The Tycoon's Unexpected Baby (The Abbot Sisters Book 3) Read online

  The Tycoon’s

  Unexpected Baby

  By Elizabeth Lennox

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  Copyright 2020

  ISBN13: 9781950451241

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Any duplication of this material, either electronic or any other format, either currently in use or a future invention, is strictly prohibited, unless you have the direct consent of the author.

  Table of 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

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Seduced by the Sheik

  Chapter 1

  A flash of color drew his gaze.

  Inside the conference room, the décor was muted tans and browns. Even the meeting participants wore black or charcoal suits, the only color seeming to be the ties on the men and the necklaces on the women. Outside, the leaves were green, but otherwise, everything was the normal cement colored world it always was.

  Dimitri turned his head slightly, annoyed that something had broken his concentration during this meeting, and also frustrated at his lack of discipline. Unfortunately, the flash of color turned out to be a woman crossing the street. When his eyes focused, Dimitri became completely distracted and, for a long moment, he simply stared, stunned. She wasn’t just walking, he realized. No, this shockingly lovely woman was…dancing. In Central Park! Like a butterfly, he thought, not sure if he should laugh, roll his eyes or perhaps call the police because…she was dancing! Who did that? Was she crazy? Was she on some sort of drug?

  Even as he watched, she lifted her arms, full out dancing now, acting as if the world wasn’t watching her. She just enjoyed the moment, her eyes closed and her arms fluttering, as if she was trying to embrace the sunshine.

  As soon as he realized where his mind was going, he turned away, disgusted with himself. A “butterfly”? “Embracing the sunshine”?! Dimitri mentally snorted. He did not go off on flights of fancy! He preferred data driven decisions that translated into solid results and healthy profit margins. His companies were ruled by logic and sound decision making processes. Butterflies, or ridiculous women who had so little ambition that they had time to dance in the sunshine, had no place in his world.

  So why did his gaze return to the window? Even as he watched, the woman spun around, smiling at…whatever. Damn it, now the woman was smelling a freaking flower! Did she really have so few things to do that she could stop to smell something? And seriously, did flowers even have scents these days? He knew that flower farmers, just like most occupations in this world, needed to show a profit. Profits were generated when people wanted their product. The world was very visual these days, which meant that farmers leaned towards flowers that had been genetically manipulated for their color and size. That breeding meant that scent was sacrificed. And that translated into flowers that were grown for beauty, with very little substance beyond their temporary existence.

  So, why couldn’t he look away from the colorful woman? Why did he keep watching as the woman closed her eyes, lifting her lovely face up to the sky as if savoring the scent of that simple bloom?

  Irritated, he once again dismissed the woman and turned back to the speaker who was about midway down the conference room table. Because of the woman’s odd, distracting behavior, Dimitri had entirely lost track of the meeting. Damn it.

  Turning slightly, his assistant immediately stood from the chair behind him, understanding Dimitri’s silent signal. “There’s a woman outside the window,” Dimitri whispered. “Find out who she is.”

  Dimitri turned his attention back to the speaker, looking down at the papers in front of him to figure out what the guy was talking about. Even as he tried to focus, Dimitri noticed with approval that his assistant had immediately left the meeting. Good, he thought. He wanted the woman’s name to…? Kolasi! Dimitri had no idea what he would do with the information. Chastise her for smelling a flower?

  The newspapers repeatedly printed articles about his ruthless business tactics, but Dimitri didn’t think that he’d sunk so low as to admonish someone for recognizing beauty in the world.

  Had he?

  Me tipota, he thought as he shifted in the leather chair. Kolasi, if someone wanted to dance in the street or stop and smell a dekara flower, go for it. So, why had he sent his assistant to look for the woman? For what purpose? Surely, he wasn’t planning to chide her.

  Ochi, he didn’t want to do anything with the information. He wanted the woman’s identity to…!

  Take her out to dinner leapt to mind, but he dismissed the thought. The woman traipsing across the stone courtyard wasn’t his type. He preferred statuesque blonds. The woman in the colorful outfit was a brunette. Plus, she was short. At six feet, three inches, Dimitri preferred tall women who would fit into his life, and his arms, more easily. Also, the woman was too colorful. Where the hell had she gotten such an outlandish outfit anyway? Red, green, and yellow…not to mention, patterns. Had she taken scraps from several other dresses and just…patched them all together? Granted, the dress had hugged her lush figure perfectly, but still, it was too loud for his personal taste.

  The woman had been the complete opposite of his normal female companions.

  Dimitri realized that the speaker had stopped, and the whole room was silent. Everyone waiting for his reaction. Unfortunately, he’d been too distracted to remember what the hell the meeting was about!

  “I’ll get back to you,” he snapped, furious with himself. He’d lost his concentration and now he had no idea what the man had been presenting for the last fifteen minutes.

