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    In Paradise with Someone Like Him
    In Paradise with Someone Like Him
    In Paradise with Someone Like Him
    Ebook125 pages1 hour

    In Paradise with Someone Like Him

    By Susanna Eastman

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Some rules are meant to be broken...

    Anna: I needed an escape—just for a little while. A place where no one knew me, where I could shed the expectations and just be. Fantasy promised exactly that. A secret world of indulgence, freedom, and self-discovery.

    I never expected him.

    Jacob is intense, enigmatic, and completely in control. The billionaire behind the resort. The man who sees past my carefully constructed walls.

    It was supposed to be a single week. No complications. No strings. But passion has a way of unraveling secrets, and now I can't stop wondering… could this ever be more?



     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSusanna Eastman
    Release dateJan 30, 2025
    ISBN9798230118961
    In Paradise with Someone Like Him
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      Book preview

      In Paradise with Someone Like Him - Susanna Eastman

      Susanna Eastman

      In Paradise with Someone Like Him

      Copyright © 2023 by Susanna Eastman

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

      First edition

      This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

      Find out more at reedsy.com

      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 1

      With a deep sigh, Anna Wakefield slipped into the fancy hotel powder room and shut the ornate door behind her. The music from the reception faded, but the throbbing in her temples refused to go away.

      She loved creating floral arrangements for big, lavish weddings—and normally was able to focus on the job and only the job—but today…

      She shook her head with frustration. She didn’t know what she’d do if one more person gave her sad eyes. Of course they meant well—her mother, aunts and sisters—but they always meant well. Broken engagements happened. And it had been six months already. But the sad eyes were making her crazy.

      Anna tossed her little handbag on the elegant countertop then pressed her forehead against the sleek marble covering the walls of the fancy restroom lounge. Oh, that felt good. She just needed a minute or two to herself. Or a little bit longer so she could avoid the bouquet toss.

      God, even though she’d created the fabulous bouquet, she hated the bouquet toss.

      After a long moment, she stood upright and straightened her shoulders. Today was Carolyn’s day, so Anna needed to suck it up. Carolyn, who was best friends with Anna’s sister Sara and practically a part of the huge Wakefield family, deserved that. At least for a few more hours.

      Hey, I thought I saw you duck in here.

      Catching a glimpse of billowy white, Anna jerked back and turned toward the door. She blinked with surprise. It was Carolyn.

      Is everything okay? Anna asked, immediately concerned that something was wrong at the reception.

      Of course. Everything is wonderful. I’d say it’s everything I ever dreamed of, but my dreams were never this big. Carolyn stepped further into the powder room, her gorgeous lace and organza dress fluttering around her, and her eyes truly glistened with happiness. In her hands, she carried two crystal flutes filled with champagne. Anna, the flowers. I’ve seen your work before, and it’s always incredible, but what you did for Martin and me…the most spectacular displays I’ve ever seen.

      I’m so, so glad. Anna had spent months creating custom arches, columns and installations, and the wedding overflowed with breathtaking roses, lilies and hydrangea. Arrangements cascaded from the ceiling and bloomed on every tabletop. She’d aimed for amazing, and she’d done it. I knew you needed something special.

      You turned that hotel ballroom, exquisite as it is, into a fantasy garden. Carolyn lifted one of the glasses toward Anna and placed it on the counter beside her. You really need to go out on your own.

      Someday…I hope.

      You practically run that shop now. Martin would be thrilled to finance you.

      No, no. They’d discussed this before but being financed by friends sounded like a poor idea. It was a dream to have her own business, and in so many ways she was ready, but she’d have to wait. It’s so kind of you—of him—but I couldn’t.

      Carolyn sighed and gently touched the sprigs of baby’s breath in her hair. I’d love to get beautiful flowers every day.

      You can still have fabulous flowers every day. She smiled then wiped at her brow. But I really shouldn’t keep you. You have so many guests…

      I’m hiding for a few minutes…just like you.

      I’m not… Anna started to lie then shrugged. Yes, I am. She blew out a breath. I’m a little tired.

