The Lost Tycoon

Chapter Nineteen

Small waves lapped against the shore as the morning fog clung to the sand in an attempt to anchor itself. As it rose slowly in the sky, the sun was doing a decent job of winning the fight against the cold.

As Misty walked along the shoreline, looking down at her feet and making patterns with her toes, she let her mind wander. The night before had been filled with talking, laughter, and more information than she could process.

Her new family was vast — vaster than she would have ever imagined. What she couldn’t understand was why her mother hadn’t taken her to them if she was unable to care for her and Damien.

Wouldn’t the two of them have had a much better life had they grown up where they’d belonged? Maybe her mother had simply been a selfish person. Misty had always had visions of her mother making the ultimate sacrifice for her daughter, doing what was best for Misty, or what she thought was best, by leaving her at the fire station.

Now? her reality was shifting. If her mom had really cared, she would have left her with family. It seemed now that her mom had only wanted revenge for her perceived hurts, and unfortunately, Misty had been the one to pay the price for her mother’s sins. She wanted to ask Damien about the woman, since he’d at least had several years with her.

But once she opened that door to the past, it could never be closed again. It was like having a double-sided coin. No matter which way it landed, it would always be the same, and only one person could win. And that wasn’t going to be Misty. She would learn the truth, but then she could never unlearn it. Was that what she really wanted? Wasn’t it better to not have all the answers?

Though she couldn’t find any fault with the company of the Andersons or her brother, she was enjoying the quiet calm of the sea at her feet, the solitude and peacefulness after a boisterous night.

Living in fear most of her life, she’d risen early for as long as she could remember. The last thing she’d wanted was to be caught unawares by some junkie while sleeping in an abandoned building. It was best to get up and keep moving, never let someone get a grasp on your routine, which meant she’d never developed a routine.

Her life certainly hadn’t been boring.

A bit of monotony wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Her biggest fear now was that she just wouldn’t fit in. How could she possibly be related to these people? Not only were they megawealthy, but they were also kind and humorous, and so accepting.

They were the exact opposite of her in so many ways. Even if Bryson thought she was a good person, enough other people had beat her down that what she believed about herself didn’t measure up, and yet the Anderson family still wanted to know her, still wanted to accept her with open arms, her faults and all.


She had to admit that she was proud of herself, because she had managed to keep her insecurities at bay, and she’d managed to keep a smile on her face rather than looking like a goldfish flopping around after the cat had swiped it from the comforts of its little bowl.

Family amusements had zoomed around her, with Joseph and the boys smoking a cigar after the meal, telling stories, each one topping the other. The women, so comfortable with each other, spoke of activities they’d been involved in. Not once had the television clicked on; not once had there been silence. Her family members were comfortable in this amazing mansion, and though they had included her, she still felt as if she were on the other side of a glass wall, looking in. And yet she’d held it together, kept her anxiety from showing.

When it had come time for bed, she’d been disappointed when Bryson hadn’t shared her room. Maybe he’d thought she needed time to absorb it all; maybe he needed a break. She wasn’t sure of the reason, but she did know that she’d had plenty of alone time in her life, and she didn’t relish the thought of a lot more of it.

But she couldn’t allow herself to get too used to having him by her side. Yes, she was falling in love with him, but that didn’t mean he felt the same about her. Most likely, once the case against Jesse ended, so would her relationship with this wonderful man.

As she continued walking, her thoughts returned to the Andersons, and she wondered whether she could mold herself into a woman worthy of being part of her family. Could she somehow change into a person who belonged? Other people managed to change their circumstances, change their lives. She might be able to do the same.

Maybe she could even be the kind of woman Bryson would consider forever with.

This absolute need to belong was painful. But it offered her a light at the end of the tunnel. Once again, it was hope that was her biggest weakness. Most of the people she’d known from her days on the streets knew their lives wouldn’t improve, knew they were going to remain where they were for the rest of their lives.

