The Billionaire's Proposition (The Romero Brothers, Book 4) (6 page)

I am honoured
and humbled to have this opportunity to represent you in this great city of
Mayberry Hill as your mayor.

My friends, we
find it is increasingly harder and harder to survive in this economy…

Carl scratched out the last part of that sentence. He knew
what it was like growing up in a struggling family home but he sure as hell
wasn’t struggling now. Would they relate to him?

Well-paying
jobs are being eliminated and there is no plan in place to create new ones.
Families are finding it more and more difficult to survive. Affordable childcare
is becoming unreachable for working class families struggling to make ends
meet. Many know how it difficult it is to make ends meet, period.

Carl drew in a deep breath and scrapped the last part of that
paragraph. Focus. He needed to focus, but his mind was all over the place.

The
right to work for a decent living wage and have universal healthcare is vital
and indeed one of our fundamental rights.

Mayberry Hill
is ready for a different kind of politics…One that is fair and just…one that
puts family first, for survival, for decent living and for betterment.

Family first? What did he know about having a family of his
own to
raise
? Perhaps his grandfather was right about
him offering to represent families and being at odds, given that he was a
bachelor with personal annual revenue that could very well represent what the
average worker would make in a year—he made that in an hour.

His stomach clenched. He felt a knot tighten in his gut. But
it wasn’t always like that. He wanted to help create more jobs and opportunities
for working class families and the poor to get ahead in life. Sure, he got a
break when he met his grandfather in his teens but he also worked his butt off
on his own merits, just as his father did before his dad fell on hard
times—without the Romero name and all its privileges.

I’ve
experienced firsthand the hardship that families can experience, growing up in
a working class home. I feel your
frustration,
I feel
your anxiety, your pain…when the mortgage or rent can’t be paid, when you have
to choose food over shelter, when medical care and bare necessities are out of
reach…

Carl’s heart was pounding hard in his chest. His mother never
stood a chance before her sad passing, battling cancer, not having enough funds
or resources. The bitter memory tore a part of his soul. He wanted voters to
see that he could not only make a change—a difference, but he truly felt
their agony.

I take my job
and my duties seriously in helping to bring positive change to the lives of
hardworking individuals…
.I
will aim to work with
community leaders and local businesses to bring about positive change, to create
better-paying job opportunities and affordable childcare for those who work
outside the home.
We don’t need more politicians
,
we need more leaders
. Together, we can make a difference.

Carl thought for a moment. “Together, We
Can!” was his new political slogan thanks to Venus, his wonderful, insightful
assistant. She came up with the idea during one of their recent brainstorming
sessions.

 
A knock sounded on Carl’s office door,
interrupting his thoughts. It was already the end of the workday. Since Venus
had returned from her late lunch break hours ago, she and Carl hadn’t had a
chance to converse. She had her reports to finish for him and he was busy
engaging with the suppliers on his latest equipment shipped to the gym.

Carl had also spent a great deal of time
going over some hand-over stuff with his brother, Jules. Carl was in the process
of transferring over more of his duties to his brother while he prepared for
his run for mayor. He didn’t know what the outcome would be for the mayoral bid
but he wanted to devote his full energies to his upcoming campaign—once
he made the official announcement regarding his plans to run for office, of
course.

“Yes?”

The door pried open. Venus stood there in
the doorway, looking more stunning than earlier, if that was at all possible. There
was just something enticing and elegant about her presence that captivated him
each and every time he laid eyes on her. She had a healthy glow about her, even
though it was apparent that she seemed more tired today. Her full lips looked
so cute painted in a vibrant red, her large brown eyes framed by long lashes
looked so innocent, so inviting, yet he could see apprehension in those dark,
beautiful eyes of hers.
 

“Hi,” she said quietly. Her eyes barely met
his. This was not like Venus at all. She’d always displayed herself as a
strong, feisty woman who got things done around the office.
But
today?
Not a chance. She seemed intimidated. Shy.

Venus squared her shoulders. “Carl, I’m
ready for us to discuss your proposition.”

“Good.” He leaned forward in his chair.
Venus came in and sat down in the plush leather seat in front of him. She’d
gotten her nerve back. Good.

She heaved a sigh at first then proceeded
to talk. “But I will not be paid the sum you had suggested.”

Now that had Carl stumped. “And why not?”

“I just don’t think it’s right. I want to
help you win this election, but I don’t feel right about that sum of money.”

Carl inched forward in his chair, clasping
his hands together in front of him on his desk. He was truly amazed at this graceful
yet elusive woman before him. What was it she wanted from him then? Another
thought rattled him. Surely, she couldn’t think they were really getting married—to
stay married.

“Venus, perhaps I should make this
arrangement clear to you,” Carl said in a soft low voice. “This is only a
contract. You do realize that, right? It’s business.”

“Business?”

“Well, yes. You know why I need to do this.
I only want to ensure that you are adequately compensated. You can’t possibly
think that a man in my position would allow you to make such a sacrifice for
nothing.”

Venus shook her head, a grin finding its
way to her lips. “Oh, no, Carl. I know full well what this is about. And trust
me. I want you to win. I’ve seen the other candidates. You’re the best man to
represent the people of this town, Carl. I consider it my civic duty.”

Now Carl was even more confused. “Civic
duty?” He arched a brow. Was that all this was about? Why was Carl feeling
uncomfortable all of a sudden? Wasn’t that what he wanted all along?
A trophy wife for his campaign image?
Yet, a part of him
wanted so much more of her. The truth was, he really felt a strong attraction
to Venus. Maybe this could be the beginning of a real relationship, so he
wouldn’t really be lying about his marriage.

