Their Secret Rendezvous: The Reclusive Multimillionaire, #3

By Julia Imari

Ryan Eastbrook's set on winning the Chianti Resort's golf tournament. Nothing can stop his determination. But when a sexy brunette tosses him a personalized pink golf ball, his concentration falters. Did his competitive brothers conspire by sending her to distract him? With fierce resolve and laser-sharp focus, he wins. And now, he wants to thank her, and make good on the winning prize she promised. She intrigues him more than he’ll admit.

Lauren Ross, operations manager, seeks to rebuild her life after a painful divorce. When she learns her college crush, Ryan, will play in the tournament, she arranges an impressive arrival ceremony for the golfers. Although he’s aloof and indifferent toward her, she welcomes him with a frangipani garland, and later hands him a golf ball with a motivational phrase. But her gesture backfires and she loses her job. To make matters worse, he intends to claim his victory kiss. Although saying no to his invitation is easy, denying her attraction is challenging. If she agrees, she risks getting her heart broken again.

Their Secret Rendezvous is the third book in The Reclusive Multimillionaire Series. If you like a hardworking heroine and an empathetic hero, you’ll fall in love with Lauren and Ryan.

Their Secret Rendezvous is a sweet and romantic standalone contemporary romance novel.

The Reclusive Multimillionaire Series (The Eastbrook Boys):
THEIR SECRET DEAL (Book 1)
THEIR SECRET DESIRE (Book 2)

• Language: English
• Publisher: PaulJulia Press
• Release date: Feb 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386567684

Book preview

Chapter One

LAUREN ROSS STOOD perfectly still in front of the entrance of the Chianti, the five-star resort where she worked. Her fingers linked tightly behind her back, she waited for the man she hadn’t seen since graduating more than three years ago. She wasn’t the only one standing in the line, as she had instructed her staff to greet the arriving golfers. They would be staying at the resort to compete for the tournament. As golf course operations manager, Lauren's focus today was to ensure the players were greeted properly and felt welcome. She had ten employees working with her for this special tournament.

On this particular morning, she wanted to pay special attention to him. The man she targeted, Ryan Eastbrook, would be arriving any minute now, and she wanted to personally greet him. She pressed her palm on her stomach, willing herself to calm the excitement that threatened to surface. Emotionally beaten up over the last six months, she welcomed this sweet distraction.

Half a year ago, her dream of having a family of her own came to an end when her divorce was finalized. The conclusion had frozen her mind and numbed her heart. She knew it was all for the better, as she could now start her life fresh. And yet, she struggled trying to move forward. The pain of the failed relationship lessened as the days passed by. Unfortunately, she often crossed paths with her ex, Craig. If she slacked and didn’t plan her routine around the lunch hour, she would run into him, as they both worked at the Chianti. At least he worked in another wing of the complex in the finance department.

Last month, while contemplating finding another job to alleviate the stress of seeing Craig, Lauren came across an awfully familiar-looking face in an article in the featured entrepreneur section of a national business newspaper. She read it closely and had cupped her face reading the name of an old friend. Destiny Scott! She knew her, as they had worked together at that terrible fast-food restaurant on campus during their sophomore year. But after two semesters, Des dropped out, leaving Lauren alone without a good friend for months. Now, out of nowhere, Des reappeared after having vanished for almost four years, and this time as a prospective millionaire! According to the article, the sales of her invention would reach her target profit in a few months.

Without any shame, Lauren googled Des, visited her website and phoned her, hoping to catch up with their friendship. And what did she know, a week later Des returned her call, and they were screaming and laughing like it was good times at the university all over again.

A commotion outside the hotel caught her attention. Murmurs amongst the staff grew louder as two buses jerked to a stop in front of the hotel entrance. The golf players trickled out from each bus. A group of bellboys brought their suitcases and golf equipment out of the buses, making the scene chaotic. Upon entering the lobby, the greeters welcomed the players with smiles and hung garlands around their necks. They smiled back in surprise and threw many thank-yous. Lauren didn’t see the face she was looking for. The first batch of players was older and the man she had in mind was about her age, or at most a year younger.

The third and last bus glided slowly to a stop in front of the sliding entry door. Lauren craned her neck, watching the players come out in batches. Instead of coming inside, they stood on the sidewalk and waited. They looked younger and eager to get the tournament underway. Only after a few of their fellow players rejoined them did they enter. The greeters became louder, calling each of the player’s names. A number of these younger players had played the Chianti golf course every summer.

Then she saw him.

