His Love- Prologue Read online

  HIS LOVE: Prologue

  The Billionaire's BBW

  Book 4

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  Bella B. Wilde

  This is a work of fiction. All characters and events reside solely in the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, is purely coincidental. All characters are eighteen years of age or older.

  ©2019, BELLA B. WILDE. No portion of this work can be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent fron the author with the exception for a fair use excerpt for review and editorial purposes.

  This title is for adults only. It contains explicit sex acts, adult themes, and material some folks might find offensive.

  For permissions, complaints, or just queries, contact: [email protected]

  Contents

  * * *

  1 | Zoe

  2 | Blake

  3 | Zoe

  4 | Blake

  Enjoy That?

  Before You Go...

  Also by Bella B. Wilde

  1

  Zoe

  * * *

  I am so out of her place here. Blake leads me around the party, full of beautiful, successful, interesting people.

  I only started working at Substyle a few months ago. As it’s my first real work event, it’s fair to say that I’m a little nervous. Okay, I’m more than a little nervous. Parties have never been my thing, and this is the first real one I’ve attended since college.

  Scantily clad bodies slip between the crowds despite the chill New York air, warmed thanks to the glow of the lamps that dot the rooftop. I find myself twirling my glass by the stem to distract myself, smiling and nodding as Blake laughs with a crowd of people I don’t recognize. I have to pull my eyes away from him before people start to notice.

  Working as a secretary might not have been my dream job when I graduated from college, but I’ve adored this magazine ever since my mom allowed me to buy ‘grown–up magazines’. Substyle is a fashion icon in its own right, headed by Blake, and the past four months have been like living in a dream world. The opportunity was too good to pass up. I first saw Blake’s picture on the cover in a supermarket. I was 15 then, and my heart still hasn’t recovered since.

  So given how lucky I am to be here, I should be having more fun. It’s New Years Eve after all. I should be celebrating surviving my first six months in New York, not to mention my job going so well. It’s then that Blake’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, his head tilting closer towards me.

  “I said, should I get us another couple of drinks?” He adds, nodding towards my almost empty glass.

  "Oh, sorry. Please." I drink it down with a quick sip and smile, feeling my heart sigh as I watch the crowds part for him as he walks away.

  Yeah. Working close to him hasn’t done anything to help my crush. He’s a private, secretive man, and having him invite me into his personal life has only left me wanting him even more.

  It’s ridiculous. There’s the age gap between us, for one thing, not to mention we’re almost from different worlds. He’s stylish and confident, one of the best–dressed men in New York. I had to get a friend to help me even pick out a dress for tonight. I know that, to Blake, I’ll never be anything more than his reliable old secretary.

  So when he returns with our drinks, and I take mine from him with a smile, I gasp when he slips his hand in mine without even saying a word.

  2

  Blake

  * * *

  This year's New Year's Eve party is one of the better ones in recent years, despite only taking place in the rooftop bar that sits above our offices. I make a mental note to thank whoever organized tonight and make sure they’re put in charge of the next. The roof is swarming with laughing, smiling people, almost all of them with a drink in their hand. I can feel their eyes turning towards me whenever I walk past, eager to get a chance to talk outside of work hours. But tonight, there's only one person who has my attention.

  I can tell when Zoe feels nervous. She twirls her glass in her hand as we walk around, in much the same way as she twirls her pen when she has something to tell me. I’ve come to notice a lot of her little quirks in a few short months, and I find each of them even more endearing than the last.

  I always laughed and rolled my eyes at the thought of people who indulge in ‘office romances’. I would tell myself they’re doomed from the start – but I’ve grown quite fond of Zoe and her adorable innocence. She’s not like the women I’m usually surrounded by at work. She’s warm and honest while never letting her feelings get in the way of her job.

  She’s also a damn good assistant, and she’s worked hard to prove herself. It hasn't gone unnoticed. Which is why I want to try and ease her into enjoying herself, because I know I am with someone as beautiful as her by my side.

  When I return to where she’s standing with another round of drinks in hand, she smiles sweetly as she takes hers. I try to comfort her by taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. I'm delighted when she doesn’t immediately pull away – and even more so when she laced her fingers between my own, glancing to me over the top of her glass.

