Golden Sand: Ocean Sands Series, #2

By C.J. Miller

Cinderella romances don't exist for single moms.

The hardworking single mom...

Eden Bell thought she'd finally moved on from the mistakes of her past. She isn't prepared for a sexy billionaire's to come into her life. Next thing she knows, she's falling head over heels and into a relationship with him, turning both their lives upside down. 

The technology tycoon...

Dominic Russell has more money than he ever imagined, but he's missing something that money can't buy. When he meets Eden Bell, he's intrigued by the down-on-her-luck waitress. A relentless competitor, Dominic sets his sights on winning her heart.

The past that won't stay there...

When the past comes back to haunt Eden, will it tear her and Dominic apart?

Golden Sand is the second full-length contemporary romance in The Ocean Sands series. They can be read in any order. The other books in the series are:

1. Starlit Sand (A Rockstar Romance)
2. Golden Sand (A Billionaire Romance)
3. Midnight Sand (A Billionaire and Baby Romance)
4. Exquisite Sand (A Chef Romance)

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.J. Miller
• Release date: Feb 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386125112

C.J. Miller

***Start reading C.J. Miller's Ocean Sands Series today with Starlit Sand. You can also sign up for C.J.'s newsletter at cj-miller.com.*** C.J. Miller is the author of more than 15 contemporary romances, including the Ocean Sands Series.  She lives in Maryland with her husband and their three children. She can often be found with a book in her hand or writing one at her computer. Join C.J.’s mailing list on her website at cj-miller.com for news about her upcoming books. Follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/cjmillerromance/ or on Twitter @cjmillerwrites . Contact C.J. at cj-miller.com

Book preview

1

Dominic Russell paced the fifth-floor balcony when he needed to think. And lately, he paced all the time. To his right, a view of the ocean across the eight-lane highway, and in front of him, the local park that backed up to the bay, the red and yellow playground equipment glinting in the sun.

He’d built a career on succeeding under pressure, but he couldn’t continue this way. His first commercial video game, written and released from his studio apartment in Ocean Sands, had launched his company into the Fortune 100. His research into AI during his PhD had given him a jumping-off point. The graphics had been top-notch, and the special effects a credit to the team he’d worked with. All that meant nothing now.

Five or six children raced around the playground, with their parents or nannies watching from the perimeter. One woman stood out to him, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. He’d seen her this same time of day, every Tuesday and Thursday, several weeks in a row. His preoccupation with a stranger whose name he didn’t know, drawing him and his absolute attention, ran contrary to his other relationships. In those, he kept his distance, not enjoying the escalating drama that seemed to accompany deepening intimacy. Something about this woman beckoned to him.

Though not deliberately, he’d found himself coming to the balcony at the same time to see her for the last three weeks. Same three weeks since he’d last spoken to Ginger. She’d thrown the gauntlet, and he’d given her the truth: he wouldn’t marry her. Hanging out a couple of nights a week together had been fun, but he wasn’t in love with her. He didn’t fixate too strongly on how the loneliness might be affecting him.

His assistant, Skylar, joined him on the balcony. You’re late for the meeting.

Dominic stabbed his fingers through his hair. I’ll be there in a minute.

Skylar touched the cuff of his shirtsleeve. Why are you stressing about this?

His stress centered on the project, but he had personal issues on his mind too, which didn’t help his focus. He’d invested everything the company had in their latest AI project, a huge gamble with a possibly enormous payoff, and that weighed on him.

His pitiful personal life had started to feel like a failure rather than a deliberate choice. It’s a deficiency that we haven’t completed this project, and last week, I was the only single man in a room of thirty businesspeople. He’d attended an event at his favorite restaurant to listen to a pitch from a non-profit seeking donations.

Go to the bar and meet someone, Skylar said.

The idea exhausted him. I’m tired of the bar. I’m too old to pick up a woman and take her home for the night.

