The Sound of Betrayal

By Susan Ann Wall

Two years ago, Jenny Carter chose her career over the love of her life. Her career is soaring and she’s on the cusp of her dream promotion. Jenny’s too focused to even realize she’s missing a key element in her happily ever after. When her ex-fiancé Ty Sullivan unexpectedly moves to Seattle, shock is soon replaced by suspicion as he steals her client and threatens her promotion. What Jenny can’t deny though, is the way the one man she has ever loved still makes her heart race. For a second time, she’ll have to decide if her ambitions are more important than her heart.

Worse than the ultimatum he delivered in the heat of the moment, Ty regrets not leaving Boston with Jenny Carter. It took him two years, but now that he’s in Seattle, he’s determined to win her back, no matter what it takes. He’s not surprised she’s still holding a grudge, but her seething anger has him wondering how he’ll ever break through to her passionate heart. When they fall into old habits, he knows they have to break the cycle, but earning her trust could be the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Ann Wall
• Release date: Aug 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301300105

Susan Ann Wall

Susan Ann Wall writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction for one simple reason: she loves it! Most mornings she wakes with fictional characters buzzing in her head. The only way to quiet the chaos is to put their conversations on paper – the real stuff or the virtual kind. These people are very real to Susan and she dedicates a lot of time making them very real for her readers, mixing real-life stories with her own flavor of humor. It’s not always easy, but Susan loves the challenge and loves to create!Susan sees the world in varying shades of purple and never passes on the opportunity to add to her collection of purple sunglasses or purple shoes. She spends her days working as an instructional design consultant from her home in the majestic White Mountains of New Hampshire. When she’s not tapping away on her purple netbook, she enjoys skiing and kayaking with her three kids, drinking a nice cold one with her husband, and jaunting off to Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney concerts.

Book preview

The Sound of Betrayal

Puget Sound ~ Alive With Love #2

S.A. Wall

Copyright 2013 Susan Ann Wall, LLC

Smashwords Edition

All Rights Reserved

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a creation from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

e-ISBN 9781301300105

Cover

Foregound Image: © Nikita Buida | Dreamstime.com

City Image: © Susan Ann Wall

Design: Susan Ann Wall

Editor: Mary Ann Jock

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To my friend and fellow writer Mary Ann. I’m so glad we moved home at the same time, despite the circumstances that brought us both full circle. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be living this dream.

Chapter 1

You have toilet paper stuck to your shoe.

Jenny Carter stopped dead in her tracks just outside the ladies room, terrified to face the voice behind her. It was possible her mind was playing tricks on her. After all, Ty Sullivan had chosen to stay in Boston two years ago. There was no way he’d be in Seattle now.

The rest of Jenny’s body registered what had to be true. Her toes had only ever curled for one man and now she wished she hadn’t chosen to break in the new shoes she’d purchased while on vacation last week. Clenching her sweaty fists, Jenny took three deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Then she turned on the narrow heels.

Ty Sullivan stood just feet away in the corridor at Bay City Publishers and smiled. It wasn’t smug or sinister. No, he had the audacity to curve his lips in that affectionate way that had led her to believe she was the only woman in his world.

As if…

Her body moved forward like a moth to a flame, and he dropped to one knee. She’d seen him in this position before, the memory causing her thumb to caress the now-naked ring finger.

Jenny’s heart ignored that reality, instead leaping and skipping and practically singing in praise. Her body warmed as Ty’s eyes surveyed from head to toe until he focused on her feet.

She looked down, caught up in the moment as if she were Cinderella and Ty were Prince Charming and they were about to start their happily ever after.

Again.

Then she saw the toilet paper wrapped around the toe of her red patent leather pumps. In a frenzy, her mind reeled her back to the present, reminding her Ty Sullivan was no Prince Charming and his shoe fetish was no fairy tale.

What the hell are you doing here? she spat as he lifted her foot and removed the offending tissue.

Ty paused and looked up, confusion narrowing his blue eyes. You’re kidding, right?

About what? she squealed, annoyed that she couldn’t control the octave of her voice or the impulsive reactions. She’d kick him in the head if she could, but he still held one foot in the air, leaving her off balance physically as well as emotionally.

He searched her eyes; looking for what, she hadn’t a clue. Ty chuckled and focused his attention back on her foot. He placed it gently back on the floor and dropped the tissue while he caressed her ankle.

The touch reached regions dormant for years. Heat surged from low in her belly and caused her thighs to clench and her heart to thumpity thump thump. Her nipples even tingled.

Damn her traitorous body.

