Aurora Rising

By amber marler

Being a Dallas debutante wasn't everything it was cut out to be.  Yes, Aurora Gladstone was beautiful.  Yes, she had a trust fund the size of Texas.  Yes, she ran a hip art gallery that made her eccentric and cool. Yes she had a fabulous southern family albeit with five overprotective brothers and one intimating father that she was always disappointing.   Yet despite all Aurora had going for her, she was very unlucky in love.  Turns out her trust fund attracted blood sucking leeches of men who disguised themselves with handsome smiles, false promises and self-esteem wrenching betrayal.  After the last embarrassing broken engagement, Aurora seeks solitude on a darkened balcony during a big charity gala.  A balcony already occupied by her father's corporate attorney Jackson Cramer. 
Aurora never paid much attention to her Daddy's lawyer, but Jack had was always had his eyes on the youngest member of the Gladstone family.   Jack knew he wasn't flamboyant or interesting enough to attract the stunning effervescent Aurora Gladstone.  Jack preferred to live life in the background of society, he wore conservative suits and had a very serious demeanor.
 After concluding the distasteful job of buying off another other Aurora's unsuitable fiancés he came up with a plan to help Aurora with her failed engagements, fulfill a promise to his father and maybe spend some time with the most intriguing woman he'd ever meet.  So on that quiet, dark balcony, he proposed a business deal to solve her trust fund temptation issue and aid his political aspirations. Marriage, money, politics and romance are going make things turbulent in Texas.  Will Aurora be able to rise above and find elusive love?
Excerpt from Book:

"You jumped my bones," Aurora accused as she hastily straightened clothes that had become very disheveled.
"You jumped mine right back!" Jack countered, still charged by the memory of her leg snaking around the back of his legs.
"Yeah, I kind of did, huh?" Aurora responded with a shameless, sultry smile that originated from Eden and had gotten generations of women in trouble over the centuries.
"I'm leaving," Jack stated abruptly like a man desperately fleeing temptation.
"What about our experiment on public affection?" Aurora innocently inquired.
Eyes molten with desire, Jack slashed his hand across the air negatively, stating "No public displays of affection, period. I have enough things to worry about tomorrow without that additional element of chaos."
"Ever?" Aurora questioned curiously.
Jack couldn't help himself. With a quick step forward he had Aurora pressed back against the door with his hand thread through her hair, tilting her face up to meet his.  "Are you messing with me?"
"Maybe," Aurora whispered back, her eyes focused on Jack's mouth.
Regardless of the danger—the complete insanity—he couldn't stop himself from dropping a hard kiss on those teasing lips before firmly setting Aurora aside with the order to "Behave."
Leaning back against the door frame, Aurora gave Jack a look that indicated that behaving wasn't in her nature, for which at the right time and place he knew he might be entirely grateful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: amber marler
• Release date: May 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781393153818

Book preview

Dedicated to my big sister who encouraged me for years to write stories regardless of my day job and other everyday distractions, I love you Autumn!

AURORA RISING

Copyright @2012 by Amber Marler

All rights reserved.

This work is fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Contents

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

She’d been summoned .  There was no getting around that fact.  Her father’s request for an audience wasn’t arbitrary, optional, or declinable.  She had been summoned. And in the Gladstone family, that wasn’t something to be ignored.

Looking up at the six-story office building that housed Gladstone’s headquarters, all Aurora could think of was how much it looked like a courthouse or maybe a nice prison—it certainly wasn’t inviting. Designed to intimidate, the granite building was reflective of her father, and as such, held no flexibility.  The smooth, shiny structure seemed to mock her, its perfection making her feel self-conscious and not worthy of treading across its surfaces.  Still, the stones’ censure didn’t stop her from entering the lobby and walking to the elevators with confidence, despite the disapproving clack of her Mexican sandals against the granite floor.

Aurora had grown up visiting this building.  When her mother was alive, it was always a treat to swing by the office and visit Daddy.  Visits were something to look forward to, where she’d be welcomed with open arms by Gladstone’s staff and hugged by her father.  Her mother had passed away six years now, and the nature of Aurora and her fathers’ relationship had changed.  Today she’d been summoned to headquarters, and it wasn’t likely that it was for a casual father/daughter chat — there wasn’t any hugging to be had.

