Saving the Billionaire

By Marie Kelly

Sally Rodgers has led a nomadic life for four years. A contract Personal Assistant, she is sought after and well respected, but hides a secret, one which if discovered could destroy not only her but everybody close to her.
Emilio Muniz is still reeling from the death of the woman he loved and the knowledge that he was betrayed by someone so close to him. Now left to bring up his sick child, he needs to relocate his life from New York to England. However, he is not only battling the demons from his past, but also new threats to his future.
Now Emilio needs help. He needs a personal assistant he can trust, and he only trusts Sally. Sally has always respected and liked Emilio, probably more than she should, believing him to be the best man she has ever known.
However, can the two work together so closely every day without succumbing to the ever-present desire for the other? And will the ghosts from their past tear them apart or bring them together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Kelly
• Release date: Jun 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310022333

Marie Kelly

A hopeless romantic and weaver of words. While I live in Canada, Scotland will always be in my heart.

Book preview

Saving the Billionaire

by

Marie Kelly

Special Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Saving the Billionaire

Special Smashwords Edition

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 person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Chapter One

Sally Rodgers stood in the wings, only two other women now ahead of her. Her body trembled as once more she chastised herself for allowing her good friend Sophie Patrice to talk her into the auction. She cast a glance at the other women stood in line before her – the fact that both looked as nervous as she did doing little to calm her. Wringing her hands with agitation, she wondered again why her friend had been so insistent on her inclusion. It was not as if she was anywhere near as attractive as the other two girls, or any of the other women for that matter, her shoulders sagging as she realised she was the ugly duckling of the group.

While all of the women being auctioned wore the same dress, the colours that of the children’s dream organisation who would be benefiting from all proceeds raised, some definitely looked better in it than others. Her eyes once more looked ruefully down herself. Most of the women were professional models, giving their time freely to help, Sally feeling frumpy beside the gorgeous women who towered over her. Finally a small smile tugged at her lips, the image of herself as an Umpa Lumpa stood beside a tribe of Amazonians making her chuckle despite her situation.

When she had tried to tell Sophie what a bad choice she would make, the other woman made a snorting sound, her eyes trailing down Sally. You’re kidding right? You have curves, and boobs... I would give anything to have your figure, Sally shaking her head in disbelief. Sophie Patrice was one of the most sought-after models in the world. She doubted that there was a woman there who would not give their right arm to look like her.

Finally though, she had been talked into the event by Sophie who had passionately described how many lives had been changed by the event the previous year. Pouting, Sophie had looked down herself, a sigh escaping her I committed to this right after last year’s event a happy smile on her lips as she rubbed her swollen belly I did not expect to be pregnant her pleading look aimed at Sally I feel I am letting them down Sally…please, please, please take my place Sally groaning as she finally agreed, her friend fitting her for a dress before she could change her mind.

Swallowing nervously, she took a step forward as the curtain twitched. The audience clapped loudly, the girl on the runway returning backstage, a large grin on her face as she gave the rest of the group an encouraging smile. Her its fine when you are out there words not believed by those trembling, still awaiting their turn. Sally was amused to see that even the professionals had nerves, though feeling nauseous that now there was only one other person before her.

Once more the curtain twitched, another relieved woman stepping back from the stage. Her eyes met Sally’s briefly, giving an encouraging wink, the woman relaxed now that her ordeal was over. Only now it was Sally’s turn. Stepping onto the stage, she moved forward, a large wavering smile on her features. She was doing this for the children she told herself as she walked to the end of the runway, turning slowly as she had earlier been shown to do, before stopping.

The room was busy, every table sold out for the fundraiser. With the stage lit, she could not make out faces in the darkened room, surprised to find that made the exercise easier. Briefly looking at Sophie, who was emceeing the event, she received an encouraging smile and wink as her friend launched into her spiel, describing Sally’s character and virtues. When finished the room came alive as bids for a date with her started to flow in. As the total rose to over ten thousand dollars, her eyes shone, a small blush of pleasure coming to her cheeks. She felt relief fill her that at least she had brought in something, realising that she had been truly worried that she might be the only person to raise nothing, to be asked to go to the ‘unsold’ pen, her lips twitching again with her thoughts. There was no such place. Happy with what she had raised, she prepared to return as another voice rose above the rest, Twenty thousand, the room gasping as one as the new bidder doubled the money on offer.

Sally almost stumbled in surprise, her eyes scanning the crowd in shock. Twenty thousand – had someone just bid that much for her company! Darting her eyes to Sophie, she could see as the other woman smiled widely, her look once more returning to the crowd. She tried to see if she could spot the raised card, but nothing was visible, however there was something familiar about the voice, her mind trying and failing to place it. Sophie dropped the gavel, her voice full of excitement, Sold for twenty thousand... Congratulations to our winner.

