The Billionaires Love Curves Finale - a BBW BWWM Billionaire Romance (2 page)

Lacey rushed straight to Cole's office. He was on the phone and held up a forefinger while he finished the conversation, motioning for Lacey to take a seat.

“What is it, honey?” Cole asked as soon as he was off the phone. “Couldn't you find a dress yesterday? I still have those numbers for the dress designers.”

“No, it's not that. I did find the dress yesterday, though. Wait till you see it, you'll love it. But that's not all that happened yesterday.”

“Oh?”

“Don't laugh when I tell you this, but, Cole, I think I'm being followed. In fact I know I am and if

you walk out of this building with me now, I'll prove it.” Lacey stood up.

“Wait. Followed? How can you be sure?”

“Because whoever they are, they're not doing a very good job of being discreet. In the first place, two of them are the size of a house and they look like they're straight off a cop show or a spy movie. And last night there was a car parked outside my apartment.
All night
!”

“Lacey, come on...”

“I knew you wouldn't believe me. Elaine thought I was crazy, too. But come on, come with me and I'll show you the guy. I didn't want to talk to him because I don't know who he is or why he's even following me.”

Again, Lacey started to stand up but Cole just sat there. In fact, he had buried his face in his hands.

“Cole, what is it? Don't tell me you know these people. Is this anything to do with you?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes, it is. But don't worry, it's not as bad as it seems,” Cole said.

Lacey eased herself back into her chair.

“What am I missing here, Cole.”

“Don't get angry when I tell you this, but I'm the one having you followed, so you can stop panicking.”

“Stop panicking? Cole why would you have me followed?”

“No it's not like that, Lacey, I'm doing it for your own protection. That's who those guys are. They're a security operation I had tail you to make sure you were safe. Keep you out of danger.”

“Out of danger? And why would I be in danger?”

“I didn't want to worry you so that's why I didn't say. It's something I feel is necessary, now that you're marrying me. A billionaire's wife is a target for kidnap, Lacey, and I couldn't have that happen to you. You understand don't you?”

“Well, of course I understand, but I really don't think anything like that will...”

“How do you know? How do you know it won't happen to us? Have you read the statistics? Especially here in New York.”

“So we'll move.”

“We can't just move. Not just like that, you know we can't.”

“Cole, I don't want to be followed, it's horrible.”

“It was only horrible because you didn't know it was me trying to keep you safe. All you have to do is get on with your life, as normal, and my guys will make sure nothing happens to you.”

“I don't like this, Cole.”

“Please, baby, do it for me. I can't sleep at night, worrying about my responsibility to you now we're getting married. I realize the danger I'm putting you under and I have to protect you, don't I?”

She took a deep breath.

“I guess,” she said, though reluctantly. “But do they have to be there twenty-four-seven? I mean, you haven't got surveillance cameras in my apartment or anything, have you?”

“Don't be silly. This is my only precaution. Please, Lacey. Let me do this.”

“All right, all right.” Lacey stood up. “I better get to work. I've got a meeting to set up with the latest top model for the Givenchy range of perfumes.”

“No you haven't.” Cole smiled.

“I haven't? Why?”

“I gave that job to Amelia. I didn't think, given the circumstances, that you would want to do any more field work.”

“The circumstances?”

“Well, yeah. You're getting married and there's lots to arrange, especially now, as you want to do it all yourself. You won't have time for all the responsibility of field assignments.”

“Cole, I can cope. I was born for this job.

”Lacey, trust me. Weddings are stressful things. I don't want you burning yourself out. Go back to your office and you'll see what I had Amelia arrange for you to do. You'll love it. It's perfect for you.”

“Amelia is not my boss, Cole. She can't be assigning me work.”

“I wanted Amelia more involved because, you never know, you might only want to work part time when we get married.”

“No, Cole, I...”

“I've got a call coming through...I've been expecting this.” He held up his forefinger to shush her.

“Hi, yes, this is Cole Tyler...nice of you to call me back.” Cole swung around on his chair so that the high back was facing Lacey and he was now out of sight.