His grandmother had been pointing out his bachelor status for over a decade. Too old to date wildly inappropriate women, he wanted to take the next step. The timing had always seemed wrong, but now he needed more in his personal life than an endless stream of dates. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Since I met Ginger. He’d known it wouldn’t work in the long run, but Ginger had said she didn’t want anything serious either. Dominic had figured two commitment-phobes would end the relationship when it was no longer fun with no hurt feelings. Then Ginger’s tune had changed and she’d started asking him for more. Why he’d spent so much time with a woman who was clearly wrong for him, he couldn’t explain.

Skylar threw her hands in the air. Not Ginger again. Ginger is crazy. Forget Ginger. Please. If you want to meet a woman who could actually be your girlfriend, that has to be a bullet point on the list among others. Put ‘not crazy’ first on the list and ‘smart’ as the second. I know you. You’d be bored to tears if she wasn’t.

He’d discovered a downside to not letting a relationship progress beyond the superficial. Being single meant going home to an empty house and missing out on having someone in his corner, someone really there for him. His grandmother’s disapproval and worry bothered him too. He owed her something, more than he could ever repay. Another failed relationship.

With a lunatic.

But I picked that lunatic. Three times. Ginger had convinced him each time they broke up and got back together she didn’t want a commitment, then inevitably asked for one.

Skylar clapped him on the shoulder. Ginger is smoking hot. I see the allure. Let it go. Find someone who’s right for you. Stop making excuses about being too busy. I’ve known you long enough to know if you want something bad enough, you’ll make it happen.

Dominic’s eyes returned to the woman standing by the playground. The way she carried herself, and stood, and flicked her blonde ponytail over her shoulder. The simple actions captivated him. We’re going to be late for the meeting. Let’s go.

With one glance back at the blonde, he entered his building and strode to the conference room.

Eden’s heart pounded so hard, she thought she might pass out. She wasn’t mentally prepared for this, for seeing Jeremy walking around the park as if he had no cares in the world. She tried to appear in control and calm when she felt anything but.

Jeremy’s hands were tucked in his pockets as he strolled toward her. Same devil-may-care grin, same dark, lying eyes. Eden, hey. He glanced around, and it took Eden everything in her not to grab Caroline and flee the park. A melodramatic reaction, but in this case, it might be warranted. Why would Jeremy want to talk to her after so much time had passed?

She crossed her arms. What are you doing here?

Unless he’d moved, he lived nowhere near this park, and he had no reason to be here. Taking a walk. Your sister said I might find you here.

Crystal told you where to find me? Anyone who knew her and Jeremy’s history would know not to talk to him about her life, especially Crystal. She was one of the few people who knew about Jeremy, and she hated him as much as their parents did.

I overheard her talking to someone.

The hair stood up on the back of Eden’s neck. She didn’t want Jeremy slinking around her family or anyone she knew. What Crystal had said and why, she couldn’t guess. The damage had been done. Then you’re here to talk to me.

I’m working as a bartender now.

A big jump up from being chronically unemployed. That’s good. If he stayed at the job longer than six months, she’d be impressed. Jeremy didn’t seem especially interested in talking to Caroline, and while it irritated her, it came as no surprise and held a measure of relief. He hadn’t visited Caroline since she’d been born.

I thought we could get to know each other again, Jeremy said.

Eden lifted a brow. We know plenty about each other. Not revisiting this relationship or the inevitable sting of disappointment, Eden had zero room for additional problems in her life.

I want you to give me another chance.

Her heart thundered. Five years ago, she’d longed to hear those words. Now, they annoyed her. The past is best left there. That wasn’t even a fraction of what she wanted to say to him, but she took the high road. Had to. She had no energy to embroil herself in more trouble.

Jeremy glanced over his shoulder. I won’t give up on us.

He’d given up on them years before, and his sudden interest now struck her as utterly bizarre. Jeremy did what served himself, and unless he’d truly had a change of heart, some miraculous alteration of his personality, he didn’t care about her and Caroline. Jeremy had hurt her once, and she wouldn’t open the door and allow him to do it again. We’re better off the way we are now.

Jeremy took her arm, and Eden pulled out of his grasp.

His eyes narrowed. Don’t blow me off, Eden. I’m trying to be a good father.

