The Apple of His Eye Read online

  Table of Contents

  The Apple of His Eye

  Copyright

  Praise for Stacy Dawn

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  A word from the author...

  Other Titles by this Author

  Thank you for purchasing this Wild Rose Press publication.

  The Apple of His Eye

  by

  Stacy Dawn

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  The Apple of His Eye

  COPYRIGHT © 2012 by Stacy Dawn

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Tamra Westberry

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History:

  Previously published by Forbidden Publications, 2007

  First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2012

  Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-245-3

  Published in the United States of America

  Praise for Stacy Dawn

  CHEATIN' HEARTS

  “Stacy Dawn had me laughing and completely drawn into CHEATIN' HEARTS at the first page. If you are looking for a light, quick romance, CHEATIN' HEARTS fits the bill. This is my first exposure to Stacy Dawn's writing, but if this is indicative of the entertainment to be had from her work, I will definitely be looking for more.”

  ~Amanda S., Fallen Angel Reviews (5 Angels)

  ~*~

  LUCK BE A COWBOY

  “This was such a great read! My attention was immediately grabbed by the very first line of the book. Take some time, grab a chair and some coffee, and enjoy every word of this fantastic story. You won’t be sorry.”

  ~Daffodil, Long and Short Reviews

  ~*~

  A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS

  “A hilariously funny read, I absolutely adore Stacy Dawn’s A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS. Meet Angie and Wes who have to resort to extreme measures to get one up on Angie’s mother—Vita. Things go from make-believe to the real thing, but no one admits to this until hearts are broken and halos are tarnished. A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS is a really sweet read that will have you hunting down the other books about the love life of people in this small town who believe it or not have a real life Santa Claus, who loves his sweets.”

  ~Romance Junkies

  Dedication

  To my sister, Stephanie...

  you and me in The Big Apple...

  and Rockefeller Centre.

  Watch out, Rockettes, here we come!

  Chapter One

  “You sure about this?”

  “Of course.”

  Reclining back in the stiff leather chair, Shane Gallagher stretched out his denim-clad legs in the Hilton Hotel's Executive Lounge. He lifted a brow at his best friend's automatic response. Brad hadn't changed since they were kids. He still wore immaculately polished shoes and thought with analytical logic. Hmm, maybe he shouldn't be so surprised then at the way his friend chose to marry. “And she's agreed to this?” Shane asked, still not convinced.

  “Eden and I are of the same mind.” Brad unfolded and snapped flat his newspaper, skimming the articles as he continued in even tones. “We are both tired of wasting our time on incompatible dates. With this new 'family image' campaign our sister companies are pushing, we decided a marriage just made sense. Not to mention the tax benefit alone will be worth the merger.”

  Shane chuckled. “Wow, must be true love.”

  “Love has nothing to do with it.” Brad flipped down the corner of his paper. “Not everyone believes the 'love conquers all' mind-set with which you've been raised.” He folded the paper and set it squarely on the narrow coffee table between them. “Eden and I are compatible. In this day and age, there's not much more you can ask for.”

  “Then why are you getting married on Valentine's Day?” Shane crossed an ankle over his knee and grinned at his friend.

  “Coincidence. These were the only two days we both had free.” He hiked an indifferent shoulder then checked his watch. “Well, I did until the McMillian Corporation decided to merge. Though I should have it wrapped up before the ceremony tomorrow.”

  Shane shook his head. Lord knew he’d tried to instill some basic human emotions into the man over the years. Obviously, with no luck whatsoever.

  Brad rose to the windows overlooking the New York City hotel's extensive lobby. “Eden should be here soon. Her flight came into J.F.K. at ten.” He glanced at the shiny watch on his wrist. “Calculating in airport delays and traffic, she should arrive within the next five minutes.”

  “Why didn't you meet her at the airport?” To Shane, the action would've been a given for someone you were about to marry and spend the rest of your life with.

  “She knew about the early meeting I had this morning and didn't want me to rush it.”

  “Sounds like a peach,” he snorted.

  Brad turned his head and narrowed his gaze. “She won't be into your brand of humor, Shane.”

  “You mean she's a work-aholic, fun-less being like yourself.”

  His friend's lips tipped up. “Yes. So don't bug her like you do me.”

  “Best behavior, man. Scout's honor.”

  The lip and right brow rose at the same time. “You were kicked out, remember?”

  Shane laughed and grabbed up the discarded newspaper.

  “Finally,” Brad breathed as he turned back to the window.

  Tossing the paper back on the table, Shane rose, hitched his hands beneath the worn leather jacket and hooked his thumbs into the back pockets of his jeans.

  Below in the lobby, a lone woman brushed snowflakes from dark hair swept tight in a bun atop her head. An attaché case hung from a thick strap over the shoulder of her respectable beige trench coat while behind her, she pulled a utilitarian, navy blue overnighter.

