The Billionaire's Marriage Proposal (Billionaire Bachelors Series - Book 4) Read online

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  “Are you sure she’s the one?” George asked Joseph.

  “Oh yes, I’m one hundred percent sure. I always take time to know who’s working here. Lucas took over as President years ago but I still like to handle personnel packages. I take a lot of pride knowing we offer more than other corporations. I especially check into temp employee’s to deem whether or not they’ll make a good fit for a permanent position. Jennifer is absolutely terrible when it comes to computers, but she’s incredibly bright, eager, and willing to work hard,” Joseph answered.

  “How does that make her wife material, though?” George asked.

  “Ah, you must let me finish,” Joseph said. “She came to us through my favorite temp agency, and I did some research on her. She lost her sister six months ago to a drunk driver, which is especially tragic because her sister and brother-in-law had a child, who is four years old. It looks as if Jennifer has no other family, as her grandparents and parents have passed away.”

  “Where is the kid?”

  “Jennifer has been raising her since the accident, and I’m sure it’s not easy for her. The little girl attends the on-site child care center, here,” Joseph answered.

  “Oh, this could mean an instant grandchild,” George said in delight.

  “I knew you’d be happy about that. She’s a spit-fire and too adorable for words. I’ve grown quite attached, since I spend a lot of time down there with her. My grandkids come in sometimes so they can play,” Joseph told him.

  “Ms. Stellar is here,” the secretary told them over the intercom.

  “Send her straight in,” Joseph replied. Both men sat back and waited for Jennifer. When she opened the door they could see the fear in her face, though she was doing a great job of trying to hide it. She looked surprised to see Joseph and George there, instead of Lucas.

  “Hello Mr. Anderson, they said you needed to see me.”

  “Yes, thank you for coming, Ms. Stellar. Go ahead and have a seat,” Joseph told her. “This is my brother, George Anderson. He’s moving his corporate offices to Seattle and in need of a variety of new staff. One of those positions is for executive administrator to the President and we would like to know if you might be interested. There would be a significant pay raise and added benefits.”

  Jennifer couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She thought she was losing her job and they weren’t only offering her a permanent position but a better one at that. She wanted to shout yes, but her conscious would never allow her to leave out her shortcomings.

  “I’m honored you would think of me. Yes, I’d be more than happy to accept the position, but I have to be honest with you. I’m struggling with the computer system I’ve been using. I can type about a hundred words a minute and do all basic computer functions, but the more complicated requests are giving me trouble. Please know, I’m more than willing to spend every spare minute I have to learn, though,” she told them eagerly.

  “Well, the great news is you won’t have to deal with any programs you’re currently using. You’ll be typing a lot, and attending meetings, plus there’s some travel involved,” George told her.

  Jennifer got excited and then deflated, again. How could she travel? She had no one to watch Molly, and besides that, she couldn’t take off for extended periods of time and leave her behind. Molly had already lost her parents and she was only recently getting over not seeing her mom and dad.

  “We know you’ve recently taken on responsibility of your niece and we’re sorry about your loss. We have excellent programs here offering child care,” Joseph said as if he could read her mind.

  “How much would I have to be away?”

  “On average, about three to five days a month,” George said. That wasn’t too bad, Jennifer reasoned. She’d be able to provide much better for her niece with the new position. She’d have money to buy the items she needed, as well as be able to afford to take her places, spending quality time together.

  “I’ll take it,” she said with enthusiasm.

  “That’s great. You’ll start next week, so for now you’ll get a little time off - paid of course,” George told her.

  “Oh, I forgot to ask where the new offices are?” she questioned.

  “They’re going to be here. We’ve just purchased the building next door and will connect the buildings by creating a sky-walkway. Until construction is finished, they’ll be using the twenty-second through twenty-fourth floors. You’ll be stationed on the twenty-fourth so you can still use the daycare center, here,” Joseph said.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful,” Jennifer told both men and quickly made her exit.

  Jennifer took the elevator down to her floor and slowly walked into her office. She looked around in wonder. She’d gone up there dreading the worst and walked away feeling better than she had in six months.

  “Congratulations, Ms. Stellar. I’m happy you received a promotion,” her boss approached, sounding sincere.

  “Thank you, Mr. Barry.”

  “I’ve enjoyed working with you, and we will miss having you as part of our team. If you want to place your possessions in boxes and label them, I can have them delivered to your new office. You don’t have to worry about packing them home and back again,” he offered.

  “That would be great, thank you.”

  “No problem, when you’re finished you can take the rest of the day off. Joseph told me the position is in effect immediately and he’s already sent in for a temp,” he said before leaving.

  Jennifer hadn’t brought too many personal items to work and it didn’t take long to put her belongings in boxes. She was excited to pick up her niece early. With the beautiful weather, she’d be able to surprise Molly with an afternoon at the park.

  Jennifer sat on a bench, watching Molly play on the slide with a couple other kids. Molly had only just started sleeping through the night. Her poor niece had nightmares for months and Jennifer knew it was because she had abandonment issues, as any child would when their parents suddenly disappeared. Molly still had circles under her eyes, but not nearly as bad as they’d been a few months ago.