They didn’t bother with school or work. Society had given up on them, and so they gave up too. As much as Misty tried not to hope, she’d never been able to kill thoughts of a better future, and when she was disappointed time and time again, it hurt a little bit more each time.

Hope could be great, or it could be devastating. In her case, it had usually turned out badly.

“I’ve never particularly liked Seattle, but I have to say that this piece of paradise Joseph has managed to cut out for himself isn’t too bad.”

Misty jumped and then turned to find Bryson sauntering toward her. Dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a sweatshirt with a coat thrown over, and with a wool cap covering his hair, he looked younger and slightly less daunting than usual.

“Bryson. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up this early.”

“I’ve always been a morning person. I took a jog about an hour ago and then went up to shower and change. I looked out the window and noticed you down here, so decided to join you.”

“I haven’t ever been to the beach to see a sunrise before,” she said.

“The sunsets are a lot more spectacular than the sunrises on this side of the States, and the ocean is several miles to the west, but it’s still nice to be out when the sky brightens. I’ll have to take you to the East Coast sometime so you can see a proper sunrise.”

She didn’t want to ruin their moment and remind him that they weren’t going to be seeing each other too much longer. And she had more of a chance of winning a lottery that she never bought tickets for than of standing beside the Atlantic Ocean and watching a sunrise with this man.

When his hand slipped down and took hers, Misty couldn’t think of a single reason to pull back. His fingers felt warm against her skin, and she liked the idea of holding on to Bryson. If only she could hold on to him forever…

Maybe one of the reasons she was disappointed so often was because she dared to dream of things she couldn’t possibly have. If she didn’t set herself up for failure, then she would have no reason to be upset when things didn’t work out the way she wanted them to.

But she could hardly think clearly and rationally when such a handsome man was walking alongside her and holding her hand. Being here, around this family, around this man, was messing with her head. She needed to have this trial over with so she could settle into a normal life — whatever her new life, the new normal, was going to be.

Would she end up moving here? It made sense. She had no connections in Montana, nothing to hold her there. At least if she were here, she could find a decent job and get to know her family. Montana held nothing for her anymore — nothing but heartache.

“What will you do when this is all over with? Will you move?” Bryson asked.

How did he do that? He’d somehow read her mind again!

“I don’t know yet. I received one of those community college catalogs in my mailbox a couple of weeks ago and was looking through it.” Misty was almost embarrassed to say that aloud.

“That’s great. What would you like to study?”

She glanced over at him, to see whether he was mocking her, or if he thought she was a fool even to consider such a thing, but he seemed genuinely curious. It gave her the courage to continue speaking.

“I honestly don’t know. I was looking at the classes they offer, and there seemed to be some really fascinating subjects. I don’t…” she paused, embarrassed to go on, but then she firmed her shoulders and decided to finish. “I…uh…don’t have my high school degree, but I’ve always read a lot, spent hours in the library, and I found out that I can study for the GED through a community college, and the places I was looking at had easier admission requirements. I don’t know how I’d even afford it, but it was just a thought.”

“Where there’s a will, there’s always a way, Misty. I think that would be wonderful. And no matter where you decide to live, there are always colleges nearby. There are also a lot of online schools for those who can’t get to a school, but I would suggest you go to a campus just so you can have that experience. Especially since you’ve missed out on so much already.” As he spoke, his voice grew animated.

“I don’t think it’ll ever be a reality, Bryson. It was just something I was looking at.”

“Don’t do that.” His changed manner, now stern and abrupt all of a sudden, stopped her in her tracks. He’d never used that tone before.

“Don’t do what?”

“You are constantly saying what you can’t or shouldn’t do. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s not who you are. I see strength of will underneath the downbeat and downtrodden exterior you’re trying to show the world. If you portray a weakling, then that’s what the world will see. Do you want people to look through you? Do you want to fade away into nothingness?”

“I’m already there,” she shouted. She was tired of listening to him lecture her.

