What a Rich Woman Wants (22 page)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“We're ready for you, Ms. Robinson.” Kelly Drummond, head of public relations for the Robinson Group, held open the door of the recording studio.

Lesley followed her into the booth. “Have a seat here,” Kelly instructed. She patted the back of a burgundy leather desk chair. Lesley sat. She nodded at the cameraman, who was making adjustments to his equipment and the lighting.

Kelly stepped back behind the camera. “As soon as Charley's ready, we'll get started. We've fed your statement into the teleprompter, so just read it from there. I'll be keeping up with you. If you need to start over, just say so.”

Lesley had been through this routine before. She'd done several podcasts for the Robinson Group website, usually around the time the annual earnings reports came out, or for some special media event or acquisition. As chairman of the board, she was the face of the company and its chief spokesperson. No one else could be given the responsibility of what she was about to do.

A few minutes later, Charley nodded to Kelly and Kelly said, “Ready?”

Lesley nodded. Charley counted down with his fingers, then pointed at her. She started reading.

“There has been a great deal of speculation regarding my involvement in the death of Maria Delgado, a former employee of my family. Miss Delgado is suspected to be the victim of foul play, and her body was found on the grounds of the Challenge Project in Willow Bay, Florida.

“The Challenge Project is an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged youth in Willow Bay. It is a project I personally feel is worthwhile and that I personally support.

“I first learned of the project when Niko Morales, a deputy with the Waldon County Sheriff's Department, brought it to my attention. Mr. Morales wanted to present the project to the Robinson Family Foundation for funding.

“After a thorough investigation of Mr. Morales's background as well as the project's structure and viability, I recommended a presentation to the foundation's board.

“I was present at the presentation to the board. However, I abstained from voting for personal reasons. My vote was not necessary, in any event, as the other board members unanimously approved funding.

“Because I believed in the Challenge Project, I offered to introduce Mr. Morales to other individuals who might also be interested in funding the community center he had outlined as part of the project. Mr. Morales agreed to attend several social functions with me so that I could make these introductions. During the course of the time we spent together, Mr. Morales and I became friends, and later we became romantically involved.

“I did not want it to appear that the Challenge Project had been given preferential treatment over the many other funding requests being considered by the Robinson Family Foundation. Therefore, I suggested to Mr. Morales that we keep our involvement private. He agreed, as I am certain he was also under the impression that my reputation and by default that of the Robinson Group would suffer if we were to go public with our relationship. In short, I am certain Mr. Morales was concerned about the repercussions, both business and personal, were it to be known that the CEO of the Robinson Group was dating a local law enforcement officer.

“While I care deeply about the reputation of the Robinson Group, I refuse to allow my position with the company to dictate the choices I make in my personal life.

“I have decided to go public with our relationship for two reasons. First, Mr. Morales and I have both been questioned in regard to the death of Maria Delgado. I can say unequivocally that neither of us were involved and that the police are completely satisfied in this respect. But since the media will no doubt learn of our involvement during the upcoming trial of my former husband, keeping this relationship secret is no longer in the company's best interests.

“The second reason is because I love Mr. Morales, and I've been far too concerned about the reputation of the Robinson Group, as well as that of my family.

“And so I've come forward with a simple truth: Fear can keep us from living a complete life, just as surely as it can keep us from doing the right thing. This is my way of rejecting that fear. I hope if you ever find yourself with a similar dilemma, you will choose to do the same as I have.”

“And out.” Charley turned off the camera. The teleprompter stopped rolling.

“That was great,” Kelly said, a slight tremor in her voice. She cleared her throat and came forward as Lesley stood. “We'll have this posted on the website shortly. We've set up the links for anyone who wants to view the Challenge Project's website or make a donation. I'll have my office field comments and questions or requests for interviews from the media.”

“Thank you, Kelly. It's a relief to have this done.”

“May I just say, Ms. Robinson, I admire you. A woman in your position, with your level of responsibility—it can't be easy.”

“No, Kelly, I don't suppose it is. But honestly I think I've made things harder on myself than they needed to be. Thank you again. We'll talk soon.”

Lesley strolled outside. Late spring sunshine greeted her. She breathed in the fresh air, looking forward to the summer and all it would bring. Humidity, thunderstorms, ninety-degree temperatures every day. She entertained herself with the thought of early morning runs on the beach with Niko. Rainy afternoons in bed with him.

As if she'd conjured him up just by thinking about him, she found him leaning against the hood of her car. She didn't even think about holding back her reaction. She smiled, letting her joy spill out.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

He straightened as she came closer. “Your mother told me where you were.”

She walked into his arms and he kissed her. Oh, she could get used to this. Planned to get used to this. “I'm glad you're here.”

“You are? Out here, where anybody and everybody can see us together?”

“Of course. I want them to.”

“You do, huh? Not concerned what they'll think about a rich woman like you being with someone like me?”

“Not concerned at all. Because what they'll probably be thinking is how did that rich woman get so lucky?”

“I'm the lucky one,” Niko said. He slid one hand into her carefully coiffed hair. With the other, he plucked the clip out of it and came in for another kiss. “So, so lucky,” he whispered.

About the Author

Barbara Meyers is the author of the Braddock Brotherhood series of sweet, spicy, sexy contemporary romances published by Samhain Publishing, as well as two other novels.

Under the pen name AJ Tillock, she ventures into off-the-wall comedic fantasy with
The Forbidden Bean
, the first in the Grinding Reality series.

When not writing fiction, Dr. Seuss-like poetry or song lyrics, Meyers disguises herself behind a green apron and supplies caffeine-laced substances to addicted consumers for a worldwide coffee company.

She is still married to her first husband and has two children and one almost perfect dog. Originally from southwest Missouri, Meyers currently resides in central Florida.

Contact her at
[email protected]

Visit her at
www.barbarameyers.com

Follow her infrequent posts on Twitter
@barbmeyers
and
@ajtillock

Like her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/BarbaraMeyersAuthorPage

Read her blog at
barbmeyers.wordpress.com/blog

Buy links to her books:
www.barbmeyers.com/where/index.html

Look for these titles by Barbara Meyers

Now Available:

A Month From Miami

A Forever Kind of Guy

The First Time Again

Nobody's Fool

Braddock Brotherhood

A Month From Miami

A Forever Kind of Guy

The First Time Again

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