Butter Pecan Dream

By Angela K Parker

Niles

I have the perfect job, the perfect cars, and a more than adequate bank account. Up until six months ago, I believed that I would have the perfect wife. Helena was beautiful, smart, and ambitious. I thought that she was flawless, until the day that I learned of her cheating.

Instead of allowing her actions to break me, I let it fuel me. I drowned myself in work, and locked away any trace of her, only to be met in my dreams by another. For the past six months, I've been haunted by the most mesmerizing hazel eyes. It's always the same girl, always a beautiful beginning, but never an end.

After closing a huge deal, my friends suggest that a vacation is in order, and for once I don't refuse. My plan is to relax, have fun, and maybe throw in a little pleasure on the side.

While on vacation, I question my sanity and struggle to keep my plan alive because that plan didn't include my dream colliding into my reality. It didn't include the girl with the hazel eyes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela K Parker
• Release date: Jul 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393939443

Angela K Parker

Angela K. Parker is a country girl with a big heart. She's a South Carolina native with a passion for writing, reading, music, & math. When she’s not engaged in any of the above, she’s spending time with her family or catching up on the latest movies. She’s always had a very active imagination. Now she’s putting it to good use.Looking for more ways to connect? Join her newsletter here.Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cI3h6H

Book preview

Dedication

To my hubby, Leroy:

I can’t thank you enough for everything that you do and for all that you are.  I love having you to share my life with.

To my mom Patricia, my Aunt Carolyn, & my sisters, Karen & Ladwetta—my number one fans.  I appreciate your love, support, and encouragement.  Thank you for being present in times when I’m nervous or afraid, and even more in the times when I’m not.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Acknowledgments

Author’s Note

Until Next Time...

About the Author

Connect with the Author

Prologue

Six Months Ago

Niles

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I WAS BORN WITH a silver spoon, but my parents never allowed me to use that as an excuse to do nothing.  Being a member of the Ross family came with high expectations.  It was a must that I finish high school and go to college.  Only then was I allowed to enjoy the fruits of the Ross empire.

By the time I was twenty-five, I had done everything that was required of me, and I was the proud, successful owner of Ross Acquisitions and Investments.  I was also well on my way to becoming a married man.

Helena and I met while we were in college.  We were two motivated individuals who shared similar ideals.  We became friends, and as the months dragged on, we grew to love one another.  It took some time before I asked her to marry me, not because I didn’t want to, but because it never seemed to be the right time. 

I wasn’t surprised when she said yes to my elaborate proposal.  She had been throwing hints at me for a while.  Helena was not very subtle when it came to our love life.  She wanted the world to know that she snagged one of the most eligible bachelors in the city, and I was proud to have her by my side, until this very moment.

It’s a rare occasion for me to leave the office before 9:00 pm, but with our wedding day approaching, I was inclined to spend more time with my fiancé.  We agreed to keep separate apartments until after the wedding, but still exchanged keys.

I enter her apartment with a bouquet of red roses in tow and close the door behind me.  It’s been a couple of months since I’ve been to her place.  Everything appears to be in the exact same spot as before.  Soft tunes grace my ears from somewhere in the apartment.  I crack a smile, thinking of all the ways we could make love to this music.  It’s been a while since we’ve done that too.  I decided that it would end tonight.  I was beginning to believe that our marriage would be more of a convenience, and I need to rectify that.

I hang my keys on the hook near the door and walk further inside.  I walk past the dining room, stop, then retrace my steps to the open archway.  Honestly, I don’t know if I’m more pissed or relieved at the sight of her.

I’ve always believed that Helena was predictable, prim, and proper.  With her, everything has its place; down to the tight knot that she keeps her hair in until her head hits the pillow at night.  So, the last thing that I expected to see when I enter the dining room is her stretched out across the table like a feast with her boss kneeling between her thighs.

I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose, unbelieving of what I saw, but my ears don’t get the message.  Helena’s moan pierces my ears in a low, menacing pitch.  I keep my eyes closed momentarily, calming my rage, thinking of the best way to handle this without ending up in jail, or worse.

I open my eyes and walk towards the table.  When my shadow falls over them, Helena opens her eyes.  I lay the bouquet of roses onto her belly and step back.  Her eyes widen in shock when she realizes it’s me hovering over her.  Her boss stands slowly, eyeing me as if he belongs here, as if I’m the odd man out, while Helena scurries away from him.

It’s not what it looks like, she lies, scrambling to her feet.  She takes a few cautious steps towards me.

I arch a brow, holding up one hand to halt her.  The message seems clear to me, I grind out.

But Niles, she pleads.  This has never happened before, and I swear it’s the last time.

I take one step toward her and stop, knowing that if I get any closer, this won’t end well.  I also keep myself from addressing the elephant in the room.  Some things are worth fighting for, but not this.  Helena’s blatant disrespect warrants no sympathy from me.

You expect me to believe that, Helena?  Do you take me for a fool?  I snarl.  You know what?  Don’t answer that.  The proof is laid out in front of me.

I turn to leave when words fail me.  Helena darts to my side, naked and shameless.  Her eyes plead with me to listen.  I stop and stare at her hand on my arm, warning her to let go.

But we’re getting married in three days, Niles, she blurts out.

I let out a vicious chuckle.  The wedding is off, Helena.

I glance at her boss, who doesn’t seem fazed by any of this.  He looks more amused than anything.

I return my attention to Helena.  Once you’ve finished up here, I suggest you go by my place to pick up your things unless you want it thrown out like the rest of the trash.

Helena sucks in a sharp offensive breath and finally releases her hold on my arm.  I leave her apartment without looking back.  A mess of feelings swims through me.

On the one hand, the betrayal hurts.  Helena always made me feel like I was enough for her, but I guess my feelings were misconstrued.  On the other hand, I feel oddly relieved that I found out before it was too late.  I love Helena.  A part of me probably always will, but it’s evident that something was missing in our relationship.  Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed the side order.

I tap my fingers against the pristine leather wheel in my Jaguar, trying to figure out my next move.  I don’t want to be anywhere where she can track me down.  The office is out of the question.  That’s the first place that she’ll look for me.  I don’t want to go home because I don’t want to face Helena again tonight if she decides to show her face at my apartment.  Maybe with enough time passed, we can sit and have a conversation, but not tonight.

I tap Lincoln’s name on my phone, hoping he won’t mind if I crash at his place for the night.

Chapter 1

Present Day

Niles

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