.


    Grayson Chandler smothered a sigh. With all due respect to Moses, but if he¡¯d been stuck listening to


    Grayson¡¯s mother nag on and on and about hisck of duty, loyalty and wife, the prophet might¡¯ve


    asked God to nail down the specifics on thatmandment.


    Swearing. Out.


    Muzzling. Out.


    Faking a coronary episode to avoid herining. Gray area.


    For a moment, a flicker of guilt wavered in Grayson¡¯s chest. But at the moment, he was caught in his


    mother¡¯s crosshairs. Pit bulls with lockjaw had nothing on Cherise Chandler. She didn¡¯t let go of


    something¡ªwhether it was a project, a subject or a grudge¡ªuntil she was done with it.


    Which didn¡¯t bode well for him.


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He was thirty years old and president of KayCee Corp, one of the most sessful global tech start-up


    companies in the country and he hadn¡¯t been a child to be controlled long before he left his parents¡¯


    house. For years, he¡¯d answered only to himself, owed no one else exnations or justifications.


    Yet none of that mattered when it came to the crystal blue gaze that could make him feel like the little


    boy who¡¯d been busted hiding a stray dog under his bed for a week.


    Hell.


    Parental guilt trips were a bitch.


    ¡°Grayson, your stubbornness is bing ridiculous,¡± his mother said, a note of irritation in her voice.


    She shifted closer and a small frown marred her brow. ¡°You¡¯ve proven your point with this little business


    venture of yours and Gideon Knight¡¯s. But your father needs you now, your family needs you. It¡¯s time


    to stop ying at CEO, step up and take your ce at Chandler International. It¡¯s your responsibility.


    Your duty.¡±


    He clenched his jaw, trapping the vitriolic stream of words that scalded his throat. This little business


    venture. Time to stop ying. As if striking out on his own without the emotional or financial support of


    his Chicago old-money, well-connected family was the equivalent of a rousing game of Monopoly. With


    those few words, she¡¯d dismissed years of his and Gideon¡¯s hard work, relentless determination and


    resulting sess.


    He should¡¯ve been used to this casual disregard. Of his aplishments. Of him. As the second son,


    the ¡°oops baby¡± of Daryl and Cherise Chandler, he¡¯d been an afterthought from birth. But somehow, his


    skin had never grown that thick.


    Another ck mark in the ¡°Why Grayson Isn¡¯t Jason Chandler¡± Column. Right under rebellious. Selfish.


    And disloyal.


    Didn¡¯t matter that he¡¯d had a hand in founding a tech tform that served major businesses and


    assisted them in tracking their shares with its unrivaled software. Didn¡¯t matter that his business was


    one of the most sessful start-ups to hit the financial scene in thest five years.


    None of it mattered because it wasn¡¯t Chandler International.


    Dammit.


    Grayson shoved his hands in his tuxedo pockets and nced away from his mother¡¯s scrutiny. Guilt


    and shame knotted his gut.


    He was throwing a pity party, but at least he was alive.


    Jason couldn¡¯t say the same.


    And because his mother had lost her son¡ªher favorite son¡ªGrayson imprisoned the sharp retort that


    weighed down his tongue.


    ¡°I take my position at and ownership of KayCee Corp as seriously as Dad does with Chandler. I also


    understand my obligation to our family. But as I¡¯ve told both of you, mypany is my legacy just as


    Chandler is Dad¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be deliberately obtuse, Grayson. It¡¯s not the same¡ª¡±


    ¡°Mother,¡± he interrupted, voice cold. ¡°Now isn¡¯t the ce or time for this conversation.¡±

 Chapter 54

    Chapter 54


    She parted her lips, but after a second snapped them closed. Oh yes. Only proper decorum and being


    potential fodder for gossip trumped getting in thest word.


    ¡°Cherise, it¡¯s so wonderful to see you again,¡± a feminine voice intruded.


    The pleasant, soft tone shouldn¡¯t have scraped him raw, leaving an oily slide of disgust. He didn¡¯t need


    to nce behind him to identify the woman. He¡¯d be able to identify that dulcet tone, that light floral


    scent anywhere.


    Identify it, then crucify it.


    ¡°Adalyn,¡± his mother crooned, a smile erasing her frown as she moved toward Adalyn Hayes with


    outstretched arms. ¡°Don¡¯t you look beautiful?¡±


    Grayson shifted to the side, studying his mother as she warmly embraced his ex-girlfriend. The woman


    who¡¯d almost be Mrs. Grayson Chandler.


    The woman who¡¯d stabbed him so deeply in the back he still had phantom pains from the scar a year


    and a halfter.