He was the last person to get off the bus and strode toward the lobby with his duffel bag. As he came closer, toward her and the assembled greeters, she wasn’t prepared for what she saw. Ryan had turned out to be amazingly handsome. His lanky frame had been replaced with a tall, sculpted physique. His broad and taut shoulders strained against his long-sleeved shirt, with the tails haphazardly tucked in. His belt buckle looked sexy holding his dark jeans in place, showing his perfect, masculine body. The jeans emphasized his long and muscular legs. Her heart beat wildly. It looked like her crush on him was still alive and kicking. Because of his aviator sunglasses, she couldn’t see his eyes. And that disappointed her. Were his eyes as blue as they were when he came up the restaurant counter to pay for his order back then? She wanted to see. His face was chiseled, with a shadow of hair darkening his jaw.

As if appreciating all the attention, he stopped and smiled at all those around him. He nodded at the greeters, who giggled in unison. And the time arrived when he stepped closer and closer to her. A sinking feeling hit her unexpectedly, and she wondered why. Probably because he was a dream, and she could only wish it would come true.

Good afternoon, Mr. Eastbrook! she said, smiling. Welcome to the Chianti Hotel & Resort.

He stopped right in front of her as she lifted the garland. Acknowledging her intent, he bent down slightly. She caught a whiff of the woodsy and smoky smell of his cologne. The scent seeped into her brain and she lost focus. When she put the string of fresh frangipani and honeysuckle over his head, her hands accidentally brushed against his hair and shoulders. She stepped back and her face felt hot. If you need anything while you're here, just let me know.

His eyebrows lifted. Thank you, he said and brought a clump of fragrant petals up to his nose. He smiled again, then proceeded to follow the rest of the players to the front desk for check-in. Her gaze followed him. His narrow waist and fitted jeans emphasized his fine bottom.

He’s a heartbreaker.

She threw a nervous laugh when she realized all eyes were on her. Well, that’s him. The one I mentioned to you, ladies.

I don’t know if asking him to see you if he needs anything is a good idea, Lauren, Brenda remarked. You know the rules around here.

Lauren sighed. I know. But, hey, she said, patting Brenda’s upper arm. I just want to say hi. That’s all.

By touching him? Brenda’s eyes squinted. But, whatever.

It wasn’t intentional, Brenda. Lauren had concocted this greeting with garlands for the golfers. Brenda was completely against it, and yet, Lauren did it anyway and purposely became one of the greeters. She didn’t think what she did would be a breach of hotel policy. Distracting players from focusing on the tournament would be a violation of policy, and she understood that. Still, she was happy to finally be able to say hi to her longtime crush.

Now that all players who were confirmed for the tournament had arrived, been checked in by the desk staff and assigned rooms, Lauren returned to her cubicle to resume administrative work. She had to make sure all the players’ comforts and needs would be met. Otherwise, she would get the flak if players complained. This type of work had become second nature to her, as she had been with the hotel for almost four years. After graduating with a degree in communications, she’d applied for jobs around New York City, but her luck had happened to be elsewhere than the Big Apple. The Chianti Hotel & Resort hired her to assist the manager of the golf course—especially where the charity tournaments were concerned.

The thought of her ex brought sadness into her mind, and she wanted nothing of that. Forcing herself to think about something positive, she texted Des.

I saw him. I said hi! He’s so different from what I remember. Now, I don’t know what to do. Do you have any ideas?

She received Des’s reply later that afternoon.

Just talk to him.

Staring at Des’s response, she realized that it wouldn’t be possible. Players came to Chianti to play golf. And golf is a game that is ninety percent mental and only ten percent physical. Interrupting his train of thought and mental preparation by talking to him could cost her job. And she didn’t want to lose it, especially not now. But, Lauren, you just hinted that he can speak to you if he has a question or problem. Didn’t you? That was different. She wouldn’t initiate the talking. He would.

Des was the one who’d told her Ryan would be competing in the tournament. Both had exchanged stories about what happened after Des dropped out from the university. Lauren’s eyes watered when Des explained the reason for her abrupt disappearance. For Heaven’s sake, you could’ve told me, Des, she scolded.

There was nothing you could do, Lauren. We were both students, remember?

She sighed. Yeah, I know. But at least you could have talked to me about your difficulties.

I’m sorry. I should’ve, but I didn’t have time to talk to anyone when I was preoccupied trying to survive.

She understood what Des meant. Her life wasn’t a bed of roses either, but at least she had a mother and a younger sister. Which, when she thought about it, brought a bitter taste to her mouth. Growing up with her new family caused a lot of pain and stress. When her dad remarried, she had looked forward to having a nice stepmother and stepsister.

