Snowbound with the Billionaire: The Romero Brothers (Billionaire Romance), #7

By Shadonna Richards

Baby, it's cold outside…
Pamela Alvarado, the Romero family's loyal press secretary, finally plucks up the courage to tell her deliciously gorgeous eligible boss, Troy Romero, how she truly feels about him. But when she goes to share her feelings with him one evening, she bumbles into a humiliating and heartbreaking situation when she learns that he's…getting married!

But it's warm in here…
Sexy billionaire philanthropist, Troy Romero, is reluctantly entering into a loveless marriage to spoiled heiress, Cilla de Montagio, so she can keep her fortune. Yet it is his faithful, yet feisty, press secretary, Pamela, who really has his heart. So, stranded in a blizzard during a power outage with Pamela over the holiday season can only spell trouble. The blizzard brings the chill, but it looks as if Pamela will melt Troy's defenses. Now he's got one heck of a storm brewing inside him, too. Does he fulfill his obligation to the heiress who once saved his life, or does he follow his heart to the woman of his desire?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadonna Richards
• Release date: Sep 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502294630

Shadonna Richards

USA Today bestselling author Shadonna Richards enjoys reading and writing about the magic of romance and the power of love. She has sold over 500,000 copies of her bestselling romance novels. Born in London, England, she has a B.A. Degree in Psychology. Winner of Harlequin's So You Think You Can Write 2010 Day Two Challenge, she is also a member of Romance Writers of America. She's a proud mommy and wife and lives with her husband and son. Books by Shadonna Richards BILLIONAIRES OF BELMONT (The Belmont Family) The Billionaire's Bride for a Day #1 (Dane & Olivia) The Billionaire's Promise #2 (Brandon & Faith) The Billionaire's Housekeeper #3 (Chase & Abbi)  The Billionaire's Lost & Found Love #4 (Cole & Hope)  The Billionaire's Redemption #5 (Leo & Honesty)  THE ROMERO BROTHERS The Billionaire’s Second-Chance Bride, #1 (Antonio III & Lucy) A Bride for the Billionaire Bad Boy, #2 (Lucas & Maxine) The Playboy Billionaire, #3 (Zack & Blue) The Billionaire’s Island Romance, #3.5 (Christian & Arianna) The Billionaire’s Proposition, #4 (Carl & Venus) The Billionaire’s Baby, #5 (Jules & Amber) The Billionaire’s Assistant, #6 (Dion & Jenna-Lynn) Snowbound with the Billionaire, #7 (Troy & Pamela) The Billionaire’s Marriage Proposal, #8 (Alonso & Britney)   THE BRIDE SERIES An Unexpected Bride The Jilted Bride  The Matchmaker Bride His Island Bride (Free) An Unexpected Baby (The sequel to An Unexpected Bride)   WHIRLWIND ROMANCE SERIES Accidentally Flirting with the CEO (Books 1 -3)  

Book preview

Chapter One

Pamela Alvarado could feel Troy Romero’s positive energy from across the room as he entertained party guests. The man radiated sophistication and delicious charm.

Oh, heavens. Does he always have to look so...stunning?

Every time she saw Troy, she practically drooled over him. The man had that effect on her from day one. And this evening was no exception.

It was Christmas Eve yet he looked sexy as sin in his dark dinner jacket and dress pants. His dark hair was slicked back and his high cheekbones were accentuated by the glow from the fireplace and dim lighting in the room. Troy’s alluring sexy eyes sparkled when he grinned. He towered over the other guests, at six feet four inches. Troy stood, holding a glass in one hand with the other hand in his pants pocket, by the grand fireplace in the massive study at Romero Manor.  

His grandfather, Toni Romero, and Toni’s wife number five, the very much younger Shelly, and some friends were engaged in conversation. Toni, head of the Romero dynasty, seemed joyful at the sight of his ever-expanding family—Pamela had been there when Toni chastised the young bachelors in the past about when they were going to settle down. Currently, six out of his eight grandsons were making him proud in the wedded bliss department.

Pamela drew in a deep breath. Her heart fluttered inside her chest in anticipation of getting a moment alone with Troy, tonight. Finally. But when would that moment arrive?

The place was brimming with Romero family members and their guests. The melody of laughter, mirthful chatter and festive Christmas music filled the air.

Pamela was so appreciative to be a part of all of it. Even as the family’s press secretary, she didn’t have much family of her own, at least not close family. A beautiful, loving, close-knit family that supported and stood up for each other, no matter what, like the Romero family.  

The snow fell heavily and flurries scattered across the panes of the French glass doors of the study at Romero Manor. Pamela was enthralled by the winter wonderland outside as the snow swirled around by the heavy gusts of wind this enchanting evening.

So, did you get a chance to speak to him, yet? Jenna-Lynn asked Pamela as she plopped herself on an adjacent cozy chair.

Not a chance, Pamela answered quietly with a smile. She felt heat rush to her cheeks, embarrassed that she might appear desperate. She took a sip of her eggnog, enjoying the rich creamy smooth libation gliding down her throat. Her heart fluttered. Why was she feeling like a schoolgirl about to meet her crush face-to-face? This was so humiliating. She was the family’s public relations specialist, for heaven’s sake. Yet, when it came to private relations, Pamela felt way out of her league. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of Troy.