    She hadn¡¯t changed at all. Still stunningly beautiful with oval-shaped green eyes, delicate features,


    pretty mouth and long sleek hair as dark as a raven¡¯s wing¡ªor as dark as her heart. A midnight blue


    gown that glittered as if stars had been sewn into it clung to her small breasts and willowy frame before


    flowing over slender hips to pool around her feet.


    No, she hadn¡¯t changed a bit. But he had.


    That beauty no longer stirred desire inside him. Those embers had long turned to dust, incapable of


    being lit ever again.


    ¡°Grayson,¡± Adalyn purred, turning to him and linking her arm through his mother¡¯s. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you


    would be attending the g this year. It¡¯s wonderful seeing you.¡±


    ¡°Hello, Adalyn.¡±


    Damn if he¡¯d lie just for the sake of pleasantries.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± she murmured as if his mother had disappeared and just the two of them existed in


    the crowded ballroom of the North Shore mansion. ¡°We need to get together for dinner and catch up


    with one another.¡±


    ¡°I love that idea,¡± his mother chimed in, patting Adalyn¡¯s hand. ¡°We¡¯ve missed you, too. I was nni


    ng a dinner party for next week. You and your parents are invited. I¡¯ll call your mother to officially issue


    the invitation.¡±


    The conversation sounded benign, but something seemed...off. Too jovial. Too neat.


    Too false.


    ¡°Matchmaking, Mother?¡± he asked, infusing a boredom into his tone that didn¡¯t reflect the cacophony of


    distaste and rage roiling inside him like a noxious cloud. ¡°You don¡¯t think this is a little beneath you?¡±


    ¡°Not when you insist on flitting from woman to woman, behaving like a male whore,¡± she snapped, and


    no, it wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d heard those words.


    Manwhore. yboy. Embarrassment. But again, that damn not-so-thick skin. The barbed insult pricked


    him like the cockleburs that would sting his fingers when he visited his grandmother¡¯s horse farm as a


    child. Back then, he¡¯d plucked them off and rubbed away the nip of pain. Now, with his ex a witness to


    his mother¡¯s disdain, those nips drew blood.


    Deliberately curling his lips into a mocking smirk, he bowed slightly at the waist. ¡°Thank you, Mother.


    Now tell me what you really think because I sense you¡¯re holding back.¡±


    She scoffed, returning her attention to Adalyn who watched him with a gleam in her eyes. A gleam that


    heralded trouble. For him.


    ¡°You¡¯re thirty years old and it¡¯s time to put away such childish behavior. The future CEO of Chandler


    International needs a good woman by his side supporting him. The board will not endorse or ept a


    man whose name and picture ends up on those dirty little gossip websites as often as the business


    section.¡±


    He stiffened. The smile he gave his mother was brittle, felt close to cracking right down the middle.


    ¡°Well then I guess it¡¯s a good thing I don¡¯t intend to be the future CEO of Chandler International. Which


    makes the board and my love life nonissues. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I see several people I need to


    speak with.¡± Bending his head, he brushed a kiss over his mother¡¯s cheek. ¡°Mother. Adalyn.¡±


    Without waiting for the diatribe about his rudeness, he pivoted and strode away from the two women,


    the noose that had slowly been tightening around his neck loosening with each step.


    N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    He should¡¯ve seen thising. His mother had been less than subtle about her wishes for him to settle


    down and marry. Especially in thest six months.


    Since Jason had died.


    The thought of his brothernced him through the chest, a hot poker that hadn¡¯t cooled in the time


    since his death. With a thirteen-year age difference and the knowledge that Jason was the favorite


    between them, they hadn¡¯t been close. But Grayson had loved his older brother, respected him. And


    the tragic randomness of a brain aneurysm had only made Jason¡¯s death harder to ept.

 Chapter 55

    Chapter 55


    But Grayson hadn¡¯t had time to grieve before his parents had started pressuring him to leave the


    business he¡¯d created and return to the familypany. The Chandlers were American royalty, and


    with the heir now gone, the spare had to step up and perform his duty. Which meant helming Chandler


    International and, ording to his mother,mitting himself to a woman from a respectable


    background.


    The knot that had started to rx around his throat tightened again, and he jerked at his bow tie. God,


    the thought of being back under his father¡¯s thumb, having to answer to Daryl Chandler and the board


    full of men just like him... Of having his independence stripped from him... Of having to live by the


    constricting rules that governed being a Chandler, one of Chicago¡¯s oldest and wealthiest families...


    He was already suffocating.


    Fuck, he needed air.


    Charging across the ballroom, he didn¡¯t stop until he exited the cavernous space filled with the glitterati


    of Chicago. They were supposed to be his friends, his business contacts, his people.


    And all he wanted was to escape.


    Escape them all.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!