Lacey's shoulders tensed up and she headed for the door. She marched back to her office, quietly fuming but not wanting anyone else in the office see her rage at Cole. How would that look, after all?

She was not looking forward to whatever it was Cole had lined up for her to do. He had been acting strangely lately. He seemed to be devoting a lot more time to the company and a lot less to her. Lacey could not remember the last time they were out on a date. He seemed to be okay with her always going on nights out with Elaine. She wondered how long his security unit had been following her and maybe it was only because Cole knew exactly where she was that he was happy for her to go out without him.

Lacey noticed, as she got back to her office, that the door was slightly ajar and there was someone in there.

“Amelia? What are you doing here?”

“Oh hi, Lacey.” Amelia said getting out of Lacey's office chair. “Cole thought you might be off for the whole week looking for a wedding dress so I thought I would camp out in here while the transition happened.”

“Transition?” Lacey put her brief case and purse onto her desk.

“Shit, hasn't he told you?” Amelia looked worried.

“What has Cole been up to now?”

“Well, he said you'd be paring down a lot of your work, handing clients to me bit by bit as the wedding came closer.”

“Well, why would he say that? We never even discussed this. He just told me you'd be helping out, he never said anything about you taking over.”

“I'm sorry, Lacey, I just thought...”

“It's not your fault, Amelia. Leave this to me. I'll speak to Cole later. You clear this away so I can get down to some real work. He told me you had the Givenchy interview sewn up. I guess that leaves the publishing seminars in Detroit and the meeting with the printers for me to sort out.”

“Um...” Amelia looked sheepish and fiddled with her fingers.

“What is it?” Lacey asked as she threw herself into her chair.

“There was a meeting yesterday, um, when you weren't here. Cole assigned both those jobs to other writers. I kinda thought you knew, the way he talked about it.”

“Right, I see. So there's really no point in my being here, really. I may as well go and shop for wedding cakes and party favors. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I
will
do. Could you do me a favor, Amelia?”

“Anything.”

“Could you schedule a meeting for me with Cole on Friday morning? He and I have a lot to discuss.”

Lacey picked up her things and marched out of the office. She got outside and noticed the security guard, cleaning his sunglasses as if he were just passing by. She marched up to him.

“Listen,” she craned her neck upwards to meet his eyes. “Cole told me he'd hired you guys. I've just been speaking to him. He wants you to cut surveillance time in half. So you can go home now.”

The security guard looked at her blankly.

“I said you can go. Unless you want to accompany me to a meeting with my OBGYN, I suggest you get lost.” She signaled with her hands for him to leave. He turned and looked at the street ahead. Lacey nodded for him to start walking and he did, turning back once to see Lacey standing with her arms crossed and shaking her head.

Chapter2

The next evening there was a buzz at the door. Lacey was on her own. She got up and looked out of the window. The security car was back and she could see Cole's sports car parked on the road below.

“What do you want, Cole?” she said into the intercom.

“Don't be like that Lacey, I was hoping we could talk.”

“Come up.” She buzzed the downstairs door open and unlatched her front door.

“I know what you're thinking,” he said as soon as he entered Lacey's apartment. “You think I went too far with lessening your work load, am I right?”

“What do you think you're doing, Cole. I'm getting married to you, not giving up my job. Unless...is that what you expected of me? That I was going to stop working altogether and sit in a mansion like a fairy princess. I've got ambitions, Cole. Don't you know me anymore?”

“Please, Lacey, you have every reason to be mad. I know how it looks but I just wanted to take the pressure off.”

“I need
you
to take the pressure off, Cole. And, if anything, I
need
my work right now. If all I have is to concentrate on the wedding, then I'll go mad.”

“Well, thanks a lot, Lacey.”

“I don't mean it like that. Sit down Cole, I'll fix us a drink.” He took a seat on the sofa, spreading his arms across the backrest.

She walked over to a side table by the window where she always kept a bottle of Cole's favorite brand of whiskey. Tonight she was feeling like she needed some of his whiskey, too. So she poured one for Cole and one for herself. She made it a double.