In the elevator, Aurora held her head high like the heir of a real estate empire should, but she let her eyes intentionally glaze over.  She knew that most of the 500 people at Gladstones recognized her regardless of her infrequent visits.  She was the boss’s only daughter and involuntarily active in local Dallas society.  Feeling the curious stares of her fellow elevator occupants like a physical touch, Aurora schooled herself not to cringe away from their scrutiny regardless of the preferences of her introverted personality.

Straightening her shoulders and fixating on the elevator numbers, Rory resigned herself to the fact that it wasn’t her lot in life to fade into the background.  So let them look – all they will see is a twenty-five year old woman with curly auburn hair, dark green eyes, standing medium in height.  She was beautiful but not in the fashionable sense of straight, blonde hair and a petite body.  Rory stood out in a crowd not just because of her wild hair or gypsy clothes: She was unique in spirit, and that often made things difficult in a conformist society.  She didn’t fit in with the executive crowd and didn’t want to — but here she was, riding the elevator to the executive floor of Gladstones, letting the employees look at her like some wild animal that got loose among the thoroughbreds.

The crowd in the elevator had thinned by the time it reached the top floor. Exiting into the quiet corridor, Aurora’s heels were finally quieted by thick, beige carpet.  Breathing in the cold, filtered air, she felt the weight of corporate respectability fall on her shoulders, noticeably damping her usual energetic stride.  Entering her father’s office area, Aurora greeted his assistant with studied politeness, Linda, is my father ready for me?

Looking up from her correspondence with the patronizing smile of a teacher tolerating a slow child, Linda’s glaze swept over Aurora with her contempt barely concealed.  Yes, Miss Gladstone, Linda confirmed, glancing pointedly at the clock to make sure that Aurora knew she was ten minutes late, They are waiting on you.

They?  Aurora’s footstep hesitated at the connotations of the plural word.  It was novel enough for her father to request a meeting, but if her father needed reinforcements, then there was definitely a problem.  Aurora nevertheless moved forward. Hesitation would be considered a sign of weakness in a place like this, and she had a feeling she was going to need some strength.

Entering her father’s inner sanctum, her artistic nature made her pause to admire the Dallas skyline before turning to face the music in the form of her father. 

Hi Daddy, Aurora greeted the CEO of Gladstone’s, congratulating herself by the calm, confident tone of her voice.  It did not reflect her emotional condition.  The they that she’d been forewarned about was her eldest brother, Rick, her third brother, Tom, and Jackson Cramer, Gladstone’s corporate attorney.   Their presence added to the air of foreboding.

None of them responded to her cheerful salutation, their stern expressions making her feel like she was facing a firing squad.  She turned to see Linda who firmly closed the door in her wake, thereby eliminating a dignified, yet cowardly escape.  So, with resignation, Aurora faced her father – but not before encountering Jackson’s mocking stare which acknowledged her fanciful thoughts of fleeing.

Aurora, come in – don’t just hover by the door, her father dictated as he continued to review the paperwork Jackson had just presented him.

Reluctantly, Rory left the entrance and approached her father’s desk.  Henry Gladstone was a robust man in his late sixties. Though dressed in a beautifully-tailored suit, there was still a trace of his construction background stamped on his bearing.  He’d learned how to use a hammer early in life but quickly realized that applying his brain had less wear and tear on his body and a more positive effect on his wallet.  When Dallas was an oil boomtown in the 1970s, Henry had supervised his first home construction project. Thirty years later, he oversaw housing subdivisions and commercial properties.

Aurora was proud of her dad. His ambition, intelligence, and strength were resources she could always count on.  When she was a child, she knew that he was the strongest man on earth.  He could pick her up with one hand and dangle her giggling form with complete ease.  The physical always came easy to Henry; even in his golden years, he retained an intimidating presence. It was the emotional that was always his undoing. And with Aurora, it always got emotional.

Sit down, baby girl, talk to your father, Aurora’s father bluntly commanded How are things at the gallery?  You know I worry about you working there late at night.

Watching her father like he was a rattler getting ready to strike, Aurora sat down, pensive and suspicious.  She wasn’t prepared to engage in idle conversation. 

How do you know if I’ve been working late at night? she accused. Did you have me followed again?  Never mind ... What is going on Dad?  Why did you have to speak with me this morning?

Have I ever mentioned what a gentle, easygoing woman your mother was?  And how much you aren’t like her?  Henry rasped out as he struggled for composure.  I’m trying to work up to something— can’t you engage in some polite conversation to ease my way?

I’m sorry Daddy, but you’re making me nervous. Glancing at her brothers, who’d maintained their serious expressions during the father/ daughter verbal foray, Rory didn’t think she was overreacting.  Has someone died?