At first, she didn’t understand why she was penalized for things her stepsister did. Her friends were restricted to one or none at all. When her father died of lung cancer, her stepmother exercised full power to control her. At fifteen, she could only look at her friends with envy. They had everything—nice and trendy clothes, lots of money and attractive boyfriends. She had nothing but the clothes her stepsister, Agnes, had discarded. With her scrawny size, her sister’s large clothes had swallowed her entire frame. But, nonetheless, she was grateful to have a mother.

In addition to going to school, she had to clean the house and prepare meals for them. She had become a maid in her own house. When people talked or mentioned anything about Cinderella back then, she would laugh. She was desperate to escape; she would do anything to get away from their controlling behavior. She could hardly wait to turn eighteen so she could go away to college and be far from her stepmother and stepsister.

But that didn’t happen. Although she was a hundred miles from their home in Connecticut, these two would often come to New York City to visit her at the apartment she shared with two other students in lower Manhattan and insult her with their criticism and disapproval. "Your room stinks, Loren. And where did you get this horrendous-looking furniture? At the curb of Orchard Street?" her mom had said. She thumbed her phone without seeing the content as her mind was busy trying to block the pain her mother dished out. She learned to compartmentalize their criticism. She buried the pain inside, so she could smile at both of them, as if their words meant nothing.

Years ago, when she got the job at the fast-food restaurant on campus and first met Des, she could relate to her right away. They both carried deep secrets and pretended to be happy with the outside world. Although they never talked about it, they were aware of each other’s privacy, and each had an uncanny understanding of not intruding upon the other’s personal space. That probably explained why they were attracted to the twins, Des being smitten by Jordan, and she Ryan. Basically, it came down to competing for the same man—who happened to be a twin!

I noticed you mentioned Jordan’s name in the interview I read in the business paper. Are you with him now? she had asked Des.

Yes. And I’m still pinching myself because it’s too good to be true, was her answer.

Lauren couldn’t be happier. Des’s dream finally came through, and how did she rope the poor guy? Lauren could only imagine. Although she had known Des for a short period, she had no doubt that Des would be successful someday. Her work ethic showed her real personality. Des was a trooper.

So, what about you? Do you still have a crush on Ryan? Des probed.

She sighed. Yes. He was the first man who caught my attention. How’s he doing?

Des filled her with news about Ryan and what he was doing at the Eastbrook investment firm. He had become an avid golfer, now that his two brothers were no longer hanging out with him at bars and clubs on a regular basis. He looks lonely, Lauren ... if you want to know the truth. So, maybe this is a perfect time for you to approach him, Des suggested.

Are you sure about this? He’ll probably give me a weird look like I’m nuts. He was still quiet and reserved—Des had confirmed it. Ryan wasn’t as talkative as his twin brother, and he liked to keep his thoughts and emotions to himself.

Such a mysterious man.

He’s going to Maine in two weeks. There’s a tournament there, and if he wins it, the money will go to his mother’s charity organization—The Children’s Spinal Rehab Organization.

Lauren put her hand on top of her head. I’m working at the resort where the tournament is being held! She was so immersed in misery over her recent divorce that she worked with numbness in her mind. But now, hearing what Des had just mentioned, her focus shifted to something she’d never thought of doing—revisiting her old crush. She couldn’t move forward with all the pain she was currently going through, and, well, why not return to that moment when she was happy and innocent?

Chapter Two

RYAN EASTBROOK DROPPED himself onto the plum-colored duvet over the thick and luxurious mattress. Linking his fingers comfortably behind his head, he recalled the woman’s friendly face. The name on the tag pinned below her shirt collar said L. Ross. So, Ms. Ross. Hmm…. He sensed that she had targeted him on purpose. But why? He didn’t really pay any attention to the greeters' transparent and open invitations to be more than just a friendly smile. But on this particular occasion, he wanted to focus strictly on the tournament. He wanted to prove to his brothers, Mark and Jordan, that he could be more than just the youngest brother in the family.

He wanted to own something he could proudly say was all his—something that nobody could take away. And winning this golf tournament was a start in that direction. Up to this time, he had remained in the shadows of his more popular and accomplished brothers, and he was sick and tired of it. He wanted to make his own name. Maybe he was too ambitious, but it was time for him to venture out on his own. And what could be more perfect than to participate in and win this tournament?

Now, he started to doubt if his focus could last for ninety-six straight hours. For the past year, he’d been an avid amateur golfer. And he learned fast. In