“It's going to take a few days for me to sort out getting the work re-allocated, Lacey. You may as well take the rest of the week off while I do. It'll be complicated but I'll make sure I save all the choice jobs for when you're back next week.”

Cole rested his whiskey on the coffee table and put his head in his hands. He sighed in an exaggerated way.

“What is it, Cole? You're distracted by something else, I can tell. Is it because I told the security guy to take a hike? I noticed you've got me back on surveillance.” She nodded her head at the window.

“It's not that but, please, you can't go canceling them. I thought we had an understanding on that score.”

“Yes, yes, the big plan to kidnap a billionaire's bride.” She threw an arm up in exasperation as she sat with one leg under her body on the armchair. “But if it's not the surveillance business, then what? You've been acting differently for weeks now.”

Cole picked up his whiskey glass again and stared down into it.

“You're right. Something happened a few weeks ago and I wasn't sure how to tell you,” he said.

“Is it about the wedding? Work?”

“Indirectly, yes. You see I got a visit from Nate Horwood a little while ago. He came into the office threatening to punch me.”

“To punch you? But why?”

“He's got some nerve, that guy. After what he did to me, stealing my idea like that. Honestly, Lacey, that was the worst thing he could have done to me, his so called friend. I watched him over the years and it was like every penny of his billions he made with Holden-Taylor were mine and he stole those, too.”

“Cole, we've talked about this. You have to let it lie. You've made more than equal to Nate now, what does all that matter now? It was a long time ago,”

“Well, old wounds don't always heal so easily. I'm trying to forget but he just won't let it rest.”

“Nate? But if he was the one who stole your idea, what has he got to be sore about?”

“You can't guess?” Cole looked at her, closely.

“No, I haven't got a clue.”

“It's
you
Lacey. He wants you back.”

“I can't believe that.”

“Then why do you think he was at my office, shouting and swearing and telling me to leave you alone. I said no way, but he insisted and that's when he wanted to punch me out.”

“I don't get it. Nate and I finished a long time ago. He didn't want me. Not once did he beg me to stay, ask me to come back with him. We're over and he knows it.”

“Well, I've been wondering what he was going to do since you guys split up and you and I got together. I'm worried. He wasn't happy when he left my office and I have a feeling he might come after you.”

“You know – I can handle Nate if he ever shows up to talk to me, not that he ever will. Is that what this security business is really about, Cole? ”

“No, the security is one thing but you don't know Nate. He's very manipulative. You dated him and maybe he thinks you still have a soft spot for him.”

“Not at all. Why would you say that?”

“Well, it happens. I know you don't love Nate, but Lacey, I want you to be careful.”

“Careful? You think he might want to hurt me?”

“No, what he wants is to hurt us, our relationship.”

“He can't.”

“He'll come to you one day, Lacey, I know he will. And when he does he'll try anything to get you back. Just to get at me. Remember, there won't be anything genuine in what he says. He'll make up all kinds of lies about me, try to make you think I'm a bad person.”

“I won't listen to him, Cole.” She shook her head, slowly.

“Good, that's what I wanted you to say. You know I'm not a bad person. You know I love you. Everything I've done is because I love you, Lacey.”

He put his glass down and came over to the armchair and knelt at her feet. He took the glass she was holding and placed it on the floor beside her. He leaned over so that their lips were close together.

“You forgive me don't you, Lacey?”

“Forgive you for what?”

“For the things I got wrong? The work load, the security team? You have to know it was all for you?”

“I know, Cole.”

Lacey placed her hands on Cole's cheeks and then slid them up his face, into his hair and ran her fingers through to the nape of his neck. She pulled his face to hers, kissing him deeply and tasting the strong whiskey on his tongue.

He leaned into her so that her back was against the armchair, kissing her with passion and hastily undoing the buttons of her blouse. He pulled open the blouse, revealing a see through, black bra. He held her bosoms in his hands before surrounding her breasts with his mouth, sucking and licking the dark area of her nipples through the lace of her bra.

Hurriedly he pulled down his pants, then took Lacey's hand and pulled her towards him as he lay back on the soft rug by the coffee table. She lay on top of him, kissing the skin on his neck, feeling a thick, hardness pressing against her thigh. He found the bottom of her skirt and yanked it upwards and over her thighs. She took down her panties and he rolled her onto her back, her feet planted onto the floor, knees apart, he sank between her legs in one steady glide.

