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  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019 by Fay Walsh

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  Contents

  Copyright

  Get Fay’s Exclusive Material

  Book 2

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  The Extended Epilogue

  A Note from Fay Walsh

  Preview of my Next Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  About Fay Walsh

  Also by Fay Walsh

  Bear’s Temptation

  Chapter 1

  The facade of the substantial building sent a jolt of excitement through Lisa as she stepped forward.

  “There we are. The infamous building of Darren Roberson,” she mumbled approaching the building.

  It was her first assignment in this new town, and she was excited about it. She had heard rumors about Darren, that he tended to be a bit of cold and rude, but she figured that this was probably just some front he used to keep people away. In reality, he would definitely be nicer than she was led to believe.

  However, even if the rumors turned out to be true, Lisa was just happy to finally have her first big job. She was an aspiring journalist, and after moving to this new town, it made her heart beat with excitement. It was a new beginning and she would make it count. She moved towards the front of the building with confidence.

  As Lisa walked in the receptionist looked up. The two locked eyes for a moment before the lady spoke.

  “Hello, how may I help you,” she said.

  “Yes. I’m here for Mr. Roberson,” she replied.

  “Oh, so you’re the one that’s supposed to interview him. Yes, he informed me. I’m very sorry, but I hope you get a good piece from him,” she said.

  Lisa didn’t understand neither her remark, nor the apparent pity in the receptionist’s eyes. What was so bad about Darren? The woman stood up, looking at her and smiled.

  “I take it that nobody has told you about how he really is then,” she said.

  “I’ve only heard the rumors. What do you mean?” Lisa inquired.

  “Well, he is a rather difficult person. In fact, he doesn’t care about trivial matters like this, and it was like pulling teeth for me to get the interview for you,” she mused.

  Lisa paused, her eyes darting around. The office was practically dead, and yet, this woman was saying he didn’t want anything to do with her, period.

  “Even though I was told this was a free day?”

  “Yeah. Mr. Roberson is… like that. He tends to not want to deal with anyone but himself, and he is against most interviews. I guess he got threatened by your boss or something because he normally doesn’t do this,” the receptionist tried to suppress a chuckle.

  “Well, I’m just a reporter doing a job that was assigned to me, so don’t shoot the damned messenger,” she muttered.

  “Relax, I’m not,” she replied.

  Lisa paused, nodding.

  “I was told by my friend that this town was pretty good for reporters. She said it was small and I would find a job. Maybe have my break. At least, she was right on one thing. I did get a job,” Lisa said in frustration, feeling that her only chance was doomed.

  “Well, I think you’ll be okay. You’ll get used to it,” she said.

  Lisa nodded, following the brunette woman. Her curvy body grazed against the wall, and she pushed her auburn hair back, while her green eyes remained focused on the doorway.

  “There you are. Have at it,” she said.

  Lisa watched as the receptionist slunk away, hesitating to make a move. She slightly paused as she touched the door.

  “Is this right? I mean, I know that it’s for a job, but something about this feels… off,” she mumbled, while feeling her courage dissolving.

  She didn’t like the way this whole ordeal was making her feel. She was a nervous wreck, feeling like her efforts would go to waste. She took a deep breath, grasped the knob, and upon turning it, a deep voice brought her back to reality.

  “Make this quick.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes as she opened the door, giving a beaming, fake smile to the man in front of her.

  “Hello there, I’m Lisa. I’m here to interview you,” she started.

  “Oh great. Wonderful,” the man said with a sarcastic tone.

  “Don’t be like that. I’ll try to make this as quick as possible. Let’s get down to business,” Lisa said, trying to sound as positive as she could master.

  “Well, I don’t really feel like doing this, and frankly, I’m only humoring you because I was asked to,” he muttered.

  “Well, I didn’t expect to find a boatload of sunshine and rainbows, but can we please go through with it?”

  “And you’re nothing but some stupid ragtag journalist who thinks she can get a scoop just by standing there and looking petty, aren’t you?”

  Lisa clenched her hands together, glaring at the man

  The fucking nerve of him!

  “Hey, I’m just doing my job, please respect that. I know that you’re an up-and-coming investor, and probably busy, but this interview was assigned to me,” she said, trying not to raise her voice.

