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    Father Figure
    Father Figure
    Father Figure
    Ebook103 pages1 hour

    Father Figure

    By Dahlia Rose

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Ethan Tremaine felt like he was sucker punched from the grave when his grandfather’s will was read. Find a wife and have a baby within a year. If not, he will lose his inheritance. Being known as a playboy in the media meant he could pick any model or starlet he wanted, but any woman wasn’t an option. The right person to love was what he needed and looked for. He wanted what his parents had before his mother passed and his father married his bitchy stepmother. When his assistant Mya Spencer walked in and quit because she was pregnant and wanted to start her own business, Ethan saw the perfect opportunity to have his cake and eat it too. He always had a thing for the sexy, serious woman who guarded his office doors like a mamma lion. Being with her and raising her baby as his own seemed like the perfect solution to his problem. Building a relationship was one thing. Doing it in the public eye was different. Between his reputation and the cameras, there was his stepmother and the baby’s father all trying to ruin what he and Mya were building. They wanted money, and all he wanted was a family. Would his playboy persona cause him to los the woman he loved?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDahlia Rose
    Release dateNov 2, 2016
    ISBN9781370227600
    Father Figure
    Author

    Dahlia Rose

    Dahlia Rose is the best-selling author of contemporary, military and paranormal romance with a hint of Caribbean spice. She was born and raised on a Caribbean island and now currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her five kids, who she affectionately nicknamed “The Children of the Corn,” and her biggest supporter and longtime love. She has a love of erotica, dark fantasy, sci-fi, and the things that go bump in the night. With over six dozen books published Dahlia has become a reader favorite. Not only because of her writing but her vivacious attitude in talking to her fans online and at various events. Books and writing are her biggest passions, and she hopes to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of her books. http://hearttoheartwithdahliarose.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/author.dahliarose www.twitter.com/dahliarose1029

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    • 5/5
      Nice read. I love the stories. Wish you would put more suspense in them

    Book preview

    Father Figure - Dahlia Rose

    Chapter One

    Ethan sat at his desk numbly after his grandfather’s will was read. He guessed his twin brother, Easton, was just as shocked since he’d stormed out without even a word, holding a letter in his hand, while his stepmother had started to spew her venom because William Tremaine purposely left her out of the will. That part made him grin, at least. Watching her face turn from pale to red while she screeched was entertainment. How did Lurlene Purdy think she was going to get her hands on a penny? His grandfather had barely let her in their large Boston mansion.

    But he had to give the old man credit. He had secured his legacy well. He and Easton had one year to get married and have a child. If not, billions of dollars went into a trust until they did, and board members would run the business if that happened. Sneaky old man. Ethan said the words fondly in his head. His grandfather was the one who had formed the sexist unspoken rule in the company that women with children rarely moved up in the ranks. His exact words were that estrogen and lactation didn’t make for good boardroom meetings. It was one of the things Ethan abhorred, and both he and Easton had agreed that it would change when the old man passed away. They already had a list of people they planned to give promotions and pay raises. Did his grandfather have the best intentions at heart, or was this another ploy to make sure his bloodline went on?

    Either way, he’d stuck them in the middle of the muck, married with kids within a year. How did one accomplish that, and who would want to? Ethan was very comfortable with his bachelor life.

    A knock made him look up at the polished door of his office. His personal assistant, Mya Spencer, peeked her head around the door. As usual, as soon as he saw her face, a twinge of arousal struck him. Ethan had wanted her from the first time she came up from the office pool to work. It was meant to be temporary, but when his previous assistant left, she was given the job full-time. She was like a machine, remembering dates and numbers and fending off calls, especially when their grandfather got sick.

    Hey, Ethan, do you have a minute to talk? Her voice had a sweet, almost timid sound to it. He’d learned quickly that her spirit was one of pure fire. She was referred to in the company as the Dragon because she guarded the gates of his office like one of the mythical beasts.

    Yeah, come on in. Please tell me you have a bottle of whiskey in your hand, Ethan said.

    The will reading went badly. Did your stepwitch get her hands on your money? Mya asked.

    Ethan laughed. Hell no, Granddad wrote her so far out of it, she’s in another area code. He’s stopped paying for the apartment and essentially wrote in the will, ‘Take your ass back to Oklahoma, where my son found you.’