“Only if you decide to be there. No one makes our destinies, Misty. No one! We can choose to let the world make us disappear, or we can stand up and shout back that we aren’t going to take it. If you let yourself be kicked while you’re down, then passersby will think that’s acceptable and they will join in and start kicking you, too. Did you just roll over when you met me?”

“No. But I was frightened,” she said, wrapping her arms around her now trembling body. It was cold and this fight seemed to be using up her energy, making her suddenly shiver.

“You’ve been frightened for most of your life and you’ve always fought back. Dammit, you should be one hell of a champion by now.”

That wasn’t something she’d thought about before. Was she a fighter? She’d gotten away from the foster parents who had abused her, escaped when street junkies had tried to do worse than abuse her, and she’d outsmarted a dirty cop. Maybe she was stronger than she gave herself credit for.

“Take my coat,” Bryson said. He removed it and draped it around her shoulders, then pulled her close and wrapped her in a warm embrace.

“You’ll get cold,” she protested through chattering teeth. It was more emotional than physical, but she couldn’t stop shivering.

“I’m made of solid steel. The elements can’t hurt a superman like me,” he replied, making her smile.

The wind was nipping at her neck, but she was warming up quickly as she stayed enfolded in Bryson’s strong arms. This man was dangerous. He could uproot her entire life with a few words. He could make unspoken cravings rush to the surface.

But even knowing that, she didn’t pull away; she just enjoyed the feel of his warm breath rushing across the top of her head as the wind stirred her hair. If she turned her face just a little, their mouths would align perfectly. The slightest tilt and those lips could be on hers.

She moved her head involuntarily, and then she was looking into his eyes, those warm gray eyes that hid so many secrets. And were able to draw her so quickly into their depths.

“Misty,” he sighed before closing the minuscule gap between them and pressing his lips to hers. The cool air made their mouths tingle when they met. He pushed his tongue against her bottom lip, the softest of caresses. It was a question. Would she open to him?


Whether she wanted it to be or not, her answer had to be yes. She opened to him.

Bryson tugged her even closer as his mouth danced across hers, as he made her body ache with need. Tremors racked her body, and she snuggled tighter into his embrace, trying to satisfy a need that could be met only when the two of them lay skin to skin.

There was no hurry, though, nowhere to be but right there. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, and her head fell back as his hot breath smoothed over the column of her throat.

He could take her now, right here on this beach, and it still wouldn’t be enough. It would never be enough, no matter how many times their bodies joined, no matter how much pleasure he brought her. She finally understood the meaning of the word insatiable.

That’s what she was — insatiable — at least when it came to Bryson.

In such a short amount of time, her life had begun to revolve around this man. It was a dangerous game, a game she was sure to lose, but for now, she couldn’t make herself care.

His lips worked their way back up to her mouth, where he caressed her gently, kissing her bottom lip with such sweetness that she felt herself lift into a whole new plane.

This man was taking control over her every desire. She wanted to please him. And she wanted to be pleased by him.

Soon, the kiss went from sweet and gentle to hungry and passionate. Her core heated to dangerous levels, and her entire consciousness was fixated on having him strip her clothes away and sink deep inside her.

She grasped at his hair, holding him to her, while he explored her back with his hands, then let them move beneath the bundle of clothes she was wearing, and then climb up her sides until he was suddenly clasping one aching breast, the touch of his palm scorching her.

Before she could fall into an abyss of total pleasure, Bryson pulled back, his eyes almost savage as they gazed down at her, hot, hungry — ready.

“I want you every minute of every day,” he said huskily.

“Then have me,” she told him, too turned on to consider regretting her words.

The flash of need in his eyes, followed by a glance up the hill, made her feel like a seductress. With a boldness she would have never known she possessed, she moved her hands downward and squeezed the muscles of his tight buttocks.

“When we get alone…” he growled, then pulled back and enclosed her hand with his.

“Is that a promise or a threat?” she asked, feeling almost giddy.

“Both.”

