Brand My Heart

By Yuwanda Black

“You did the unthinkable Weston. You turned him down initially. Honey that’s practically an open invitation to chase,” Delphine explained.

“I know. Trust me I know that men like Jaxson Halford are used to women chasing them, and to having those he rains his attention on flock to him like a sheep to slaughter. And I can’t stand men like that. But I thought he was different. I thought he … I mean I thought his pursuit was sincere. We talked Delphine. He opened up to me; told me things you won’t find when you Google him. I didn’t think you could fake that kind of sincerity, but obviously you can. You’re right, apparently one of the reasons he was so interested in me is because I didn’t immediately cave in to him. But it wasn’t a game for me; if only I’d known it was to him.”

“So do you really think he was only interested in a casual fling? Are you sure that it wasn’t more?”

“Well then he’s really good, because he fooled you too," Weston said. "He can’t explain away the woman I saw in his arms or the fact that he's been with her for three years. In spite of those facts though, he made it quite clear that I’d be welcome to his bed at any time. But I’m no one’s bedpost notch. I want more.”

“Ahhh, more … if we women could just give up wanting more, we could the find perfect relationship any time we wanted,” Delphine laughed. "But let me play devil's advocate and give the scumbag the benefit of the doubt for a second.

“There’s no room for benefit of the doubt, Delphine. I know what I saw. I know what I heard. Jaxson is involved with another woman, and has been for quite some time. I can’t believe I didn’t pick up on it.”

“Hear me out Weston. I’ve got ‘bullshit radar’ and I didn’t sense any with Jaxson. I saw the way he had you pinned up against the wall in your office couple of weeks ago. I thought you all were gonna go at it right then and there. I could feel the heat you two were generating all the way out in the hallway.”

“I just want to forget that I ever allowed myself to get involved with him," Weston groaned.

“But it’s not that easy and you know it,” Delphine warned. “You’re still drawn to him and the real battle here is not him or another woman.  The real battle is with yourself Weston.” 
###
 
The real battle is with yourself Weston. 

The real battle is with yourself Weston. 

The real battle is with yourself Weston. 

Weston replayed the words over and over again in her head as she left the office later that day. Their truth rang so deeply in her soul that she could no longer deny it. 

She was head over heels in in love with the philandering Jaxson Halford, the very man whose contract her company depended on for survival … and there was nothing she could do about either fact right now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inkwell Editorial Publishing
• Release date: Nov 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519911087

Yuwanda Black

I've been a reader of romance novels since I was a pre-teen. I've read hundreds of them. "Everybody wants to be loved." This is the enduring theme of all romance novels. We all want to be loved and accepted for exactly who and what we are. And that's the beauty of love – it keeps the hope alive in each of us that there is someone out there, somewhere, who will love what is unique about us. This is what keeps me reading romance, after romance, after romance. Professional Background I've been a freelance writer – for businesses – since 1993. More about my businesses can be found below. A Romance Writer Is Born I wrote my first romance novel in 2013 (3 Weeks 'til Forever). I decided to give this type of writing a try because the title popped into my head one day and just wouldn't let go. After finishing up several more romances, I realize that I've finally found my calling. I love reading – and now writing and publishing – love stories. In 2014, I formed Inkwell Editorial Publishing to bring as many stories to readers like you as possible. I hope you enjoy reading these novels as much as I enjoy bringing them to you – whether they’re written by me, or by one of our ghost writers. My Businesses New Media Words (http://NewMediaWords.biz) is my online writing company. I also publish http://InkwellEditorial.com, the leading web portal for info on how to start a successful freelance writing career. I've self-published over 50 non-fiction ebooks, mostly on the business of freelance writing, self-publishing and internet marketing. My writing online writing courses can be found at http://InkwellEditorial.Teachable.com. My fiction titles (romance) can be found at http://InkwellEditorialPublishing.com.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Who did you say was on the line Belinda?

A Tom Neufield from The Halford Group, her assistant clarified.

Oh how Weston hated to hear that name ... The Halford Group. They were the main reason her company was on the brink of bankruptcy. What could they possibly want with her little firm? She would not be another acquisition feather in their cap! She would not! She’d double down on a deal with the devil himself if she had to before she’d sell to them – even if it meant losing her father’s lifetime of work.

Tell him I’ll be with him in a few secs Belinda, Weston directed, going to the door of her office to move the doorstopper. She wanted to close it so she could take the call in private. Just hearing the name of the firm made her blood pressure rise. If she was going to lose her cool, she didn’t want to do it within earshot of anyone. Her door closed and Weston went around her large desk and hit the beeping green light that signaled someone was on hold.

Mr. Neufield. Weston Cox speaking. How can I help you? she said, her husky greeting measured, in direct conflict with her jolting heartbeat.

Good morning, Mr. Weston, the voice on the other end greeted – much too cheerfully for Weston’s liking.

Weston cleared her throat. It’s miss, not mister, she corrected. He had to be in sales—and from the sound of it pretty new. He was too anxious to get on with the rest of his spiel to even pick up on the fact that her voice was feminine, even though it was a low alto. Weston could hear a shuffling of papers on the other end. Checking his sales script, she thought.

