The Proposal (A Billionaire Romance) Read online

  “It’s imperative that this Hawaiian venture come off without a hitch, Shane. There’s a tremendous amount at stake for our investors and stockholders especially regarding future Tanner development in the islands. I’m counting on you to make it happen exactly according to plan, and if you do I’ll step aside and retire. This company will be entirely in your hands to run as you see fit.” Blah blah blah, same old condescending bullshit.

  Goddammit! Why did he feel the need to remind me of that every time we spoke? How many deals did I have to successfully broker to prove myself CEO material? Shane had reassured his father, repeatedly and unequivocally, that he would do whatever was required for the success of the inter-island development project. What more did he want for Christ’s sake? He wondered what it would ultimately take to earn his respect. Hardcore ambition, tenacity and drive were equally inherent in both father and son, yet they were worlds apart.

  Shane hated that the old man called all the shots, but his father, Grant Tanner, was a control freak of epic proportions who loved manipulating people and pulling their strings, including his own son’s. Every chance he got he hounded and criticized Shane about his free-wheeling playboy lifestyle, claiming his reputation was holding him back. He steadfastly contended that married family men portrayed a more credible and trustworthy business image.

  Shane poured himself a large glass of Scotch from the crystal decanter on the bar and loosened his necktie. He mentally reminded himself again that he was a rich and powerful, dynamic thirty-three year old man who didn’t need anybody’s validation or approval. He was a captain of industry in his own right with an impressive list of interests and accomplishments: He was a world class skier, scuba diver, yachtsman, jazz pianist, gourmet cook, and helicopter pilot. He loved extreme sports of every kind and excelled at all of them. He wondered exactly how his father perceived any of that as being “held back”.

  His wealth, charisma, and movie star good looks made him one of the hottest most sought-after playboys in his social circle. In fact, he couldn’t recall any woman ever saying, “No” to him except his own mother, God rest her soul. The thought of having any woman he wanted hardened his cock and brought a self-satisfied smile to his face. Equally arousing was the thought of having complete control of Tanner International and he was determined to do anything to get it; including brown-nosing and kissing his father’s ass from here till next Tuesday if that’s what was required.

  As the whiskey’s warmth started to settle into his muscles he could feel some of the tension melt away from his stiff neck and shoulders. Returning to the window, he sighed heavily and released himself from the jacket of his handmade Italian suit. Draping it over the back of his chair, he began to feel psyched about his Maui trip. The Hawaiian Islands were as beautiful as the women who imhabited them. Perhaps a tropical vacation, albeit a working one, was exactly what he needed.

  Three

  After the corporate meeting, Danielle waited in Paolo’s Santiago’s office as per his request. She scanned the fine details around the room wishing she had his decorator know-how; It looked like something straight off the cover of Elle Décor magazine. The view was also nothing to sneeze at, stretching out past the pool area to the sparkling Pacific.

  As the hotel manager, Paolo was her immediate supervisor but was far too humble to treat her as a subordinate. Dani considered him her most loyal friend and confidant and had the utmost respect for his work ethic and expertise. Professionally he was her wise mentor while socially he filled the role of sympathetic “girlfriend”.

  Dani had not been the least bit surprised when he had politely asked her to join him for an informal meeting in his office, after the corporate webinar. She presumed her overt reaction to Shane Tanner’s photo had not escaped his notice. Despite her extreme case of anxiety, she tried to relax in the wicker chair as she stared down from the window at a beach volleyball game in progress .

  After about ten minutes Paolo came in carrying a giant vase full of red hibiscus flowers that almost completely hid the upper half of his slight five-foot, five-inch frame.

  “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting Dani,” he said in his most sincere tone. “Can you believe one of our lovely guests just gave these to me? I’m so touched. They’ll look perfect over here next to the divan.”

  “That’s okay Paolo. No need to apologize. I’m not in any real hurry.”

