Suddenly Matched to a Billionaire: The Tycoons, #8

By Marie Higgins

Discovering love where you least expect it can turn life upside down, as Jett Masterson learns when he finds himself drawn to his father's secretary. Despite their three years of friendship, he suddenly sees her in a new light—one he can't ignore. But as Vice President of his father's oil company, there's a strict rule against dating colleagues.

 

Meanwhile, Samantha Hathaway must conceal her feelings for Jett, knowing she can't risk jeopardizing their friendship or her job. Yet, a single dance beneath the stars and a masquerade kiss threaten to unravel everything they've built.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marie Higgins
• Release date: Jul 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9798223518426

Marie Higgins

Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com Since Marie Higgins was a little girl playing Barbies with her sister, Stacey, she has loved the adventure of making up romantic stories. Marie was only eighteen years old when she wrote her first skit, which won an award for Funniest Skit. A little later in life, after she’d married and had children, Marie wrote Church roadshows that were judged as Funniest and Best Written. From there, she branched out to write full-length novels based on her dreams. (Yes, she says, her dreams really are that silly) Marie has been married for twenty-six years to a wonderful man. Together, they have three loving daughters and several beautiful grandchildren. Marie works full time for the state of Utah, where she has lived her entire life. Marie plans to keep writing, because the characters in her head won’t shut up. But her husband smiles and pretends this is normal.

Book preview

Jett Masterson wasn’t looking for love, but it slapped him in the face when he first held his father’s secretary in his arms. After thinking of her as his friend for three years, why were his thoughts suddenly moving in a different direction? What surprised him more was that he liked thinking of her as a woman instead of one of his pals. Unfortunately, there was one important rule when working as Vice President of his father’s oil company. No dating co-workers!

There was only one major drawback to being a rich man’s secretary – Samantha Hathaway could not fall in love with the Oil Tycoon’s son, Jett Masterson. At least she knew how to hide her feelings around him. As long as he never knew how she really felt, she could continue to be his friend. But all it took was one dance under the night stars, and one passionate kiss at a masquerade party to mess up her whole world.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I’M A HUGE FAN OF THE musical & movie, Phantom of the Opera, but I know not everyone has seen it or heard the songs. In chapter three I mention a few songs from that musical/opera: Angel of Music, Music of the Night, Masquerade, Don Juan Triumphant, and Point of No Return. So now when you read those titles in the dialogue, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

ONE

JETT MASTERSON STEPPED onto the escalators after leaving the airport terminal. As he descended, he scanned the crowd waiting for those who were on his flight from Italy. He’d been gone a full month and he missed home. Austin, Texas would always be his home even though he flew to different states and even other countries for his job as Vice President of Masterson Oil.

Eagerly he searched for his father’s chauffer, but he couldn’t spot the sixty-something-year-old man with the bald head, warm smile, and twinkling eyes. Theo always stood out in crowds wearing his driver uniform of a black suit coat and slacks with a white shirt. Jett’s father insisted how important it was for the limousine driver to look professional whenever taking the Masterson men anywhere.

As Jett neared the lobby, his hope sank when he didn’t find Theo. Five people stood out in front of the waving crowd, holding up signs with people’s last names written across it. For a moment, Jett’s hopes were squashed, wondering why nobody cared enough to pick him up from the airport. Since he had become Vice President, Jett had been treated like a prince. It was hard to believe that not one person in his father’s company would come to see him now.

Jett’s vacation in Italy had been desperately needed. Of course, he’d planned on popping the question to his girlfriend of two years during this time. Unfortunately, the most important thing he’d learned on vacation was that long-distant relationships never work out. It surprised him that his heart didn’t break when Sofia told him she’d found another man. Instead, Jett drove to a different city and stayed there for the rest of his vacation.

Just as he reached the lobby, he noticed the head of a woman with light brown hair streaked with golden tones that was pulled back in a ponytail, bobbing up and down as if she was jumping. He took a few steps toward the crowd, watching warily. When the head popped up again, recognition struck and he chuckled. What was his father’s secretary doing here to pick him up?

As Jett headed for her, his grin widened. It would be interesting to see why his father had sent her to get him.

When their gazes met, her eyes widened and she smiled. The five-foot-four-inch woman moved around those people standing in front and met him halfway. Her cheeks were rosier than he remembered, and her brown eyes held a soft sparkle he’d never seen. Of course, Sam was the most cheerful and fun-loving secretary he’d ever known. From her first day on the job three years ago, she’d been just one of the guys.

Sam, he said with entirely too much enthusiasm. Then again, a few moments ago, he thought nobody cared enough to pick him up. No wonder he was happy. What are you doing here?

Welcome home. Her smile grew as she clasped his hand and gently squeezed. It’s good to see you again, Jett. She glanced over his shoulder. Did you bring your fiancée?

No, but we can talk about that later. I’m anxious to get home and sleep in my own bed. He motioned toward the baggage claim. Let’s go find my suitcase and leave.

He headed toward the baggage claim but didn’t walk as fast as he usually did, only because Sam looked like she was having a difficult time keeping up with him with all the people in the lobby. A large man sped past Sam, bumping into her on his way. She stumbled and fell against Jett. He wrapped his arms around her and held her steady.

Her wide eyes met his stare and she sucked in a quick breath. An odd sensation filled him, warming him quickly. The feeling unnerved him, so he dropped his hold and stepped back.

Stupid man, Sam grumbled as she turned and glared at the man who’d been so rude.

Yeah, Jett chuckled, you’d think he’d been away from home longer than I have.

She glanced at him and gave him a smile. Probably.

They turned the corner, almost to the area where they were heading. So, he cleared his throat, why are you here to get me? Where is Theo?

She turned her face up to look at him, but her smile was slowly disappearing. Theo has been very ill lately. Your father made sure Theo received the best medical help, but the old man just doesn’t want to pull out of it.

Unease settled in the pit of Jett’s stomach. Theo had been with his father for twenty-five years. Jett considered the driver part of the family. In fact, he knew Theo better than Jett’s very own cousins.

They stopped at the baggage claim and he touched Sam’s arm. Be honest with me. How bad is he?

She sighed and frowned, keeping her focus on the baggage carousel as the luggage rolled off the belt and onto the carousel. He caught pneumonia right after you left, but he hasn’t fully recovered. I’m worried about his health and I know your father is stressed, as well. But you know your father. When he’s worried about something, he just works harder to occupy more of his time.

Jett nodded. That’s his way of avoiding his feelings. I pray Theo pulls through. He’s been like a brother to my father.

I know.

Her eyes widened and she pointed. There’s your suitcase.

Sam attempted to step ahead of him to get it, but Jett’s stride was longer, as was his reach, and he grabbed it first. He didn’t know what surprised him more, that she knew which suitcase was his or that she tried to carry it for him.

I got it, he told her with a laugh. My suitcase probably weighs more than you do.

She gave him a smirk and arched an eyebrow. Hah, I see you didn’t leave your dry humor in Italy.

Not at all. He squared his shoulders, puffing out his chest. "My dry humor and my good looks are the only things that get me through life. I’d be nothing without them."

She cocked her head. Don’t forget that oversized ego of yours.

Laughing, he moved away from the baggage carousel and toward the doors to the parking area. He glanced down at her and she was digging through her purse. He bit back a laugh. It was comical how easily she fit in with the guys, and