  “Well, it seems like you’re just as annoying as the rest of them. I only took this interview ‘cause your boss is paying me some money. However, I already am regretting this,” he said.

  “Well, that makes two of us. If I knew you were going to attack me from the moment that I walked in, I would’ve just said no.”

  “And if I knew I was going to get some fake sunshine and rainbows bullshit, I would’ve done the same thing,” he snapped back.

  The two of them locked eyes, both of them angry at one another. Lisa wanted nothing more than to take the latte on the desk and throw it in his face.

  That would show him.

  But she knew better than that. She was aware of his cold demeanor, and that she needed to keep her cool. However deep down, all she wanted to do was turn away and quit.

  “Listen, Darren… Mr. Roberson, we can get this over with, and be mature adults about it, or we can continue like this. Your choice,” she stated.

  “Don’t order me around. You should know your place. I don’t see you making investment deals,” he said.

  “And I don’t see you helping me with my interview. Listen, you better help me, or I’ll just report that you’re a pretty face with a shitty personality, and we’ll see where that gets the profile you’re trying to build,” she retorted.

  The two of them locked eyes, neither of them saying anything for a
few seconds. Then, Darren finally sighed, giving in.

  “I guess. I mean, you are a pretty face, although I still find you annoying.”

  At his words, Lisa felt a sudden conflict of feelings. She was sure that her face had turned a bit red at this remark, but she needed to maintain the serious face. She had to get back to business.

  “My beauty is irrelevant. Right now, let’s talk business. I want to get this interview done quickly so that we can both move on with our days. I think we need it,” she said.

  “I do agree. I didn’t want to waste my entire day talking to a journalist,” he remarked with a half-grin.

  “And I don’t want to waste my day talking to you either.”

  They both sat down, glaring at one another. Lisa however, started to notice a strange sensation within her body.

  He was attractive. Very attractive, in fact. Most probably this shitty personality of his was that prevented him from getting women. But, as she was taking a closer look at him, she couldn’t help but admire his manly features. He had a chiseled, soft face with beautiful golden eyes, long black hair that she wanted to run her hands through, and a thin, although attractive, body.

  At these thoughts, Lisa started to cross and uncross her legs. The way that he kept on staring at her was making her feel very vulnerable.

  “You know, if you’re going to eye-fuck me, at least try to make it subtle,” he muttered.

  “Let’s get on with this,” she said, dismissing those words, although she got flustered. That body was indeed a sight to behold.

  “Anyway, what do you want to ask me? About how I began, or about how I rose to fame?”

  “Yes. Tell me about that.”

  “Well, if you really want the biography crap, you should just read my Wikipedia page,” he stated.

  “Well, let me surprise a little then. Why don’t you tell me about your initiative as an investor? What made you want to get into this? Why choose investing when, I’m sure, there are hundreds of other jobs that you wanted to do?”

  “Simple. It’s easy. It doesn’t take much to invest, and it doesn’t require a bunch of work. I know how to run deals, and I know how to make cards play into my advantage. Simply put, I know how to handle power and I most definitely enjoy it. As you can probably tell,” he chuckled at his last remark.

  “In a sense, yes, I can tell. But, I’m surprised that’s the only reason. Bur, let’s move on. I’ve heard a lot about you in town. I heard that you share a house with others? It’s sort of the talk of the town actually,” Lisa tried to pressure him, in hope that she would get something interesting out of it.

  There was a slight pause, and immediately, Lisa caught up on it. But, as quickly as it happened, Darren relaxed. At that moment, Lisa couldn’t read any emotion whatsoever at his face.

  “Ahh yes. I do have a small group of friends that I live with. Keeps me occupied. I don’t really like being around many people, but I’m fine with them.”

  “Gee, I wonder why. Probably because of the way that you are,” Lisa couldn’t hold herself from getting under his skin.

  “I mean, pretty girls like yourself I can barely tolerate,” he continued as if he hadn’t listened to her.

  It was such a backhanded compliment, but that alone was enough to make her blush.

  “Don’t patronize me,” she said in a low voice.

  “I’m not, I’m just being honest,” he said to her, looking her in the eyes.

  “Anyway, enough about that. What about your personal life? Are you seeing anyone?”

