Boss
Boss
ISBN #
978-1-78430-657-1
©Copyright Sierra Cartwright 2016
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright March 2016
Edited by
Rebecca Scott
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2016 by Totally Bound Publishing,
Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a
heat rating
of
Totally Burning
and a
Sexometer
of
3.
The Donovan Dynasty
BOSS
Sierra Cartwright
Book three in the Donovan Dynasty series
His erotic demands test everything she believes…
When the fearless, larger-than-life Nathan Donovan becomes her boss, Kelsey Lane’s life is turned upside down. The multimillionaire wants her by his side, but his demands don’t end there.
Kelsey avoids romantic entanglements, especially with overwhelmingly dynamic men like Nathan. But she quickly discovers his attention and sensual desires ignite something deep inside her, leading her on a journey that tests everything she believes.
The youngest, boldest of the dynamic Donovan brothers, Nathan is accustomed to getting what he wants. And he focuses his attention on the smart, sexy Kelsey Lane. He quickly discovers she’s unlike any woman he’s ever known.
She meets him, desire for desire, getting deep inside him, destroying the barriers he keeps around his heart. He wonders, though, if she’s willing to give him the one thing he demands…
Dedication
For so many new friends, especially those from the Wicked Wine Run group. Your friendship is very much appreciated. Barbara—you’re the glue. Andi Joy—you’re a ray of sunshine! April Nichols Wilson, thanks for going above and beyond on my research questions! Katherine Deane, thank you for the running insight. Sandi Klemencic Fusser, in you I have definitely found my ‘people’. Cassandra Caress, you’re so damn inspiring and fun. And of course, there’s never a book deadline without BAB. Yeah, I waited for you. Readers, I love to hear from you and interact with you. You’re my daily inspiration. Please, keep reaching out.
Trademarks Acknowledgment
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Shiner Bock: The Gambrinus Company
Xanax: Pfizer
Starbucks: Starbucks Corporation
Velcro: Velcro Industries
The Godfather
: Mario Puzo, Paramount Pictures
Wi-Fi: The Wi-Fi Alliance
Bluetooth: Bluetooth Special Interest Group
The Grinch: Dr. Seuss
Koozie: Société Bic
Space Center Houston: Manned Spaceflight Educational Foundation Incorporated
Prologue
“Is that Kelsey Lane?”
Startled, Nathan Donovan glanced up from his phone screen and looked over at his older brother, Connor. “Yeah. I just got her file.”
“On a Saturday night?” Connor raised his eyebrows. “At Grandfather’s centennial celebration? Better not let him see you working.”
Nathan had snuck off to a corner of the big fucking tent where he’d hoped he wouldn’t be disturbed. Since there were nearly a thousand guests in attendance, he should have known better than to think he could work instead of socializing and not get caught.
“Anything interesting?” Connor asked, after a glance around.
Realizing his brother wasn’t going away, Nathan turned off the screen and dropped the phone back into his pocket. “She has a master’s degree. Been with Newman Inland Marine around six years, including internships. Loyal. Trusted. Exemplary record. Promotions faster than expected.”
Connor nodded, as if the information wasn’t a surprise.
“What do you know about her?” Nathan asked.
“Not much. Her name crossed my desk a couple of days ago. A recruiter was searching talent for BHI.”
Connor’s wife owned BHI, and Connor had a seat on the board of directors. As CEO, Lara counted on Connor’s support and opinions. “Interesting,” Nathan said. As their businesses grew, these types of conflicts were inevitable. Unwelcome, but inevitable. He knew that BHI had interests in shipping and logistics, but since they were ground-and-air based, they were at best minor competition. “What capacity are we talking about here?”
“Oil and gas.”
“Interesting.”
“We don’t have to pursue her.”
Nathan refused to stand between her and success with another company. And if her skill set would benefit BHI, they deserved the chance to woo her. “You’re welcome to go after her.”
Connor no longer seemed to be listening, and Nathan followed his brother’s gaze. His wife Lara was talking to a tall cowboy who leaned toward her. Too close, if the sudden scowl on Connor’s face was anything to judge by.
“Excuse me,” Connor said, jaw set. Without waiting for a response, Connor strode toward his wife.
Thankfully, that left Nathan alone again.
He took out his phone and returned to the information on Kelsey.
Info?
If he was honest with himself, he would admit he wasn’t only interested in her biography. He wanted to look at her picture.
Her smile appeared a bit forced, as if she were impatient with the photographer. Even that didn’t detract from the beauty of her hazel eyes, the fullness of her lips or the sight of her long, dark hair.
Everything about her appealed to him.
If the acquisition went through, the gorgeous Kelsey Lane would be his assistant.
That
was incentive to work longer and harder.
A couple whose names he couldn’t remember stopped to chat. Hiding his annoyance, he put his phone away and shook the man’s hand.
It took a full five minutes before their attention wandered and they excused themselves.
He wondered how many more times he would be required to smile before making an escape. Unbelievably, people were still arriving. Some were even in limos, which was supremely impractical on a ranch, not just because of the dirt roads but also the distance from a major town.
Straddling the line between irritation and impatience, he glanced at his watch. Not that it was a watch, even though it told time with the accuracy of an atomic clock. The unit was more like a mini-computer. It never needed recharging since it was powered by his body’s movements. Barring that, light reenergized it. The Julien Bonds-created masterpiece wasn’t just intuitive, it often anticipated Nathan’s actions.
The unit vibrated. In response, he swiped his finger across the sapphire-glass surface. A tiny hologram of his sister-in-law Sofia appeared. Beneath her, in script that advanced forward as he read each word, Sofia said,
“It’s not yet eight o’clock, Nathan. You’re expected to stay at least two more hours. As a reminder, please ask your mother to dance. And oh, Connor just told me to lock you out of the Wi-Fi until eleven p.m., even at the guest house, so even if you run away, you won’t be able to get online. He says it’s for your own good.”
What the fuck?
He went to swipe away the image, but she started speaking again.
“You might as well relax, have something to drink and enjoy yourself. Bye-bye!”
With a cheery little annoying wave, her image vanished.
He groaned.
Everyone apparently knew he’d rather be anywhere but here.
Fucking parties. Waste of time. Even bigger waste of money.
He ran his finger along the inside of his shirt collar. Even though it was October, it was hotter than hell at the family’s Running Wind Ranch in South Texas.
If it had been his choice, he’d have stayed in Houston to work on the Newman Inland Marine deal. It was getting close to crunch time. He was sleeping fewer and fewer hours, fueled by the challenges and opportunities. It was heady stuff. To him, it was like a drug. And he was all but shaking with the need for his fix.
As if on cue to save him, a server passed by, bearing a variety of wines all from locally grown grapes.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He snagged a glass of something red.
“Glad we didn’t burn the ranch house down?”
At the words, he turned to see his sister, Erin. “It’s not too late, is it?” he asked.
“Stop it, you cheapskate. This is fun.”
“Fun?” Maybe to some people it was.
“Sofia did a hell of a job.”
Even he had to admit that, despite the exorbitant cost. He’d secretly scoffed at her idea of erecting tents on the grounds. He’d even wondered aloud if the whole thing were a circus.
But the inside didn’t resemble a tent. The thing was massive, had windows, tables, a dance floor, French doors and, blessedly, air conditioning. She’d even managed to get the Matthew Martin band to interrupt a nationwide tour to provide entertainment. It was world-class, from covers to their own top-ten hits, ballads to country swing, and they’d even managed a few obligatory line dances. Not bad for a band that had won country music’s most prestigious award three out of the last five years.
“Granddaddy says this will be good for business.”