Are you going to tell me what you’re doing in Seattle? she asked, forcing the schooled professionalism she prided herself on.

Ty stood, invading her space with his body heat. The fever continued to shake her and Jenny continued to fight it. Slow deep breaths and the mastered skill of counting to ten tamed her unruly reactions. There was no way in hell she would allow memory or instincts or whatever it was wreaking havoc with her body to thrust her into his arms and kiss him until her knees gave out.

I think I’ll let you figure it out, he said, brushing a rogue hair from her cheek. She hoped her dark skin hid the flush left in the wake of his touch. See you around, Carter.

His firm ass looked perfect in dark slacks as he walked away with a damn spring in his step. A spring! In his damn step!

Jenny wanted to follow, chase the man down, grab him by the white collar of his pressed shirt and demand he tell her why he was in Seattle. Fortunately, shock kept her feet firmly planted exactly where they needed to be.

Hell no, not where they needed to be. Jenny lurched forward, careful her shoes didn’t slip on the polished tile floor. When she reached the front lobby of her office building, Ty Sullivan was nowhere to be seen. Jenny wasn’t sure whether to run out onto the street or monitor the elevator to see what floor it landed on.

Hey Jen. Did you hear the good news? Mia Gee sang as she entered the building.

Jenny wanted to ignore Mia and pursue the elusive man who shouldn’t even be in Seattle, but Mia’s curiosity rivaled that of a cat’s and it was something Jenny would not feed with her own personal drama.

Mia, I just walked in from two weeks of vacation. I haven’t even logged on to my computer. Plus, she was still trying to wrap her head around Ty Sullivan being in Seattle.

Oh, right, Mia stepped toward the elevator and pushed the button. So, how was your staycation? What’d you do? Meet any hot guys? Have a hot fling?

If Jenny wasn’t still in shock from seeing Ty, she might laugh at Mia’s inquisition, but not even fifty questions could distract from the mystery of Ty Sullivan suddenly appearing in Seattle.

Vacation was great, Jenny said, not wanting to be rude and ignore her friend and colleague. No hot guys, no hot fling.

Well, that’s boring with a capital B, Mia groaned as the elevator dinged its arrival. You obviously went shopping though. I’ve never seen that outfit before.

Jenny had a closet full of outfits that no one had ever seen. She’d grown accustomed to retail therapy, but often experienced buyers’ remorse and couldn’t bring herself to wear the frivolous purchases right away. Her black linen pants and red silk blouse, along with the red shoes, were a non-guilt ridden purchase. I did a little shopping. Wait until you see the gold lamé shirt I bought.

Once they were traveling up to the seventh floor which accommodated much of the staff of Bay City Publisher’s communications department, including Jenny’s office, Jenny got back on task. So what’s the news?

Well, I figured since you’re from Boston, you’d have insider info. I can’t believe you don’t know.

Jenny had been living in Seattle for two years, so she wasn’t sure how being from Boston would give her an inside edge on anything. However, she suspected whatever bomb Mia was about to drop had something to do with Ty. What’s the news? she prompted again.

They filled the marketing manager vacancy with a hottie from Boston. Maybe you know him. Ty Sullivan?

Time slowed and warped, Mia’s friendly smile and bright eyes shifting to a look of sheer concern.

Why are you so pale? Do you know him?

Pale? Since the nausea hit her like a tsunami drowning a small Pacific island, Jenny shouldn’t have been surprised to hear she was pale, but given the dark skin of her half African-American, half Chinese heritage, pale wasn’t good.

They filled the vacancy with Ty Sullivan?

Yeah. The memo came out last week, I think.

I need to check e-mail. Jenny swallowed the bile in her throat and hoped to hell she didn’t hurl before she got off the damn elevator. Seeing Ty Sullivan in Seattle was a shock. Him moving here and working at Bay City’s Seattle office, was completely unacceptable.

When they finally landed on her floor, Jenny nearly sprinted to her office and tried to close the door.

What’s going on? Mia pushed through the door and followed Jenny across the large office.

After reaching her desk and grabbing the trash can, Jenny delivered her breakfast straight into the receptacle…via her esophagus.

As she sat bent over the metal receptacle, struggling to catch her breath and prevent the rest of her stomach’s contents from making a re-appearance, she silently recited the seven P’s of marketing, hoping some of the mundane knowledge of her job would wipe away the shock of Mia’s news and seeing Ty in the lobby.

