CEO's Widow

By Tina Gayle

After surviving the grief from her husband’s death, Marianne Clark has built a new life with the help of the other Executive Wives. She plans to enjoy grandchildren and friends until her doctor tells her he found a lump in her breast. Her world turned upside down. She re-evaluates her priorities and decides she grab hold of life with both hands.
Knox Turner lost is first wife to cancer. He’s determined not to let Marianne face this challenge alone.
Can this couple face the trials ahead and build a future together?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tina Gayle
• Release date: Sep 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370363414

Tina Gayle

Married twenty-five years, Tina Gayle and her husband love to travel and can’t wait for Mike to retire so they can do it more. Always working on perfecting her craft, Tina is a member of RWA, attends writing conferences, and can be found in a number of writing classes. She also loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at tinagayle (at) roadrunner.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

You know some people would accuse me of spoiling you by picking up your dry cleaning. Marianne Clark halted after crossing the threshold into Knox Turner’s office. Her gaze quickly scanned the space to his desk, his two guest chairs empty. She smiled and narrowed her focus to his handsome face. Her palms itched with the desire to run her fingers through his rich, dark-brown hair. The silver strands at his temples tempted, triggering a hunger to be close enough to touch. Her feet automatically stepped forward. Excitement raced through her, and she forced herself to a stop.

A teasing grin widened over his face. Sparks lit his pale blue eyes. He pushed back his chair and walked around his desk. His gaze landed on the bob cut of her hair and shifted down her body.

She fumbled with the floral scarf at her neck and flattened the ruffle collar of her blue business suit. With his broad shoulders encased in a white dress-shirt, his tone form reflected a much younger physique than his actual age.

His peruse continued down the length of her straight skirt, along her legs and ended on her black patent leather heels. He tilted his head. His wicked smile turned her inside to mush. Now, sweetheart, you’re the only one I’ve allowed such pleasures, besides you volunteered.

He relieved her of the plastic-wrapped bundle and drew her farther into the room before he closed the door and hung the hangers on the hook on the backside. Then in his normal assertive manner, he caught her waist and drew her flush against his body.

Incapable of opposing his advances, Marianne set a hand on his chest and absorbed the pleasure of being in this man’s arms again. Too bad the bliss couldn’t last longer. He needed to get back to work. She had errands to run. Knox, you’re making it harder and harder to resist you.

Then don’t. We’ve both had more than enough time to know what we want. Jack and Betty both died almost two years ago. We need to move on. He caressed a hand along her back, easing her body even closer to the hard line of his.

Marianne smiled. She’d known him for years as her husband’s boss and respected him for all he’d accomplished in the business world. Her hang-up over their age difference grew less and less important as time passed. Shouldn’t we at least date a few other people first? Test the waters. Make sure we’re not making a mistake by latching onto the first person we’re attracted to.

Good, so you admit you find me attractive? He lowered his head and nuzzled the side of her neck, playfully nipping at her ear.

She sighed. His tantalizing touch and the deep rumble of his voice tempted her into sliding her hand along the back of his neck. Her fingers slid through his silky hair, and she marveled at the sensual thrill of being so close to him. For months now, she’d convinced herself her life was full enough with just her kids and grandkids.

If her other friends hadn’t remarried, she might have been able to maintain the lie to herself. Now, though, when she attended events with her friends, their husbands were included, leaving her odd man out, unless Knox agreed to come along to round out the numbers.

Everyone expected them to get together. She cared a great deal about him and longed to give in to their mutual attraction, but she required him to be certain he needed only her. She wiggled, uncertain what she should do. Yes, well, Ursula Brooks seemed very taken with you the other night when we bumped into her at dinner. She even told me later, when I saw her at the gym to give you her number.

Not happening, I have the woman I want, right here in my arms. He nailed her with his gaze. A serious light glinted in the depths. I want only you.

Without warning, her resistant melted under the passion reflected in his eyes. Why was she refusing such a wonderful man?

Was she crazy?

Tunneling her fingers deeper through his hair, she held his face inches from hers. Until the day one of us dies?

Yes, though we have years until anything like that will happen to either of us. His sweet, peppermint breath brushed her lips, igniting a longing for his kiss.

