His Secretary: BBW Romance (Her Second Chance Book 1) Read online

  “Yes.” Laura’s eyes lit up at that thought, she asked Helen, “Can we dress up now for dinner?”

  “If you want to.”

  The two girls were off up the stairs before Helen had a chance to say another comforting word. Just like that, the fact that she was going away had been forgotten, replaced by the excitement of time spent with someone else. Someone fun. She leaned on the kitchen counter, her face in her hands.

  Sometimes all she felt was taken for granted. The girls loved her, and depended on her always being there, and that was as how should be. She was their mom. Yet Helen felt there was nothing else to her any more, no other part of her existed. A one dimensional person instead of the multifaceted woman she used to be.

  Over the next few days she had a chance to reclaim herself. Max was right, this was a good idea. She might even come back refreshed, and not feel like a drudge every day of her life. The monotony of getting them all out of the door in the morning, of doing the shopping, the washing, and every other little thing that needed doing suffocated her. But it was her lot as a single parent. This small break was a little treat to herself. With the girls so happy there was no need for her to feel guilty for one more moment.

  Pulling out a saucepan, she began to make dinner, and by the time she put the pasta on to cook, she found herself humming happily. A feeling of having a weight lifted off her shoulders was incredibly strong. When the girls came breezing in, dressed up like two princesses, she didn’t even nag them not to get sauce on their pretty dresses. Everything was so much easier now she had something to look forward to. The fact that it involved Oliver was only part of the excitement. For once she was going to spend a few days as an adult, in the sole company of adults.

  While they sat eating, Helen reminded her daughters of what Dan and Max needed to do to get them ready for school on time. Everything was slotting into place when the phone rang.

  “Hi Dan.” A brief conversation later, and it was decided that the two girls would be better off in their own home. Max and Dan would come and stay.

  “Are you sure, Dan?” Was she looking for one final last way out of this?

  “Yes. It’ll get Max and I in training for when we have kids.”

  “Oh?”

  “Don’t tell Max I said that. The thought of the wedding is quite enough without thinking of kids. But really, we would love to, if that’s OK with Laura and Jess.”

  “Uncle Dan wants to know if it’s OK for them to come and stay here while I’m away?”

  The loud shout in her ear could be heard down the phone too. “I think I have my answer,” Dan said. “I’ll come around in time for you to leave, I’d like to meet this Oliver Pierceson before you go off with him.”

  “Dan,” she warned. “He’s my boss.”

  “So. You’re my sister, and I want to make sure you’re safe.”

  “I will be quite safe. What’s the worst that could happen?” Her mind filled with what she’d like to happen. If only this was a romantic break with Oliver, not business. Dan’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “I’m not sure if I should be more worried about you, or me and Max. Those daughters of yours have a way of wrapping us around their little fingers.”

  “They are already insisting on one of your famous tea parties.” Helen tried to concentrate on Dan’s voice, not on the thoughts that were still trying to invade her head. As she looked at the two girls in front of her she suddenly felt as if her body and soul were being torn in two.

  Was this how it felt when a parent had to choose between her kids and something else? The ache of betrayal at wanting something other than your children. For wanting there to be more to your life than the daily routine.

  “Helen?” Dan prompted.

  “Sorry, what did you say Dan.”

  “We’ll take good care of them. You go and enjoy this opportunity.”

  Had her read her mind? “Thanks, Dan. I’m really nervous that it’s the wrong thing to do.”

  “Max doesn’t think so. And you know she’s always right.” There was a pause. “Ouch. I was joking.”

  Helen heard Max’s voice in the background, and smiled to herself. “I know Jess and Laura will have fun with you both. I only hope they’ll miss me.”

  Chapter Sixteen - Oliver

  He pulled up outside feeling as nervous, worse than on a first date in high school. Somehow he seriously needed to get a grip on himself, After all this was business, not pleasure. As he got out of the car, and went to her front door, the slight tightness in his pants told him he would have to remind himself of this fact over and over again throughout their time together.

  Raising his hand to knock, he was beaten to it by the appearance of a man, who opened the door with a certain hostility. He had seen that look before, but usually on the face of a woman’s father, not her brother.

  “Hi. You must be Dan.”

  “And you must be my sisters boss.”

  “Nice to meet you.” He looked at his watch, and then added, “Is Helen ready? I don’t want to be late.”

  “She’s just saying goodbye to her children.” He took a step towards Oliver, pulling the door closed behind him so that only a sliver of light escaped the house. “I hope I can trust you to look after her. I know Max encouraged her to go with you, that it would do her some good. But if anything happens to her...”

  “We’re going to Monaco, not a war zone.”

  “I was thinking more in the broken heart department.”

  Oliver smiled evenly, putting on his best authoritative expression, hoping his words sounded truer than they felt. “Dan, I can assure you Helen’s honour is perfectly safe. I make it my one unbreakable rule. I never date employees.”

  Dan straightened up, and looked satisfied. “Thank you. I know it might sound draconian, a brother watching out for his grown up sister. But she’s been through a lot in the last few months. Sometimes I wonder how she manages to hold it all together. But she does, and I would hate for this to end badly.”

