His Jilted Bride

HIS JILTED BRIDE

PUBLISHED BY JAYNE SYKES at SMASHWORDS

COPYRIGHT 2012 JAYNE SYKES

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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.

Cover Design by www.creativecinematics.co.uk (copyright Stephen Sykes 2012)

CHAPTER ONE

Shock slammed into Eleanor like a tidal wave hitting a defenceless coastline. She heard nothing except the whoosh of blood rushing to her head and bit down hard on her bottom lip, wincing when she tasted blood. She willed her wobbly legs to propel her into the crowded room, and it took all of her remaining resolve to lower herself into the vacant seat beside Tony, instead of turning and running out like she desperately wanted to do.

She groaned.

This really couldn't be happening. If only she had been more observant, she might have been better prepared. But she hadn't been, and now she was paying the price whilst wishing that she had paid more attention to office politics and the gossip surrounding the new proprietor of the Company where she worked.

Rainbow Productions had been struggling financially for some time. It was a fact confirmed last month when the CEO had called a general staff meeting and told everyone that he had decided to sell the Company. Eleanor hadn't been too bothered about that. The only thing she had been worried about was keeping her job. She loved working as a TV researcher. However, her old boss had informed them that the new owner wasn't looking at staff changes in the immediate future, so she had dismissed all the worry and remained quietly optimistic without even bothering to find out who was taking over.

But could Wayne Lockwood really be their saviour? He hadn't exactly been her knight in shining armour in the past, had he?

Eleanor jumped when Tony patted her hand. Ellie, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.

You have no idea, Eleanor muttered under her breath, as her brain flashed a montage of painful memories she really didn't want to relive.

It had taken fifteen years to exorcise this demon and now it had risen before her once again. How could she possibly tell Tony that the man standing before them, reassuring them that he would do everything in his power to secure their future, was the very same man who had stolen her own future all those years ago? The same man who had broken her heart in one cruel blow with one little note. Four brief lines telling her that he was sorry but it was for the best. That the only way he could stop himself from hurting her more in the long run, was to let her go. He hadn't told her to her face, standing confident and proud as he was now. Oh no. That had hurt even more. She hadn't thought that Wayne could ever be so cruel or so heartless. He had no right to destroy her happiness and ruin her belief in love and happy ever after.

Wayne was a secret she never wanted to reveal. Only her family and closest friends knew how devastated she had been when, with two days to go before their wedding, he had dumped her.

But he had, and that was why she couldn't believe a word he was saying now.

Oh, she had tried to teach herself that it had probably been for the best. She had even convinced her mum that she believed that it was better to find out before that ring had been placed on her finger. It was easier that way.

But it wasn't.

Nothing could ever completely eradicate the pain Wayne Lockwood had caused. Her heart would be forever bruised, and Eleanor knew that there would always be a part of her that would belong to the man standing before her now. It was the same very secret part of her that instinctively knew that life with Wayne Lockwood would have been everything she had always wished for, and more.

An image of Wayne playing on the lawn with two young children as she watched and laughed, popped into Eleanor's troubled mind and made her gasp. Tears pricked at her eyes and she took a deep breath. Then another. Thankfully, Tony was too enthralled by Wayne's speech to notice.

He wasn't the only one. Glancing quickly around the room, Eleanor noticed that most of the women were just as captivated. They were goggle-eyed and preening, hands subconsciously playing with their hair, tongues wetting dry lips. The men were sitting upright, arms crossed in a classic defensive pose as they tried to project confidence and virility in a typical man assessing man pose.

So, thankfully, no-one in the room was paying her any attention.

And Wayne...

Hopefully he would be as self-absorbed as ever and not see the inner turmoil his presence was causing her. He must never know just how deep her emotions still ran. That was one of the reasons why she hadn’t attended her university reunion last year. She just hadn’t been able to bear the thought of meeting him after all this time, let alone the idea that he might have a wife in tow. She had suffered enough hurt and humiliation at his hands.

As it happened, she had later found out that Wayne hadn't gone either. That had made her feel stupid. Worse still, she had hated herself for letting him have control over her. She had missed out on meeting some old friends just because she had allowed her feelings for Wayne to dominate her life. How incredibly foolish and insecure had that made her feel? If only she could be angry, she thought, wondering if she dared confront him now. If she did, perhaps it would allow her some closure and finally allow her to move on with her emotions once and for all.