Geez, you alright? Sounds like you’re coughing up Mount Rainier. Mia stopped on the other side of the trash can. Jenny peered over the receptacle, noticing for the first time Mia was sporting red Chucks and black fishnet stockings. Only someone as petite and cute as Mia could pull off the parochial school meets porn star outfit. Jenny almost laughed when she realized Mia’s long black hair was pulled into two pony tails.

I think I have food poisoning, Jenny lied as she lifted her face out of the makeshift barf bag.

Mia stood there, hands on hips and gum smacking loudly, sizing Jenny up. You sure it’s only food poisoning? With the new hottie starting tomorrow, I don’t want to catch something and miss out on a first meeting. He might be the one, you know.

Jenny nearly fell out of the chair as she lurched forward and took another turn at filling the trash can.

Maybe you should go home, Mia suggested, taking up position behind Jenny and pulling her long hair out of firing range.

It’ll pass, Jenny choked out. Since it wasn’t food poisoning, all she needed to do was avoid any talk of the new hottie.

When her stomach stopped roiling, she leaned back in the chair. Mia massaged her shoulders, but the firm caress did nothing to relieve the tension.

The nausea and vomiting were a good sign. When she’d been face to face with Ty, she’d thought her body was responding with arousal. Now it was clear it had actually been on a slow road to complete revulsion. That was exactly the kind of reaction Ty Sullivan deserved.

So, Mia sang, Do you know the new guy? Is he single?

Jenny launched out of the chair and went to the window, leaning against the cool glass that easily penetrated her linen business suit. Her body absorbed the chill, cooling the fever that had been induced by the unexpected meeting. Gripping the sill, she took another deep breath and let it out slowly, all the while strategizing how to avoid acknowledging Mia’s question. I’ve been in Seattle for two years. I don’t know every person in Boston.

It’s a simple yes or no question, Jen. You don’t have to get all huffy.

I’m just back from vacation and you bombard me in the lobby before I even have time to log in. I have a lot of catching up to do. Imagine what two weeks away did to my in-box.

Seriously? Mia huffed, her hands returning to her hips. You’re kicking me out for e-mail?

Hardly, but the news Mia dropped like a nuclear bomb needed to be investigated. Surely Mia had it wrong, but Jenny wasn’t willing to feed her friend’s curiosity. Jenny wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging her stomach as though she might hurl again. This could be a bug. I really can’t be sure and wouldn’t want you to catch it.

Mia took a few steps back. K, k, good point. When you’re feeling better, let’s do lunch. She looked like a little kid as she practically skipped out of the office.

Jenny turned and pressed her forehead against the window, taking in the limited view of the Seattle skyline. Focusing on the blue sky she could just barely see from her seventh floor office, she took another deep breath, but couldn’t forget Mia’s words. They practically called out to her from across the room, taunting and teasing with the news that still shocked her to the core.

Maybe she was being punked. That’d explain the craziness of Mia’s news. But then, no one in Seattle knew about her history with Ty.

Not ready to face the reality of Mia’s news, Jenny tied up the bag in her trash can and grabbed her purse. First order of business, hit the break room and drop breakfast down the trash chute. Second order of business, brush her teeth.

Jenny wasn’t prone to vomiting, but shock was a funny thing. She’d experienced its ferocity once before, the night she left Boston two years ago.

Since dwelling on the past was a big no-no in Jenny’s book, she focused on the tasks at hand. After two weeks of vacation, and with the quarterly all-hands meeting scheduled for tomorrow, she had a lot of catching up to do in a short amount of time. If there was one thing that could keep her focused, it was her job. After all, that’s why she’d moved to Seattle. The promotion to marketing manager two years ago was just a stepping stone. The bigger goal, marketing director, was narrowed in her sites now, the current director only months from retirement.

With fresh breath (thank goodness she carried a toothbrush and toothpaste in her purse), Jenny mentally charted a to-do list on the way back to her office.

Jenny, a deep voice sang as she wove through the maze of cubicles.

Bill, hi. Jenny stopped, a genuine smile relaxing her face as she greeted her boss.

Welcome back. How was vacation?

Oh, it was awesome. Just what I needed. Jenny had never taken two straight weeks off work. She’d taken days here and there, but never such a long stretch. It had been invigorating.

Go anyplace interesting?

No, this was more of a staycation. Did some hiking, but spent a lot of time at the beach. I think I read twelve novels. Even though Jenny worked for a book publisher, reading for pleasure wasn’t something she typically had time for. Most of her reading was done to become familiar with the authors she worked with. Other reading was completely career-oriented and even though she found a lot of pleasure in learning and increasing her knowledge about marketing and management, she didn’t consider that reading for pleasure.