  “Does it look like I have time to see anyone, my dear? I don’t. I’m not like that. I don’t believe in love.”

  “I think that’s pretty obvious.”

  “Love is quite strange, and I personally think it’s a waste of time. Until we can use love in order to make sure that everything is in good order, I don’t see the point of it.”

  “I see. So no interest in getting married anytime soon.”

  “None. At. All. I think marriage is another load of nonsense that is only useful for those that want to believe in fairy tales.”

  “I can relate to that. I’ve never been interested in marriage myself. Love has always been hard,” Lisa added before remembering that she should only be the one asking the questions.

  “I figured. You’re an interesting woman, Lisa. Definitely worth listening to for a second. Even though you really don’t know what you’re dealing with,” he said with a slight amusement on his voice.

  She tensed. “I do. I’ve been studying journalism for a long time and my work has been featured in websites before. I came out here to do a solid job.”

  “That is true. There is a lot of work here in this town. You work for the one local news website that I like, and really the only successful one. But remember, Lisa, you’re not the hot thing. You’re going to realize it sooner rather than later that the future you’re going to be dealing with is much bigger, and scarier than you can ever imagine. Know your place,” he said.

  “I do know it. Maybe it’s you who needs to realize it. I know that you’re an up and coming investor, but you could learn some goddamn humility,” she muttered.

  “I see. So you’ve got quite the mouth on you then. This will be fun,” he said.

  She looked at him, anger brewing on her face. She couldn’t believe this. This man was trying her every fiber of patience, and the fact that he was doing this so… so easily was driving her crazy.

  “Let’s move on then, do you have any new projects that you want to inform the public of,” she demanded, pulling the subject back to where it should be.

  “Ahh, yes. I plan on possibly investing in a few more properties. We shall see, though. I’m not completely sure if it would advantageous to go that route yet or not,” he explained.

  “I see. So, you’re just trying to figure out what you want in life right now,” she said, hoping that at least she could get something out of him that she could work on.

  “Well, not necessarily. I have what I want, I need to go forth in a way that befits my wealth,” he said. Lisa felt the last hope for a good piece draining.

  “Very well. I guess that should be it. Thank you for your time, Mr. Roberson.”

  “You know, you were quite entertaining. Even though you’re a journalist that would probably take whatever job is thrown at her. Lisa, you’re quite intriguing. Maybe we’ll see each other in the future,” he said with a half-grin.

  “Oh, I can’t wait,” she said, without putting the slightest effort to hide the sarcasm in her voice.

  Lisa would rather die than deal with this man again, but she realized that she didn’t have a decent amount of information to work with. Darren had indeed answered all of her questions, but without providing any real hint about himself. However, she did notice that he became slightly more tolerable as time went on.

  When they finished, Lisa looked at him, and he flashed her a small grin. She immediately felt a flush start spread over her face. She practically felt a slight weakness, and as she tried to pull the door handle.

  “You’re so interesting, Lisa. So against moving forward with your emotions, so against being honest with yourself. It’s just… fun to watch you know,” he said.

  “Oh, get lost,” she muttered.

  Lisa stormed out of the building and headed straight for her car, feeling conflicted with her emotions. She didn’t know what to make of what had just happened. She could feel a strange combination of both anger and worry. This guy felt dangerous in a way that she couldn’t even imagine.

  But, why did this guy make her feel this way? Why was she both angry, and yet completely aroused by him? She could feel her wetness just at the thought of having these hands exploring her body. She suddenly snapped out of it, remembering his cold remarks.

  “Forget it,” she told herself, fixing her hair in the car mirror.

  She walked to the office building after she parked the car, and when she came in, she went straight to her office. Af
ter a moment or so, there was a knock at the door.

  “Come in,” she said.

  It was her boss, Thomas. He looked at her with a smile on his face.

  “Hey there, Lisa. How did it go?”

  “Alright, I guess. I mean, as good as dealing with someone who was practically insufferable the entirety of the interview could go,” she said.

  “I see. Well, I will take that as swimmingly then. So, when will you have this piece ready?”

  “Probably in a couple of days. It’s a bit of a mess when I look at the notes, but I think I will find something to work with,” she said.