  3

  Zoe

  * * *

  I’m not sure if it’s by accident, if it’s the alcohol, or if he’s only trying to help me relax – but when Blake takes my hand in his, I can feel my heart glowing.

  I take a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat, and lacing my fingers with his. Knowing that I have Blake here to look out for me and keep me company, I’m filled with newfound confidence. I know he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

  For as closed off as people say he is, Blake has surprised me by opening himself up to me on more than one occasion. When a sudden storm brought public transport to a standstill, Blake insisted on driving me home in person. When I was sick for a week and lost my voice, Blake refused to allow me to come into work – even though I insisted I could manage fine with email – and instead sent a care package to my apartment.

  So no, I don’t think he’s closed off at all. I think he’s… shy. He’s afraid of people seeing the real Blake, so he keeps that for those he feels he can trust. As I watch him make small talk and hear people dissolving into laughter at his jokes, I’m struck by how much more there is to this man than meets the eye.

  Or maybe it’s the fifth cocktail leading me to overthink…

  As we move away from the crowds and towards the balcony, he turns to face me with a comforting smile. I take a deep breath of the cool air now and find myself instantly at ease. “See? Office parties aren’t as horrid as you thought, are they?”

  It’s much easier to enjoy the party when it’s just the two of us. “No, I suppose not. Although you didn’t have to babysit me you know.”

  He quickly shakes his head, screwing up his nose. “Nonsense. What kind of boss would I be if I dragged you along to this thing and then left you to fend for yourself?”

  “I’m sure I would have found someone else to keep me company,” I laugh, catching my reflection in his eyes as he grins. He places a hand on my arm, looking as though he’s about to lean in to say something, when an older man comes from behind, clapping him on the shoulder and stealing his attention away.

  “Argent, you old devil! You’re looking well. I was wondering if you’d grace us with your presence this year. And who’s this, eh?” The man looks filled with festive cheer, even sporting the white hair and rosy cheeks.

  “Douglas! I should’ve known I’d find you here. This is Zoe, my new assistant. She’s been with us for a few months now, and we’re all hoping she’ll stick around for many more to come.” The man greets me, shaking my hand with liquor fueled vigor, before turning his attention back to Blake.

  “Oh, you must let me steal you away for a minute! Jamison’s got some fantastic ideas she’s just dying to tell you all about. She’s got big, big plans for this summer, let me tell you.” He’s already steering Blake away. He turns back for a moment with a sympathetic look, but I nod, shooing him away as he mouths the words ‘five minutes' before disappearing into the crowds.

  I’m being stupid, I know I am, but Blake is so… perfect. I’ve never been one to exaggerate, but he is. With his perfectly tanned skin, his thick brown hair, and a swoon–worthy swimmers body – in addition to his personality – there’s no other word for it. Blake is the perfect man.

  And way out of my league.

  4

  Blake

  * * *

  While I’m standing listening to people talk to me about designers, spreads, interviews and advertisements, all I can think of is Zoe. I can’t help sneaking a look in her direction now and then to find her staring out over the New York skyline, lost in thought, enjoying a rare moment of solitude among the New Year's Eve excitement.

  Seeing her from afar like that, it strikes me how good she looks tonight. She usually dresses so conservatively, ever the professional, but her knee–length dress in rich jewel green stands out against her pale skin and red hair. If I didn’t already know her so well, I wouldn't be able to resist going over to introduce myself.

  When I’m finally able to free myself from all the business talk, I'm eager to get back to the matter at hand. All I can think is how I can’t wait to get back to talking to her, admiring her face as she laughs, how she covers her mouth when she does so a little too loudly. But it seems someone has beaten me to it. There’s a man I only vaguely recognize standing with her, and his eyes certainly aren’t focused on her smile.

  I don’t wan
t to admit to myself how jealous it makes me, but it does. A sudden need to be protective washes over me, and before I can even think about what I’m doing, I find myself taking her hand and pulling her away from him.

  “So sorry, can you excuse us for a minute?” He doesn’t protest when he sees who I am, and neither does Zoe, walking away without even a second look to him.