Twelve? You’re not looking to be an editor are you? Bill nodded toward Jenny’s office and stepped off, so Jenny followed suit. The office was buzzing with activity as they made their way through the maze of cubicles.

Not a bad skill to have when you direct the marketing department. Jenny chuckled and winked, hoping Bill had news about her promotion.

That might be coming sooner than we thought. Looks like Gerald isn’t coming back from his leave of absence.

Jenny nearly jumped for joy, but instead steeled her professional demeanor and kept her feet firmly planted on the industrial carpeting. She could not, however, control the smile that lifted her cheeks. I’m ready to jump in anytime.

Bill nodded. I know you are. Unfortunately, we have to go through the formal hiring process. Announce the position, give time for prospects to apply. Hold interviews. He shook his head and sighed, as though it were all a tremendous burden. All a waste of time if you ask me. Bay City Publishers already has its next marketing director.

Bill had served as Jenny’s mentor since she transferred to the Seattle office, grooming her for the marketing director position. She’d had her sites on that job since Boston and it was what propelled her across the country. Given that there was no marketing director in Boston, and the fact that all of the marketing managers seemed comfortable, there hadn’t been any opportunities for Jenny to grow. Taking the marketing manager position in Seattle had opened doors for her career.

I’m not worried about the hiring process. If I have to jump through the proverbial hoops, then so be it.

I know you don’t mind, but it’s a damn waste of my time. Bill cracked each knuckle, both hands popping in a synchronized rhythm. HR sure does have a handle on corporate bureaucracy, that’s for damn sure.

Well, maybe you’ll find some potential candidates for my job. You’ll need a new marketing manager when I move up.

Speaking of, I have a special assignment for you.

Jenny gasped, barely able to hide her excitement. Bill always challenged her, helping her to learn and grow professionally. She trusted him immeasurably and knew whatever he had to offer was going to be great.

You been through your e-mail yet? Bill asked.

Actually, I haven’t even had a chance to log in.

We have a new marketing manager starting tomorrow. A transfer in from Boston, just like you.

Jenny nodded, her excitement quickly fading as the topic turned to one she’d hoped to avoid. She kept up the appearance of interest, faking a smile while she willed her stomach not to roil.

I understand you know him. Ty Sullivan?

Jenny simply nodded, her stomach threatening to unleash its displeasure again.

I want you to be his city sponsor. Show him around the office, the city, help him get acclimated and settled in.

Jenny dropped the fake smile, her head shaking vigorously. No. Absolutely not. She was aware that her voice carried across the sea of cubicles, as did the loud thump of her angered steps as she took the shortest route to her office.

It probably wasn’t in her best interest to stomp away from the boss, nor to make a show of it for those occupying the cubicles, but Jenny had reached her limit for the day. First to run into Ty. Then to learn he was moving to Seattle. And finally, to be told she had to play hostess to him.

To hell with that!

After Bill stepped in to her office, he closed the door gently. What do I need to know about Ty Sullivan?

Nothing. Why? The why was obvious, but the pleasant tone of her innocent question was at the opposite end of the spectrum from her reaction to this new assignment.

Bill made himself comfortable in the chair facing her desk, so Jenny summoned her best acting skills and pretended to relax in her own chair.

Let me rephrase. What do I need to know about you and Ty Sullivan?

If she hadn’t been sitting in the luxurious leather desk chair, the memories of her last days in Boston might have pummeled her. Instead, Jenny gripped the soft leather and dug deep inside herself for the uncompromised professionalism her reputation was built on. Nothing, she said with confidence.

I was told the two of you worked well together when you were in Boston.

We did, she confirmed without elaborating on their shared past.

Did I make a mistake in hiring him for the marketing manager position here?

No. If nothing else, Ty was good at marketing and he was good with people. He’d make an excellent manager. Jenny couldn’t let her personal feelings skew the professional she knew Ty to be.

Then why the angst?

I’m not a babysitter, Bill. I’m just off a two-week vacation and need to catch up with my team as well as get up to speed on anything new.

I appreciate your dedication, but we’re in a lull. Your campaigns are ahead of schedule as usual and nothing new has come down the pipeline.

Jenny’s campaigns were always ahead of schedule. It was something she prided herself on. Her move to Seattle was driven by her desire to climb the ladder. Even back then it was known that Seattle’s marketing director was approaching retirement. Since Boston didn’t have a marketing director position, Jenny didn’t see an opportunity to move past marketing manager. Her boss had even revealed as much. Seattle, on the other hand, offered limitless opportunities.

Then make Hunter the city sponsor.