  “Heads up,” someone yelled. Just as Jennifer turned in the direction of the voice, she felt a pain in her neck and looked down in amazement at the frisbee lying next to her.

  She brought her hand up and was surprised to feel a bit of blood. Whoever had thrown the thing, must have really chucked it.

  “I’m sorry about that. Are you okay?” a man asked. She looked up and lost her breath. Holy cow, the guy was stunning. She somehow couldn’t get any words past her closed throat. She never had trouble talking with attractive men, and she hadn’t had that gut wrenching, stop-you-in-your-tracks response to a man since she was a teenager.

  His dark, short hair, was messy around his flushed cheeks. He had beads of sweat dripping off of his forehead and the most piercing blue eyes she’d ever looked into. Her gaze followed a bead of sweat to his naked chest and her heart started beating far too fast. The man had to be a model, with his defined chest, and washboard abs. His arm muscles looked as if he was flexing, though they were completely relaxed. She followed his abs to his low-riding, athletic pants before noticing her eyes had moved to an area she shouldn’t be looking at.

  She jerked her head back up to look at his face again and watched as a cocky grin spread across his features in a knowing way. He stood by silently as she ogled him. She stiffened her shoulders, irritated she’d been so immediately mesmerized by him. She hated to be another typical female, who thought only looks mattered. He was most likely some really stupid jock, who thought with a different head than the one on top of his shoulders. She realized she’d never answered him.

  “I’m fine - I’m just glad you didn’t hit any of the children,” she stated and turned away acting as if he wasn’t there.

  Trenton stared at the back of the striking, dark-haired stranger in a bit of shock. He was certainly used to the appraising look she’d given him, but not the suddenly dis
missive attitude that followed. He was also not used to the immediate attraction he felt toward her. She was not his typical type.

  She couldn’t have been much over five feet in height, and her dark brown hair and stunning green eyes were the opposite of the long-legged blondes with bigger chests than brains he normally went for. He could play with them and then walk away without anyone getting hurt over it.

  He never picked up a woman in the park, as they were the commitment, till-death-do-us-part type and he would never take a trip down the aisle. He should count his blessings she was clearly not interested in him, but he’d hurt her, and couldn’t leave until he knew she’d be okay.

  “Let me see your neck, okay?” he asked, as he bent next to her and moved her hair out of his way. He was relieved to only see a small cut, nothing needing stitches. He was shocked the feel of her hair was like silk and he suddenly had images of it spread out on his pillow.

  Jennifer sucked in another breath as his hand touched her skin. She about jumped out of the seat at the small movement of his fingers brushing against her neck. She passed it off as being overly tired.

  “I’m fine, really,” she said, needing him to remove his hands, since it was doing funny things to her stomach. She didn’t have time for a man in her life, but if she did it wouldn’t be with a man like the guy before her. It would be with a regular king of guy who didn’t stop women in their tracks.

  “Wow, Trenton, you’re only in town for a day and you’re already attacking unsuspecting women,” another guy said as he jogged up to them. Jennifer glanced at him and then her head whipped back around as she realized it was Lucas Anderson. She’d never seen him wearing anything but an expensive, tailored suit, and she could see why his wife was head-over-heels for him. Lucas was stunning, but while the man, Trenton, she guessed, made her stomach stir, Lucas did nothing physical for her. She figured it was because she knew he was married - plus she’d met his wife, who was a really sweet woman.

  “Well, you know how it is, any excuse to meet a sexy lady,” Trenton answered and Jennifer felt her mouth drop open. No one ever referred to her as sexy, and she hated to admit his words made her glow a bit.

  “You look familiar, and before you think that’s some cheesy line, it’s not. You really do look familiar,” Lucas said. She had to clear her throat before she was able to speak clearly.

  “I work for you, Mr. Anderson, or well I did until my promotion today. My name is Jennifer,” she finally responded.

  “That’s right, I’m sorry. I’m so used to seeing everyone in the offices that out in a park setting throws me off,” he told her with a heart-stopping grin.

  “No problem, it took me a moment to recognize you, as well,” she said with a genuine smile. He was an easy man to talk to, making her feel comfortable, unlike his companion.

  “Hey, quit flirting - you’re a married man,” Trenton growled at Lucas. Jennifer felt her face flame in embarrassment.

  “I…I wasn’t flirting. I think your wife is wonderful,” she stammered and sent a glare toward Trenton.

  “Ignore him, Jennifer. He’s just jealous because you obviously have better taste than to talk to an ogre like him,” Lucas said with the same friendly smile. She was thankful for his words, because her embarrassment eased.

  “Whatever, Lucas. You’re lucky you’re a married man, or I’d prove to you later all the ladies wouldn’t even know you existed when we walked into a room together,” Trenton said.

  Jennifer watched the two of them rib each other and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt all the women in any room would be tripping over themselves to get to either of them. She was grateful she was too busy for relationships or she may have stood in line with them.

  “I am sorry about hitting you with the Frisbee. Why don’t you give me your number so I can call and make sure you’re okay, later,” Trenton said with the most seductive smile she’d ever witnessed. She had to call on some will-power to deny him.

