Read Online For the Love of the Billionaire: The Complete Story of Barrett and Scarlet by Alison Ryan - Free Book Online
Authors: Alison Ryan
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mind as she exited the 15 onto the 215. She wasn’t terribly hungry after the rich meal at Guy Savoy but she was looking forward to seeing Michelle and Larry. They were the two people, besides Barrett, that she could truly be herself around. Scarlet being there would be a bit of a distraction. She was never quite sure what to say to her niece, not since she and Barrett had their break up.
Even five years later it was the elephant in any room Scarlet was in with Nancy.
********
Scarlet swept her thick hair into a bun after a long shower and brief nap. She’d opted to wear a tunic and skinny jeans with flats. Aunt Nancy tended to be someone who was always dressed to the nines, so Scarlet figured her usual beat-up sneakers and worn out jeans wouldn’t suffice.
As she dried herself off from her shower she stared at her naked body in the full length mirror. Scarlet’s body hadn’t changed much since she was nineteen. Her breasts were still full and high, her stomach flat, her hips curvy and sensual. Barrett would still be pleased with me , she thought. And from what she’d seen of him, he looked better than ever, if that was possible.
But why was she even thinking about him? That part of her life was over and she certainly didn’t intend on opening those wounds again. They were better closed. Permanently. She was afraid they might not heal up again, otherwise.
She sat on her bed for a moment, contemplating her conversation with him. She’d tried her best to seem disinterested and put upon to be forced to converse with him. But hearing his voice again stirred something deep in her soul, something she had pushed down for so long that she couldn’t believe it still resided inside her. It was torture being near him and not touching him. Part of her wanted to break down and tell him everything. She knew it would be temporarily cleansing but possibly permanently damning for other reasons. Tears stung her eyes at the thought of their last conversation five years ago, after the most perfect summer of her entire life.
Scarlet would have done anything to go back there and somehow undo what had been done. If she could go back she’d never have been an intern at all, never had that first fateful lunch, never fallen completely and irrevocably in love with Barrett Evers. After all, if you don’t know what you’re missing, you can never feel the hurt of losing it.
********
“So what brought you to Vegas, Scarlet?” Aunt Nancy asked over their potatoes au gratin.
Scarlet stiffened, “Just felt like seeing my Momma. And Daddy of course.” She winked at him, “Can’t forget my favorite man in the world.”
He smiled at her as he chewed a fatty piece of prime rib. Her mother, sensing her discomfort, quickly changed the topic.
“So, Nancy,” Michelle said. “How’re you liking living at Arabella?”
Nancy shrugged, “It’s okay. I’d prefer a house and a yard. Condos aren’t my cup of tea. I’m waiting to see how long Barrett stays here before buying. If it’s a permanent move, I’ll probably sell my place in Georgia and buy here.”
Scarlet rolled her eyes. She’d always thought it was so bizarre that Nancy was so wrapped up in Barrett. It was like they were married without being married. She followed him wherever he decided to go, like a little puppy. She knew Nancy was his assistant and his mother figure in many ways. But Nancy had never been married, had no children. Scarlet couldn’t help but wonder if she resented that. But she’d never ask of course.
“Well, selfishly I’d love that!” Michelle laughed. “Having my big sister in town. We could have dinner every week!”
Nancy smiled thinly, “As long as it isn’t a buffet.”
“For you, I’d broaden my palate,” Michelle grinned, sipping her Diet Coke. “Now I just need to get Ben and Scarlet to move here, and I’m all set.”
They were quiet for a moment as they ate. Scarlet knew there was no chance in hell Ben would
Even five years later it was the elephant in any room Scarlet was in with Nancy.
********
Scarlet swept her thick hair into a bun after a long shower and brief nap. She’d opted to wear a tunic and skinny jeans with flats. Aunt Nancy tended to be someone who was always dressed to the nines, so Scarlet figured her usual beat-up sneakers and worn out jeans wouldn’t suffice.
As she dried herself off from her shower she stared at her naked body in the full length mirror. Scarlet’s body hadn’t changed much since she was nineteen. Her breasts were still full and high, her stomach flat, her hips curvy and sensual. Barrett would still be pleased with me , she thought. And from what she’d seen of him, he looked better than ever, if that was possible.
But why was she even thinking about him? That part of her life was over and she certainly didn’t intend on opening those wounds again. They were better closed. Permanently. She was afraid they might not heal up again, otherwise.
She sat on her bed for a moment, contemplating her conversation with him. She’d tried her best to seem disinterested and put upon to be forced to converse with him. But hearing his voice again stirred something deep in her soul, something she had pushed down for so long that she couldn’t believe it still resided inside her. It was torture being near him and not touching him. Part of her wanted to break down and tell him everything. She knew it would be temporarily cleansing but possibly permanently damning for other reasons. Tears stung her eyes at the thought of their last conversation five years ago, after the most perfect summer of her entire life.
Scarlet would have done anything to go back there and somehow undo what had been done. If she could go back she’d never have been an intern at all, never had that first fateful lunch, never fallen completely and irrevocably in love with Barrett Evers. After all, if you don’t know what you’re missing, you can never feel the hurt of losing it.
********
“So what brought you to Vegas, Scarlet?” Aunt Nancy asked over their potatoes au gratin.
Scarlet stiffened, “Just felt like seeing my Momma. And Daddy of course.” She winked at him, “Can’t forget my favorite man in the world.”
He smiled at her as he chewed a fatty piece of prime rib. Her mother, sensing her discomfort, quickly changed the topic.
“So, Nancy,” Michelle said. “How’re you liking living at Arabella?”
Nancy shrugged, “It’s okay. I’d prefer a house and a yard. Condos aren’t my cup of tea. I’m waiting to see how long Barrett stays here before buying. If it’s a permanent move, I’ll probably sell my place in Georgia and buy here.”
Scarlet rolled her eyes. She’d always thought it was so bizarre that Nancy was so wrapped up in Barrett. It was like they were married without being married. She followed him wherever he decided to go, like a little puppy. She knew Nancy was his assistant and his mother figure in many ways. But Nancy had never been married, had no children. Scarlet couldn’t help but wonder if she resented that. But she’d never ask of course.
“Well, selfishly I’d love that!” Michelle laughed. “Having my big sister in town. We could have dinner every week!”
Nancy smiled thinly, “As long as it isn’t a buffet.”
“For you, I’d broaden my palate,” Michelle grinned, sipping her Diet Coke. “Now I just need to get Ben and Scarlet to move here, and I’m all set.”
They were quiet for a moment as they ate. Scarlet knew there was no chance in hell Ben would
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