  Dimitri wasn’t going to admit that to the meeting participants though. He had a reputation as being a true bastard when it came to business. If he admitted that he’d been entranced…and yes, that was the only word to describe it…if anyone knew that some butterfly-like woman had distracted him from this meeting…the press would hound her. They would hunt her down and reveal her secrets to the world. His competition would revel in the news that Dimitri could be distracted by a woman who stopped to smell flowers!

  With disgust, he walked out of the meeting, straightening his immaculate cuffs distractedly.

  Pepper jerked at the sound of someone calling out. When a tall, thin man with a frantic look about him waved, she stopped and smiled. “Are you talking to me?” she asked, trying to place the man. She met many people in her line of business, but she was absolutely horrible with names.

  “Yes! Hold on…” he gasped, coming to a stop beside her and bracing his hands on his knees. He took in huge gulps of air as he tried to slow his breathing.

  Pepper noticed that his tie was askew, but considering how frazzled the man seemed, she didn’t bother to mention it.

  “How can I help you?” she asked politely, praying that she hadn’t forgotten his name.

  Straightening, he took one more lung-full of oxygen, then smiled politely.
“My employer wanted to get your contact information,” he explained, then brought his pen and notebook forward, waiting expectantly.

  Pepper pulled back, surprised by such a request. “My contact information?” she repeated. “Um…why?”

  The man seemed just as confused as she was. “He…” he trailed off helplessly for a moment before rallying. “My employer is Dimitri Bosalis,” he concluded, and waited, his pen still poised.

  Pepper waited for more information, but when the slight man just looked expectantly at her, she shook her head, still confused. “I’m sorry, but should I know this Bosalis fellow? His name doesn’t…” she paused. “Wait. Didn’t Bosalis Industries just buy that big pharmaceutical company last month?”

  The thin man smiled, relieved that Pepper recognized his employer’s name. “Yes! Yes, that was him. It was a complicated buy out and I was thrilled when everything finally came together. My employer worked very hard on that deal. The company will be profitable once Mr. Bosalis fixes the issues in the management chain. Plus, the company’s components will work well with many of his other companies.”

  Pepper nodded, not sure what to say. Obviously, the man was proud of his employer’s endeavors, but Pepper hadn’t approved of the takeover. From what she’d read, it had been expensive and a lot of people would eventually lose their jobs because of “redundancy” or some other stupid sanitized business term that basically equated to layoffs.

  “That’s wonderful for you and your employer,” she stated carefully, not wanting to offend anyone. She glanced at her watch. “If you will excuse me, I’m late for a meeting.”

  With that she hitched her tote bag higher onto her shoulder, and carefully stepped around the thin man who looked too stunned to speak. Perhaps this Bosalis fellow was a hard task master, or maybe he just needed to eat more. The guy looked extremely pale. Did the Bosalis guy ever let his employees out into the sunshine?

  “But…!” the guy tried, then snapped his mouth shut when she waved to him.

  “I have to go!” she replied, smiling as she hurried across the concrete courtyard. Pepper didn’t know him and didn’t think she wanted to have anything to do with his employer. The whole interaction seemed a bit creepy.

  Turning the corner, Pepper lifted her cell phone and typed a message to her sisters. “Creepy Bosalis employee wants my contact information. Seriously? Would anyone just give out information to a stranger?”

  Immediately, Rayne, the middle of the Abbot sisters, replied back with, “That sounds weird. Get away from the guy now!”

  “I’m on it,” Pepper texted back. “I’m already in the building for my next meeting. Love you guys!”

  Sloane Abbot read the text messages, her free hand tracing circles over her swollen belly.

  “Are you okay?” Josh Starke asked, stepping into her office.

  Sloane looked up, smiling as her handsome husband approached. “I’m feeling really good,” she assured him. “This is our fourth child, Josh. I’m pretty much an expert at this whole pregnancy thing by now.”

  He walked around her desk and place his larger hand over her belly. “I know that you feel that way, but I don’t.”

  She laughed. “My pregnancies are one of the few times that you’re not in control and that irritates you, doesn’t it?”

  He growled, and took her hands, pulling her out of her chair and into his arms. “Yes! I’m an unapologetic control freak.” With that acknowledgement, he lowered his head to nuzzle her neck.

  Sloane laughed, pressing against him as much as she could. Her pregnant belly was in the way, but she didn’t mind. After years of working for this man, several of them as his wife, she loved him with her whole heart. And she still felt a zap of electricity whenever he touched her.

  “Yes, you are, but I like that about you.” She laughed softly when his hands moved lower, but because they were in the office, his office, she grabbed them and stopped their downward descent. “You’re being naughty.”

  “The door is closed,” he growled, nipping at her earlobe.

  “Later,” she promised, and kissed him. “I’ll do that thing…” he didn’t let her finish, kissing her deeply as his body responded to her promise.

  When he released her, Sloane laughed, because she knew that he was just as turned on as she was. “You’re an evil woman,” he growled and stepped away from her.