  He watched her afford a tight smile to the doorman before gazing about the foyer behind a pair of thin, rectangular frames perched upon an upturned nose. I’ll give Brad credit—looks like a match made in Heaven.

  “I'll be right back.”

  Shane waited by the window, watching his friend emerge below and head with a quick stride across the grand hotel's hardwood floor to meet up with his future wife. No hug or kiss hello, not even a peck on the cheek. He lifted a hand to rub his chin. Definitely have to have a little talk with Brad before the wedding night.

  The two walked into the lounge a few minutes later.

  “Eden Rossi, this is Shane Gallagher.” Brad swung his hand from his friend’s back to the newcomer. “Shane, my fiancée, Eden.”

  He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You too...oh!”

  Shane whipped away his hand at the same time as Brad’s fiancée, disconnecting from the unexpected sting and flash of little blue sparks.

  A tentative smile touched her lips. “Must be winter static.”

  “Yeah,” he agreed, the se
nsation still sparking where he rubbed his fingertips together.

  “Where's Leah?” Brad asked as he helped Eden remove her coat.

  Not surprising, a tailored, navy suit lay underneath. Shane hid a grin beneath a scrub of his chin.

  “A client called with an emergency at the last minute. She'll be coming in tomorrow morning.” She turned and met Shane’s gaze. “Leah will be standing in as witness for me.”

  No reference to maid-of-honor, best friend, or even friend for that matter. Yep, match made in Heaven—or more apt, corporate headquarters.

  Brad held out a chair for Eden, then sat across the table from her while Shane resumed his own seat.

  “After you settle in, we can go over the paperwork for the ceremony,” Brad directed his comment to Eden. “As discussed, I have the legal papers and picked up the license last week. The minister said he can fit us in at two tomorrow. I thought here in the Executive Lounge would be adequate.”

  “The Executive Lounge?” Shane inquired, glancing from one to the other. By the blank expression on both their faces, he guessed he was the only one who thought the Executive Lounge an unusual venue.

  Brad raised a brow and nodded. “We're lucky the hotel agreed to let us use it. Apparently, this is a popular day to get married.”

  Shane refrained from throwing his hands up in the air, and instead offered up a simple, “Imagine that.”

  “The minister is doing a wedding in the ballroom and agreed to fit us in beforehand. Since there will just be the four of us, the ceremony shouldn't take too long.”

  Just four? Shane’s glance snapped to his friend’s face. “What about your parents?”

  “You know they’re in Florida this time of year.” Brad shook his head. “No need to make them come all the way back to the chilly north for something like this. We can visit them later.”

  Shane grimaced, but unfortunately, Brad was right where his parents were concerned. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, so to speak. He, on the other hand, wouldn't make it to the honeymoon if he excluded his mother from such a monumental event. Out of curiosity, he turned the question to Eden. “And what about yours?”

  Her chin dipped ever so slightly. “My father is at a tournament in Chicago. We'll tell him when he gets back.”

  “Now that we have that settled, why don't we—” The loud, utilitarian chime of a cell phone stopped Brad mid-sentence. He drew the slim device out of his inside suit pocket and attached it to his ear. “Brad Greene. Yes, Mr. McMillian. No problem.” He did a quick extension and snap back of his arm to reveal the silver Rolex. “I can be there in twenty minutes.”

  He tucked the phone back in his inside breast pocket. The expression he turned to his fiancée held no apology. “McMillian thinks Areocrom is having second thoughts. I've gotta go.”

  “Of course. I brought some work with me as well. Since this is my first time here with no meetings, perhaps I'll take a walk first. Leah suggested I see Rockefeller Center at least once.”

  Brad’s brows drew together. “I don't know. New York City alone? Probably not a good idea.”

  “Thank you for your concern. I'll be fine.”

  Shane sat back. The pair were like watching a couple of news anchors. Each delivered their appropriate lines in calm, civil, emotionless terms.

  “I understand but still. I'd feel better if—wait, Shane…” Brad gave a crisp nod. “He knows the city, he can take you around.”

  Eden pushed her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose. “Oh no, I wouldn't want to bother...”

  “Nonsense. You'll show her around, won't you, Shane?”

  Thanks for including me back in the conversation, buddy. “Well, I—”

  “Brad.” Eden laid a hand on her fiancé’s arm.

  Interesting…the first physical contact Shane had seen from either of them.

  “I'm sure we've taken up enough of Shane's time. I'm fully capable of traversing the city by myself.”

  Was that a spark of anger there? Between the yellowish fluorescent hotel lights and the strict frames, he couldn't quite make out her eye color and quickly dismissed the glint as a melted snowflake on her lens. Too bad. For his best friend's sake, he had hoped there would be something—anything more than a Brad-clone in woman's clothing.

  For fun, he let his lips curl in a wide smile. “Actually, I don't have anything on my schedule this afternoon.”

  “Excellent. I'll meet with you both here at about six?” Brad stood and smoothed the legs of his trousers.