  “Is something the matter?” She asks, concerned. I frown and stand closer, although there’s no need as the music isn’t particularly loud where we are.

  “Actually, yeah. This place is starting to give me a bit of a headache. Why don’t we get out of here? I want to show you something.” She nods softly, stepping closer to hold onto my arm as she allows me to lead her away.

  I can feel the slight sway and stumble in her step as we descend the elevator towards my office. She has to lean against me for support, not that I'm complaining. I thought she might have been able to handle her drink a little better than this but she's even more innocent than I thought. In that case, I’m relieved I got her out of that party when I did.

  “Wait! Before we go in, you need to close your eyes.” I quickly stand to block her view of my door until Zoe covers her eyes, while she's unable to resist grinning like an excited child. She stumbles slightly and bursts into laughter when I catch her.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea? I think I might be drunk.”

  “Don’t worry. Just a few steps…” I say as I guide her into my office, planting her in place in the middle of the room and checking to make sure her eyes are still covered. “Okay. Just stand still right there for a second, if you can.”

  Dragging the oversized couch into place in front of the windows, Zoe jigs impatiently, fidgeting on the balls of her feet.

  “Come on! I want to see what’s so amazing.”

  “First, just sit right here…” Guiding her and dropping her safely onto a seat, I take mine beside her, eyes locked on her face to watch her reaction. “Okay. Open.”

  She does so with a gasp, bringing her hand to rest on her chest as she takes in the view. The tall windows of my office look out over the whole of New York City, where millions of little lights twinkle in the far distance, stretching out as far as the Hudson and beyond. The usual green–on–grey square of Central Park is buzzing with people gathered for the fireworks.

  “This is my favorite place to sit on nights like this. It’s so quiet but it feels so alive. Beautiful, isn’t it?” I look out over the view for a moment, but my eyes are drawn back to her. Her face is so full of wonder and marvel, her eyes wide as she takes it all in.

  “It’s perfect,” she replies, leaning in to rest on my shoulder as she drapes an arm over my chest. “Thank you for making me come tonight. There’s no one I’d rather have spent the night with than you, Blake.” She coos, dreamily, as counts of ‘ten, nine, eight!’ begin to ring out from the roof.

  We just sit, in silence, listening to the countdown and the excitement in our little bubble. When the count reaches one, Zoe tilts her head towards me, and she exhales a slow, shaky breath, before bringing her lips to mine.

  I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, tasting the cranberry and sweetness on her lips. She brings her hand to my neck, bringing us closer still, as the city sky ignites with flashes of color and light. It’s several moments before our lips part, her eyes closed as she gives a soft sigh, returning her head to my shoulder.

  “Happy New Year, Zo,” I say against the top of her head. But she doesn’t reply. She just moans gently, nestling closer to me as I realize she’s already fallen asleep amidst all the noise and color coming from the park.

  It might be wrong, but I don’t mind watching the fireworks with her sleeping soundly against me. I couldn’t have asked for the evening to go any better. I’d been reluctant to make the first move, not wanting to be the boss who hits on his drunk secretary, but having her be the one to kiss me fills me with a sense of hope.

  A hope that, maybe, there is something more between us after all. A hope that this could be the start of something special.

  Enjoy That?

  * * *

  If you want to know what happens next for Zoe and Blake, you can read their full story in His Love: A Sweet and Steamy Curvy Girl Romance, available for preorder now!

  Before You Go...

  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed HIS LOVE: Prologue, please consider leaving an honest review. Your feedback means a lot to me, because it helps me to write the books that you want to read.

  * * *

  You can keep track of my new releases by signing up for my mailing list!

  Or you can follow me @bellabwilde on Twitter!

  Also By Bella B. Wilde

  * * *

  His Type: A Sweet and Steamy Curvy Girl Romance (The Billionaire's BBW Book 1)

  His Girl: A Sweet and Steamy Curvy Girl Romance (The Billionaire's BBW Book 2)

  His Love: A Sweet and Steamy Curvy Girl Romance (The Billionaire's BBW Book 3)

 

 

  Bella B Wilde, His Love- Prologue

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