Proposal for Love Read online

  Proposal for Love

  by

  Sharon C. Cooper

  Copyright © 2017 by Sharon C. Cooper

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact the author at www.sharoncooper.net

  Smashwords Edition

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Disclaimer

  This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Acknowledgements

  Special thanks to my amazing husband, Al, who I absolutely adore! Thank you for putting up with my long writing hours and for helping me with “research”. *wink, wink*

  To my awesome critique partners – you know who you are. I can’t imagine this writing journey without all of you! Love you guys!

  To my beta reader (B.S.) - You ROCK! Love you to pieces!

  To my readers – It’s because of you I do this writing thing! Thank you for your continued support, hilarious emails, and for spreading the word about my books! I so appreciate and love you all!

  Much love,

  Sharon

  Blurb

  Nathaniel Jenkins-Moore never allows romantic entanglements to get in the way of running Jenkins & Sons Construction. That is until the woman who ripped out his heart crashes back into his life. She wants to leave the past in the past, and though Nate knows a thing or two about rebuilding strong foundations, her betrayal still haunts him. He can’t forget. He won’t forgive. She can’t be trusted. But why does his heart still beat double-time whenever she’s near?

  Liberty Stewart has been living a lie. Masking her shredded self-esteem and trying to overcome the emotional torment inflicted by her abusive ex-husband, she’s ready to rebuild her life. But just when she thinks she’s on track, her current assignment brings her face to face with the only man she’s ever truly loved—Nate. Too bad he hates her. Liberty knows she did Nate wrong, and getting him to trust her again might be impossible, but neither of them can deny the attraction that still runs deep.

  Is the burning passion they share enough to get their troubled hearts to finally beat as one? Or is the hurt too deep for a happily ever after?

  Chapter One

  You can do this. Just relax.

  Liberty Stewart stood in front of the mirror in her bathroom, the size of a Cracker Jack box, struggling to calm her shaky hands long enough to apply lipstick. As the time grew closer to start the first project at her new job, the more nervous she became. No amount of self-talk helped. One disappointment after another could do that to a person.

  Liberty’s hand slipped, spreading red lipstick past her lips. “Dammit. Why even bother?” She slammed the tube down on the vanity not caring that part of the brand-new lipstick broke off into the sink. She hated wearing the crap anyway.

  Wiping the red smear from her face only made things worse. She threw the washcloth into the sink and rested her palms on the vanity. “Relax and pull yourself together.”

  Dropping her chin to her chest, she sucked in a long, deep breath before releasing it slowly. Finally landing a position with a reputable company should be all the encouragement she needed to prove her life was on the right track. Yet, her self-esteem had taken so many hits over the last few years, she worried she’d never get her life straightened out. Searching for work in Chicago for over eight months with one door after another being slammed in her face kept replaying in her mind.

  What if this new job didn’t work out? What if she ended up on the streets again? What if she was being set up for another let down?

  No. No negative talk. You can do this.

  When she finally glanced up at the mirror again, her sister stood in the bathroom doorway, hands on her hips.

  “Really, Liberty?”

  “What?” She picked up the tube of lipstick and replaced the cap before wiping out the sink.

  “You’ve been in here for thirty minutes touching up your makeup and you look the same as you did when you first walked in here. What the heck? Why are you so nervous about this assignment?”

  “Maybe because this is the first real job I’ve had in a while. Or maybe because this is the first time in a long time I’m in charge of a project of this magnitude. A sixty-million-dollar project, I might add. Or maybe it’s because the future of my job is dependent upon the success of said project.” Liberty shrugged. “I don’t know, Demi. Pick one. Heck, it’s not even just about the job. It’s my life in general. I can’t afford to screw this up.” Her new boss had made it very clear that Liberty’s future with the company depended on the success of this assignment.

  “Sis, you got this.” Demi placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Look at you. You’re beautiful, intelligent and the most amazing, bravest woman I know.”

  Liberty stared at her reflection only seeing a thirty-four-year-old broken woman hiding behind a made-up face, classy new haircut, and a pink blouse that highlighted her chestnut skin tone. She looked professional on the outside, but a roaring tornado best described her inner turmoil.

  “You’ve been through hell,” Demi continued. “Yet, here you are starting over in a new city, and finally have a job that can get you on your feet. No matter what that asshole ex-husband of yours did, you didn’t let him win. You haven’t given up.”

  Liberty didn’t want to tell her sister that she had given up more times than not. She couldn’t count how many mistakes she’d made or how trusting the wrong person had ruined her. Trying to pull her life together was proving harder than she ever imagined, and if it weren’t for her sister, Liberty didn’t know where she’d be. Demi had convinced her to move to Cincinnati to be closer to her.