No, no, nothing like that.  Henry assured her. And having it put into the perspective of life and death, he forged ahead.  How fond are you of Andrew?

What do you mean ‘how fond’? Aurora asked with no small degree of incredulity. I’m engaged to marry Andrew, so I‘d say I‘m pretty fond of the man.

Not anymore.

Excuse me?  Confused Aurora turned toward her brother Rick, who’d made that declaration.

He wasn’t the right man for you, Rory.  You’ll just need to take our word on that. Tom confirmed his brother’s stance, moving to sit by Aurora and taking her hand.

Shaking off her brother’s awkward attempt at comfort, Aurora rose to her feet and backed away from her family. It was not an unusual situation from Rory’s perspective—her family often disapproved of her decisions.  Straight-laced traditionalists often didn’t agree with sensitive right brain thinkers.  Recognizing this, Rory pulled herself together in preparation for battle and began defending her fiancé: I know that you aren’t in love with Andrew, but I am.  That love is what counts, not the fact that Andrew isn’t a mover and shaker like those you develop at Gladstones.  He’s a thoughtful artist, and I’m happy with that.  We’ve been dating for over ten months now and are ready to make a commitment to each other.  Once you get to know him better, I’m sure you will warm up to him.

Rory, honey. We’ve gotten to know Andrew rather well, Henry stated grimly, interrupting her passionate defense. Jackson hired a detective agency and had Andrew investigated.

What? Aurora’s wounded eyes inquired of the quiet corporate lawyer for substantiation.  His countenance didn’t change under her stare other than a slight pursing of his lips in distaste that confirmed his actions.

Bastard!  What gave you the right?

I did, Aurora. Henry stated coldly, unashamed of his actions.  Don’t be so damn naïve, girl.  You may be a pretty enough woman, but the appeal of your trust fund will always be more attractive.

Thanks Dad, I can see how much I’m worth to you.  But Andrew doesn’t care about money or social status; he’s devoted to his art and to me.

Four years ago, he was convicted on felony charges for fraud, Rick factually accounted, his eyes hard in judgment of his sister’s conniving fiancé.

Shocked and confused, Aurora sat down and tried to assimilate Rick’s information. Then she carefully responded. People make mistakes.  Andrew probably didn’t tell me because he was afraid of the reaction he’s receiving now.

That’s baloney Aurora—you don’t judge anyone, and Andrew was counting on that.  Besides, that great artist only started painting when he met you, Tom observed dryly.

So?!  He’s committed to it and is just starting to develop his own style.  Seeing that her defense was falling on deaf ears, Rory struggled through rising anger to communicate the situation and her feelings in regards to her fiancé in a coherent manner:  Andrew didn’t even know my background until after we’d dated for several months.  Look, I know that you don’t understand my world and think that the life revolves around Gladstones, but there are people out there who don’t care about property acquisitions and financial success.  When Andrew and I first met, I realized that I’d finally found someone who loved me for myself rather than my stock portfolio.  Andrew asked me to marry him because he loves me and for no other reason!

The stunned silence that followed the conclusion of her speech gave Aurora hope that she’d gotten through to her overprotective family.  Glancing between her father and brothers, Rory waited for them to acknowledge her words and their inherent truth. But none of them would meet her gaze.  Jackson Cramer reluctantly stepped forward and handed Aurora the official-looking file folder that her father had been studying upon her arrival.

Earlier today, per your father’s instructions, I offered Andrew Harper 50 thousand dollars to discontinue his association with you and sign a confidentially agreement regarding you relationship.  His signature is on page eleven.

The lawyer’s precise, formal words acted like a death blow to Aurora’s righteous defense of her fiancé; but nonetheless, she flipped to the page for confirmation.  When her devastated eyes lifted from the paper, she looked to her father and brothers in hopes that they would refute the evidenced in front of her, But she only received their sympathetic and slightly superior glances.  Staring down at the floor, Aurora tried to regain her bearings.  How, in a few short minutes, had her life gone from optimistically happy to darkly hopeless?  Like a wounded animal, Aurora started backing herself out of the office to find somewhere private in which to nurse her injured ego.

The four men in the office watched her silent, painful departure without action.

Someone should go after her and make sure she’s okay, Jackson stated abruptly, looking askance of the Gladstone males.

Sitting back with a sigh over the female hysterics, Henry negated the suggestion, No, she’s a Gladstone; he’ll hold up fine.

