Chained Desires

By Brenda Billock

Ever since the bad breakup with handsome Michael Hollister, Lexi Ward has had only her job to keep her company. Believing she’ll inherit the construction business will one day, she soon learns that the terms of her inheritance have an outlandish twist when her boss dies unexpectedly. Desperate to hold onto the one important thing in her life, she agrees to the stipulations.

A year hasn't lessened the numbness Michael still feels over his breakup with Lexi. When his uncle, Lexi's boss, dies, the two are handcuffed together -- literally -- in a contest for the company. His uncle's will gives him the means to garner revenge for their failed relationship and get control of his uncle’s business. But does Michael have a chance at winning when he and Lexi are chained by the same desires?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Billock Books
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215938737

Book preview

Chained Desires

by

Brenda Billock

All Rights Reserved

Chained Desires – Copyright © 2023 by Brenda Billock Williamson

Cover Copyright © 2023 by Billock Books

Reproduction of this book for sharing or selling other than what the author grants is strictly prohibited.

Billock Books

Chapter One

Anxiety took a firm grip on Lexi Ward as she walked into the lawyer’s office. The moment she opened the door, her muscles tensed, constricting her airway, and making it hard to breathe.

Ah, Lexi, please, come in, Frank Nelson said as he rose from his seat behind his desk.

If it were possible to disappear, she would. She had already dressed for work when he called to give her the news about her boss’s death. While that news was upsetting enough, the presence of her old boyfriend made everything worse.

Michael Hollister’s devilishly enchanting stare locked on her. Like the proverbial startled deer caught in headlights, she stood trapped, a flood of memories rushing into her thoughts. The good ones moved to the forefront, reminding her of what it felt like to be in love. The tenderness of his passion had always made her feel safe. Then the bad memories elbowed the sweet sentiments out of the way.

His presence rattled her more than it should have. Almost a year had passed, and she still hadn’t recovered from their falling out. She didn’t think she ever would. Yet as much as she wanted to hate him, her lingering attraction pushed old desires to the surface.

Were his brown eyes darker, sadder? If they were, it had to be because his uncle was dead. That forlorn look wouldn’t be for her. She hadn’t seen him in months, though she had heard he was dating that viper who came between them.

His gaze moved down the length of her. Her skin dampened as heat flooded into her belly and radiated to all her limbs. Mindlessly, she put a hand to her chest. The lumpiness of her clothing reminded her she had thrown on her old bra. The comfortable one she wore to work. She felt a mess and looked worse.

Michael was behind many of her newly developed issues with self-esteem. Self-conscious of her appearance, she folded her arms to hide her body’s betrayal to her anger.

Irritated that Michael still had power over her emotions, Lexi tore her gaze away. What’s he doing here, Frank? she asked the lawyer.

Frank Nelson had been her boss. Everett Hollister was his lawyer for as long as she worked for Hollister Construction Company. His narrow frame, gray hair, and wrinkled face had always portrayed Frank as someone trustworthy. She seldom had dealings with the man, but he had proved to her in the ten years she had worked for the company he was every bit as honest as he appeared.

He’s named in the will, Frank answered.

You never mentioned that when you called. She glanced at Michael, expecting him to explain.

He remained silent.

I thought this was all about me taking over Hollister Construction, she said, resentment toward Michael pushing her toward a breakdown. You said Everett named me as heir to his company, Frank.

It would seem, Michael spoke for the first time. My uncle had a little more planned than just handing over the reins to his business without any strings attached.

As if an inferno sucked the air from the room, Lexi struggled to take another breath. She had seen Michael from a distance on several occasions, but they hadn’t spoken in six months. While his velvety rich tone sent a stream of fiery tingles to the tips of her fingers and toes, she’d not let his arousing voice smooth over the pain he had caused.

What strings? she asked, annoyed he knew more than she did. And what happened to manners? No Hello? How’ve you been?

His blatant ogling continued.

She lowered her arms to her sides. Go ahead. Get an eyeful. She purposely pushed her hands into the back pockets of her denim skirt, thrusting out her chest.

Michael turned away instantly and sat back down. Go ahead, Frank. Tell her how my uncle is screwing her over as well as me.

I don’t think screwing you over was how he intended you to see this. Frank moved behind his desk.

What is he talking about? Lexi turned to Frank. Everett didn’t give everything to him, did he?

Please have a seat, Lexi. Frank pointed to the tufted brown leather chair next to Michael.

