His Second Chance Read online

  His Second Chance

  Kelli Walker

  Copyright © 2019 by Kelli Walker & Bookify.shop

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Blurb

  I didn’t want to lose him the way I did… and now he’s back.

  Brett Jackson.

  A wealthy hotelier, powerful, and irresistible.

  He is everything a woman wants.

  Heck, he’s everything that I want.

  We happened to be on the same flight.

  I was his flight attendant.

  Was it fate?

  Maybe.

  Now, he’s offered me my dream job.

  The billionaire wants me to design his home.

  But it’s not just my expertise that he’s after.

  He also wants my heart.

  Working for him is one thing.

  Giving him my V-card is another.

  If it’s fate that has brought us together…

  Then I’ve tempted it by falling into bed with him.

  Is history going to repeat itself?

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Off-Limits Billionaire

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  Chapter 1

  Brett

  I was running around in the backyard with my two-year-old niece, Ellen. We were playing a haphazard game of tag in which I was letting her win. She would squeal with delight every time she caught me, or when my long legs just couldn’t quite do their job in catching up to her. It made me laugh and smile, causing her to giggle with so much joy. It was just too bad I wouldn’t be around for more of it. Playing with her always seemed to put me in a better mood.

  Looking at those chubby cheeks, I couldn’t understand why her mother left. I mean, I guess it was better for the girl in the long run and she seemed to have adapted well. But I would never understand why. Why and how could a mother leave such an adorable little girl behind without even a second thought?

  “Hey, man,” my brother, Ronnie, said as he returned. “Thanks for watching her while I was on the phone.” I had known when my brother had mouthed that it was his ex on the phone that I should probably take little Ellen outside to play. If she had known that it was her mother on the phone, she would have made things difficult for them to talk. She still didn’t understand that her mom had no intentions of ever coming back.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Ronnie said as he leaned over to speak to his daughter. “I got a movie for us to watch. Why don’t you run inside and pick which one of your dollies is going to watch with us while I talk to Uncle Brett?”

  “Okay, Daddy,” she said with a squeal before bolting toward the house.

  “So how was the phone call?” I asked once she was distracted and on her way.

  “Not bad. It helps that our divorce was amicable, you know? We really haven’t fought since we finalized the divorce, which is amazing in itself. Especially considering just how much we were fighting before. The fact that she gave me custody of Ellen was like the cherry on top of it all. I don’t know what I would have done if I couldn’t see that chubby cheeked little spit fire every day. She’s my world.” We both watched as the adorable little girl with blonde curly pigtails tugged open the back door and slipped inside. I almost thought the last little bit of her pink dress might get caught in the door, but it slipped safely through behind her. She was so cheerful and happy most of the time. I started walking toward the house but my brother grabbed my arm.

  “Hold up,” Ronnie said as the door shut behind her. “I have something I need to tell you, but I didn’t want to say it in front of her.” I paused and wrinkled my brow. I could tell by his pinched expression that it was serious. He was the kind of guy that usually let things go, so if he was upset I was worried.

  My brother looked a lot like me. We both had the same dark hair and hazel eyes. Roughly the same build before I started lifting weights. But where I could probably be labeled the rebel of the family, he was definitely the serious one. I was covered in tattoos in places that couldn’t be seen when I dressed up, and I was pretty sure my brother would go and get a pedicure once in a while. You know, a pretty boy.

  “What is it?” I asked. “What happened?”

  “It’s Mom,” he began. “She tried to commit suicide last night. I guess she took a bunch of pills. One of the housekeepers found her and called 911. I just wanted to tell you before the internet did.”

  “What?” I asked, shocked. “Why? How? You said ‘tried’, right? Does that mean she didn’t succeed?” My heart felt like it was in my stomach. I knew that my mother had been upset with my dad even more so than usual lately. But I never suspected that she would do something like that.

  “No, she’s in the hospital right now. She’ll survive,” Ronnie reassured me. “But it was a close call.”

  I let out a puff of air and ran my fingers through my hair. “Let me guess, this is because of Dad, right?” I grumbled. He nodded, looking older than his 34 years. It was then that I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the slight stubble on his chin. “Why would she do this? Dad’s always gone anyway.” I could feel my anger bubbling up. I was glad Ellen was inside so she couldn’t hear me. “He’s been gone for what, a month now? I don’t see why now would be the time to do this.”

  “She found out about an affair he’s been having,” Ronnie explained as we approached the back door. “I guess it was just the last straw. I don’t know. I haven’t been able to talk to her. She’s still under observation.”

  “Damn,” I said as I pulled open the door. “When it rains, it pours, I guess.”