That she didn’t laugh in his face was a testament to her control. I appreciate that. She walked a careful line along his temper. Let’s talk about this when I have more time. I’m going to be late for work. Happy to have the excuse, Eden called for Caroline. Caroline went down the red slide and then scampered over. She glanced at the man and said nothing, shrinking into Eden.

Eden took her daughter’s hand firmly, and they left the park.

She didn’t look back.

Dominic shifted the bag of dirt in his arms, balancing it with the potted tulip in the yellow container. His grandmother considered cut flowers a waste of money. Gran’s goal was for her yard to be covered in flowers, fence to fence. Convincing her to move into Sandy Springs Assisted Living had been a battle, but Dominic wanted her close to where he lived. Five years ago, she’d fallen, broken her hip, and lay on her bedroom floor for an entire day before someone had checked on her. After that incident, he’d insisted the family make other accommodations. Since he was paying, he received very little pushback.

He confided in his Gran most everything, leaving off details that could upset her. He didn’t mention Alpha Tech’s AI project in detail, that they hadn’t reached their milestones, that they were off schedule and hitting problems they couldn’t overcome. Those things would worry her, and she’d start talking again about looking for a job to help pay her bills. He wouldn’t let that happen.

Making sure Gran had a ground-floor apartment with a nice yard and a decent amount of sunlight had been key to gaining her agreement to move. The director of the community had approved Gran planting the area however she wished, as long as she kept it tidy. Dominic had never seen a better-looking yard. Even the people he’d hired to take care of his place didn’t keep it so nice.

Dominic stopped in to visit several times per week, and he remained pleased with the accommodations and level of service Gran received. The staff delivered her meals, tended to her laundry, and cleaned her apartment. Gran had made friends, and despite how difficult the transition had been for her, she now called Sandy Springs home.

Dominic used his key to enter her apartment, tapping on the door as he entered. Gran?

His grandmother sat on her patio beneath the hunter-green awning and stared out into the yard. The stillness and silence used to bother him. Now, he recognized it as her time to reflect, think, and pray.

Dominic spoke her name again, not wanting to surprise her.

She turned in her chair and smiled when she saw him. Stepping into the yard, he bent to kiss her cheek. Gran took the tulip from his hand and inspected it. Dominic set the bag of dirt close to the edge of the garden.

You remembered, she said, sounding genuinely pleased.

Of course. Drove to Berlin to get it from the Farmers’ Market, he said. She’d been clear she wanted local flowers only. She didn’t believe others were properly acclimated to the environment.

She rose to her feet and began the process of selecting where she’d plant it. He’d done this enough times that he didn’t require an explanation. She’d pick the spot, he’d dig the hole, place the plant inside, and she’d take care to water and tend to it.

Met yourself a nice lady yet? Gran asked, putting the pot close to another grouping of tulips and taking a step back to inspect it. Though the day was warm, she wore light blue pants and a yellow sweater over her shoulders, covering her white blouse.

They seemed big on her and he wondered if she’d been losing weight. Not in the way you mean.

She sighed. I need to see you happy. I can’t sleep at night thinking about you alone in that big house. That house was meant for a family, not for a single man on his own.

I’m happy, Gran. You’re my best girl.

She laughed. I can’t be around forever. I was married to your grandfather for forty-one years. They were the happiest of my life. You need someone to come home to. Someone to balance you. To take care of you. To be on your side no matter what. We all need that.

Dominic ignored the twist in his gut when she spoke the words. The loneliness bothered him too, but he was old enough to know that just filling the space with someone wouldn’t be right. He needed the right woman. I just broke up with someone. I need time.

Gran snorted. You were glad to be rid of her. I was too.

She had never liked Ginger, and while that hadn’t been the entire reason they’d ended the relationship, it hadn’t helped.

Olive in four-oh-two went to her granddaughter’s wedding last weekend. She gave Dominic a pointed look.

I know. You told me. Twice, and once over text.

She brought pictures and showed everyone at dinner, Gran said.

This was a familiar conversation. His thoughts flashed to the woman in the park. Silly to go overboard about someone he’d not spoken to. He’d keep a level head. When I find the right woman, I’ll marry her.

