Hey friends 🙂 I thought I’d share a little of the inspiration behind Book #2 and an excerpt from chapter one from, The Billionaire’s Marriage Contract.

If you’ve read Book #1 in this series, you know this is a Clean Billionaire Fake Marriage Romance series based on the family of Five Stevenson brothers.

Jack’s story(Book #2), is inspired by true stories of men I’ve known in the past, who have been rejected by the women they thought they loved, only to find true and lasting love the second time around.

I love second chance romance. There’s something beautiful about love stories that help each us become more aware of the truth that mistakes are redeemable and that we can find hope after much hurt and pain.

That’s the passion behind this romance.

Jack and Bella’s story is also based loosely on the fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. Ever since Jack got attacked with a knife for saving a teenage girl from being kidnapped, he’s been hiding himself away in his huge log mansion on the hill.

He’s become fearful of being vulnerable and sharing his heart with anyone. He doesn’t trust especially women who try to get close to him. He pushes people away so they can’t cause him hurt and pain.

Until feisty, yet adorable Bella starts pushing his buttons…

Read an excerpt from chapter one below…

Excerpt from Chapter One…

“I hope you’re ready to go to battle with the wolves to get what you want, Jack.” Alex Newthorpe one of his associate architects, eyed him and grabbed a drink from a waiter who made their way through the people that had here.

“I’m ready.” Jack walked over to welcome the members of Paradise Lake land development office. He hated schmoozing at these events, but it needed to be done so he could get the go-ahead for the Adventure Park he and his team had been designing.

“Mayor Rainey, glad you could meet with us today to discuss plans.”

“Well Jack, your idea intrigued me. But don’t get too hopeful. You need to convince us first.” Leah Rainey, looked around the room at the men and women who stood by her side, each one nodding their agreement. As usual, she was surrounded by her yes men and women.

“I figured there would need to be some discussion, that’s why we’re here.” Jack was confident that Paradise Lake planning council would soon see what his proposed was great for him as well as the town. “If you’ll all follow me to the large media room, we can begin.”

“This ought to be good.” Leo Wolffe snorted and looked at his brother Bart Wolffe who shook his head and chuckled. They were Mayor Rainey’s closest advisors and open opponents to Jack’s planned development.

He led everyone into the large media room that was located just off the great room. He had this room built just in case he needed a large conference room for group meetings.

Mrs. Potter stood there organizing the coffee and snacks on the side table. She nodded to Jack and hurried out of the room. Coggins followed her and backed out closing the double doors behind him.

“Help yourself to coffee or tea, find a spot at the table and we’ll start the presentation shortly.” Jack motioned to the massive board room table that seated thirty people.

With a press of a button a panel slid up to the ceiling, revealing a white screen. Jack opened his laptop to his slides.

He was just about to start when Dunlin Campbell his creative works project manager walked in.

“Jack, here are the newest designs in large mock ups that you asked for.” Dunlin handed him a bunch of samples of the ideas they came up with.

“Thanks Dunlin. Looks like everything is good to go. Alex?”

Alex stood up and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Jack had hired her to be the face of the Stevenson Creative Works, since his own face seemed to repel most people. Normally he didn’t show up for these meetings, but this was his passion project. He didn’t want any mistakes.

“Jack Stevenson will share his vision for this project.” Alex looked at him and Jack stood to his feet and walked to the front of the room.

“The Rose Adventure Park, was inspired by a few people in my life. One of them was my own mother whose childhood was filled with abuse and neglect. I wanted to find a way to bring a little happiness back into the lives of children, and the idea for this theme park was born.” Jack slowly scrolled through the slides, showing their designs for fun and unique rides for children.

“A favorite ride of mine, is the pirate ship that floats on a river of water that encircles an enchanted castle. The ship runs on underwater cables, so the children are safe. The ship also sails under the castle where the children get to see and explore hidden treasure.” Jack pointed out the castle and the water moat located in the centre of the adventure park, with many different rides and fun restaurants and stores for kids on the outskirts of the adventure park.

“It’s looks like a well thought out design for this adventure park. My question is, why should the Paradise Lake town council approve these changes to land development? What possible benefit would this bring to our peaceful town?” Mayor Rainey looked at Jack, and sipped her coffee waiting.

Bart Wolffe one of the Mayor’s henchman spoke up. “It looks to me, like this development idea would only bring unnecessary traffic and noise to our peaceful town.”

“It’s important to consider all aspects of a project, to make a good decision, don’t you think?” Jack eyed the the group around the table.

“Of course.” Mayor Rainey spoke up and waited.