  “I know. But you deserve it.” She walked back into her office and shuffled through some papers on her desk, searching for the file he’d need for his next meeting. “Oh, by the way, do you know anyone who works at Bosalis Industries?” she asked, handing him the file.

  “I know Dimitri Bosalis. He’s the owner and a good man. Tough, but fair.”

  Sloane tilted her head slightly. “That’s high praise coming from you.”

  Josh shrugged. “I’ve worked with him on several deals. He’s brilliant. I admire him a lot.”

  “Good. Some guy tried to get Pepper’s contact information. He said he works for Bosalis Industries. Tell this Dimitri guy to keep his employees from harassing my sister.”

  Josh’s eyes hardened. “When did this happen?” he demanded, his voice low and threatening.

  Sloane didn’t admonish Josh for his overly-protective-brother act. When it came to her sisters, she loved that Josh was as protective of her sisters as she was. “Just this morning,” she explained. “Some guy actually stopped Pepper on the sidewalk, demanding her contact information!”

  “It won’t happen again,” he promised, already lifting his cell phone as he headed for his next meeting.

  Chapter 2

  Dimitri walked into the old building, taking in the details as he went. The brick building was old, but solid with huge windows that harkened back to the industrial era when factories needed big windows to allow air flow in order to cool down the factory floors. It had character and charm, he thought, even if he preferred more modern, clean lines.

  “I’m here to speak with Ms. Pepper Abbot,” he told the first woman he spotted. She was sitting at a sewing machine and looked up at him with a stunned expression.

  “I’m sorry?” the woman replied, not immediately moving to find the woman in question.

  “Ms. Abbot,” Dimitri repeated impatiently. “Is she here?”

  Another woman stepped out of an office, a professional, if wary, expression on her face. “May I help you?” she asked, obviously someone with more authority.

  Dimitri moved towards the other woman. “I’m looking for Ms. Pepper Abbot. I’m told that she works here.”

  The woman crossed her arms, pressing the large notebook to her chest like a shield. “Ms. Abbot isn’t here at the moment. I’m her business manager, Nancy Coldron. How can I help you?”

  Dimitri wanted to snap at the woman, impatience making his blood boil. He paused, irritated by his annoyance over such a simple issue. He never got angry, he reminded himself. He was always cool and in control. “My name is Dimitri Bosalis,” he said, handing her a business card. “Tell Ms. Abbot to call me and set up an appointment.”

  With that, he turned on his heel and walked out, looking around to ensure that his prey wasn’t hiding somewhere. Although, why the lovely woman might hide, he wasn’t sure. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind ever since that morning when he’d spotted her in Central Park. He’d been trying to contact her for three days. It was infuriating that a woman could distract him so badly. He was sure that a simple conversation with her would satisfy his curiosity and allow him to regain his normal control.

  “Can I tell her what this is in regards to?” the woman called out from behind him.

  Dimitri rested his hand against the door handle as he turned back to the woman. “It’s personal,” he admitted, then walked out, fully expecting a phone call from Ms. Abbot within the hour.

  Although, he’d been expecting that phone call for three days now, and it hadn’t happened.

  Curiosity, he told himself as he slipped into th
e open door of the waiting limousine. He was simply curious. Nothing more.

  Twenty-four hours later, Dimitri was ready to fire anyone who spoke to him unless the person was a gorgeous brunette in outlandish clothes. He was furious that the beautiful, elusive woman hadn’t called, which was why he was now standing in front of her apartment door, ready to break it down if she didn’t answer.

  A moment later, the heavy door swung open and there she was! He stared down into a face surrounded by thick, dark, wavy hair, enormous light blue eyes fringed by dark lashes and pale, beautiful skin. Her nose was small and her lips red and impossibly sexy as she smiled up at him.

  Damn, she was even more beautiful up close. Of course, he’d only seen her through the window four days ago, but still…those eyes! Her blue eyes were surrounded by the longest, lushest lashes he’d ever seen. Surely, they must be fake. But he didn’t care. Those crystal blue eyes glowed up at him and he felt that ridiculous zing shoot through him. He remembered feeling that same sensation four days ago when he’d watched her smell that damn flower. Now he knew it wasn’t a fluke.

  Jerking out of his stunned silence, he shifted his feet slightly. “Ms. Abbot?” he asked.

  “Yes?” she replied, leaning against the door as if she were prepared to slam it shut at any moment.

  “I’m Dimitri Bosalis,” he explained. “I have a business proposition for you.”

  The woman blinked, watching him warily as if she knew that he was lying. The truth was, he had no idea what he was doing here. And that infuriated him. This woman had ignored his calls, hadn’t responded when he’d gone to her office personally, and had ignored every other effort on his part to contact her. Which was why he was standing here in front of her door, looking like a fool. Dimitri hated looking like a fool!

  “Um…I think that you should speak to my business manager,” she explained cautiously. “I’ll get her phone number.”

  His hand sliced through the air impatiently. “I don’t want to deal with Nancy Cordon. I will deal only with you.”