Remember what we talked about, Jenna reminded Pamela with a wink.

Yes, I remember. Pamela sighed with a warm smile.

You’ll be fine, Pam. You’re the family’s spin doctor. You always know when to say the right thing to make them look good and you’ve helped out everyone here from a whole mess of sticky situations. There’ll be nothing to it.

Pamela playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head. Trust me, girl, it’s a lot harder to confront your boss about how you feel about him than it is to tell the media what you think of them.

Jenna grinned. Well, you do have me there, Pam. But look, Dion and I wouldn’t be together if we didn’t admit how we felt about each other. Not only that...gosh, Pamela, if it weren’t for you, I don’t even think we would be together.

Oh, Jenna, that’s...so sweet of you to say, but please don’t give me all that credit. You guys were destined to be together. I’m so glad it worked out for you.

I’ve seen the way Troy looks at you, Pamela. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.

I sure hope that’s true. Pamela sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm those thousand tiny butterflies that let loose in her stomach.  

She looked up at the enormous crystal chandelier dangling from the cathedral ceiling of the study. The whole mansion was spectacular. How long had she been working there, admiring the fixtures and elegant surroundings of one of the wealthiest yet sophisticated and kindest people she’d ever known? Yet there was one precious relationship that she’d treasured more than the material wonders of Romero Estate. It was Troy Romero. He’d captivated her heart the way no other man had. Oh boy, she’d fantasized about what it would feel like to have him with her, moving inside her, bringing her to the soaring heights of carnal pleasure. She knew full well, however, Troy’s reputation with the women. Of course, when she’d commenced working for the Romeros, it wasn’t something she wanted to think about, especially since he was always with a beautiful model or society girl at one point or another. But now? He was free, wasn’t he? He was available. And her body sizzled when he brushed her skin by accident while they were in the middle of approving media briefs or heat rose inside her when their eyes locked. Pamela felt heat rise inside her at the thought.

Okay, Pam, it’s Christmas Eve. No time for naughty thoughts. Just give the guy his present and call it a night.

Pamela’s heart pounded hard in her chest as she held the glass of eggnog in her hand, waiting for a chance to speak to Troy alone. Waiting for the moment to approach him in the spirit of the holiday with a personal gift. Something she’d been waiting for a long time.

But now...it was too late.

Before she knew it, Troy felt for something in his pocket—a vibrating cellphone call, then he excused himself and left the study. Pamela tried to follow him with her eyes but her view was soon blocked as guests moved around.

All right now, Toni announced by the elegantly decorated Christmas tree, his young wife by his side. We’re going to have a gift exchange shortly. Let’s all gather by the fireplace.

That includes you, Jenna-Lynn Romero. Dion Romero, Troy’s older brother, reached down and hugged his wife after he walked into the study. He then offered her a hand to help her up.

Pamela had been told the story many times from her friend Jenna-Lynn. Dion had surprised Jenna-Lynn with a proposal by the beachside. She was looking over some notes on her iPad when he hugged her from behind and asked her to check something out on a website. When she keyed in the website address, there it was on the screen, Jenna-Lynn: Will You Marry Me? Dion.

Jenna told Pamela her heart almost stopped at the time. Who would have ever thought of such a sweet website proposal? Warmth filled Pamela’s soul feeling happy for Jenna, whom she had first contacted via a temp agency on behalf of Dion to be his executive assistant. Dion wasn’t too happy at the time, but Pamela saw how well it worked out after all.

Coming, darling, Jenna smiled to Dion, rubbing her enormous pregnant belly before taking his hand to get up from her seat. She was eight months along. The baby was due any time in the next few weeks, that is. Jenna winked at Pamela. Good luck, she whispered.

Soon after, members of the Romero clan were gathered around the fireplace as Toni had instructed. Pamela had gotten to know the Romeros over the past seven years since she first started working for them. As busy as they each were, they gathered every month or so for one of Toni’s big family dinners, and certainly on holidays like Christmas and Easter.

And what a big family! The soothing Christmas music played over the speakers: Silver Bells. How beautiful and melodic. A festive tune, if Pamela had ever heard one.

Antonio Romero and Lucy, his wife, were present with their son, Alexander. Lucas and Maxine were there with their daughter, Mary-Louise. Zack and his wife, an ex-reporter, Blue, sat on the loveseat with their son, Jefferson. Carl, the young mayor of Mayberry Hill, was with his wife, Venus, and their sons, Tristan and Daniel. Jules and his wife, Amber, and their daughter, Crystal, were also present. Everyone seemed to be paired up except Troy and Dr. Alonso, who was in town taking a break from his work abroad, providing medical care to disadvantaged areas around the world through his world-renowned healthcare clinics.

Pamela had confided in Jenna-Lynn how she felt in her heart about Troy. Still, Pamela didn’t want to make a move on her boss. He’d been so good to her over the years. They’d been through a lot together, working on publicity issues for the Romero family late into the night. And oh, she loved the way he addressed her with his hey, beautiful whenever he saw her. Then again, he called Mrs. Perkings, the sixty-year-old head maid beautiful, too! He was ever the charmer. With everyone. So much so that she suddenly realized making a move on him would be stupid. On his part, their relationship was very likely just a friendly one.

But, she had bought him a gift. A nice gift. She would keep it in her purse until she had