  Paolo closed his office door and took a seat at his antique desk. He wasted no time with small talk and got straight to the point.

  “Okay girlie, what was all that about down there? Why did you freak out when you saw Shane Tanner’s picture?”

  “So you noticed that huh?” Dani said sheepishly.

  Paolo burst out laughing as he launched into his sarcastic reply, “No…. I didn’t notice anything. Why on earth would I notice a woman turn white as a sheet, stiffen like a statue and almost topple face first out of her swivel chair? Nothing unusual about that. ”

  Danielle sat silently for a few moments wondering how to answer him. She honestly didn’t know where to begin because part of her doubted not only what she’d just seen in the meeting but her own recollection of that distant summer as well. Slowly Dani began relaying her story.

  “It was during summer break between my sophomore and junior year of college at the University of Hawaii. I was living in Honolulu and I met this guy named Scott Turner who was spending his summer break there. He was going to some east coast Ivey League school at the time, Harvard or Yale, I forget which. We had an amazing three-month whirlwind romance.”

  “So? I don’t get it. What the hell does that have to do with Shane Tanner, Dani? Oh my god! Don’t tell me you had a threesome with him?”

  Danielle balked at the suggestion. “Of course not. In fact that would be impossible. Paolo, you’re not going to believe this but as soon as I saw that picture of Shane Tanner in the meeting today, I recognized his face immediately….. That was Scott Turner.”

  Paolo’s large brown eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Are you absolutely sure sweetie? But how could that be?” He was standing now and beginning to pace the length of his desk.

  “I don’t know, but that was definitely Scott in the photo. My mind hasn’t come to grips with it yet. The same little scar by his eye is even there. And of course there’s no mistaking that adorable cleft chin and those piercing gray eyes. And that smile….. Oh my god that sweet smile.” Dani blushed when she suddenly became aware of her teenage schoolgirl demeanor. She forced herself to dismiss it. She was much more comfortable with her feelings of bitter resentment.

  Paolo hopped up from his chair and took a seat on the front corner of his desk, in closer proximity to Danielle.

  “Okay I have serious question to ask you. I know it sounds like I’m prying because I am, but I have to ask. Was it mostly just a summer sex romp or were you in love with him?”

  “It was both. It started out as amazing primal sex like I’d never known but I ended up falling in love with him. What difference does it make?”

  “Dani weren’t you listening to Angela at all during the meeting?” asked Paolo in an unusually somber tone.

  “Not really. I’m sorry but I totally zoned out once I saw that photo. You saw me; I went into shock. What did Angela say?”

  “Well first of all, our new name is going to be The Tanner Kaanapali Kai. More importantly, Shane Tanner will be arriving from California within the next couple of days. He’s going to be here with us to facilitate the transition of the resort from Artemis Hotels to Tanner International. Does any of this ring a bell? Didn’t you even hear Angela say her farewells to the staff? That was the best part actually. I always hated that smug bitch.”

  “No I didn’t hear her say any of that. Oh my god Paolo, Shane Tanner is coming here? How am I supposed to work with him? Do you know how awkward that’s going to be?” Danielle was on the verge of panic.

  “I’m starting to get a pretty good idea. That’s exactly why I’m prying like
this. As manager I have a responsibility to make sure the transition goes as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. As marketing director you’re going to be working very closely with him and I’d like to keep everyone’s embarrassment and discomfort to an absolute minimum. Did the two of you part ways amicably?”

  Paolo listened with great concern as Danielle revealed the details of what was obviously an unrequited love and a painful betrayal. It was apparent to him that it was all still brewing in her dangerously close to the surface and that was surely going to be problematic once Tanner arrived.