Bill laughed. Hunter couldn’t find his way around the city with an infallible GPS. Besides, his campaigns are almost on-schedule. I don’t want to over-task him and risk those deadlines.

Sometimes being good at her job really sucked. There was absolutely no professional reason why she couldn’t serve as the new guy’s city sponsor. The tasks weren’t difficult. Show him around the city. Help him find an apartment. Get him acclimated to the new office.

Easy as pie.

It was the personal history she shared with Ty that had her avoiding being his city sponsor. There are people who know the city better than I do. I’m sure you want the new guy to meet new people, not get comfortable with an old colleague.

You know the city well enough and you know the office better than people who have been here for decades. I’m not asking you to do this, Jenny. You’re next on the rotation. You have the time. You will show Mr. Sullivan around.

Jenny pursed her lips, fighting back the urge to kick and scream in protest like a little girl who didn’t get any cotton candy at the fair.

Bill pushed himself out of the chair. I’ve got a meeting to get to, but let’s get coffee later. I want to hear about your staycation.

Her vacation had been a non-event, but apparently it was the worst possible time to take off. If she’d been in the office, or at least checking e-mail, she would have seen the message that was this morning’s office buzz. When Jenny had taken a long overdue vacation, she had forced herself to leave the laptop at the office so she wouldn’t be tempted. Ugh. What a friggin’ mistake that was.

Jenny logged on and opened e-mail. Two weeks away from the office meant she had a full day of reading and deleting ahead of her. It was why she hadn’t scheduled anything for the first day back. Tomorrow she had a team meeting first thing in the morning, followed by the quarterly all-hands meeting. Then she was expected to show Ty around the office.

Oh, happy Tuesday.

Leaning back in her chair, she stared blankly at the screen, picturing those last moments in her old apartment in Boston. She and Ty had shared the space for four years but Jenny couldn’t conjure up any of the happy memories. All she could see was Ty doing the unfathomable. Even now, two years later, Jenny still found it hard to believe. Had she not witnessed it herself, she wouldn’t believe it at all.

A familiar ache spread across her chest, accompanied by a surge of bile in her throat. She laughed without an humor, realizing if she reacted like this to a memory, she was probably going to upchuck on the man’s shoes when they came face to face again. The confrontation was inevitable, but it wasn’t something Jenny was looking forward to. In fact, she needed to find a way to delay it until she was fully prepared.

But, how to prepare to play nice with the man who shattered your heart?

And why the hell was he moving to Seattle now? Two years, one ultimatum, and one betrayal too late.

Damn him.

Jenny blinked away the tears. She’d shed enough of those for the man she was supposed to marry, the one man she should be sharing a happily ever after with. After what he’d done, he didn’t deserve more, especially not two years later.

No, Ty Sullivan wouldn’t get any more of Jenny’s tears. What he would get was a good dose of her anger and a nice mix of indifference. Jenny wouldn’t risk her reputation or her promotion on him.

Not now.

Not ever.

No, she would have her say, find out what the hell he was doing in Seattle, and be done with it. With him.

Somehow, she needed to figure out a way to see him outside the office before she was forced to play nice. Their confrontation couldn’t happen here. She had a reputation to uphold. Not once had she lost her temper at the Seattle office. Not once had anyone here seen her cry. She wasn’t cold, but there was a time and place for those emotions and the office most definitely wasn’t the place. So Jenny had to avoid him until she could get him outside the walls of Bay City Publishers.

Going to the window to take in the morning sun and pilfer some more of the window’s coldness, she thought maybe she should e-mail Ty, set up a meeting. When she caught herself chewing on her thumbnail, a habit that appalled her, Jenny went back to the desk and read the message again.

Why hadn’t he contacted her? True, they hadn’t spoken in two years, but if he was coming to Seattle, he had an agenda that included her. It had to. Otherwise, why would he come? Why now?

He’d refused two years ago, claiming Boston was his city and he’d never leave it, especially not for her career. What was his motivation now?

Could he be bitter enough to move across the country to exact revenge on her decision? He did have vengeful Irish blood running through his veins. Though he’d never shown that nature, his parents certainly did, so there was potential for Ty.

Well, to hell with him. He was the one who’d issued the ultimatum.

Damn him.

Jenny wasn’t willing to make the first move. She knew Ty and if she took the initiative to talk to him, he’d see that as a victory. She had to make him wait.

The knock on her door snapped Jenny out of the strategizing. Normally she was aware enough of her surroundings no one could sneak up on her, but despite the door being open, she hadn’t seen her best friend standing