“You forgive me?” he whispered twice into her ear. She nodded and felt him thrusting harder. “Are you sure?” he asked, working his body deeper into her.

“Yes.” she whispered back.

“Good,” he breathed the words just before they came to a point of absolute pleasure, aggressively

and noisily, sweat on Cole's brow, a call of delight bursting from Lacey's lips.

“Don't let me stop you.”

Elaine stood in the doorway with her hands over her eyes.

“Shit,” Lacey said, pushing Cole off her and reaching for her clothes. Cole hurried to pull up his pants.

“Sorry, Elaine,” he said. “Maybe I should go.”

Elaine had walked across the room, still with her hands over eyes.

“No, no, no. You stay. I'll expect you lovebirds must be hungry now after all that effort. I brought some Chinese food, plenty for all.” She took her hands away from her eyes. “I'll go get us some plates.” She made her way to the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” Lacey said as she and Cole made their way to the bathroom.

“But you remember what I said...about Nate,” Cole was serious. “He'll come sniffing around here soon. He doesn't want you, Lacey, you know that. He just wants to get at me.”

“This is what I can't understand, though, Cole. Why would he bother? Why all of a sudden does he want to start getting at you?”

“That's the point, Lacey. It isn't all of a sudden. He stole my idea but it wasn't enough for him. He's vindictive, he's a liar and I don't know what it is that makes him hate me so much. I think he's been bitter about me making as much money as him and then when
we
got engaged it must have fired his jealousy up even more.”

“I see.”

“He's power crazy and he hates me. It's a bad combination but there it is.”

Lacey said nothing but turned on the taps of the shower. She and Cole took a quick shower together in silence. All the time Lacey couldn't make this whole scenario add up. Was Nate so controlling and evil? Why hadn't she seen that in him before? Sure, he broke her heart but that didn't make him the monster Cole was painting him to be.

But most of all, there was the fact that he had told her he loved her. That still played on her mind. Deep down she wanted there to be truth to those words. It would break her heart again if she was to discover that Cole was right – could it really be that Nate only said he loved her as part of a plan to make her start believing in him again, so that he could take her away from Cole?

*

Lacey turned up at Elaine's place of work at midday. Reception called up to her office to say she had a visitor.

“Lacey!” Elaine said when she saw Lacey standing in the foyer looking out of the large windows onto the street, clutching the handle of her purse in both hands. “Everything all right? Why aren't you at work?”

“Cole and I just had a big bust up in my office.”

“What? Come upstairs with me, we'll talk.”

Elaine sat Lacey down in her office with a cup of coffee.

“You guys can't keep getting into these scraps. You never used to argue before you got engaged. You realize that?”

“Jesus, you're right, Elaine. But you know me, I don't get upset with anyone unless I really am pushed. But Cole has gone too far.”

“What has he done?”

“It's what he hasn't done. I took the week off to give him time to sort out my work load, to re-assign me with some interesting jobs after he gave all the choice ones away to other writers. He said he would sort it out but he didn't. So that means I'm more or less redundant at work. It's like all he's left me to do are all the menial, junior jobs I started out doing a year ago when I first joined Holden-Taylor.”

“I don't get why he'd do that. He knows you're good,” Elaine said.

Lacey closed her eyes and shook her head, when she opened them, her eyes were watery.

“Don't cry, Lacey. I'm sure it can't be that bad. Cole will come through for you. It must take time to organize big accounts like that.”

“You sound like you're defending him.” Lacey blinked the tears away as best she could.

“I'm not,” Elaine said. “I just don't want to see you so upset.”

“If I'd stayed at Holden-Taylor this would never have happened. I mean Nate saw the potential I had, saw it straight away.”

“Another coffee?”

“No.” Lacey put the cold, half empty cup of coffee onto Elaine's desk. “I stormed out again. Like a big baby instead of standing my ground. But honestly, Cole can be so determined about things once he's made his mind up.”