Eleanor realised that her hands were trembling and shoved them in her pockets.

Gorgeous isn’t he? Tony whispered, and she just couldn’t stop herself from glancing up through lowered lashes.

Wayne was stockier than she remembered. Back then, as a university student, he had been thinner, leaner. Now, standing in his elegantly cut dark blue suit, Eleanor realised that he was still the best looking man she had ever seen. Her breath caught as her gaze feasted on the ripple of hard muscle as he folded his arms. She blinked hard and gave herself a mental shake.

If that’s your bag, she replied, aiming for nonchalance, even as she found herself taking another peak.

It was almost funny. Up until that point, she had never wanted to set eyes on Wayne Lockwood ever again. Now that she had, she was behaving like a thirsty woman who had spent too long in the desert.

Wayne's dark brown hair was in the same short style she remembered, and she had a sudden flashback of laying beneath him in the park on a warm summer's day, her fingernails lazily scratching his head as she squinted up at him in the bright sunshine.

That had been the day he had asked her to marry him. They had just finished their final exams and had gone off to the park for a celebratory picnic. Emboldened by the two bottles of wine they had shared, Eleanor guessed, Wayne had surprised her by asking her to marry him. Of course, they would have to wait until they both had steady jobs and could afford to settle down and start a family, but he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. That's what he had made her believe.

And that mole on his top lip... How many times had she kissed that? Eleanor suddenly felt hot and squeezed her thighs together. She didn’t want to feel anything but anger at Wayne Lockwood. She waited for the dark, empty coldness to invade her soul again, for that was all he deserved from her.

**

Wayne’s sharp mind suddenly went blank as he watched the late arrival take her seat. Never one to suffer lateness, he made a mental note to have words with the woman about the importance of good time keeping. Then he met familiar hazel eyes and all coherent thought was dashed from his active brain.

From the way she stiffened, her steps momentarily faltering, Wayne knew that Eleanor was just as surprised to see him. Not that it made it any easier. Why hadn't Joe warned him?

He cleared his throat and forced himself to glance at the other employees in the small staff room. He had been standing before them for the last half hour, having called this meeting to introduce himself as their new employer.

Rainbow Productions was a small TV Company that was floundering and losing a phenomenal amount of money. The fact that its CEO was in the midst of a messy divorce hadn't helped the Company's publicity or finances either, but it had made it easier for Lockwood Enterprises to step in and make an offer for the Company.

Thinking of the tabloid photos showing Rainbow's former CEO in bed with two of his lovers, Wayne couldn't understand why a successful businessman would want to take unnecessary risks. He, himself, was owner and CEO of a media empire that he had built up on firm foundations. He had earned his reputation as a hard, but fair, businessman. Consequently, there was nothing he would do to risk losing all that he had achieved, and that included making sure that he controlled his sexual urges, however tempting the offers he often had flung his way. Good sex was great. Enjoyable. But his power and wealth should never be used as justification for losing control. Just as sex and emotion should never be the basis for decision making. That's why he hadn't been able to marry Eleanor fifteen years ago. Sex with her had always been fantastic, but it couldn't be the basis for a stable relationship. He would never have been able to satisfy her long term. Not in the way she had truly deserved to be. Once he had realised that he was too much like his father, that he might just make the same mistakes-

Wayne struggled to focus on the occupants in the room, who were all watching him with a varied mix of curiosity, wariness and hope. As he stared at their anxious faces, it was understandable that they should harbour mixed feelings. He had seen those looks of relief tinged with fear and concern many times. Hell, he had even seen that face staring back at him in the mirror, especially fifteen years ago.

He cleared his throat and, not for the first time, wondered why he didn’t leave confrontations such as this to his very well paid personal assistant or, better still, someone from his Human Resources Team.

Because you like the personal touch, a little voice reminded him, and he blinked hard, trying to focus on his speech. Except when it comes to ditching lovers.

He glanced down at the prompt card he usually never even spared a glance at, and frowned.

...So, for the moment, I can assure you that all your jobs are secure. Of course, there may be some need for restructure some time in the future, but we’ll bridge that if and when we come to it although, it has to be said, the place could do with a lick of paint.