  Liberty’s gaze took in her sister. Demi Jackson, three years younger, was one of the most pulled together women Liberty knew. Tall, with straightened hair hanging past her shoulders, and makeup applied to perfection, she was beautiful by anyone’s standards. As a successful event planner, owning her own business at the age of thirty-one, and engaged to a doctor, Demi had done well for herself.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Liberty said.

  Demi hugged her from behind, her head resting on Liberty’s shoulder as they stared at each other in the mirror. “And I’m proud of you. I know I’ve said it before, but thank you for everything you did for me. If it weren’t for your sacrifices, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I just wish you would’ve been honest with me years ago. Together we could have prevented some of the crap you went through.”

  “Maybe, but I did what I needed to do at the time.” Liberty turned and wrapped her arms around her sister’s shoulders. “Our family has been through so much. Even though Mom and Dad aren’t with us anymore, I’m glad you and I are in the same city now. I have missed you so much.”

  “And I’ve missed you. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. It’s time we move forward,” Demi said. They held each other for a moment longer before stepping apart. “I have to go, but I have no doubt you’re going to rock this new project!”

  “God, I hope you’re right.”

  *

  “They need us more than we need them.
Maybe we should think about submitting the proposal on our own,” Nathaniel Jenkins-Moore said as he and his twin brother strolled through the back door of Jenkins & Sons Construction. The smell of fresh paint from the recently remodeled first floor conference rooms greeted them before they reached the stairs.

  His brother, Nick, shook his head and slowed. “Not that I don’t think we’d have a shot, but LCA Construction is four times larger than us. Partnering with them will give us the perfect opportunity to get our names out there even more.”

  Nate and Nick took turns pleading their case as they headed up the stairs not stopping until they reached Nate’s office.

  “Come on, man. I have a good feeling about all of this.” Nick dropped down in the guest chair in front of the desk. “And do I need to remind you that the Unity Tower building is a sixty-million-dollar project?”

  “I know, but if we go for the job ourselves, we won’t have to settle for forty percent of that. We can keep a hundred percent of the net profits.”

  Nate faced his computer screen and scrolled through his emails. Tired of listening to his brother go on and on about the project, he was tempted to concede to the idea just to shut him up.

  “Nate, I don’t want to let this opportunity pass us by. Besides, the person overseeing the proposal will be here in a couple of hours to meet with you. We can’t back out now.”

  Nate rocked in his seat and stared at his brother. Nick was right about one thing. Partnering with LCA might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Since J&S was the largest minority-owned construction company in the area, Nate guessed that was why the invitation to partner came their way. Submitting a proposal with a large minority company would make LCA eligible for federal funding.

  “All right. We’ll do this, but if I fall behind in my work, you’re picking up the slack.”

  Nick frowned. “Why would you get behind?”

  “Because LCA has to go through our books, get a feel for our business practices, and who knows what else. They have to know that we run a viable business before they include us in this propo—”

  “Nate, I fall more and more in love with you every day.”

  Nate glanced at his office door where their receptionist, Tammy, stood in the doorway a huge smile on her face and holding a crystal vase of red roses. Nate could smell the potent fragrance of the flowers from across the office.

  “These are so beautiful.”

  Nate returned her smile. “Who said those were from me?”

  “Because you and Grandpa Jenkins are the only thoughtful men around here.” She looked pointedly at Nick. Tammy worked for the company the past ten years. That loyalty qualified her as an honorary family member.

  Nick frowned. “If you’re trying to insult me on a sly, it’s not working. I’m a happily married man. I can’t go around buying flowers for other women. Sumeera would kill me,” he said of his wife of six months.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Tammy rolled her eyes good-naturedly and returned her attention to Nate. “Thank you. This was very thoughtful.”

  Nate stood and strolled across the office and kissed her cheek. “My pleasure, and happy birthday. We all just wanted you to know how special you are to us.”

  Nate closed the door behind her.

  “See that’s the shit that’s going to get us slapped with some type of sexual discrimination lawsuit. She’s going to fall for your charming ass only to realize you do that crap for every woman you know.”

  Nate waved him off. His brother and cousins had dubbed him a modern-day Prince Charming. According to them, he rescued every damsel in distress and they fell in love with him without much effort on his part.

  “I don’t do that for every woman I know. Besides, there’s no harm in showing a little appreciation for hard work. No one has screamed sexual harassment or anything else like that in all the years we’ve been in business. I doubt it’ll happen just because I buy the support staff flowers on their birthday.”

  “All right, but you’re on your own if your good deeds come back to bite you in the ass.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, if I have to spend a chunk of the next coming weeks working with LCA’s project manager, then you and Toni are going to have to pick up the slack around here.”

