Dexter’s Surprise by Lorena Jackson
A feel-good, Christmas novella.
Dexter Fox is a wealthy, womanising business man. He only has two things on his mind – making money and sex with the next beautiful woman who comes along.
To him, Christmas time is an unwelcome distraction. He despises this time of year so much that if he had his way, he’d ban Christmas altogether.
But what happens to this scrooge billionaire when an unexpected surprise lands in his office? Will this surprise change his mind about the festive season and about love? Will the heart of this hard-nosed businessman melt?
Read now in this fun, festive season standalone romance as Dexter finally finds out there’s more to life than sex and money.
Description
Find more from this author on:
AmazonHere is a short sample from the book:
Chapter One
Dexter exited the lift into his office space, the highest office space at the shard. The views of the city inspired him. Especially since he could now physically pinpoint most of the developments he owed. His first hotel. His first gym. His various apartment blocks. They were his babies. All his. All earning more money than he knew what to do with. The thrill of investing and becoming the richest man in the UK kept him going. He was still far behind the Russian Oligarchs and Saudi playboys who resided in the city. There was no football club in his portfolio. Maybe he ought to look into that? Would the owner of Chelsea sell to him? What self-respecting billionaire didn’t own a football club?
He marched in. He caught the staff gathered around gossiping. As soon as they saw him, they separated and scuttled back to their desks. Unfocused staff annoyed him. He didn’t pay them to socialise at his expense. Maybe a few sackings in the new year would refocus their energy on the bigger picture.
His current secretary, Bella, beautiful Bella, stood up to greet him.
“Coffee, Dexter?”
A sigh, he clicked his fingers at Belle and pointed to his office. She followed him in.
“Shut the door,” he demanded and leaned on his desk.
“Have I done something wrong?” she asked.
“Yes, I don’t like you calling me Dexter. It’s Mr Fox to you.”
A grin spread across her face.
“I thought you liked being called Boss.”
“Only in bed,” he said.
With a hook of his index finger, he beckoned her over.
“Remove your clothes; I’m going to punish you.”
“Yes, Mr Fox,” said Belle.
He moved to one side and ordered her to bend over the table. God, he loved his job. He loved his life.
Once he finished, he ordered her to get dressed and take some notes.
“Yes, Mr Fox,” she winked at him.
She sat opposite him, with her long, lean legs crossed and her skirt riding up. How was he supposed to do any work with her around? He really should get himself an older secretary.
“Mr Fox, pay attention,” she ordered him.
He snapped out of it. Back to business.
“Organise a lunch with the Chelsea owner. I feel like doing a bit of shopping.”
“He won’t sell.”
“We’ll see.”
He always got his own way.
“Belle, what was distracting the staff this morning?”
“They were discussing the Christmas lunch and if we should do secret Santa or not.”
He rolled his eyes. It was only November and they were already obsessed with Christmas. He hated Christmas. To him, it meant distractions. Loss of business. He had to give the entire staff time off. They’d return in January, fat and unfocused. If he had his way, he’d ban Christmas.
“Hey, Scrooge,” Belle interrupted him. “So you want in on the secret Santa? It’s twenty per head.”
“What the hell can you buy for twenty quid, apart from tat? What’s the point in buying tat?”
“So that’s a no from you. Are you coming to the Christmas lunch?”
No, of course he wasn’t. The small talk, the nonsense. Parents boring him about their snot-nosed brats. Why did he even employ parents? Damn HR and tribunals. If only he could sack staff as soon as they became parents. Parental leave, maternity leave. Focus. It all cost him.
“Don’t count me in. I’ll be working. Someone’s got to keep this company afloat.”
Belle shook her head at him. Sometimes she was so cool and other times she was like the rest of the sheep.
“Will you also be working on Christmas day?” she asked.
If only he could. Always expected to attend the family Christmas lunch, there was no getting away from that.
“Unfortunately not, I’ll be at my parents. You want to come?”
At least Belle might liven it up. And she was exactly the type of girl his parents would expect him to be with. She came from money and was posh enough for her snobby mother.
“Not if they’re as miserable as you, thank you. I’m having fun at Christmas. Now, if you’ll excuse, I have work to do.”
She stood up and strutted out of his office. He enjoyed the view of her form in her tight skirt.
What a distraction. He must remember to get her something sexy for Christmas. If he couldn’t avoid this dreadful holiday, he may as well get something out of it. Now, who to choose it for him? He could ask one of his other assistants, but it might look a bit tacky getting one of them to pick out sexy underwear especially since he’d slept with most of them. He’d delegate it to his concierge service. They handled everything outside of work.