  “You have my word, I have no intention of taking advantage of your sister. This is a very important business trip.”

  “Dan, what are you up to?” Helen appeared, pulling the door open, and the light spilled out. “Oh, I didn’t know you were here. Dan?”

  “We were just having a chat. Man to man.”

  Helen slapped Dan across the arm. “Stay out of it, Dan.”

  “What? I was just checking what time you were due back.”

  “Of course you were.” Helen pulled Dan back into the house, and held the door open fully. “Oliver, do you want to step in? I just have to grab my suitcase.”

  Oliver looked at his watch again, not wanting to linger over Helen’s family life. But he stepped in all the same, and was assaulted by her home. Pictures of two beautiful girls, coats hung up and shoes neatly placed. Drawings done by little hands, and the smell of home cooked food. It was warm, and begged him to linger, to forget all about business and enjoy the here and now with a woman he could love. A woman who knew how to love the simple things life had to offer.

  “We really need to go,” he said, and turned abruptly, walking out of the house to wait in the safety of the dark night.

  Chapter Seventeen - Helen

  He made her nervous. By his behaviour she already assumed he thought he’d made the wrong decision asking her to go with him. With no real experience, she would have to admit he has right. It was either that or Dan had said something inappropriate. Perhaps he had insinuated that Helen saw this as more than a business trip.

  Thoughts whirled through her head like confetti in the air. All mixed up, jumbled and nonsensical. She would be absolutely no use to him at all if she didn't get her head together. With that thought held firmly in the forefront of her mind she decided to set the tone of the trip herself. Tell him she knew this was purely business.

  “When we land are we going straight to the hospital?”

  “No. I thought we’d get an early night, and
then go to see him in the morning. So far he has no idea I’m invading the business meeting.”

  “How do you think he will take it?”

  “Hard to say. I spoke with my aunt at some length, she agrees it’s the right thing to do. But she’s not going to tell him, he had some tests this afternoon, and she didn’t want him upset before those. She’s worried about him though, apparently he’s not eating. He blames the food, but my aunt says it’s more than that.”

  “I’m sorry. This couldn't have come at a worse time for him, with the Clarkson deal and everything.”

  “He’s a busy man, no time would be a good time. But I do feel sorry for my aunt. This trip was supposed to be a complete getaway for them, swapping the damp grey weather of London in the spring for the sunshine and glamour of Monte Carlo.”

  “I guess the last thing they expected was to end up spending it in a hospital.”

  “I always thought the old man was as strong as an ox, he’s certainly as stubborn as one.”

  “Is that a trait that runs in the family?”

  “Stubbornness?”

  “Yes, you said your mom wouldn’t accept help. And you seem determined to succeed. That must take a certain amount of stubbornness.”

  “I prefer to call it determination.”

  “What about your father? Do you have any of his traits? Or do you prefer not to talk about it?” She knew she shouldn’t be prying into his private life.

  “No, it’s OK. It’s nice to have someone to talk to who understand it a little. My mom never spoke of him, so I have no idea.”

  “Did you ever think of tracing him?”

  “No. Well ... when my brother got sick I did. It was a combination of wanting him to face up to his responsibilities, and also to know if his family history could shed any light on things.”

  “Is your brother’s health bad?”

  “No. Not now, it’s manageable.” He turned off, heading to where he would leave his car. It was only then she realised they were going on a private jet.

  “We’re not leaving via Heathrow?”

  “No. It’s too busy. My jet is ready and waiting for us here. We’ll be in the air in a couple of minutes.”

  “You really do live in a different world don't you?”

  “Doesn’t mean it’s a better world.”

  Before she had a chance to ask him what he meant they were greeted by polite staff who ushered them through the London City Airport. No queuing, they walked straight through security, where Helen held her passport with a visibly shaking hand, and straight into a car to take them to the plane.

  It looked so small, next to the big jets she had flown on before, but when she stepped inside, it really did feel like a different, alien world.

  They were quickly seated and in the air, and a drink was in her hand before her stomach had caught up with the rest of her. Oliver sat sipping his drink, an amused expression on his face. “Not what you were expecting?”

  “No. I thought we’d have to wait for hours in the airport.”

  “Are you disappointed?”

  “About what?”

  “Not having to spend hours in my company.”

  “I ... I’m not sure who I’m supposed to answer that.”

  “Neither am I, Helen.”

  They fell into an all enveloping silence. She took a gulp of her drink, and looked out of the window at the disappearing London skyline while the plane climbed smoothly into the air. Closing her eyes for a moment, she took a moment to appreciate the life he lived. But he was right, she wouldn’t give up the struggle of her own life, of her family, to be a jet setter like Oliver.

  “Shall we get to work?” she asked, breaking the silence, and reaching for her note book.

  “Very diligent.” He smiled, her heart melted, and then she scooped it up and put it away, sealing it off from the man who was her boss, and nothing else. Helen knew she was very probably going to make a complete fool out of herself if she wasn’t on her guard. He obviously enjoyed teasing her and watching her squirm, but there was no way he would ever be interested in her. The journey aboard his jet only pushed home the distance between them. A distance unassailable by a woman as tied down as Helen.