“Then we need to consider the positive aspects that all this traffic would be that many parents and grandparents would bring their children. Which means, that the town would receive a lot of additional income from tourists who drive through. I would venture to say, that even new business would be created just because of the Adventure Park.” Jack took a breath and hit home the point he knew would peak the Mayor’s interest.

“This Adventure Park would also make our small town more visible in this state and across the nation. I believe there would be many new opportunities to connect with other mayors and Government of many different states.” Jack studied the faces around the table and landed on Mayor Rainey.

“Hmm. I do like that idea.” The corners of Mayor Rainey’s mouth turned up and the dreamy look in her eyes told Jack she was thinking of all the possibilities.

Jack knew that the mayor was interested in influence and power, which was why he wanted to end this presentation at this point. They needed to have a few days to think about the possibilities.

“This is a good place to table this discussion and give everyone here more time to consider this proposal from all angles.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.” The mayor stood up and shook his hand. “Thanks Jack. You’ve give us a lot to think about.”

The Wolffe brothers stood beside her and did their best to stare Jack down. The scowls on their faces reminded Jack of circling predators.

“You’re welcome. And please take mockups of the project designs back to the town office to give you a better idea of what we discussed here today.”

Dunlin carried the mockups over and put them into the Mayor’s assistant’s hands.

Coggins saw to it that the Mayor and her team were escorted to the door.

Jack walked with Dunlin outside, eager to hear his thoughts. “What do you think, will the mayor accept our proposal?”

“I think the lassie would be crazy not to accept it. But, those two wolves who are circling her and us, might mean difference between a long or shorter battle on our hands.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.” Jack rubbed his bearded chin thoughtfully. He opened the door. “Well we’ll talk about it next…”

Jack stood there a moment, unable to his sentence. Bella walked up to stand beside her dad. Big brown eyes looked up into his own. Her heart shaped face was framed by brown hair that highlighted creamy smooth skin.

Her cheeks flushed as she looked at him.

“Hi Bella.” Jack remembered the last time he’d seen her it was at Adam’s wedding. To his way of thinking, she had gotten more beautiful in the space of a year. He also remembered that Bella had been one of the those rare women who didn’t even notice his scar.

“Hi, Mr. Stevenson.” When she spoke his name in her light sing song voice, Jack felt himself drawn even more to her.

His gaze was riveted on Dunlin’s daughter. “It’s been awhile. I hear you’ve been in college studying design.”

“Yes, I’ve enjoyed it. Just finished my last final exams, actually.” She pushed back a stray tendril of hair that snuck out of the clip where she’d gathered her hair on the side.

He watched as Bella’s father walked to the waiting car and set his things inside.

Before he could stop himself, Jack blurted out. “You could come work here with your dad in the creative designs department.”

“As much as I appreciate your offer Mr. Stevenson, I have a couple of job offers I’m looking at.”

Bella’s polite refusal irked him a little. How could she say no to his offer? Her dad worked for him for years. Did she know what she was giving up?

“I’d encourage you to take a look at what we offer here Bella. The position won’t be open indefinitely.”

“I understand, Mr. Stevenson. My answer is the same.”

Jack nodded and saw that Bella’s cheeks had turned a deep pink color.

“Well, if you change your mind, I’ll give you my number to text or call.”

“I’m sure that won’t be…”

“Here’s my personal number.” Jack interrupted her and stepped closer speaking the number in her ear as he stood beside her. Breathing deeply, he could smell a delightful mixture of garden and books. A heady combination.

“Got it. Okay thanks, Mr. Stevenson.” Bella stepped away from him, her cheeks redder than before, if that were possible.

He reached for her hand. “And Bella?”

She peered up at him a new wariness in her beautiful big brown eyes. “It’s not Mr. Stevenson. Call me Jack.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Bella objected. Jack was her dad’s boss, she didn’t like the idea of getting too familiar with him.

“You might not think it’s a good idea, but I do. I’d like you to call me by my name.”

Bella folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her gaze.

“Okay then, Jack.”

Large eyes that looked up into his, filled with spark and fire. That flash of something ignited a deeper attraction. He didn’t know how long he stood there, mesmerized by her.

“My dad’s waiting for me. Goodbye, Jack.”

He nodded abruptly, angry with himself for letting a beautiful face turn his head.

Walking back inside the house, Jack closed the door and sighed. He frustrated for letting down the carefully constructed walls around his heart, if only for a moment. What was he doing offering her a job and giving her his personal number?

He had let a beautiful face, turn his head once a long time ago. That had turned out to be the worst decision of his life.

Jack wasn’t going to let that happen again.

He needed to stay as far away from Bella as possible.”

End of Excerpt…

Book #2 coming soon!

Sound like something you want to read more of? Jack’s story is coming in July 2019!

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Meanwhile, happy reading!