You’re getting old, Gran said.

Still in his late thirties, he had plenty of time. Not that old.

Old enough, Gran said. I’m not wrong to want you settled.

I’m working on it, Dominic said. Again, his thoughts flew to the woman in the park. What magic had she cast over him?

Gran looked at him, and her eyes narrowed. You met someone.

No one could read him the way Gran could. There’s someone on my mind. But we haven’t exactly met. I’ve seen her around.

Gran moved the tulip and inspected the new location. This is right. This is perfect. Dig here. She returned to her chair. Are you waiting for her to talk to you? Lurking around and hoping to catch her eye?

He heard the implication. His grandmother very much believed in taking the bull by the horns. I haven’t figured it out.

What do you like about her? You know better than to bring a tart around here. I’ve met enough of those.

He plunged the spade into the dirt. The way she interacts with her daughter and the other people at the park is warm and friendly.

Is she married? Gran asked, alarm in her voice.

I didn’t see a ring. Not that he could have from that distance, but why worry Gran?

Ask. Make sure she’s not. It’s not right to break up a family. It’s nice if she’s a good mother and I know why that appeals to you, but family first.

You know I wouldn’t break up a marriage. His splintered family remained the greatest source of pain in his childhood, and he’d never hurt someone else that way.

Bring her to see me soon, Gran said. I’d rest easier at night if I knew you had someone to rely on.

Most of his life, he’d relied on his grandmother. But if he said that, she’d groan and remind him again that she wouldn’t be around forever. To Dominic’s way of thinking, nothing lasted forever, and he would treasure every minute he had.

Skylar strode into Dominic’s office without knocking. She was the only person in the company who did so. She tossed a manila folder on his desk. Here.

He picked up the folder. What’s this?

The mom from the park. In good news, I think she’s single.

He opened the folder, startled to see the woman’s picture staring back at him. More beautiful close up, with wide blue eyes, a perfectly shaped nose, and a bright smile that revealed straight white teeth. Across the bridge of her nose, a light spray of freckles. Blonde hair fell past her shoulders, with long wispy bangs brushed to the side that framed her petite features. She was a mix of both stunning and sweet. How did you get this? Maybe he didn’t want to know. Skylar was resourceful and smart, and nothing got by her.

I saw you staring at her, and I found out who she was. I made a few discreet inquiries around the park. If you know who she is, it’ll be easier for you to ask her out.

Heat crept up his neck, and he loosened his tie. He’d become predictable and boring for Skylar to know exactly where his thoughts had gone. How do you know about the blonde in the park?

Skylar rolled her eyes. I know you. I saw you. I know the type you like. Pretty and put-together and a little bit uppity. She fits the bill.

Uppity? I don’t like uppity.

Skylar set her hands on Dominic’s desk. We can talk about it with a therapist if you can’t accept it. But yes, you like ’em to be a bit highbrow.

Dominic lifted the picture. Behind it, details about her life in résumé form. Her name, Eden Bell, soft and beautiful. This is creepy. You did this?

I did what I needed to get you past this Ginger breakup. I’m on your grandmother’s side. I don’t think you need to rush into anything, but call this woman. Ask her out. You want to.

She’ll think I’m a stalker. This is weird, even for you.

Then wait until she comes back to the park and talk to her. Or go have dinner at the Blue Lagoon.

That’s where she works?

Skylar grinned at him. Yup.

He’d been there a time or two but hadn’t seen her.

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, Skylar said. She’s old money and born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She doesn’t speak to her father, though. He cut her off financially. Depending on the reason why, that could invite drama.

Dominic couldn’t get into another roller-coaster relationship. He’d had his fill of that with Ginger. Anything else I need to know?

Skylar shrugged. Not that I’m going to tell you. Meet her. See if there’s anything between you when you speak to her. You might talk to her and be repulsed. You’re not going to like her if her head’s empty.

To get involved with a woman, he needed more than beauty. He was beyond thinking looking good in pictures could make up for other missing traits. I’ll have a drink at the Blue Lagoon.

Just promise me something? Skylar asked.

He waited.