    Wow, that’s cold. Mya sat down in the chair across from him at his desk. He watched her idly play with the stitched seam of the leather-and-mahogany combo. It was a nervous habit she had, one that he’d noticed over the last two years. She had something on her mind.

    Yeah, it was, but she deserves every bit of what she gets, Ethan said. Dad died trying to escape her viciousness. They were one step from divorce when the yacht capsized. But you’re not here to hear this crap rehashed. What do you want to talk to me about?

    Mya took a deep breath. I’m giving my two weeks’ notice.

    Her news stunned him. W-What, but why? I thought you liked it here.

    Because, Ethan, I’m pregnant, and we all know that since I chose to be a mother, this will now mean I’ll be your assistant for life. I have to look out for us now. So I’ll be leaving in two weeks. I’ve been saving to start my own business. This was a perfect time.

    Mya leaving, Mya pregnant! Ethan’s mind raced, and he felt the loss already even though she was giving her two weeks’ notice. Even more, he felt jealousy that someone else had her first and got her pregnant. In his mind and his fantasies, she was his, and now she was off the market permanently.

    You don’t have to leave. Nothing will change, Ethan said firmly. Now Granddad has passed, myself and Easton plan to implement a few changes—that’s including the unspoken good old boys rule that women with children can’t focus on work. I’m surprised we haven’t been sued out the ass for this by now. It’s being taken care of, and permanently, at the next board meeting. Some of the old fogies will be retiring. We just haven’t told them yet.

    Mya smiled. Glad to hear it, and a lot of others will be too, but I still have to leave, Ethan. Honestly, even though I spoke about advancement, I really don’t want to. I want to own something that my two hands built and where I can raise my baby, not drop him off at day care. Mya’s smile beamed. My mom raised me that way, and I’d like to do the same. I’m not meant for the corporate world. That became clear when I saw the pregnancy test come up positive.

    Ethan nodded. I can see it on your face you’re happy. I hope the father is too. He is a lucky guy.

    This time her face became clouded, and her lips firmed to a disapproving line. He’s not in the picture.

    Do I need to hit someone a few times? Ethan growled. Is it that guy from the seventh floor, the stockbroker? What’s his name, Kyle Bradshaw?

    Well, y-yes... Mya pointed a finger at him. You, Mr. Tremaine, are not to hit or harm him in any way. I took care of it myself.

    How? Ethan asked. The guy was an idiot if he thought he could do better than Mya.

    I told him I was pregnant. He laughed and said not by him—I probably had a few men in my bed. I kicked him in the balls and kicked him out of my apartment, Mya explained. Honestly, it was over three months ago, four counting the last time we slept together and the conception time...I didn’t know I was pregnant. My cycle is finicky, so...I’m so sorry. You don’t want to hear any of this. Let’s just say it’s done and I’m good with my choices.

    All right, I will respect your wishes, but if I see his cocky face, I may not be responsible for what happens, Ethan said. No two weeks’ notice, you can take that time off too. Sleep in and rest. You deserve it, Mya. You’ve worked harder than some of the old fogies here. I’ll make sure your severance package is generous. You’ve earned that and more.

    I won’t take more than I am owed by my contract, Mya answered as she got up. I’m going to lunch early if that’s okay. I have an OB-GYN appointment.

    We’ve got no meetings scheduled for today, and I’ll manage. Ethan smiled. You’ll need your rest now because in a few months, you may be doing the nighttime walk.

    What do you know about that? Mya’s lips curved in a smile as she reached for the doorknob.

    Remember Rodney, my racquetball partner? he asked.

    The newscaster guy? Yes, I haven’t had your regular game on the schedule for a few weeks, she answered.

    That’s because his wife gave birth six weeks ago, and he’s been too exhausted to think about racquetball, Ethan explained. He said they’re wearing a hole in the carpet walking the same route. The baby cries most of the night.

    Sounds like colic. Tell them to try two ounces of warm mint tea in the bottle at night around seven. The baby will burp, and it will soothe the tummy ache associated with colic.

    As she spoke, Ethan couldn’t help thinking how much more beautiful she actually was now, and an idea formed in his head.

    He nodded and smiled. Thanks, I’ll call him and tell him. You enjoy your day, Mya, and congratulations on the baby.

    Thanks, Ethan, for everything, and being an amazing boss, Mya said softly.

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