Duty or Desire: A BWWM Second Chance Billionaire Romane

By D.M. Bryce

They almost had a future… 

Courtney Hollis loved Andrew Stanton more than she'd ever loved any man before or since. Their break up changed her, turned her heart ice cold. In the five years since he'd chosen his father over her, she hadn't dated much and she definitely didn't date rich guys with no backbone. 

When her business partner signs Andrew and his fiancé for a 'love tour' she isn't sure how she'll be around him without breaking her heart all over again. 

They might be able to forget the past… 

Andrew Stanton made a mistake when he let his father convince him to give up Courtney and he'd paid for it every day of the five years they spent apart. But his father's latest scheme is an arranged marriage to Charlotte Temple and a love tour guaranteed to boost ratings for their shows. 

When he sets eyes on Courtney for the first time in half a decade, Andrew knows that he has to have her again. To make her his. 

Can they rekindle the flame that still burns between them? 

Note: This book contains spicy love scenes and colorful language. It is intended for 18+ readers. A sweet & sexy 15,000 word stand alone, with no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after!

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.M. Bryce
• Release date: Dec 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386356974

Book preview

1

I don’t have time for this crap, Courtney Hollis mumbled to herself and slammed the phone down. One of her junior press agents had run off this morning with a newly signed Major League baseball player, leaving her an employee short and now in charge of the launch party of Marcus Washington’s autobiography. She smoothed her black waves that were perilously close to becoming a three-foot Afro around her head and stood. Marcus was waiting in the conference room for the full star treatment. "Get it together girl, this is just another day and another problem.

Ever since she started her own public relations and marketing firm, Mirror Image PR, she knew the ball stopped with her. Courtney was perfectly alright with that since things only got done properly when she took care of it herself. Grabbing the day’s itinerary from the printer, her trusty smartphone and a legal pad, Courtney breezed out of her office and motioned for her executive assistant to follow. Marcia ran off with Donny Brockton so we’re short an agent today. I’ll be there but I’m going to rely on you a lot Steph, can you handle it?

Steph struggled to keep up with her boss’ fast strides but she was excited for the opportunity. Yes ma’am. I’m on it.

Good. For now just take notes and take care of Marcus. I’ve already reconfirmed with the bookstore and the hotel ballroom for later tonight. They breezed into the conference room where Marcus lounged in a chair with his agent nearby. Good morning, gentlemen. Are we ready for today?

Marcus nodded and stood. Courtney, you’re looking beautiful this morning. He held out his arms for a hug and laughed when she gave him a completely professional handshake.

Thank you Marcus. You clean up nice too. The female reporters and fans are going to go nuts for you, which means you’re probably going to be a bestseller by this time next week. She flashed a smile at his agent Rudy and took a seat, explaining the Marcia fiasco. So you’ll have me some of the time and Steph all day.

Marcus gave her his most charming smile, his full lips and deep dimples making him irresistible. To most women. Courtney had no problem resisting him or any other man like him. Rich men, especially the obscenely rich, lived by a different set of rules. She didn’t play their games anymore. Once bitten, twice shy and all that. You game to join me later for a nightcap?

She smiled at him. If she were younger or dumber she wouldn’t mind a night with a perfect example of the male form like Marcus. But she was older and much wiser, and not at all interested in romance. Completely. You know I don’t date my clients. It’s bad for my business and for yours. Her brown eyes went through him, making sure he heard her.

But like most wealthy men, Marcus heard only what he wanted. And if I fire you?

Courtney’s smile was full of amusement and she laughed. If you fire me Marcus I’d have to wonder about your intelligence and I don’t date dumb men. Now there will be tons of women tonight looking to hop on the Washington Train, but there’s only one of me to make sure the world knows how fabulous you are. Okay?

He nodded and flashed those dimples again. Fine, for now. But one of these days Courtney, you will be mine. He walked to her and dropped a kiss to her cheek. See you later, babe. With a final wink he was strolling out of the conference room, with Steph hot on his tail.

Keep our boy in line Rudy.

Always. He tipped his imaginary hat to her and trotted out after Marcus and Steph.

Courtney shook her head in amusement and when Rudy was out of her sight, she sagged back into the plush leather chair with the mesh back. It had taken a lot of time and money to build up her PR firm into a company she was proud of, and she was extremely proud of all she had accomplished in the aftermath of incredible heartbreak. Ancient history, she reminded herself as she always did when her thoughts strayed to Andrew Stanton and the way he’d ripped her heart out. Enough, she said and stood, making her way back to her office for a few moments of silence before her crazy day got started.

Hey babe, did you finally say yes? I saw Marcus Washington swaggering out of here.

She smiled up at her best friend and VP of Mirror Image, David Cortez. "You have