The Billionaire's Second Chance (46 page)

His last thoughts as they made the turn into the private parking area were chaotic and unfocused – just what he needed. Clenching his jaw Nick made a final valiant effort to pull himself together before the ‘in your face’ reality of his business life intruded in the bubble they’d b
een creating around themselves.
Was it too late to cross his fingers?

Shannon was oddly calm as she gathered her new Hermes Birkin bag, a rare self-indulgent luxury for her that she hadn’t been able to refuse, and made ready to leave the confines of Nick’s executive limo.

Living in Los Angeles and hob
nobbing with the rich & famous through her business meant that Shannon already had a clear picture of how the fabulously wealthy lived.
Even so, s
he’d been nothing but surprised every step of the way on how totally misconstrued her vicious, judgmental narrative about Nick’s imagined wealthy lifestyle had been.

He
was no spoiled trust fund baby who inherited his entire existence at all. The debauched images of an uncaring, self-centered playboy had been well and truly buried under an almost unending onslaught of revelations about the
real
life he led.

Having regarded his wealth as the root of all evil for so long
,
Shannon was replacing that
former
opinion with a complete
one hundred and eight
degree swing. Nicholas Barrett was a man to be taken seriously. He’d swash buckled his way through the business life he’d inherited and molded it to fit his terms.

He in no way flaunted what she was coming to understand was the kind of wealth that staggers the regular person’s mind. While everything about him was undeniably top drawer, it was all subtle, understated
and not flashy at all. A
t times she felt he seemed uncomfortable with dwelling on the privileges his birthright had gifted him.

The private 727 jet was the first real indication that
she was now traveling
in a different strata altogether
,
once who he
really
was came out of the shadows. Even that had proved to be less an indulgence and more a practical means to an end after their charming encounter with the Reyes family. Seeing first-hand how Nick had insisted that accommodations available to him were put to other uses whenever feasible had been an eye-opening revelation.

She’d expected a Manhattan penthouse too. Some architect’s version of an ultra-modern bachelor pad all decorated in minimalist style
. Shannon
had
envisioned a home
devoid of feelings or warmth because after all, that’s exactly how she’d been
imagining
him all these years. The elegant but cozy brownstone where he actually lived wasn’t just a surprise – it was a complete shock.

True, he was surrounded by luxury and every possible amenity, toy and opportunity one could imagine but he was also more down-to-earth than most of the people she was acquainted with. He was the Nick she’d known only in grown-up form; bolder, bigger and way more powerful than she remembered.

He
was speaking softly to Mr. Allen on the car phone; something about arrangements for later in the day as she let her thoughtful gaze wander over him and their surroundings. She had to admit that the plush luxury of the limo was indeed quite nice. She’d been amused when they entered the car to see that when Nick was working it served as a sort of mobile office. Another reminder that the man she was faced with today was a serious
executive
wielding incredible global influence. Shannon rather liked that. It suited him
,
she had to admit.

He had switched off the morning business news as soon as they were seated, apparently not at all interested in how the stock market was doing or what the latest news was on a global merger that probably should have gained his interest. She smiled an inward woman’s smile confident that his thoughts were on other things, intimate things
,
and felt a s
ense of satisfaction warm
her.

Turning to peer out the window as the large car turned into an underground security garage, Shannon felt
the
brief flutter of nervous butterflies in her tummy and pressed her hand there for calm. They were way beyond baby steps right now with this full frontal introduction to a part of Nick’s life she’d never seen, had resented for such a long time, and didn’t fully understand. This was a giant leap. The way her stomach
was doing back flips, it may be closer to a free-
falling bungee jump.

Once she’d made her decision, or rather once her heart had decided to push her along to the inevitable conclusion, Shannon knew they’d have to step into
his
real li
fe
at some point. She’d have to see whether she could find a niche in his world where she would fit and no
ne of her usual
calming, coping mechanism
s
was making that inescapable truth easier to handle.

Suddenly assailed with nervousness and needing to feel his reassurance
,
Shannon lifted worried, self-conscious eyes to his
. He was
looking at her with such undisguised pride and affection that all the doubts and fears
that
had crowded her mind just seconds ago
,
vanished completely.

As if s
ensing her anxiety Nick smiled a lover’s smile and said
,
“You look amazing
,
little one.” His sweeping appraisal and undeniable app
roval wrapped around her heart, giving
her the courage she needed to reach out and take what was hers no matter the changes she’d have to confront.

This was going to be an adjustment for them both and that thought gladdened her heart; knowing they were together in uncharted waters. Smiling quickly Shannon pushed images of her cowboy pirate navigating them through their newly
launched
journey to the back of her mind. It wouldn’t do to let her lascivious thoughts show through just at the moment he was introducing her to his life.

They
traveled to the executive floors of the multi-story building in the Wall Street district of New York in a private elevator that afforded Shannon a brief opportunity to check that she was all in one piece. Smoothing down her skirt with a slightly trembling hand
,
she caught sight of the two of them in the polished steel walls of the enclosed space. She was instantly struck by how well they looked together.