Not willing to argue, she covered his mouth with hers. Oh, wow, even at almost sixty, she felt her body ignite with longing. A deep hunger spread through her core as he held her tight against his body. The difference in their height, his topping six-feet, had her rocking onto her toes, stretching up off her four-inch heels.

Was it right for a woman her age to experience the same unquenchable yearning she had in her youth?

To daze by her reaction to hold back, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sank further into his embrace.

He deepened the kiss. His tongue darted quickly between the seam of her lips and stole the air from her lungs.

She quivered in his arms while her hands shifted to his shoulders. Her fingers dug into the crisp fabric of his shirt, creasing it. Nails bit into his flesh breaking skin if not for the thin barrier.

All the reason for not becoming involved with him flew out of her head. She realized at that moment the true futility of her attempts. He not only knew her weakness when it came to family and friends, but he had incredible perseverance. Each time she built a wall between them, he shifted tactics. Like now, she’d expected one of their normal light kisses. Instead, he’d unleashed a passion, she found impossible to defy.

The slow glide of his hands across her hips sent her heart beating into overdrive. He drew her closer and angled her body for maximum impact with his. Need sliced through her, glorying in the hard length of him against her neglected sex.

Shocked by his desire and her body’s response to it, she broke her mouth away and gasped for air. Her heels hit the ground. She lowered her head to his chest, fighting to recover some semblance of composure.

A knock sounded on the door.

Knox’s arms tightened around her. I’m busy.

Sorry, Knox but you told me to remind you of your conference call with Mr. Foster at ten. The muffled voice informed him through the partition.

Thanks. His gruff tone revealed his unhappiness with the interruption.

Marianne silently thanked his secretary for the reprieve. This was not the time or the place for her to let things get out of hand.

Sorry, sweetheart, but I can’t reschedule this meeting. We’re in the middle of negotiations for the sale of Foster’s company. Knox drew back, tilting his head slightly and stared into her face.

A chuckle of delight rang from him. Wow, I never thought I’d see the unshakeable matriarch of the executive wives’ club blush.

She stiffened and pressed her hands against his chest, not necessarily taking offense at the comment but not completely at ease with it either. I better leave. You have work to do. I also have an appointment here in a little bit, too.

He released his grip, yet didn’t step away, effectively pinning her between him and the door. Why don’t we have dinner tonight?

Hoping for more time to come to terms with where their relationship was heading, she shook her head. Her hand found and closed over the smooth metal of the doorknob at her back. Sorry, I can’t. Remember, I’m meeting with the other executive wives’ this evening.

Can’t you cancel? It’s not like you haven’t seen them in forever. You guys meet every week, he grumbled and stepped to one side to allow room for her to open the door.

Marianne balked at not going. These women were her friends. The lifeline that had preserved her sanity after Jack died. They’d all lost their husbands in the same car wreck and had relied on one another through the difficult period. Tonight’s different. It’s the first time in perhaps months where the kids won’t be there. Jason and Hagan have agreed to watch them at Brie’s house while we meet at Jen’s.

Pleased her son, Jason had offered to do this for his wife, Brie, and the rest of the club, Marianne didn’t want to change her plans. We can get together tomorrow night.

He captured her hand and kept her from stepping through the doorway. No, I’m supposed to have dinner with our kids Thursday evening. Your son has decided we should work through the problem of him dating my daughter. Knox frowned and ran his other hand down the front of his tie. Not that it’ll decrease the age difference between them, but I said I’d do it to make Lyndsey happy.

Travis might be ten years older than her, but you’re seven years younger than me. How is one different than the other? Marianne tugged free and turned, uninterested in rehashing the old argument between them. He always claimed it created more problems when couples were younger than it did at their age. She didn’t agree.

Wait—

Marianne, what are you doing here? Sylvia Wilshire stood in the middle of the hallway. Tall and slender, she offered a radiant smile and brushed a wayward hand through her dark auburn hair. As beautiful as ever, Marianne couldn’t help but marvel at how her friend had changed in the last two years. She’d lost more than a hundred pounds and had married Vince Wilshire. He also happened to be an executive for Knox, the same type of position both of their deceased husbands had held.

Sylvia strolled forward with the grace of a model, her green-eyed gaze full of curiosity. I just drop by to talk to Vince for a minute.

The man in question walked through the doorway of another office. He winked at Marianne and slid an arm around Sylvia’s shoulder. It appears these two beauties are keeping us from our conference call.

