Lara: Billionaire Ladies Club, #2

By Jo Carey

Lara Bedford, billionaire heiress and CEO of the Bedford Hotels Group, has never had to want for anything until she finds herself falling for one of her bodyguards. Ben is almost too good to be true and stuck on the fact that she asked him to be her pretend date to get her meddling mother to stop setting her up. Can she convince him that they have a real connection?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Feb 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386049739

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Darling, I'm so glad you're here, Mrs. Bedford said as she exchanged air kisses with her daughter Lara.

What's going on, mother? Your message said it was urgent that I be here tonight. Lara wasn't sure what she expected, but her mother seemed entirely too relaxed if there was some sort of family or business crisis that required Lara's attention.

Sit down, dear. Gerald, bring Lara a glass of burgundy please.

The butler who'd been standing inconspicuously in the back of the room, stepped behind the bar and selected a bottle of burgundy. He pulled a wine glass from under the bar and filled it to half with the dark red liquid.

Mother, why am I here?

Lara saw her mother's maid scurry past the doorway in response to the sound of the doorbell. Her mother's expression gave nothing away. The maid walked in followed by a handsome man wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal grey suit with a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie.

The maid turned on her heel and left. Richard, I'm so glad you could come, Mrs. Bedford said, as the man bent to kiss her cheek.

Lara, I'd like you to meet Dr. Richard Crenshaw. Richard, this is my daughter, Lara. He stepped in front of Lara and shook her hand.

It's nice to meet you, Lara. I've heard a lot about you, he said.

How do you know my mother? Lara asked.

Richard's mother is on the hospital board with me. I'm surprised you two haven't met before. Richard is a surgeon.

Lara excused herself and headed into the library. Is there anything I can help you with Ms. Lara? the butler asked as she passed.

Could you please discreetly bring my mother in? I need to speak with her in private.

A couple of minutes later, Lara turned to face her mother. What's going on? Mrs. Bedford asked. It's inappropriate to leave our guest alone.

You said it was critical that I came to see you tonight. Are you having a medical issue of some kind?

Her mother placed a comforting hand on her daughter's arm. Of course not, dear. I'm sorry to worry you. I'm in good health.

Then what problem do we need to discuss that requires consultation with Dr. Crenshaw.

Richard isn't here to consult. He's joining us for dinner.

Lara blew out an exasperated breath. Mother, are you trying to set me up again?

Of course not, Ms. Bedford said. I just thought it would be nice to have someone new to participate in our dinner conversation.

By the time the two women headed back to the living room, dinner was ready. Richard followed them into the dining room and pulled out Mrs. Bedford's chair for her. Rather than wait as she knew her mother wanted, Lara seated herself.

At every opportunity, Lara's mother tried to draw her into conversation with Richard. Lara was cordial but did nothing to encourage his interest in her. It really was too bad. He seemed like a nice man, and he was very good looking. The problem was that he was the type of man everyone, including Lara's mother, expected her to date. Although Lara was sure he was successful in his own right, her mother made sure to mention his family.

When Lara turned 36, she promised herself she wasn't going to waste any of her increasingly limited free time dating men she didn't find truly intriguing. Now that her mother retired and left Lara in charge of the company, she had even less time for a social life. Lara couldn't remember the last time she met a man she thought was worth making time for.

Lara vowed to have another long talk with her mother about letting her choose her own dates, but she would postpone that discussion as long as possible. It wouldn't be the first time the two had words on the topic, and she