He was tall and gorgeously attired in a classic black business suit with a crisp white shirt and a grey satin tie that made him look impressive and slightly dangerous. The superb cut of the custom suit framed
his impossibly broad shoulders, offering
just a hint at the incredible male physique it covered. His immaculately cut and styled hair, hand-made leather shoes and long legs made Nicholas Barrett a tempting package indeed.

Standing next to him in her fashionable designer outfit with her favorite high heeled pumps
,
she complimented his powerful masculinity with a counter point of stylish femininity that completed the pleasing picture they presented.

He put her hand through his arm, keeping
her close to him from the moment she’d stepped from the car arriving at his side. She liked th
e possessiveness of his
actions;
something she’d never thought was a part of her emotional makeup. Seeing herself in terms of being a strong, independent woman, Shannon was endlessly amazed at how perfect she felt whenever he was doing his macho thing.

The other thing she liked very, very much was that his eyes rarely left her. He was ever watchful and aware of her every move; immensely protective of her and the seeds of hope they’d sown. Shannon felt safe with him so when the awareness of trust and faith necessary to feel that kind of security shifted into her
consciousness
, she instinctively tightened her fingers and hugged his arm briefly in acknowledgment.

Putting his free hand atop where hers rested in the crook of his arm
,
Nick leaned down and chuckled at her saying, “Maybe we should stay ten paces apart. I seem to have a one track mind around you!”

When she looked at him in confusion he added
,
“Actually, I take that back. Y
ou may have to walk in front of me unless we want everyone and their mother’s brother seeing evidence of what your presence by my side makes happen in my pants.”

When the elevator doors swooshed open anybody looking their way would have caught a glimpse of an openly grinning Shannon and a quietly laughing Nick as they shared a lighthearted moment.

“Showtime.” Nick muttered as he ushered
her
across the beautifully decorated reception area
on
the executive floor where his private office was situated.

Nick tried not to look at her legs when he heard the soft tap tap, tap of those elegant high heels hitting the tiled floor as they made their way, her hand still firmly resting on his arm, around the open spaciousness that made up
the
private floor of exclusive offices.

Several people congregating in the lobby area looked up at their appearance and immediately stood at attention in the presence of the Barrett CEO.

“Good Morning, sir” she heard a bland-suited woman say. “Glad to see you back. Did you enjoy your vacation, Mr. Barrett?”

“Yes
,
I did Gloria and good morning to you too.” Nick answered. Guiding Shannon closer to the group of people
,
he introduced her without hesitation.

“Shannon, this is Claire’s admin team.” He nodded in turn to each person as he mentioned their names. “Gloria Haynes, Anthony Burke and Miguel Estaban, this is Shannon Reynolds.”

The curious expression
s
thinly veiled with shock on each of his employee’s faces told Shannon that Nicholas Barrett having a female on his arm was not a normal everyday occurrence. And certainly not at the office. She remembered the searing hurt of having felt for so long as though she wouldn’t fit in his world, was not the proper social class to be at his side and gloried in the sound of pride that infused his voice as he’d introduced her. That and the way he wouldn’t let go of her hand shone a bright beaming light of happiness in to her soul.

The enthusiastic welcomes being showered on Shannon were interrupted when Claire Dennison rounded a corner, saw them and made directly for her boss’s side.

Shannon watched her approach and privately admired the woman’s professional demeanor and the way she handled herself. Claire had been the sole of efficiency in dealing with the Reyes family and all the arrangements necessary for Nick’s guests and for the man himself upon his arrival back in New York.
She had to admit
to herself that she’d be lying like the proverbial rug if she didn’t own the fact that she’d be out-of-her-mind with jealousy over Claire’s closeness to Nick
,
if not for the fact that the woman so obviously rooted for the same-sex team.

In her current frame of mind Shannon was surprised to realize she was feeling rather possessive where Nick was concerned. Thinking of him with other women had the effect of a deep freeze on her already shaky emotions. Knowing that the smart and savvy woman walking toward them was the height of discretion and obviously quite high on the loyalty curve where he was concerned made up for any
left-over
anxiety.

“Good Morning
,
Ms. Reynolds.” Claire smiled with pleasure as she put out her hand in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to see you again so soon.” she added earning quizzical glances from the staff present. Shannon appreciated that Claire was making it abundantly clear to her team that Shannon’s appearance at Nicholas Barrett’s side was not a surprise, not to her anyway.

Smiling back, Shannon finally eased her hand from the crook of Nick’s arm to gently wag her finger at Claire
while
declaring, “You promised to call me Shannon, Claire and I am holding you to it!”

“It’s a deal then
,
Shannon.” Claire said before turning to her boss adding
,
“Good Morning sir. Mr. Allen alerted me to your arrival and I’ve quickly arranged for you to meet briefly with the Santiago merger team. They are waiting for you in the conference room.”

With all the skills of a seasoned pro
,
Claire quickly dismissed her still gaggle faced team with directives and requests causing them to all rapidly scatter
,
after expressing delight once again at meeting Shannon followed by quiet nods to Nick and Claire.

Once alone Claire told Nick
,
“I’ll give Shannon the fifty cent tour while you talk merger details and we’ll meet back in your office in half an hour?” More a statement than a question Shannon marveled at the woman’s take charge persona while she smiled at Nick when he turned worried eyes her way.