He ignored the cautious titters and wondered how on earth anyone could be inspired by the drab brown and insipid beige décor. All the buildings he owned were modern, open plan offices that carefully blended in with their surroundings. They were hi tech and up to date to maximise efficiency and keep staff morale high. Comfort and efficiency were two things he thrived on, and knew full well that one of the best ways to inspire those who were fortunate enough to work for him was by ensuring that they had the best atmosphere in which to work.

In fact, when he glanced around, he realised that the whole building could do with a revamp. It’s dark wood and polished floors were too old fashioned for his taste. He made a mental note to contact his architect and then, without thinking, his dark gaze returned to Eleanor.

He tried to focus on anything but the way her soft hair framed her elfin face. How the soft jumper she wore clung to her small, but firm breasts. Breasts that used to taste like the sweetest nectar. That used to fit perfectly in the palms of his hands as he fondled and caressed her to the same heady, excited peak he had always felt whenever he made love to her. Her breasts always used to drive him crazy. They still did, if the sudden tightening of his groin was anything to go by.

Damn! This was definitely not the time to be revisiting his past sex life.

Subconsciously Wayne's hand reached up to finger the knot of his pale blue silk tie and he swallowed back another curse, as he suddenly felt uncomfortable. These days that was a feeling he rarely felt, and he didn't welcome it now.

What was Ellie doing here? he asked himself, already knowing the answer to his stupid question. He watched as she dropped her gaze first, her cheeks flushed with...what? Embarrassment? Desire? No. Wayne struck that last thought from his mind. She had been shocked to see him, but Wayne had seen the flicker of angry hurt in those hazel eyes before she had looked away. He couldn't blame her. Even though he knew he had done the right thing by letting her go, he had still hated himself for doing it.

Now, with her attention firmly focussed on her hands tightly clasped in her lap, it gave him a better opportunity to scrutinize her.

She was thinner than he remembered, but the long blonde hair and honest hazel eyes were the same. He had dreamed about that luxurious hair falling across her shoulders as she straddled him many times. All too often, he had remembered the way her eyes would dilate to two hazel pools of pleasure as she climaxed beneath him.

He grew even harder and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, silently cursing his sudden loss of concentration and control.

He had harboured doubts about adding Rainbow Productions to his long list of companies. The value of its shares had plummeted in the last week alone. His ruthless reputation for taking struggling companies in the media world and then turning them into vast, worldwide successes had earned him the nickname The TV Prince. Now, as he watched Eleanor fidget in her seat, he had the unsettling feeling that there was a hell of a lot more at stake than the survival of Rainbow Productions.

CHAPTER TWO

Ellie!

Eleanor closed her eyes and wished that Wayne's voice still didn’t possess such power over her. It was no good. Her emotions were in turmoil, and her treacherous body automatically responded to his deep, sensuous voice. It was as though it had been dormant all these years. Her nipples tightened and her pulse quickened, her blood feeling like thick chocolate in her veins. Worse still, Eleanor found her feet coming to a halt and she pivoted slowly round, unable to resist his command and hating him for it, hating herself.

It had been one thing sitting with a group of people knowing that she was safe from any confrontation because neither one of them would care to dredge up their past in public. Now Eleanor felt a wave of panic, and was unaware that she had been holding her breath until she released it on a long sigh that made her chest physically hurt.

Wayne’s tall frame towered over her, and Eleanor willed herself not to breathe in his familiar tangy aftershave. She used to buy him it for Christmas because it was cheaper than all the other brands, and always loved to cuddle up to him, inhaling the smell of him. To breathe in his unique scent as he moved slowly inside her.

Eleanor was surprised that he still wore it. He had severed their connection so abruptly. Besides, his wealth and power now meant that he could afford a more expensive, better brand. Or perhaps it was a different aftershave and her scattered mind was simply playing cruel memory tricks on her.

For the briefest of seconds hope and something else she didn’t want to contemplate, coursed through her veins as she dared to wonder if he was wearing the same scent for sentimental reasons. Did it remind him of her? Did it fill him with regret for his past actions and lost love? Then she quickly vanquished the nonsensical notions. Wayne didn't do sentimental. He had made that all too clear fifteen years ago.

She lifted her chin, knowing that she needed to appear confident and aloof even if she was shaking inside.

He had always been tall, and she focussed on the tight knot of his tie