  “Oh Paolo it was so wonderful. The whole damn summer was. Why did he have to ruin it? We had so much fun together. I’ve never laughed more in my life with anyone. I fell so hard for him and he said he felt the same way about me. At the end of summer break I woke up one morning and found him gone, with only a single red rose on my pillow. I never saw nor heard from him again; not even a note. It was like he vanished without a trace. Then today when I saw his picture it felt like someone punched me hard in the stomach. So many painful emotions came flooding back, not to mention the obvious confusion about his identity. Paolo it took me forever to get over that bastard. I don’t know how I’m going to face him.”

  Paolo scratched his bald head while he searched in vain for just the right words to comfort his friend. But try as he might he could only come up with “Well shit..……this sounds like a fucking disaster waiting to happen.”

  Four

  The corporate jet was just about ready to take off for the island of Maui. Shane Tanner fastened his seatbelt and looked stoically out the window at the Orange County Airport tarmac expecting the plane to start taxiing at any moment. Instead he saw a most peculiar sight; his father’s secretary, Marguarite Grummond, was waving franticly and running toward the plane with a large duffle bag slung over her shoulder. Shane was dumbfounded. What the fuck does she want? Did I forget something? The elderly woman somehow managed to make it up the plane’s stairs before they were raised, boarding the aircraft completely out of breath.

  Shane instantly hopped up and took the overstuffed bag from her. “What’s this all about Miss Grummond?”

  “Phew! I’m so glad I made it. I’m going to Maui with you. Didn’t your dad tell you?” She took a seat across the aisle from him and buckled the seatbelt strap across her lap.

  “What the hell are you talking about? Are you out of your mind? There’s obviously been a mistake.”

  “Your father assigned me to be your assistant while you’re in Hawaii. Wasn’t that nice of him? It was a last minute decision. Can you believe my good fortune Shane?”

  Shane wasn’t about to hurt Miss Grummond’s feelings but the truth was he was completely and utterly appalled by her sudden appearance and announcement. He thought it best to say nothing at all so he summoned up a weak smile and simply nodded in stunned agreement with her. He figured he’d get to the bottom of the situation once he got to Hawaii. Why burst the old gal’s bubble? She could probably use a weekend in Maui. I’ll send her back home on Monday. He tossed her duffle bag into an overhead bin and slammed the door down tightly.

  It wasn’t exactly a company secret that Tanner International had more than its fair share of young hot-looking secretaries; Shane had hired most of them. So he wondered why the hell his father would send Miss Grummond along. Maybe it was to keep him focused. Miss Grummond had worked for his father for such a long time that two of them even jokingly referred to her as his second wife.

  Marguarite Grummond was a perfectionist who prided herself on her extreme efficiency and attention to detail. Her dedication and loyalty to her long-time boss, Grant Tanner was unquestioning and unfaltering. Shane Tanner had always had a hard time looking past the woman’s offbeat appearance, for she bore no actual physical resemblance to that of any corporate secretary he’d ever seen, but rather to that of an aging ‘60’s flower child. Her long gray hair, Birkenstock sandals and colorful long skirts were a sharp contrast to the stylish designer business suits worn by most professional women. She definitely didn’t reflect the polished corporate image Shane had in mind but he knew he had to pick his battles with his father carefully and Marguarite Grummond sure as hell wasn’t one of them.

  Once the plane leveled off and it was safe to get up, he went over to the bar and poured himself a Scotch. He resigned himself to the fact that he was stuck with an uninvited guest and decided to make the best of it. He decided she may not be his first choice for travel secretary (or even his second, third or fourth) but she was still a woman deserving of his respect.

  “Forgive me Miss Grummond, where are my manners? Can I get you anything? Would you like a drink? I can make you whatever you want.” He said flatly but politely.

  “Oh yes thank you Shane. I’d love a Pink Squirrel.”

  Shane looked at her quizzically and replied, “Except for that. A Pink Squirrel? I’m sorry, I have no idea what’s in that.”

  “That’s okay I don’t know either. Never mind. I’ll just have a Screwdriver then. And by the way, that’s Ms. Grummond. ”

  “Ms.?”