  “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ve to leave, so you both have a great time,” she said, blowing him off. She got up and walked to the other side of the playground, collected her niece, and quickly departed. She was angry with the heat she felt in her cheeks, and the way he’d made her stomach quiver. She had zero time for men and though a part of her wished she could’ve flirted back, she knew she’d done the right thing. Besides, she’d never see him again, anyway.

  Trenton watched her walk away in a bit of shock. He’d never before been turned down by a female. He wasn’t sure he liked the feeling. He usually had women stuffing their numbers in any available pocket he had, and yet the little spit-fire of a woman he found both breathtaking and irritating at the same time, completely ignored him and walked away without so much as a backward glance.

  “Oh, you just got burned badly, Cousin. I guess Seattle women have better taste than those in Chicago.”

  “She has me intrigued. I’d have to chase her down, but luckily she works for your company so I’ll be able to find her,” Trenton said, relishing her reaction when he did come in contact with her again.

  “She said she was promoted and no longer worked for me. Heck, we didn’t get her last name to even be able to find her,” Lucas said.

  “Oh, I’ll find her alright. It’s been a long time since a woman has peaked my interest like that,” Trenton said. Lucas looked at his cousin with a huge grin. He knew that look well, as he and his brothers had all fought tooth and nail to hold onto their bachelorhood, only to end up chasing down their wives. His cousin was on the prowl, and Lucas almost felt sympathy for the mysterious Jennifer.

  “Okay, well enough mooning over the girl, we’re supposed to be having fun. You have to be back to work soon enough and we haven’t spent nearly enough time together the last several years,” Lucas told him. Trenton agreed, and they got back into their game. But the mysterious Jennifer stayed on his mind and Lucas kicked his butt all over the field. He was grateful when his brother Max showed up to help him out.

  Chapter Two

  Jennifer was filled with nervous excitement as she rode the elevator to the twenty-fourth floor. She had loved the week off with her niece. It had been good for both of them. Molly was finally figuring out Jennifer wasn’t going to leave her. They had looked through family albums for the first time since her mom and dad passed, and Molly looked at them with smiles, instead of tears.

  They were making good progress and Jennifer knew before long they’d help each other heal. She’d forever miss her sister, just as she knew Molly would miss her mom, but the two of them had each other and that was their new focus. It was something giving them hope. Family was the most important thing, and as long as they could stay together, everything would work out.

  The bell on the elevator chimed and she stepped onto the unfamiliar floor. She approached the reception desk, looking around in awe. She would’ve thought there’d be boxes everywhere, but it looked as if the area had been set up for years.

  “Hello, I’m Jennifer Stellar, the new executive assistant for Mr. Anderson. I’m not sure where my office is,” she said to the lady behind the desk.

  “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Jennifer. I hope you don’t mind me calling you by your first name. Our boss has always allowed us to be somewhat informal. My name is Nancy, and I came with Mr. Anderson from Chicago. Let me show you to your office,” the woman said.

  “Informal is always good, so I don’t mind. It’s very nice to meet you, too, Nancy,” Jennifer said. Nancy led her around the corner and opened a door. Jennifer loved the space. “It’s beautiful,” she sighed.

  “If you need to make any changes, I’m sure Mr. Anderson would be fine with that. He likes his employees to be comfortable, as we’re all here a lot,” Nancy told her.

  “This is a lovely office. I’m sure I won’t need to change a thing.”

  “I’ll leave you to get settled in. Let’s do lunch together later this week to get better acquainted,” Nancy said, and with Jennifer’s encouraging
nod, she left.

  Jennifer walked around the large room and over to the enormous windows to look at the view. It was breathtaking and she was delighted at the sight of the famous Space Needle building. She finally pulled herself away from the view, and sat. Her seat was plush, and it molded to the contours of her body, applying pressure where needed. A giggle escaped before she could stop it. She grinned and spun her chair in a circle, letting out her inner child.

  Trenton walked through the connecting doors to the sound of a giggle, then stopped in his tracks. Spinning in a chair, only a few feet from him was the girl from the park. Her face was lit up with joy and she was so stunning he had to fight the urge not to yank her from the chair and crush his lips on hers.

  He was glad she hadn’t yet noticed him. It gave him time to control his features. Once he had himself under control he cleared his throat to alert her of his presence, then waited until she turned. He was thinking this was going to be quite entertaining.

  Jennifer turned at the sound and stared in horror. Her feet were still off the ground and her chair spun around again, before she managed to pull herself together enough to put her feet down and stop the spinning chair. She stared at the man before her, not knowing what to say. What was he doing in her doorway?

  Her mouth dropped open as she started putting two and two together. He’d been at the park with Lucas Anderson and they had similar features. They must be related in some way. Did he work for the company? Was she going to have to see him on a daily basis?

  “Wh…what are you doing here?” she asked, not really wanting to hear his answer.

  “I’m at work, and what are you doing here?” he returned.

  “I…I just started today,” she stuttered. She wanted to know where he worked, but didn’t think she’d be able to get the words out.