  Eden granted her fiancé a tight nod, after which Brad simply grabbed his briefcase and left. No passionate kiss, peck on the cheek, or even a smile of farewell.

  Man, I hope she knows what she's in for—hope they both do. A light hand on his arm turned his head back from Brad's path.

  “You don't need to do this. I'll be fine by myself.”

  To be honest, he wasn't looking forward to an afternoon of babysitting, but he'd already given his word. “I don't doubt it,” he agreed as he stood. “Brad is right, though. Besides, I do have the afternoon free with no plans.”

  Her brows dipped and gaze narrowed as she studied him for a moment. “All right. But if you don't mind, I'd like to change before we go.”

  Escorting her to the elevator, he replied, “Take your time. I'll wait for you in the lobby.” When the sliding doors closed on Eden, Shane headed down the main staircase.

  Sixth Avenue bustled outside the large windows of the Hilton's grand entrance. He contented himself with watching the street, and the light flow of incoming patrons to the hotel. A few couples joined the menagerie, their intertwined arms and secret smiles giving him hope there were still people in this world who knew what intimacy meant.

  After twenty minutes, he pushed himself off the marble planter he'd leaned against and stretched. The snow had stopped, leaving the sun free rein to shine through the massive windows.

  “Okay, all set.”

  The words turned his attention back to the lobby. He could have sworn the voice was Eden's, but didn't see her amongst the small crowd gathered by the stairs. With a mental shrug, he returned his focus to the busy street.

  “Shane?”

  This time a half-laugh lilted the voice. Again he turned. A pretty ski bunny outfitted in a baby blue ski jacket with bright eyes to match stood smiling up at him. Trailing over the fur-trimmed hood lay a cascade of dark auburn hair. In one quick glance, he added in the snug jeans over long, lean legs and sturdy hiking boots.

  Now this, this was his kind of woman. Always a sucker for a redhead, Shane let his smile grow, giving her his full attention.

  “Are you ready to go?” Her head bent to focus on pulling white wool gloves over slender fingers. “I need to pick up a few things. Would you mind dropping into Saks too?”

  She was talking. He knew the vaguely familiar woman was talking. But he couldn't quite connect the words and the pretty little lady before him.

  “Last time I was here, Brad mentioned most places were in walking distance from the hotel.”

  Brad?

  The connection came together with the surprisingly sharp sting of a small silver arrow hitting its target.

  “Eden?”

  Chapter Two

  I'm gonna kill Leah!

  Eden fidgeted with the scarf and collar of the borrowed jacket. What had she been thinking to buy into her friend's ridiculous ideas?

  Two free days in New York City, Leah had exclaimed. Live a little, she’d scolded. Let your hair down for once, she cajoled.

  And Eden had—literally. With nail-biting nervousness, she'd watched her friend repack her suitcase. Chewed her lip as her sensible clothes landed on the floor, and Leah's brighter wardrobe filled the carry-on. She let the little spark of adventure carry her until just now up in the hotel room when she'd taken out the tight bun and brushed out the thick waves.

  Eden groaned inwardly. She should've known that little snake of a spark would come back to bite her in the butt. Sh
ane's current traumatized expression, as if she were Medusa come to life, only confirmed her fears.

  How much more proof did she need that she was doing the right thing by marrying Brad? Stick with what you know. Safe, reliable, logical. If she were smart, she would run back up to her room and change. Only, thanks to Leah, she didn't have anything normal to change into except the business suit she'd worn on the plane.

  Eden rubbed the bridge of her nose, careful not to touch her eyes and dislodge a contact. “Look, you don't have to do this. I'm perfectly capable of navigating the city on my own.” She shoved her hands in the short-cut jacket pockets. If her voice came out a little harsher than she planned, it served them both right.

  Shane's head gave the barest shake. A slow-growing smile highlighted the faint dimple on his chin. “I don't doubt that.”

  Eden wasn't amused by the chuckle added to his statement.

  “But I did give Brad my word that I'd keep an eye on you.”

  Her shoulders tensed. “You make me sound like an errant child.”

  “Furthest thing from my mind. Furthest thing from my mind,” he repeated in a mysterious undertone as he laid a hand on her back and guided her toward the double doors.

  Out on the sidewalk, Eden clasped her arms around her body to ward off the petulant mood and crowded energy of the overpopulated city.

  “You, uh, mentioned Saks?”

  “Oh, you heard me. I was afraid I'd turned you to stone there for a minute.”

  His laughter rippled on the cool air. “Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't recognize you at first.”

  She fought against the embarrassment of his roaming gaze.

  “You look different. Real different.”

  “Can we not talk about it? Please.” Eden squirmed within the unfamiliar coat and scanned the sidewalks on either side, gauging which way they should be heading.

  “Why? You look great.”

  The breath caught in her throat as her head snapped around. “I do?”

  “Yeah. The suit was functional, but now you look, I don't know, approachable.”

  Damn. Now she owed Leah an apology...wait. Approachable? What did he mean by that?