“Well, no,” she quickly rebutted, looking
more flushed and embarrassed. “Wrong choice of words. Sorry. I meant…I don’t
want to be paid to do this.”

“But surely you could use the resources,”
Carl continued, trying to sound as discreet as possible, “for your son,” he
finished, raising a brow. “Think about college tuition when he grows up. And
you’ve been complaining about daycare costs and affordability for the longest time,
Venus. Why would you think I want your help but would not help you in return?
Venus, from the moment I met you I notice that you always have a tough time
asking for help or receiving it. It’s okay to allow someone to help you once in
a while, you know. Why do you feel you’re not worthy of—
”

“Oh, no. It’s not that,” Venus jumped in.

“Then what is it?” He just couldn’t figure
out this girl, no matter how hard he tried, yet something inside him pulled
towards her magical aura. There was something about her alluring beauty and
unique grace that captivated him, mesmerized him. Damn, he was falling for her
hard.

“Listen, before you answer that,” he said,
picking up his phone to make a call. “I’m going to arrange for dinner for the
two of us so that we can go into greater detail about our…arrangement.”

“Dinner?” Venus arched a brow. “I need to
get home for Tristan.”

“Oh, right. Listen, I’ll arrange for
childcare at the estate so that we can go on the Janissa.”

“The Janissa?”

“Yes, the yacht on the lake by the house.
I’ll have staff arrange for us to have a private dinner there. That way,
Tristan would only be a short distance away while we discuss our business
further.”

She seemed stunned at first. “Oh.
Um…sure.
I would like that.”

“Good. It’s a date then.”

A date?
Yes, it would be one heck of a business date.

The waterfront property outside the Romero
Manor estate was refreshing and serene. The evening summer sky was quickly
fading from clear blue into a beautiful blend of orange and red hues in the
dusk backdrop. It was alluring cottage country. The warm summer breeze kissed Venus’s
skin. After a long day at the office and a stressful day after that phone call
from the consulate, she felt oddly relaxed, safe in Carl’s presence on the lake.

The waves of blue swirled and washed up on
the shore as they were seated on the top deck of the customized white yacht. The
luxury boat swayed to the rhythm of the motion of water swirling around it.
 
Venus always found water and the sound of
waves to be soothing for as long as she could remember. The Janissa was
stunning. The glow of the candlelight on the table as well as the dim
flood lights
on the boat created a calming, romantic
ambiance.

Venus could not believe she was there,
alone with hot and sexy Carl Romero. This was a dream. It wasn’t real. Her eyes
captured Carl’s handsome features as he surveyed his notes on his laptop. His
skin carried a warm glow from the sunset sky, the wind gently rustled his dark,
cropped hair and the dim light highlighted his high cheekbones and dark,
sensuous eyes. The man was stunning, breathtaking in every way. Her body
reacted in his presence. But how could she even help herself? She didn’t even
want to. She longed for him to touch her, to be close to her and wondered often
what it would feel like to be held in his strong, muscular arms and feel the
warmth of his body entwined with hers. Oh, gosh, she was feeling heated
already.

Her heart pounded hard and fast in her
chest. She didn’t think she could calm her nerves for one single moment while
there with Carl. But wasn’t this what she’d always fantasized? She was sure it
was the fantasy of every female employee at R. M. Fitness Center the way they
often went on about him during lunch breaks and working hours, ogling their hunky
boss as he whizzed by in his expensive tailored suits.

“Why the name Janissa?” Venus asked Carl
after the waiter had taken their orders. She desperately wanted to get her mind
out of her sexual fantasy about him. They were there, after all, to discuss
business.
Serious business regarding the upcoming
election—and nothing more.

“My mother’s name was Janissa.” Carl’s
voice was low and deep; there was an air of sadness in his tone. He said
nothing more. She’d heard that his mother died tragically when he was young. A
pang of empathy stabbed her heart.

“That’s a beautiful name,” she replied
quietly, feeling her gut twisting inside. She knew very well the horrific
feeling of losing a loved one, her own mother—and father.

“Thank you.”

Not long after, the waiter returned with
two delicious dinner trays. It was more like a miniature buffet for two. There
were so many choices. She felt overwhelmed and
more hungry
now, just salivating over the scrumptious entrees.

The large China dishes were filled various
offerings. One plate had fresh baby spinach with slices of seasoned tomato. Another
dish contained roasted watermelon salad with lime, mint, lemon balm, goat
cheese crumbles, fleur de sel and extra virgin olive oil. Their entrees consisted
of oven roasted French-cut chicken breast with cherry sauce. Another dish had
rack of carved roasted lamb with tomato apricot chutney. The waiter had also
served a bottle of fine red Merlot wine from the Romero Winery & Vineyard,
of course.
The sumptuous aroma of the dinner before her wafted
to her nostrils and seeped into her stomach.
She didn’t realize how
hungry she was until now.

But looking across
the
 
dimly
lit table from her gorgeous
boss made her hungry for more than food. She wanted to rinse the naughty thought
from her mind. She’d just realized that this was the first time since they’d
been working together that they sat down to a dinner together.
Just the two of them.
Normally, they would sit down to staff
dinners at fine restaurants or at the estate with the family—but never
alone.

Carl had the most captivating dark, sexy
eyes she’d ever seen on a man. His lovely chocolate eyes framed by thick black
lashes often entranced her. He was a beautiful man to behold. Waves of desire slid
through her every time her eyes locked with his. What was it about him? He was
utterly mesmerizing. He had the sort of look that would draw you in and make
you want to do anything for him—or to him, in a delightful way.