Amazed by their lack of sensitivity, Jackson derided, You’ve got to be kidding?  You just destroyed her relationship with a man she at least thought was her true love.

Aurora should never have gotten involved with that weasel in the first place, Tom declared judgmentally.

So she made a mistake – humans do that on occasion.  You gentlemen might think about joining us mortals here on earth instead of acting like pious judges, Jackson snapped in response, his solid legs carrying him out the door and after Aurora.

He found Aurora dazed and waiting for the elevator, which she had as of yet failed to summon.

Are you okay? Jackson asked when she didn’t immediately acknowledge his presence.

Startled, Rory’s head jerked up, throwing her already precious balance off-center, causing her to stumble back.  Jackson’s hand was there immediately to steady her, but she flinched away from his touch.  I’m fine. Please leave me alone.

Don’t be foolish; no one would be fine after the betrayal you just had.  Do you want to go somewhere and compose yourself?

Forest green eyes, albeit literally swimming with tears, blazed up at Jackson as Aurora retorted through gritted teeth, I am composed. For a Gladstone, there is no other way.

Don’t give me that Gladstone dignity or death crap; it’s annoying enough on your father.  Now, get in my office. Jackson derided as he directed her none to gently to behind closed doors.

I’m tired of people pushing me around like I’m dull-witted, Aurora snapped, her anger giving her backbone even while being emotionally devastated.

No one thinks you’re stupid, just naïve on occasion.

Naïve? Aurora whispered to herself as she looked over the panoramic skyline of Dallas. Is it so naïve to think that a man might want me for something other than my net worth? When Jackson didn’t respond to her question immediately, she rounded on him and demanded, Is it?

Anxious eyes begged Jackson’s to refute her assertion. But Jackson had found that life didn’t let you hide from the truth. So, he gave it to her straight:  Your inheritance will be a factor in any relationship.

Looking away from Jackson’s solemn gaze, Aurora crossed her arms protectively around her body and paced the room.  Jackson let her walk and brood without interruption.  As a lawyer, he was often involved in tense situations where emotions ran high and feelings got hurt. Still, no one pulled at his conscience like Aurora Gladstone. 

For years he’d watched her father and brothers bully and condemn her every effort to pull away from the path that they’d chosen for her.  Moving off the family estate was her first unauthorized activity, followed quickly by the opening of her edgy art gallery, which her brothers had called an aesthetic tax deduction, writing the effort off as a failure prior to the doors ever opening.  Aurora surprised them all by succeeding.  In her usual graceful manner, she ignored their criticism and disparagement and calmly made a life for herself outside of the Gladstone enterprise.  She’d managed to distance herself from Gladstone except for roughly 80 million dollars in a trust fund in her name.

Are you my lawyer, Jackson?

I represent the corporation and the Gladstone family’s interests.

Rolling her eyes at the ambiguity of his answer, Aurora demanded, What the heck does that mean?  Either you are or you aren’t!

I currently represent you.

Good. I want you to look into divesting me of my Gladstone shares.  Reallocate them back to Daddy, give them to charity, or put them in trust for my dog— just get them out of my name.

You know the terms of the trust, Aurora.  You can’t touch the shares in any manner until you turn thirty or get married.  Pending one of those conditions being met, the shares are locked in a trust under your name.

Damn it, Jackson!  Don’t you think I’ve read the terms of the trust a hundred times! Aurora grabbed his hand in entreaty: Please just look into it for me.  Use every sneaking unethical technique you’ve acquired in your law career and change the conditions.  Those stocks are ruining my life.

Under the influence of her eyes and the grasp of his hand, there wasn’t much Jackson could do but nod his head in consent to her request.

Aurora. There you are. Gladstone senior interrupted their eye contact as Henry paused outside Jackson’s office.  I just wanted to remind you of the American Cancer Society Gala tonight.  I still expect you to act as hostess, so don’t think you can use the excuse of the Andrew situation to stay home.  People will start talking about your broken engagement, and I don’t want you hiding away like rejected goods.  You’re a Gladstone.

Drinking, dancing, and gossiping weren’t exactly the activities Aurora would have chosen to grieve the loss of love, especially when the gossip would be about her. But she was a Gladstone, and she knew her responsibilities.  I’ll be there Daddy.

Good girl.  Jackson, we need you in the conference room.

In a minute, Jackson stated impatiently as her father left the room.  Turning to Aurora he stated,