Damn, Knox groaned and checked his watch. We better get in there before Foster has a cow because we’re late.

Marianne stepped aside to give him room to walk around her.

He paused next to her and glared. I’ll call you later, and we’ll work out a time for us to get together.

Tempted to disagree with his plan, she proposed instead, As long as it doesn’t interfere with my other social plans.

He groaned and dropped a kiss on her cheek. Someday I’m going to be the first and last thing you see every day. Then your activity calendar won’t matter.

She lifted her hand ready to point out how he shouldn’t say things like that to her in front of their friends. Knox—

Vince tugged on Knox’s arm and interrupted, Come on, buddy before you get yourself in more trouble than you can get out of.

Knox’s gaze stayed glued to hers a moment longer, exposing his resolve to continue the conversation later. He turned, nodded at Sylvia, and hurried down the hall to the meeting room.

Marianne breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she’d hear from him as soon as he finished his conference call. The man didn’t own and run a successful business by letting grass grow under his feet.

So I take it Knox has finally decided he’s tired of waiting and ready to tie the knot. Sylvia’s grin revealed the humor she found in the situation.

He can believe whatever he wants. Convincing me of that inevitability might take a little longer. Marianne stalked past her friend and didn’t bother to glance at the closed conference room door as she shoved open the door to the lobby.

Then if he asked, you wouldn’t agree to marry him? Sylvia’s question nipped at Marianne’s heels, making her reanalyze the real reason behind her trying to keep Knox at bay. Did she really wish to put her heart on the line again? She almost died when Jack passed away so suddenly.

Could she risk loving someone else that much?

Chapter Two

So how was your boobies smashing visit? Sylvia tipped her wine glass in Marianne’s direction and sat down in the other wingback chair by the fire. Personally, I credit them with developing the mammogram as a way to torture women.

The soothing ambiance of Jen’s elegantly decorated home helped Marianne calm down from the hectic day she’d endured. The cream-colored walls stood as a pleasing background to the turquoise and rust accents scattered around the room.

All day, she’d hurried from one appointment to another. After leaving Knox, she’d met with her financial advisor. Luckily, they finished up in time for her to make it to lunch with an old friend. After taking care of a few small errands, she managed to squeak out enough time for a quick shower before she rushed back out. She’d arrived a few minutes behind the other executive wives.

Now, thankfully, she could simply relax and enjoy the company of her friends. Lifting her glass in a silent salute, Marianne smiled, happy to have gotten that particular chore out of the way a couple of days ago. So far so good, I’ll probably get the results tomorrow when I go in for my annual blood test for my thyroid medicine.

I wish those pills didn’t have that requirement. Brie lifted a tray of treats from the breakfast nook table and walked into the room. Her rubber soles of her sneakers squeaked on the wood floor. Undisturbed by the noise, she brushed back her long blonde hair and grinned. Her bright blue eyes reflecting her pleasure at having a night away from the responsibility of raising three children. With her short stature and youthful image, most people would never imagine her being old enough to have children.

Lowering the platter to the coffee table, Brie dropped onto the floral sofa and stretched out her arms. Her sleek curves outlined by her knit blouse and faded jeans left Marianne with no doubts why her son had chosen her for his wife.

Brie sank into the couch and tucked her hands behind her head as if she didn’t have a single worry in the world.

Smiling, Marianne studied the other women in the room. The four musketeers as she secretly referred to them had gone through so much together. With each other’s help, they’d prevailed. Tonight, dressed casually in jeans and sweatshirts, they gave the impression of being a mismatched band of hooligans, who had nothing in common.

Closest in age to her, Sylvia was just approaching fifty and completely different from the rest of them. Towering over all of them at almost six feet, she’d lost her linebacker big quality by losing weight, but she’d maintained her in-your-face personality. Always a force to be reckoned with, she stood beside each of them during rough times. If they had a problem, she’d be the first to research the problem and offer suggestions whether they asked for the help or not. Yet, none of them could deny, she was a very loyal friend.

Smiling at the hand-painted design on Sylvia’s shirt, Marianne refocused her attention to the last woman in the group. Tall and displaying a natural grace Marianne couldn’t help but envy, Jen strolled in from the kitchen.