After a day of conference calls and no lunch, it was dark already. Maybe he should work from his Sydney office. He’d definitely look into it for next year. It was always less festive when Christmas fell in summer. He called Belle.
“Book a table for us for dinner. Somewhere nice. You’re staying with me tonight.”
Their brief tryst earlier that day had whetted his appetite and he wanted more of Belle tonight.
“Yes, Mr Fox.”
He placed the phone down. He could always rely on Belle to book something perfect – and expensive, with her exquisite taste. A few moments later, there was a knock at the door. Belle poked her head in.
“Are you back for more?”
She shushed him. “There’s someone here to see you.”
His schedule was clear for the rest of the day, he needed to get on with some paperwork.
“Tell them to make an appointment.”
He was too important to be seen without an appointment and he shouldn’t have to tell Belle this; she was a perfectly adequate secretary.
“I think you should see them.”
“Is it the Chelsea owner?”
She shook her head.
“Then no, tell them to come back another day,” he shooed her away and opened a file on his laptop.
Then there was a sound. An unusual sound. It sounded like a child crying.
“Belle, I thought I made it clear the staff weren’t allowed to bring their kids in anymore.”
There was nothing worse than a child running around the office, swivelling around in the chairs, spilling water at the water cooler and then him being introduced to them. As if he wanted to meet his staff’s kids. Actually, the worst was when they brought a screaming newborn in. And they expected him to coo over the ugly, red, blotchy thing.
“It’s social services,” said Belle.
Social services? He’d never had any dealings with social services before and as far as he knew all of his staff were perfectly respectable. He didn’t hire lowlifes, chavs or people with criminal records. Confused, he allowed Belle to bring them in.
Some middle-aged woman in a cheap, polyester, grey suit entered holding the hand of some snivelling child. Belle threw him a bemused look. The woman thanked her and closed the door, leaving Belle on the other side.
“Nice office, nice view,” she commented.
He knew it but urged the woman to get to her point. He offered them a seat. The girl looked about four or five. Or maybe nine or ten. Dexter had no idea. He had no experience with children. There were no young children in his family and none of his friends had them. Except probably one of his friends, Mason, the sap, would soon. Recently engaged. All loved up and talking about children the last time he saw him. It would be a shame to cut Mason out of his life. They used to get on so well.
“Mr Fox, this is a rather sensitive issue.”
The woman squeezed the little girl’s hand. With her long, blonde hair tied in pigtails and her big, blue eyes, she looked very cute.
Before she continued, he cut in. “Look, I don’t have a lot to do with my staff’s personal lives. Maybe I should call someone from HR to talk to you instead?”
“No, we’re only here to see you, Mr Fox. It’s about Heidi.”
“Who the hell is Heidi?”
The woman glared at him; “this is Heidi. Your daughter.”
Related products
-
The Spark by Em Adams and M. Scarlet
Ryleigh Lane is living her dream. Her career is soaring higher than she ever imagined it would, and she’s making enough money to not only take care of herself but her mom, too. So what if she’s a little lonely? She had more going for her than most people did, and she couldn’t ask for anything more. That is, until a heartbreaking call has her rushing back to the small town that has always been home, and into the arms of her childhood friend.
There is one thing that Tom Webber knows without a doubt. Long distance relationships don’t work. Period. He’s just as certain that city living isn’t for him. He’s tried both and ended up miserable and broken hearted in the process. When Ryleigh blows into their hometown, he can almost see a future with her. Too bad she lives in the city all the way across the country.
Will To Love (Lifestyle by Design Book 1) by Miranda P. Charles @MirandaPCharles
Clarise Carson was desperate to keep her newly-engaged sister from playing matchmaker at her very own engagement party. She couldn’t think of anything more embarrassing than have her sister’s guests see her as the loser in love who couldn’t find “The One”. So she dragged a handsome friend to be her “pretend” boyfriend for the night.
Will Matthews went to his friend Rick’s engagement party for one reason – to meet Rick’s future sister-in-law, the writer for Lifestyle by Design magazine, in the hope that he could have an article published for his boutique travel agency service. He knew Rick had plans to introduce him to some single girl at the party but he laughed it off. He had no desire whatsoever to be in a relationship with any woman who would want commitment. He was far too focused in building his business to the success he dreamed.
When Will and Clarise met, sparks flew and there was an instant, undeniable attraction between them. With Will, Clarise found herself wanting to bury demons from the past. But Will knew what he wanted – and it wasn’t a relationship.