The sound of clapping from the rest of the attendees was her cue to move, making room for the next woman. Stepping off the stage relief washed over her, along with disbelief. She had hoped to raise one, maybe two thousand dollars... but twenty! Who would pay that much? Making her way to the holding area, her logical mind once more asserted itself, her lips curling in a self-deprecating smile. It was most likely somebody who had already decided on how much they were donating... They were no doubt doing it in a more grandiose manner. Chuckling, she shook her head. Well if they had twenty thousand dollars to donate, then at least she would get a decent dinner out of it.

Emilio Muniz watched Sally return up the runway, once more admiring the gorgeous brunette. It had not been his intention to bid on any of the women up for auction, but when the woman he had briefly known stepped onto the stage, he found himself raising his card. As the bidding rose to ten thousand, her features had broken into a huge grin, dimples on her cheeks visible even as her eyes glittered, Emilio finding himself spellbound. Sally Rodgers had always made him smile, there was just something so natural and warm about her, crying out twenty thousand before he had time to really think what he was doing.

Beside him, the rest of his table stared at him, the men laughing and congratulating him even as the women, many who had openly flirted with the handsome Spaniard when he sat down, eyed him with shock. As was the plan, the group moved to allow another chair to be brought to the table, the seat for the woman bought, Emilio finding himself strangely excited as he waited for Sally to join him.

Sally joined the rest of the sold women, all waiting patiently to be escorted to their ‘buyers’. The other women regarded her with keen interest, news of her sale price quickly reaching them, most congratulating her, some not quite as gracious. She had to hold down the giggle when those women, who seemed genuinely put out, would pointedly ignore her. Did they not realise that someone had just been wanting a way to donate in as dramatic a way as possible? Soon however, the auction was over and the women were given the signal to prepare to meet their buyers.

Reaching the dining room, Sally grinned at the helper, Carly, who had been assigned to take her to her winning bidder. The woman had given her a hug, a large smile on her face, Congratulations... That is the highest bid of the night. I will give you five minutes privacy with your ‘buyer’ before I come back for you, her eyes sparkling mysteriously, You lucky thing you. Sally wondered what she meant by that, still surprised that she could make even a fraction of the money the models could, another blush rising to her cheeks. Following Carly, she soon found herself at the appropriate table, nerves now fluttering disconcertingly in her stomach.

As Carly stepped aside, Sally was finally able to see who had spent so much on her, her mouth gaping open as Emilio Muniz stood, his hand reaching for hers to lead her to her seat. Mr Muniz, the stunned words slipped from her lips, eyes staring at the man before her, even as she allowed his hand to envelop hers.

Emilio’s features creased into a large smile, Sally once more feeling as her body leapt to instant awareness. Why did it have to be him, of all men – why Emilio Muniz? His voice full of laughter, Must I be forever asking you to call me Emilio?

Her lips quirked as she chuckled back, sitting down as champagne was brought to her, I’m sorry... Force of habit I guess.

Emilio shook his head. As I recall, even when you were working for Carig I was still trying to get you to call me by my name.

Sally gave another chuckle, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Ah yes... So you were... I guess I am a slow learner, a more impish smile lighting her lips.

That would be it, Emilio laughed once more as her eyes narrowed in playful warning.

Taking a sip of the wine, she fixed him with a more somber expression. That was very nice of you to donate to the charity by buying me, real thanks in her voice.

Across from her, Emilio’s look momentarily dropped to his own glass, his long fingers playing with the stem, Sally not quite sure why her eyes were so drawn to them, before he smiled once more, raising his look to hers. Actually, I donated prior to the auction... Buying you was a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Sally almost spluttered out her drink, eyes widening in shock. So much Emilio!

The handsome man across from her laughed as he lifted his glass, raising it in mock salute. Finally... Finally you manage to say it... Halleluiah, you actually said my name, Sally’s mouth quirking as she joined him.

Seeing Carly hovering, Sally groaned softly, an apologetic curve to her lips. Seems our five minutes is nearly up, feeling a rush of heat as his look became one of disappointment. Pulling a card from the small pocket in the dress, her contact details on them, she handed it to him, her voice softer. I understand that you are a busy man, and that you were perhaps just wanting to give to the charity... But if you want to call and organise our ‘date’, then I would really like that.

Leaning forward, his look locked with hers, Emilio taking her hand and enveloping it within his own larger one, his voice like warm water sliding sensually down her spine. Miss Rodgers, nothing would give me more pleasure than to take you out for dinner, and soon.

Sally felt as her insides seemed to flip-flop, the feel of his hand on hers unsettling. He really was the most handsome man she ever met. As Carly approached, Sally gave him a large smile, hoping it would hide the way her whole body wanted to just melt into a puddle at his feet. Standing, a playfulness tugged at her, Seems we need to still work on your learning Emilio, the reference to him calling her by her surname making him laugh once more, his head inclining

Yes, we will have to work on that, Sally flashing him another grin before she was escorted backstage once more.