Over the last few months, her body had filled out as her happiness increased. In her early thirties, she had intelligent brown eyes and could size people up in a matter of moments. Different in coloring from the other two women, she had light brown hair that just brushed the curve of her jaw. The golden tan, she acquired during the summer highlighted her broad smile, and her natural appeal enchanted everyone she met.

Perching on the arm of the sofa, she tapped Brie on the shoulder. I can’t imagine how we convinced Jason and Hagan to take care of the kids tonight. Though, I’m expecting Robbie to be a bear tomorrow. He tends to get that way after spending time with your rowdy kids.

Brie giggled and slipped across the sofa, allowing her friend enough room to make herself comfortable. Maybe, if he didn’t chase after my daughter, he wouldn’t get so tired.

Isn’t it the truth, that boy is completely smitten with Isabella. He’s so much like his father at times I just have to laugh. Sylvia shook her head and smiled at Jen.

Marianne admired how the two women handled the situation regarding Robbie. As his adopted mother, Jen didn’t appear to mind sharing the boy. While Sylvia didn’t seem to hold the fact, he was the love child of her deceased husband and his mistress against the toddler either.

Makes you wonder if he’ll still care for her so much once they’re out of diapers. Marianne leaned back in her chair, happy Jen had lit a fire for the evening. Yes, it might still be autumn but the nights were getting progressively chillier.

Jen smiled and scooted onto the sofa beside Brie. Her gaze darted to Sylvia and lit up with mischief. It makes one wonder if other relationships might have a chance at working out too.

Marianne lifted her glass to sip her wine, hoping to avoid this conversation. Did Sylvia tell them anything regarding her encounter with Knox earlier?

Of course, she did. This group kept no secrets from each other.

To divert the questions away from her and Knox, Marianne proposed instead, Yes, well, Travis and Lyndsey are having dinner with Knox tomorrow night. From what Travis is telling me, he’s hoping to convince Knox his intentions are honorable.

Are they? Brie shifted to the edge of the couch and napped a cookie off the tray of treats. Jason has been telling me for the last two years he doesn’t believe Travis will ever get married.

Marianne shrugged, wondering if Travis understood the problems, he’d face by becoming involved with Lyndsey. The girl didn’t appear to have any goals in life. I’ve had my doubts too and asked him on numerous occasions if he’s sure she is right for him.

Yes, but what guy wouldn’t long to have her in his bed? The girl is gorgeous. Not counting her father is loaded, Sylvia added in her normal brass fashion. Sorry, but she also doesn’t have a clue what she wants in life. Travis might be just setting himself up for heartache.

Having pondered the same point, Marianne crossed her legs and studied the heel of her black boots. For months now, she’d attempted to convince her son to back off and simply be Lyndsey’s friend. He’d dated her, had even kept it light, but he couldn’t seem to leave her alone. If he’d decided, he desired her then nothing would keep him from pursuing her.

Unfortunately, they’re both old enough to make their own decisions. We’ll just have to be there for the fallout, Marianne mumbled and toyed with her glass.

What about you and Knox? Is Travis and Lyndsey’s relationship still causing problems between you two?

In response to Brie’s questions, Marianne lifted her gaze, uncertain how to explain the true reason for not becoming involved with Knox.

He seemed determined today to put an end to the stand-off, Sylvia inserted, her tone reflecting her amusement of the moment.

Brie captured Marianne’s gaze and slowly shook her head. You’re still not over Jack, are you?

Jen swiveled her head, first to Brie, then back to stare at Marianne. Oh, no, that can’t be.

Awe shit, Sylvia muttered and turned in her chair.

All eyes locked on her. Marianne dropped her chin and fought for something to say to ease her friends’ concern.

I knew it, you assume because you’re interested in Knox you’re somehow being unfaithful to Jack. Sylvia clasped her hand around Marianne’s forearm. Well, you’re not. Jack would understand. Hell, if he were in your shoes, he’d have already remarried.

Sylvia, you’re not helping, Brie’s comment alerted Marianne to the girl’s close proximity before she dropped a hand on Marianne’s knee. You’re allowed to be happy.

Unable to hold back the tears, Marianne drew in a breath and stared at the girl kneeling at her feet. How can I love both of them?

Brie grinned and opened her mouth to respond.

Jen interrupted, "Don’t you think