How can Clarise stop her old wounds from opening up and bleeding again? And how can Will learn to embrace the one thing he didn’t even know he wanted?
A Brush With Fame by Melinda Hazen
What if by chance you met a famous person? And he wants you.
Makeup artist Rafaella Hamilton accepts a one-day sub position on a Hollywood movie set. When a stranger returns a pen she drops, she doesn’t realize she’s met and mistaken for a member of the crew the lead of the movie, British heartthrob Evan Hutchinson.
As the pair continue to see each throughout the day, Evan finds himself increasingly intrigued. Rafaella’s pretty, likable, and has made him laugh. And now he wants to know more. But she won’t be back tomorrow—unless Evan can make sure she will.
An unusual job offer is extended to Rafaella to finish out the film as Evan’s personal makeup artist. The opportunity promises to provide much alone time for the two to become acquainted. Rafaella sees Evan as charming, personable, and funny—unlike most actors she’s come across—and now, apparently interested in her. Is there hope for love and a happily ever after in Evan’s A-list world?
Their love story is sweet but entails drama beyond what the couple can foresee.
Heart Robber (Lifestyle by Design Book 2) by Miranda P. Charles @MirandaPCharles
Jessa Allen knew she was plain and average. Yes, she was brainy and successful in her career as a senior writer for the popular Lifestyle by Design magazine, but she wasn’t a raving beauty who easily attracted hunky, gorgeous men like Rob Granger even if her well-meaning friends wanted her to believe she was. So when Rob asked her out, she was shocked. A seriously handsome man who had magnetism she couldn’t seem to escape wanted her. That wasn’t something that happened everyday.
Rob Granger was instantly attracted to Jessa Allen. She wasn’t the usual type he went for but there was something alluring about her that drew him like a moth to a flame. But he was a self-confessed playboy who had absolutely no plans to be tied down by any woman. He valued his freedom, first and foremost and his expanding business was the only thing he was committed to. But he was intent on satisfying his intense desire for Jessa.
They both didn’t want to fight their physical attraction for each other. But Jessa found herself falling for the man who could not promise her tomorrow. And Rob was set on only having a short fling with Jessa especially when they lived in different states – he in Melbourne and she in Sydney.
Could Jessa trust herself not to fall apart when the time came to let Rob go? And could Rob ever find freedom in what he considered as a prison to be avoided at all cost?
Second Chance Grill by Christine Nolfi @christinenolfi
Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
Welcome back to Liberty, where the women surrounding the town’s only restaurant are as charming as they are eccentric.
Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards Finalist, which The Midwest Book Review calls “A riveting read for those who enjoy adventure fiction, highly recommended.”
Night’s Caress by Mary Hughes
Brie Lark wants nothing to do with her hometown or vampires, but FBI Special Agent Seb Rikare needs her help on a case…in her hometown. And she’s pretty sure he’s a vampire. What’s the worst that can happen?
Faithfully Yours by Alessa Martel
When Jenny discovers her high school sweetheart is marrying another woman, will she fight for a second chance at true love?
Michael and I used to be inseparable, but when I saw him kiss another girl at a high school graduation party, my heart was broken. My first summer break from college means I have to return to our small town and see him again after our emotional breakup, but I’m still bitter over the lost future I always thought we would share.
When my younger sister reveals that Michael is engaged, I realize I’m not ready to give him up. He’s moved on, with a beautiful fiancée who seems to make him happy, but can I stand by and lose the love of my life forever?
Faithfully Yours is the heartfelt first book in the Cherish Creek sweet small town romance series. If you like high school sweethearts, true love confessions, and close knit families, you’ll love Alessa Martel’s wholesome second chance romance.
Play Me to Infinity by Carey Decevito
It’s all about the misconceptions or so it seems…
When Michael (Mike) Withers relocated to Jacksonville, taking over as Withers International‘s CEO in an effort to be closer to his sister and her new family, he never imagined finding himself at a crossroads.
Burned by his ex-fiancée, Mike traded in his dream of a house with a white picket fence and a family of his own and submersed himself in work and entertaining the occasional lady, even if the woman in question worked for him.
Was he a player? Hardly. But Nicole (Nikki) Baxter wouldn’t believe the truth even if it hit her between the eyes. The woman claimed that once a player, always a player.
Compelled to prove her wrong, games begin which Mike is quick to realize could lead him down one of two roads: heartache or the life he had desired once but had resolved to quit chasing.
Maybe he’d given up too early?
Maybe his ex hadn’t really been the one?
And maybe happiness lay in the form of a feisty, argumentative, tiny package with tight skirts and an ability to turn any argument into foreplay?
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.