As she moved away, Emilio played with the card she had provided, flipping it from side to side on the table, lost in thought. He had always thought Sally Rodgers to be attractive, her large hazel eyes warm and friendly, her lush lips always with a smile for everybody. He had told her the truth when telling Sally that he had donated earlier, he never bidding in the ‘date-for-a-day’ auctions. He had zero interest in women these days – and certainly not in the many socialites, models and attention-seekers who saw him as the perfect man to attach themselves to. Rich, powerful, young and handsome, many set out to try and grab his attention, each and every attempt thwarted as he would politely refuse all. His life was complicated enough. His son Ricco, the apple of his eye, required constant monitoring and support. A gentle smile curled his mouth just at the thought of the child. While Ricco was responding well to treatment for his illness, Hurley’s Disease, it was very serious. He still worried for the young boy he loved with every cell in his body. His and Lily’s child, the thought of the woman he had loved and lost once more sending pain spearing through him.

His eyes again fell to the card, thoughtfulness making his brows furrow. Why had he bid on Sally Rodgers? Was he really thinking about going on a date with the woman? For a moment he considered calling the whole thing off. She would understand – she had more or less told him she would, before her last teasing words once more made him give a small chuckle. Tapping the card on the wooden table one last time in a decisive motion he placed it in his jacket pocket. What would be the harm in spending a little time with somebody he actually liked?

As Sally moved backstage, the auction finished, Sophie rushed forward to meet her. Emilio bought you! Oh my God, that man is gorgeous. Congratulations.

Sally shrugged, trying hard to hide her own embarrassment as she made light of her friend’s words. He most likely felt sorry for me... I met him when I was working for Carig Calle. Sophie however, grinned back at her, a ‘yeah right’ look on her face as Sally rolled her eyes at her. Sophie, get real. Emilio Muniz is... Well, he is like business royalty. He has no interest in me. He was just being nice, he is a nice man. He probably won’t even take me on a date... Like I said, he just took pity on me.

Placing her hands on her hips Sophie adopted a matronly look. And what are you?... Look in a mirror Sal – you are gorgeous, her mouth curving into a large smile, And you are sweet with it... Men must fall over themselves to get close to you. Turning, Sophie looked back at her over her shoulder, a wicked grin on her lovely features. Still I guess we shall see won’t we dearest Sally?, her eyebrows wriggling suggestively making Sally laugh, shaking her head.

You are hopeless Sophie Patrice, the loud snort of laughter the last sound as Sophie moved to congratulate the other auctioned women.

That night, tired but strangely happy, Sally made her third trip around her apartment, checking the locks on all of the windows and doors. She had chosen her small but comfortable apartment because of the security it offered, this always her main priority when choosing a new home. Sighing, she wondered how long she would live here, her job pulling her away to different locations constantly. In the past four years she had lived at ten different addresses, she now an expert in packing in less than an hour.

Her transient lifestyle was not one she would have chosen, her lips setting in a firm line as memories resurfaced, an anger along with the familiar fear flickering deep within her belly. No, she certainly had not chosen this type of life, but what else could she do? Lifting her emergency necklace which she had placed in her bedside cabinet prior to leaving for the auction, she slipped it around her throat, the feel of it calming her instantly. Closing the door of the bedroom, her eyes flicked inside the drawer confirming that her pepper spray and alarm were still securely tucked safely inside, before she switched off the light and snuggled down into the covers, falling into an instant deep sleep.

The next day passed with no word from Emilio, Sally finding herself strangely deflated that he had not called, chastising herself that she cared. Emilio Muniz was well out of her league, her insides dropping as she sighed. Besides, there was no place in her life for anything other than work.

Having just come off a call with a CEO in Miami, her reputation as a top personal assistant seeing the man hire her with just a phone call, needing her there in three days, she once more sighed. The job was only for three months, then she would return, having promised Sophie that she would attend her birthday. Biting her lip thoughtfully she considered her options. The apartment was a good find, she really liking it, and given that another client close by had expressed interest in employing her in six months, perhaps it made sense to keep the lease going. As a self-employed contractor, she earnt a great deal of money and could afford it, Sally squirreling away most of her salary, never knowing when she might need to just ‘disappear’, this thought once more sending a small shiver down her. It also helped that the new employer was offering her accommodation in the company building, this not only saving her a great deal of money but giving her peace of mind. Sally knew from experience how secure and comfortable company apartments were, these mainly used for the convenience of rich clients.

Having decided to stay, she was not faced with the usual need to pack up her meagre belongings. Instead she pulled out a single case, musing over what to take, her mind deciding