  “What do you mean?” Ronnie asked now that we were inside. We were standing in a tiled dining area just off the open kitchen. Ellen was sitting at the table coloring while she waited for her dad.

  “I decided to move to London,” I said finally. “I’ve had it with this place and need a new start.” There was no other way to say it and it was 100% the truth. I was done with everything. Time to move on and get a new start in a new country. Too many memories here that I would rather put behind me. “I can’t let this stop me though. I know they are expecting me.”

  “No, Uncle Brett,” Ellen said from the table. “I’ll miss you too much.” Her little lip was stuck out and she was giving me the saddest little puppy dog eyes I had ever seen.

  “Hey, pumpkin. I’ll still come to visit you, okay? And we can talk on the tablet,” I suggested as I squatted down next to her. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

  “No,” she said as she shook her head vehemently, her little pigtails whipping back and forth. “Because a tablet can’t tickle me or toss me in the air.”

  “She’s got you there,” Ronnie said shrugging. “I’m telling you, she’s a smart one.”

  “I’m sorry, Ellie,” I said as I pulled her into my arms. “But you can always come and visit me, too. There will be new places to go
and see and I bet really neat toy stores and stuff. We can hang out and play and then I can tickle you for real. I’ll even buy you a new doll and send it to you. How does that sound?”

  Her face was still pouting but she nodded. She was fairly easy to please. Promise her that you’d take her somewhere new or find a new toy for her and she’d relent. Checking the time, I saw it was getting late. I still had someone else to meet. Two people, actually. They deserved a goodbye in person too.

  “Somewhere to be?” Ronnie asked. He looked disappointed that I wouldn’t be staying any longer. He knew what it meant when I started checking the time.

  “Yeah, actually I do. I told Christopher and Stanley that I’d meet them at the bar for drinks. I still have to tell them I’m moving, too.” And after the news about Mom, I needed a stiff drink… or three. While she always had a tough time handling our lousy father, this was a new one. She’d never seemed suicidal. While part of me felt like a jerk for leaving after hearing that kind of news, I knew my reasons were still valid. Besides, Mom could always leave, she just chose not to. She was a grown woman and I couldn’t change her mind.

  “Okay, well let me know when you get settled. Maybe the munchkin and I can come to visit once you get everything sorted out,” my brother said.

  I almost felt bad for telling them on such short notice, but I knew what they would do if I’d told them sooner. They would have done everything in their power to change my mind. I couldn’t have that. I knew this was what I wanted, and I couldn’t let someone else change my mind. I needed to break away from it all and start with a clean slate. I said my goodbyes and slipped quietly out the front door while Ellen was preoccupied. I didn’t need any more tears from her.

  Driving across town I felt terrible that I would be leaving without telling my mother. But my ticket was already purchased and my first day of work already planned. I was trying out this new thing where I was responsible and people could count on me. I’d broken too many promises while I was a train wreck. Hopefully she would understand. If they had her under observation, there would be no getting in to tell her. I promised myself that I would call her as soon as I knew she was able to take calls.

  Once at the bar, I ordered a beer and got comfortable. Looking around, I didn’t see Christopher or Stanley anywhere, but I was confident they’d show. If my friends said they’d be there, then they would be. They were always ready to hang out and have a good time, no matter what day of the week it was.

  As the bartender slid my drink to me, I started to look forward to my future in London. A place where perhaps I could be a little less recognized. I knew they had American gossip news over there, but I felt I would be less recognizable than in the US. Some might think it would be great to be rich and have people recognize you, but those people haven’t been in my situation. I would love to trade places with those people any day.

  This bar, aptly named “The Hideout” was where the guys and I would hang out on a semi regular basis. It wasn’t our favorite, but we always seemed to have some sort of an adventure when we spent an evening here. It was just a little hole in the wall. There was no real decor that I could tell, just random stuff in random places. Posters on the wall, framed pictures, and probably more grime than you’d care to see in full light. But the benches on the sides were comfortable, the bar itself looked like it had plenty of stories and they didn’t overcharge. Which, come to think of it, may be why we always seemed to have something happen when we were here.

  “Hey, Brett,” I heard Christopher say just before he clapped his hand onto my shoulder as he came up behind me. Stanley was right behind him. “What’s up, my man? Been staying out of trouble?” He sat down on my right and Stanley on the left.

  “I’ve been trying,” I said good naturedly. I was glad to see these guys. I needed to get the whole situation with my mom out of my head for a little while. Pretend that I didn’t almost lose my mom the day before I leave the country. They were a good start.

  “So what are we drinking to tonight?” he asked after they ordered their drinks. “Or are we drinking because we should celebrate drinking again? I’m telling you, that was one hell of a night,” he said as he shook his head. His dark skin shone in the low lights, making him glow. He was grinning from ear to ear as he recalled that wild night.