  Their cousin, Toni Jenkins-Logan, was a plumber by trade but helped out in the office whenever he or Nick took vacation.

  “Fine. Whatever it takes. And while you’re working on that grant proposal, add some dollars for additional clerical staff. Assuming we beat out everyone else, we’ll definitely need more help around here.” Nick stretched his arms high over his head and yawned.

  “Man, that’s the third time you’ve yawned in the last five minutes. What’s up with you?”

  “Two words. Chanelle Moore.”

  Nate smiled at the mention of his niece. Nick’s wife, Sumeera, had given birth almost two months ago and Nate was already attached to the little cutie. When his brother asked him to be her godfather the day she was born, the request surprised Nate, but he planned to take his role seriously. He loved kids and though he didn’t have any of his own yet, he was already crazy in love with that baby girl.

  “I can’t imagine that little cutie-pie is giving you any trouble.”

  “Ha! Spend the night tonight, and when she cries—every two hours—you can see to her needs. Meera and I could use a few uninterrupted hours of sleep.”

  “Sorry, no can do. I have dinner plans tonight. Maybe another time,” Nate said unapologetically.

  “Yeah, I thought so.” Nick stood. “You date more than I ever did. I can’t understand why you haven’t settled down yet. Between the two of us, you were the one most likely to get married first.”

  In all of the women he’d dated, there had only been one he’d ever considered proposing to, and that was in his last year of college. Since then, he hadn’t been willing to give his heart to another only to have it stomped on.

  “Who you going out with tonight?”

  “A woman I met at a networking event two weeks ago.” After talking with her on the phone a few times, he suggested they meet for drinks. Now Nate was having second thoughts. She was beautiful, smart, and they had enough in common, but casual dating had lost its appeal. He was struggling with that realization because after college, he didn’t let women get too close. But lately, he’d been thinking about what his brother and so many other men he knew had—a wife and kids to go home to.

  “Well, have fun. I’m out of here. I’ll be on a job site for most of the afternoon, but let me know how the meeting goes.”

  “Will do.”

  *

  Hours later, Nate headed to the first floor to meet LCA’s project manager. Reservations about the proposal process plagued him. Even with signed non-disclosure forms from both companies, he was hesitant to share pricing plans, profit models, or much of any information with LCA.

  Tammy glanced up from her computer when he approached the front desk. “Thanks again for the flowers. You definitely made my day.”

  “My pleasure. I’m glad you like them.”

  Nate knew she loved roses. Buying her flowers to celebrate her birthday had been a simple gesture, and a way to let her know they appreciated her commitment to the company.

  “Which conference room is Miss Stewart in?”

  “I put her in C. Let me know if you two need anything.”

  “I will, thanks,” Nate said over his shoulder as he headed down the hall. A satisfied smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he surveyed the new photos of construction sites gracing the wall. They were almost finished with the second phase of the four-part renovation of the building, and Nate was pleased with how everything was turning out. The new look was a great advertisement of their workers’ skills.

  Nate’s dress shoes clicked against the shiny travertine floors as he passed several glass enclosed conference rooms. At first, he didn’t think the transparent walls and doors were a good idea, but with the fabric blinds hanging at all
the windows, meetings could become private in an instant.

  Nate slowed when he approached conference room C where a woman stood at the window, her back to the door. He rotated his shoulders a few times and shook off a shudder as a sense of deja vu settled around him. He wasn’t sure what caused the odd sensation as he drank in the woman’s stature.

  From the short distance, she appeared tall at around 5’8” wearing a pink blouse tucked into a straight black skirt. His body stirred at how well the garment hugged her perfectly round butt. No doubt she was a runner if her shapely calves were any indication. The black high heels added emphasis to her toned legs. Hair cut into a short, stylish bob that was long on one side hid her profile, but what he did see piqued his interest.

  Nate pushed open the door and strolled in.

  “Ms. Stewart, sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Na…” The words lodged in his throat and heat soared through his body when the woman turned to face him.

  “Nate,” she said on a gasp, her mouth hanging open.

  He shook his head and blinked several times to ensure he wasn’t seeing things. Tension seized his body. Shock shifted to disbelief which quickly turned to anger.

  “Kayla.” Disgust dripped from the single word. Rage crawled over his body like a trail of army ants, irking him more than her presence. “Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying. Get out!”

  Chapter Two

  Liberty jerked as if she’d been slapped, shaken by his words. Unease crept up her spine at the lethalness in his stare, only enhancing the anxiety she had walked into the building with. She couldn’t get her mouth to work. Rooted in place she wasn’t sure what to say or do. And he had called her Kayla. A name from her distant past. A name that no longer represented her. A name she hadn’t heard in a long time…especially from his mouth.