If Ginger calls, don’t answer. Let her go. It’s time to move on.

Dominic walked into the Blue Lagoon and recognized the flaw in his plan. He didn’t know how to approach Eden. Mostly, women approached him. They seduced him, took off their clothes, and he did the rest. The money drew them, and while he had mixed feelings about that, it was how it was.

He couldn’t see that scenario playing out with Eden, and more than that, he didn’t want it to go that way. This time, he’d give it more than a half-assed effort.

He caught his reflection in the glass door and saw the same person he always did. The clothing and the hair were modern, thanks to Skylar and a pricey by-the-hour lifestyle consultant, but the same man, the man who was quiet and rough around the edges, stared back at him.

Almost no one knew that man anymore. He’d buried him deep. When insecurities nipped at him, he imagined that man, hungry, poor, overworked, and lonely. He’d hated that guy.

Entering the restaurant, he scanned for Eden. No sign of her. The hostess straightened as he approached and flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder. Good evening. How can I help you?

Can I get a table on the deck? he asked.

Just you? she asked.

He slid his car keys into his pocket. Just me. Thank you.

She led him to the screened-in deck to a table that overlooked the ocean. He could’ve played his cards differently and sat inside or asked to be seated in Eden’s section, if she was working tonight. But coming out took it far enough. Let fate have an opportunity to show herself or not. If he saw Eden and something happened between them, a long look, a smile, then he’d do something about it.

His waitress—not Eden—took his order and disappeared. A citronella candle in the center of the table lit the darkened deck and kept away any bugs that wiggled their way through the screens.

Disappointment struck. It was a bad idea to come here. His hunger demanded he stay, but this wouldn’t be the night he’d imagined, meeting with Eden and asking her out, the chemistry sparking and conversation easy and witty. Wings and loaded fries, an iced tea, and then he’d head home.

Then the night changed, and excitement spiked the air. He sensed her before he saw her. Turning, he caught her beautiful smile as she spoke to a table of two seated inside against the window. She was even prettier up close and in person, with bright eyes, defined cheekbones, and a graceful neck.

She looked up at him, and their gazes connected and held. He didn’t smile, though that would’ve been the friendliest thing to do. Silently, he beckoned her to come onto the deck. He was alone out here, and they’d have a few minutes of privacy to talk.

One of her customers said something to her, and she returned her attention to them, scribbling in her little black notebook. Disillusionment speared him. Had he imagined the heat in the air and the emotion in her look?

Taking a long swallow of water, he focused his thoughts on what to say if she came closer and what to do if she didn’t. Approaching her while she worked didn’t sit right with him, but that look encouraged him. He’d find a way to speak to her, maybe go for a walk in the park when she was there. But if she showed no interest, he’d let it go. He didn’t see the sense in making a fool of himself over a pretty woman.

After several minutes, just when he’d given up hope she’d speak to him, the door to the deck opened and she strode toward his table. She set his plate of food in front of him.

You look familiar. Have we met before? she asked. She tilted her head, and her blonde ponytail swung over her shoulder.

He ached to run his fingers through her hair, to feel the softness between his fingers. I don’t think so. They hadn’t been formally introduced and telling her he’d watched her at the park would make her think he was stalking her.

I’m Eden.

Dominic Russell.

Eden broke into a smile. "Now I know why you look familiar. You were on the cover of Code magazine last month for your work with artificial intelligence."

She’d seen the cover of Code magazine? He imagined their circulation covered geeks and programmers. You have an interest in the field?

Sadness flashed in her eyes. She shook her head. My father does, actually. He owns Net Solutions.

Dominic knew of her father’s work in the technology field and he respected his work in the industry. Benjamin Bell had a reputation for having a quick temper though. Skylar had said Eden had been cut off by her father for reasons unknown, and Dominic guessed his temperament had something to do with it. Solid company.

Now he needed to say something to push his relationship with Eden forward. Seeing her again felt paramount.

In business, he was confident and cool. He could handle anything. In this, incompetence overwhelmed him. Women had been easy for him in some ways, but this wasn’t a hookup. A line wouldn’t