  They went over his notes, cross referencing them with her typed pages. All very mundane, all very business like. Neither of them broaching personal subjects again through the rest of the two hour flight. Occasionally Helen’s mind would wander, and she would find herself gazing out of the window, wishing it wasn’t dark, and the sky was clear. She longed to absorb every last second of this adventure. A thrill of excitement had begun to grow by the time the pilot announced their descent into the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport. It sounded so exotic .

  A smooth landing and they were ushered out by the flight attendant. “Thank you, Marian,” he said.

  “Thank you,” Helen repeated, shying away from the knowing look the older woman gave her. It didn’t take much to read her mind, and the directions her thoughts led. How many other woman had Oliver Pierceson transported on his private jet? The thought made her feel slightly queasy. She wanted to stop, place her hand on Marian’s arm and make her understand this was just business. But no doubt Marion had heard that all before. So she kept a dignified silence, and readied herself for the next stage of this surreal adventure.

  ***

  They could have travelled by car, or bus. Even a helicopter wouldn’t have been so unnerving as reaching the hotel in Monaco by boat.

  Exhilarating. Alive for the first time in years, that’s how he made her feel.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing?” she shouted at him, as he pushed the throttle forward and the boat leaped forward into the dark. The ocean sprayed up around her, and she tried to cover her papers up with her hands, keeping them safe. Until something fell away from her, and she left the careful woman, the mother of two little girls behind. She ditched being sensible, and threw her head back and laughed.

  When he turned to her he was grinning. “Like it?”

  She barely caught his voice as it drifted away on the breeze that tugged at her hair. “Very much.”

  The bright lights guided them into the harbour. Men with foreign voices called out, and hands reached out to grab the rope, and all too soon it was over. When Helen got off the boat she had no idea how her eyes sparkled, how her smile dazzled him, or how much he wanted to grab her and hold her in his arms, to kiss her under the starlit sky.

  However, when he grabbed her hand and pulled her, laughing, away from the harbour, they could have been any two lovers in the world. Breathless and carefree, she followed him, their skin touching, warmth passing between them. Along with something else, so much more subtle.

  “Have dinner with me.” Was it a question or a demand? She knew which she hoped it was. If he asked her she would have to refuse. But if her boss demanded her to, she would have to go. It was her duty.

  They stood in the elevator, rising up to their separate rooms. She had felt both a sense of relief and defeat when he handed her her key.

  She opened her mouth to speak. But was interrupted by quacking.

  Mortified she grabbed her phone. “Sorry, my girls love that ringtone.” In her haste she couldn't open her bag, her fingers fumbling while her phone quacked endlessly.

  “Hello,” she answered, turning to look away from him, the moment gone. The spell shattered. “Hello darling. No, it’s OK. What’s the matter?” she asked as responsibility and real life crashed down around her.

  Chapter Eighteen - Oliver

  She’d refused dinner with him last night. He wondered if she would do the same about breakfast. Only one way to find out. He went out of his room, and lifted his hand to knock, this was potentially as nerve racking as his first sole business deal.

  Hesitating he lowered his hand. He should leave her alone. But he hadn’t got where he was today without taking a risk.

  Before he could change his mind again, he rapped his knuckles on the door.

 
“Hi,” she said, opening the door, looking relieved to see him. “I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, so I’ve been sat here waiting.”

  “Then let’s have breakfast,” he smiled, she made it so easy in many ways. No guile, no games, it was just one of the ways that attracted him to her.

  “I’m starving. You’ll be pleased to know I now wish I’d taken you up on your offer for dinner last night.”

  “Why didn’t you?” he asked while they waited for the elevator.

  “Because I didn’t think I’d be very good company.”

  “Why?” He waited for her to enter the elevator, and then followed, turning to press the button to send them up to the restaurant.

  “Because I’m stupid. After Laura phoned I just felt so homesick. Which is stupid when I’d only been gone a couple of hours.”

  “It’s understandable if she was upset.”

  “She wasn’t. She phoned to tell me about Jeremy.” She was in danger of babbling, she could feel it building up. “I’m sorry, you don’t want to hear the details.”

  “I don’t know. I’m intrigued to know there is a man in your life.” Intrigued, and something else. Jealous. He had assumed there was no man in her life, that with her husband gone she was a lonely single woman. But remembering the light in her eyes yesterday when they had been on the boat, the joy and passion exploding from her, he could kick himself for assuming no other man had scooped her up into his arms.

  “Man? Oh ... Jeremy. He’s a cat.” She watched him smile, and smiled too. His heart lifted, damn he was smitten. “Stupid name. But Jess named him herself.”

  “Ah, the cat. You had me worried for a moment. I thought you had been keeping secrets from me.”

  She didn’t have chance to reply, the doors of the elevator opened, and her voice was swept away by the view. “Wow,” was all she managed.

  “You like it?”

  “Yes. I thought we were going down to eat breakfast outside.”

  “Sorry to disappoint. This gives you a birds eye view of Monaco.”

  “Oh. I’m not disappointed.”