  “Actually, I’m leaving,” I said right before I took a long drink.

  “What?” Stanley asked, interjecting as he sputtered in his drink. “Where to?”

  “London,” I said easily. I knew it was sudden news but I hadn’t exactly taken a long time to plan it out. But once I had, I felt good about it.

  “Damn. You aren’t just moving, you’re changing nationalities,” Christopher said as he accepted his beer from the bartender.

  “That’s right,” I said as I ordered another. The first one went down a little too fast. “I am planning on a brand new start.”

  “Well, don’t forget us little guys,” Stanley said. “It won’t quite be the three amigos with one of us gone.”

  “You can always come visit and I will still come back from time to time,” I explained. “I just really need a change of pace. You know how things have been for me.”

  “That we do,” Christopher said as he nodded. “And I wish you all the best. I really hope you find what you’re looking for over there. Lord knows you’ve been through the wringer for years now. I look forward to seeing the sights when we come visit. Now I’ll have an excuse to get a passport.”

  “There you go!” I said joyfully and we lifted our glasses in the air.

  “To London,” Stanley cheered.

  “To London!” Christopher and I responded.

  I had always been extremely grateful for these guys. They’d kept me humble and talked me out of doing some pretty stupid stuff in my days. Of course, they also talked me into quite a bit over the years, too. But together, we had always seemed to have a ton of fun with minimal trouble or jail time.

  The three of us got comfortable and started to drink a little more. Before long, I was buying the rounds and the temperature in the bar started to climb. I wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the fact that there were more people filling the place. Either way, it didn’t matter to me because I was having a good time and definitely was being louder than normal. After all, it was my last night in town. When was there a better time to let your inhibitions go? I was leaving this place and grateful for it.

  A pretty girl squeezed beside me in order to get the bartender's attention. I couldn’t see her face well, but the way her hair hung and its color stirred something long forgotten. Yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. It didn’t help things that she smelled wonderful, too. Like a mixture of vanilla and something spicy.

  “Well, hello,” I said as I turned toward her. “You look like you could use my company,” I said with a wink.

  She smiled politely as she waited for the bartender to return with her drinks. “I don’t think so, but thanks.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked as I leaned closer. “I’ve been known to be very good company.”

  She looked tempted for just a moment before someone grabbed my arm and forcibly spun me around.

  “Who do you think you are, asshole?” the man said. He was an inch or so taller than me but as I sized him up, I was pretty sure I could take him. That could have just been the booze talking though. “Oh of course,” he said once he got a good look at my face. “I see how it is. You think just because you’re rich and people know who you are that you can just hit on any woman you want?” the man growled.

  I could sense that Christopher and Stanley were itching for a fight at this point but I was going to have fun. I smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, kind of,” I said with a laugh.

  “You’re just a rich, spoiled little asshole. Not worth a damn but still out there being a complete waste of space,” the man said. “What you think with Daddy’s money you can do whatever you want?”

  That hit just a little too close to home. I di
dn’t want anyone putting my dad and I in the same sentence. “I think you need to back up, buddy,” I said. “Before I show you what running your mouth will get you.”

  The girl was tugging on him, begging him to go, but he wasn’t having it. The next thing I knew, his fist connected with my face and I was seeing red. My fists took on a life of their own as they connected with his nose and then his cheek. I knocked him out cold. I was standing over him triumphantly until, my friends and I were escorted out onto the street.

  “Now that was fun,” Christopher said with a grin. “His buddies just came out of nowhere.”

  They both continued to talk as my mind began to wander. I knew I was drunk, so trying to figure out exactly what was beginning to form in my brain was tougher than I had expected. But there was a memory trying to come forward, and as I seemed to mentally reach for it, the talking of my friends would chase it away. In my drunken state, it annoyed me. I needed to be alone so I could put my thoughts together.

  “Hey guys, I’m going to call it a night,” I said as I turned toward them. “I have a few last things to get ready before tomorrow and I should probably get some sleep. My flight is too early in the morning for me to be staying up all night with you party animals.”

  “I hear you,” Stanley said as he drew closer and we each said our goodbyes for the last time in a while. I knew I was going to miss them and I was doing my best not to get a slight bit emotional. If I thought about it, I’d probably get misty eyed. That would only make the guys tease me.

  With a final wave, I turned and headed in the direction of the bus stop. It was late, but I figured I should still be able to catch one fairly soon. That was actually why I’d chosen that particular bar. I had planned on drinking too much and just using the bus as my ride home. Before long, I was walking up to the bench and taking a seat. As I did, I began to think about that girl again.