      She’d been up since 3 a.m.—not unusual for a big event day—but she’d insisted on doing all the arrangements for Carolyn’s wedding by herself. And she’d been happy to occupy herself with touch ups during the reception—she wanted everything to remain perfect. Being able to avoid her family was a bonus.

      Besides being my florist, you’re also my guest—probably a very hungry one.

      I’m fine, but your other guests… Anna glanced toward the door, ignoring the way her stomach rumbled.

      Are fine too. I swear most are bigwigs from Martin’s billionaire boys club. Carolyn reached over and touched Anna’s hand. It’s just that Sara said something, and your aunt, the one with all the eye make-up, who was talking to your mom, said… She paused for a moment then stepped closer. I mean your wedding was supposed to be next weekend.

      Anna groaned under her breath. I can’t believe they’re bothering you about me on your special day.

      We’re family.

      I know. And I love all my family, I really do, but I don’t want to talk about or even think about it anymore. She buttoned her lips and shook her head. But she couldn’t help blurting, There’s nothing left to say. Or nothing more she wanted to say.

      Have you told them that?

      I’ve tried…but I’m not good at asking for what I want. Somehow the words always got trapped in her throat. It felt awkward and selfish and…

      Carolyn raised a perfect brow. So you avoid?

      Yes, and I’ve become good at that. Sometimes it was easy being the middle child in a family of nine. No one could grab too much attention. But then there were times when all eyes were laser focused on one.

      She hated being the one.

      Carolyn’s brow lifted a little higher. Not so good. I wanted to introduce you to someone—the man who owns this hotel truly gushed about all your arrangements—but I couldn’t find you. I had to hunt you down here. Her eyes softened. Anna Banana, you always look tired and stressed.

      Anna looked away. That’s because I’m always tired and stressed. She’d refused to share the real reason she’d ended things with Rob. Everyone thought he was perfect, but she’d learned how imperfect he really was. Burying herself in her work had felt like a good idea, but working mega hours for minimal compensation was uncomfortable too, especially since the owner’s daughter had joined the business. The partnership she’d envisioned for her future had vanished.

      I need a reset, a really big reset. Anna groaned, resisting the urge to bang her head against that nice, cool marble wall again. I have no idea what to do.

      Change is hard.

      It is. Which made pushing back even harder. Anna stared up at the ceiling, that tight feeling in her chest getting tighter again, then dropped onto the tufted cushion chair beside her. How did you do it?

      What?

      Change your life? Anna rolled her eyes, surprised she needed to say more.

      Carolyn had been a works-60-hours-a-week—weekends included—dating hermit. Then two years ago, she’d appeared at Sara’s annual Christmas extravaganza with hunky tech legend Martin Fuller in tow. Everyone’s jaw had dropped. What was Carolyn doing with a man like that? It was as if Carolyn had popped out of a shell and didn’t look back. She and Martin had joined at the hip and never ceased looking so freakin’ happy together. And now they were married.

      When Carolyn grinned her reply, Anna rolled her eyes. Come on. How amazing you found a hunk who’s brilliant and nerdy like you. Anna’s eyes widened, and she clasped her hand over her stupid mouth. Oh God, I didn’t mean to call you both nerds.

      Carolyn laughed. Of course we are. We are totally nerds at least when we’re not ripping each other’s clothes off. She waggled her eyebrows. Then I think we’re like every happy, horny couple.

      Anna pushed herself to smile—as if she knew something about being part of a happy, horny couple or even a semi-desirable female. I don’t need that right now—I just want different—to feel like I have more control with what goes on in my life. I wish I was more like you.

      Carolyn tapped her fingers on the countertop, a confident click click click that echoed throughout the room. A knowing gleam filled her eyes.

      I can tell you what I did to shake up my life.

      Anna burst out laughing. Yes, please share.

      I went to a private sex club and met Martin.

      For a long moment, Anna stared and then released a frustrated sigh. You are so not funny.

      It’s true. I was in a rut—a dating rut…no, a life rut—and didn’t see any way out of it. I learned about Fantasy—that’s the name of the club—and I took a leap.

      So you’re not kidding? She had to be kidding.

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