She sat cautiously, afraid to get too relaxed. Michael’s uncle, Everett Hollister, knew his business meant more to her than Michael. They had long conversations about his disappointment in his nephew. Everett wanted her to take over his construction company. While she didn’t expect it would be so soon, she was sure he had cut Michael out of the will. But did she have grounds to contest the will if he hadn’t? She was just an employee, not a family member. Any court would naturally have to abide by the deceased’s wishes when it came to leaving everything to a nephew.

As you both know, Frank continued. Everett couldn’t do enough for his relatives if they did right by him.

And that wasn’t Michael, Lexi thought sadly.

Yes, I remember. Michael grumbled. As long as we bowed down to his every wish.

He’ll not ask you to do anything anymore now, will he? Lexi snapped, surprised by the bitterness in Michael’s tone, as if he had a right to complain about anything.

He shot her an angry glance. Oh? And you know that how?

He’s dead, Michael. Tears welled, and she struggled to keep them from falling to her cheeks. Everett left her in charge of the company while he went on a cruise. Until Frank called her the night before, she thought her boss was having a grand time in the Caribbean. Someone should have told her he died three days ago. She would have had time to cry in private.

Everett is very much in control of us, Michael grunted. Even from his grave, babe.

His behavior upset her. The old endearment he used came like a stab in the heart. Was he trying to make her cry?

What’s going on, Frank? She forced her thoughts on getting the details. I was under the impression Everett was leaving the business to me. He said that’s what he wanted. Did he not get a chance to make a new will?

Easy, babe. Your greed is showing. Michael’s amused expression goaded another hot flush to her cheeks.

If anyone is greedy, it’s you, she charged. You don’t work for Hollister Construction anymore. You walked away six months ago, never looking back, and yet here you are trying to stake a claim.

Temper, temper, babe. Might I suggest you hear the particulars before you explode? His chuckle infuriated her.

I’m not going to explode, she growled the words from between clenched teeth. And stop calling me babe!

Frank cleared his throat. His nervousness appeared worse than hers did. He had never seen her and Michael having an argument over low government bids or disreputable supplies, let alone a personal squabble. The magnitude of their last clash put all other quarrels before it to shame.

Lexi took a long, deep breath. She let it out slowly, hoping to calm herself. Well? She leaned forward on the edge of her chair, ready to hear the particulars of the bequest.

Everett did make a new will, Lexi. Very recently, actually. However, he made some very unusual stipulations. Frank’s hesitation danced along the frayed ends of her nerves.

Get on with it already, Michael insisted, obviously on edge as well. She’s not going to be any happier about this than I am.

Lexi, Everett wants you and Michael to run the company jointly.

Oh, no. Not possible. Not going to happen. She rose. He doesn’t even deserve to be here.

For one month, Frank continued. You’ll both run the company in sort of a contest manner where the winner takes all.

You’re making a game out of this? Lexi frowned.

Not me, Lexi. Everett made up all the rules. This was his plan. I can tell you I wasn’t in favor of it in the least, but my clients don’t always take my advice.

And exactly how would the winner be determined? she asked. See who stays and works, or see who leaves? She turned her head and glared at Michael. It was one thing for them to break up. But for him to walk out on his uncle had been completely selfish. Everett had relied on him to handle customers, sign new contracts, and put in bids on government work. And while Michael took care of the financial end, she handled the subcontractors, the job sites, and the suppliers. When he suddenly quit, she had to help Everett with the workload. It put a strain on the business, but they managed.

Or maybe we’ll just go back to the basics and see who drives nails faster, Michael retaliated.

Frank opened a drawer in his desk. He walked around to them with a set of handcuffs. Lexi blinked, not believing what she saw. What are those for?

These are the binding terms, he announced, putting one shiny silver metal cuff on Michael’s left wrist.

What the hell? Michael jumped out of his chair and stared at the manacle of steel on his wrist.

Lexi studied Michael’s hand. He had strong fingers. Whenever she was tense from work, he gave her wonderful massages—the penetrating kind that ended with passionate intimacy. She hadn’t had a good rubdown since. Nor had she had any form of intimacy.

For the thirty days that you run the company, the two of you must be locked together. Frank informed them. Day and night.

What? Michael tried to push the handcuff off. I’m not going to be chained to that shrew.

Lexi jerked at his tone. His words stung. They hurt deeper than they should have. When he looked at her, he didn’t appear apologetic either. She turned away for a second, preventing him from seeing how he still had a hold on her heart.

This is the deal, Michael. Frank shrugged.

And there’s no way out? Michael continued twisting his wrist against the steel around it as he paced the room.

Taking off the handcuff is the only end to this. Frank flashed a sheepish grin at her. It’s ironclad.

The other cuff dangled from Michael’s wrist. Lexi stared at the silvery chain only