  “Yeah. You know the title women use which doesn’t denote marital status? Remember the women’s lib movement of the ‘70’s? Oh yeah I guess you weren’t born yet huh?”

  Shane poured some vodka and orange juice into a glass and stirred it lightly.

  “Yes. Ms. I’m familiar with it. I’m sorry…. Ms. Grummond, I was being presumptuous. Here you go. I hope this drink is to your liking.”

  “Hard to go wrong with a Screwdriver. Cheers!”

  To his surprise she downed the cocktail in one gulp followed by a large belch. Then she laughed and covered her mouth in embarrassment.

  “I’ll tell ya, it sucks getting older. You wouldn’t believe the noises that start coming out of you! Ha!”

  Her entire demeanor left Shane momentarily speechless but eventually he thought of something to say that wouldn’t be rude. “Well I’m glad the drink was satisfactory.”

  “Shane you don’t need to be so formal you know. It’s not like we’re at the office. We’re traveling business companions now. Please call me Margie won’t you?”

  He thought it best not to ask her why she bothered to correct him on the Ms. bullshit if she simply wanted him to call her Margie.

  “Sure Margie if you insist. I’m just trying to show some respect..”

  Margie threw back her gray mane of hair and laughed. “Well sometimes I like to forget I’m everyone’s elder. How about you respectfully making me another Screwdriver?”

  Shane marveled at her drinking ability and wasn’t sure if it was the Scotch or if he was honestly starting to get a kick out of the eccentric woman. Wow she can really put it away. He had heard his dad describe her as a “live wire” many times over the years and he was finally starting to see exactly what he meant by that.

  After they had both had a few cocktails each and by the time they were landing in Maui, Shane was beginning to warm up to the idea of working with Margie. He had found himself enjoying her conversation and contemplated not sending her back on Monday after all. Still he couldn’t help thinking that a hot young secretary would be more fun. He was torn about it and concluded it would be best to leave his options open a little while longer.

  “Smell those heavenly flowers. Aren’t they wonderful Shane?” gushed Margie as she exited down the plane steps. Shane had to agree her as he sniffed the fragrant island breeze. A limousine was there waiting and promptly took them on a lovely scenic drive from tiny Kapalua Airport down coastal Highway 30 to the Kaanapali Kai Resort.

  Five

  Danielle’s stomach was so nervous she had barely taken five bites of her lunch, leaving most of her Teriyaki chicken bowl untouched on her desk. She had brushed her teeth and checked her look in the ladies’ room three times in the last hour alone. Her anxiety was definitely getting the best of her. The very day Paolo had informed her that Shane Tanner was coming to the island she had run right out and spent ha
lf a week’s salary on a new tailored suit and designer shoes. Why do I even care what that asshole thinks of me anyway? She asked herself that question repeatedly but deep down she knew the answer: She wanted him to see exactly what he had missed out on and she wanted him to regret it.

  The website photo of Shane Tanner stared out from Dani’s computer screen. That bastard! She couldn’t believe he had lied to her about his identity. Not only that, now he was even more gorgeous than she remembered. There was a part of her that secretly wished he had gone bald or put on fifty….or a hundred pounds over the years. But the exact opposite was true; he looked sexier and refined, mature and self-confident. His smile was as dashing as ever and those hypnotic steel gray eyes looked like they could still see through to her soul. She thought back to how many times she had raked her fingers through his lush, wavy dark locks and how soft his full lips felt pressed against her own. The conflicting combination of pure hatred and overwhelming desire for him suddenly turned her stomach.

  It had taken a few years for her heart to heal but once she had finally accepted that she was never going to see or hear from Scott Turner again, she got rid of every photo she had of him. She couldn’t stand the sight of him and she wanted to make sure she’d never have to look upon his stupid face ever again. But now, sometime within the hour she was going to be face to face with him and she had absolutely no idea what she was going to say to him. To make matters worse her sleep was being interrupted by relentlessly tormenting sexual dreams of him.