Billionaire's Bounty (Plus Size Loving) BBW Erotic Romance by Adriana Hunter Page A

just no fun to work with anymore. You drive everyone
almost up the wall with your short fuse, and then when you’re not displaying
monumental levels of fury and impatience, you tend to be unapproachable and
difficult to get along with. I’m thinking maybe it’s time you called her.”
    “Who?” he
growled, then sighed at the look on her face. “Why would I do something as dumb
as that?”
    “It’s pretty
simple, even for you, Jude,” she said, voice teasing. “You want her, go get
her.”
    He chuckled
humourlessly, swivelling his chair to the side and staring out of the picture
window. “She’s not going to want me ,
Carly. Not the way I want her. It’s not like I have a carrot to dangle in front
of her anymore, do I?
    Carly had to
smile. “You’re Jude Stone. You don’t need carrots.” Her tone was teasing as she
added, “What I mean is, she should be wise enough to sense that you have a lot
more to offer her as a woman, not just your money, looks or everything else.
And once she knows how you really feel...”
    Jude huffed,
pushing up on his feet as he shoved his hands in his pockets before he began
pacing the expansive office. “You think I should go over there, tell her I’m
crazy about her? I’m not sure I relish the prospect of being laughed at.”
    “And who says
she’s going to laugh?” Carly queried, throwing her hands in the air again.
    “Carly, the
documents were returned, in shreds, inside an envelope. Does that sound like my
romantic declarations would then be welcomed?”
    Carly paused
thoughtfully, and then said with conviction, “Yes.” She saw him glance back at
her with narrowed eyes, and she went on relentlessly, “Trust me, Jude; I’m a
female and we sort of have some intuition when it comes to these things. I can
almost guarantee you’ll get her.”
    Jude’s face
seemed to brighten, but then he grimaced. “Too risky, Carly. If she says no, or
if I end up making a fool of myself, I’m not sure how I’ll take it.”
    “Well, I can
imagine your dilemma, since, let’s face it - no woman has ever said “no” to you
before,” his PA said drily. “I’m afraid you’ve never had much practice at being
refused, Mr Jude Stone. But now I
think a little insecurity is actually going to do you good.”
    He was staring
at her and shaking his head in wonder. “Why do you like to see me suffer?”
    “You’re my
boss,” she said with a huge, spreading grin. “That’s my prerogative. So...are
we doing this or not?”
    ***
    Miranda was
looking forward to this appointment. After all these months of sending out
feelers, trying to make designated links with a financial consultancy ready to
handle their stock portfolio, she’d hit pay dirt.
    “The Bretton
Group...these guys are the best there is,” Jeff told her approvingly. “Good
work, Miranda; this is your baby, so you should handle the proposal. Think
you’re up to it?”
    She inhaled
deeply, taking in a bracing breath. It was true that she was the one who’d got
them the deal, but it was cool of her brother to consider letting her do the
pitch, even though this would technically be the first time she’d be making
one.
    “I think so,”
she said, shrugging. “I mean , I’ve done the research,
worked out the ground plan. I’m definite I can make a commendable
presentation.”
    Jeff nodded
approvingly. “That’s the spirit,” he said, with a playful chuck to her chin.
    “So, what time
do you need to be there?”
    “They’re
sending me a car,” she said, glancing at her watch. “At noon. And it’s a few
minutes till then.”
    “Well, let me
leave to finish with preparations,” Jeff said, heading out the door of her
office, glancing back with a small smile and a nod. “Once again, sis, great
job.”
    ***
    Miranda looked
out of the car window, turning to the driver in surprise. “Excuse me; I don’t
think this is the way to the Bretton offices...”
    It was barely
five minutes since she’d been picked up from