"My apologies, Miss Cox," the flustered caller amended.

Now that we’re on the same page, what can I do for you today, Mr. Neufield? Weston said, making her tone as sugary sweet and professional as she could muster. Every ounce of her being wanted to yell at this Mr. Neufield to go stick a pogo stick where the sun didn’t shine and slam the receiver down. But one lesson her father had taught her about business that in sales, you should always listen to the other party because you never know what tidbit of information you could pick up that would be beneficial down the line.

Mr. Neufield cleared his throat.

Here comes the sales pitch. Weston mentally prepared her answer. I am not interested in selling – so back off you commerce-stealing buzzards! She tried to think of a charming way to say this as succinctly, yet professionally, as possible as this Mr. Neufield spoke.

I’m actually calling on behalf of my boss, Jaxson Halford. He wants to hire your firm.

Hire us? Weston queried, her voice even huskier in surprise. This was the last thing she expected to come out of his mouth.

Yes, hire you. Your company came highly recommended, and he’d like to meet with you to see how soon you’d be available to start working with us.

Chapter 2

So you took the meeting, even though you have no intention of working with them? Delphine, her friend and accountant, asked.

Weston and Delphine had gone to college together. Delphine had her own accounting practice, and Weston paid her a reduced fee for her services in exchange for letting Delphine share her office space. Otherwise, she never would have been able to afford her. But the most valued service Delphine provided was priceless – trust. Weston was cozy with her company’s numbers, but Delphine knew them inside and out. She kept Weston on track – and Weston trusted her implicitly.

Yes. I have to hear them out. Daddy always said to listen. This is a chance to do a little industrial spying – and possibly get some of our old clients back. After all, if Halford is struggling, then the little empire he’s put together might be crumbling. We had good relationships with those clients he basically stole right out from under us. And if they’re not getting their needs met, then we have a good chance of bringing them back into the fold, Weston explained.

I never knew you could be so underhanded, Delphine said, looking at her friend with new eyes.

It’s not underhanded. The man asked for a meeting. I’m going to give it to him; that’s all.

That’s all my foot! Delphine snorted. Weston if you’re wrong, you could lose everything. Having a client like The Halford Group could open doors for Cox & Company that it would take years to open up on your own. And as much as their acquisitions hurt your bottom line, it’s not like they did anything illegal. So maybe when you take that meeting, you should really listen. What would be so bad about having them as a client?

Only the fact that I’d likely hurl at the thought of helping them succeed just so they could devour more companies. They’re becoming a freaking monopoly Delphine in case you’ve forgotten how many companies they’ve gobbled up the last few years! Weston screeched childishly.

Monopoly or not missy, the way I see it, you practically don’t have a choice but to work with them—not if you want to save your company. I mean, I love the smaller mom and pop businesses as much as anyone. Hell, a lot of them are my clients too. But the cold, hard truth is, they don’t pay the bills like the corporate accounts do Weston – and you know it. Ironically, working with the biggies like Halford is what makes it possible to service the smaller accounts. Look, Delphine continued as Weston shrugged off what she was saying, I’m the one robbing Peter the electric man to pay Paul the payroll man every week for you – and let me tell ya, it’s not easy. In fact, in about eight weeks, Peter and Paul are going to be standing at the door at the same time demanding payment, and you’re going to have to turn one of them away – or let at least some staff go, Delphine reminded her.

I know, Weston said, leaning back in her chair in exasperation. "You know I know. I can’t believe it’s come to this point. They say the average citizen is just a couple of paychecks away from being tossed out on the street. Well the same is true for small businesses in this country too. I can’t believe I’ve only got enough reserves for a  couple of months at most. ... It’s one of the reasons I’m meeting with Ms. Oliver later today. She was dad’s account executive at Community One for 35 years. I’m hoping that that relationship counted for something and the bank can extend our line of credit. All we need is just a few more months – six at the most – and I know I could turn things around."

"Weston I know the pressure you’re under. And I know you’re loyal to your team, but whether it all works out at the bank today or not, you need to put your pride – and your loyalty – aside and start to think about the numbers, and only the numbers. I told you almost a year ago that you needed to get lean and mean. And if that means letting some staff go, then so be it. If that means working with someone like Halford, then so be it. It’s business. People are let go all the time, and companies get in bed with other companies they aren’t exactly keen on all the time. If you have a shot at landing this Halford account, take it, if for no other reason than you won’t have to let anyone go – at least not for the time being."

Now I know why dad didn’t keep number crunchers around – all you all think about is what’s on the balance sheet. There are real people behind those numbers Delphine, Weston responded to her friend defensively.

I know there are real people behind the numbers, which is why knowing the numbers is so dat gun important, Delphine returned in exasperation. "The numbers tell you if your people will have a job next week; if you will be able to pay your mortgage next month; and if you’ll be able to hire more people jobs in six months or a year. The numbers drive what you can afford to offer people – or not offer them, in your case. As much as it pains me to say it Weston, Cox & Company is in real danger