The way he said the word sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. She’d made this big, strong man ache. She’d made him desire her — need her. She felt euphoric and found herself practically skipping as they made their way back up the trail to the house.

“I don’t think I ever want to go back to the real world,” she said with a sigh.

“I need this case to end,” he replied, taking the glow right out of her. When she tensed, he halted their progress and turned to her. “So that I can be with you all I want — without the conflict of interest.”

Her glow came flooding back.

Misty didn’t believe their fling could last. But she didn’t want to think about that. All she wanted to think about right now was the two of them lying in bed together, spectacularly sated.

“Why didn’t you join me last night?” she asked. If he wanted her so badly, she didn’t understand why he hadn’t come to take what she was offering.

“Because Joseph would have somehow known and then strung me up as an example of what happens to men who defile the Anderson women,” he said with a chuckle. “And, Misty, you are an Anderson.”

“Maybe by blood, but I wasn’t raised with them, and apparently my father was the black sheep of the family, so while they may be greeting me with open arms right now, that could all change in an instant. I’ve decided just to enjoy it while it lasts.” She wasn’t upset, just realistic.

“You will gain trust the more you get to know them. They’re the good kind of people to have in your life,” Bryson assured her.

“I think you’re right about that. But I don’t think I’m exactly an asset to their superior blood,” she said with a laugh, though her own words stung her.

“You are more of an asset than you could ever realize,” Bryson said as they reached the back door.

“No more talk of this. I want to enjoy the next couple of days with this perfect family, and then, when I get back home — if you have time — I want to finish what we started down there on the beach.” Misty sent him a flirtatious smile. Or at least what she hoped was a flirtatious smile. She’d hardly had a lot of experience handing those out.

“I’ll move our flights up,” he growled, cornering her on the porch.

“I wouldn’t complain.” She whimpered as his lips touched hers again and she melted against him.

“Well, I sure as hell would.”

The two of them jumped apart quicker than a frog’s tongue catching a fly as Joseph looked out at them from the doorway.

“We were just taking a walk,” Bryson said, his cheeks slightly pink.

Misty was fascinated by his nervousness. Edginess from a man who seemed so confident all the time was fascinating to behold. But she could certainly understand it. Joseph was one heck of an intimidating man, especially standing in the entryway to his castle.

“Yeah, I’ll just bet you were,” Joseph grumbled, and he sent a warning look Bryson’s way. Then a gleam appeared in the old man’s eyes as he looked back and forth between the two of them. “Of course, a nice morning walk isn’t such a bad thing.”

Misty and Bryson gaped at him.

“Why don’t we have breakfast and visit?” Joseph walked inside, absolutely certain the two of them would follow immediately.

And they did.

For the next few hours, Misty felt as if she were in an interrogation room. When Damien and Sierra joined them, she sighed in relief.

“Don’t worry about Joseph. He just loves to be in charge,” Sierra said as the two women escaped to a couch, leaving the men to chat among themselves. Soon, Katherine joined them, and Misty found herself really liking the soft-spoken woman.

The topic of Joseph and his wild schemes came up eventually. He thought he was being secretive, but it seemed that his antics were very well known.

“I can’t figure out what Joseph’s doing. He keeps talking about school, and marriage and kids, then he looks from Bryson to me. We’re not a couple. We’re just…” she trailed off, not knowing how to define their relationship.

“Yeah, I was just…” Sierra got a big smile on her face. “…just nothing with Damien, too,” she finished with a giggle as she looked pointedly to the sleeping baby lying in her husband’s arms as he talked with Joseph and Bryson.

Damien was so natural with his daughter, cradling her protectively in one arm while he rubbed along her soft bald head or patted her back gently with his free hand. He would look at her every few moments just to assure himself she was comfortable. Awwwww, Misty thought.

“Don’t try to fight it, Misty. Just grab it while it’s hot and then hold on for the ride,” Sierra advised.

Though Misty blushed, she looked across the room at Bryson, and when their eyes met, a spark shot through her. Maybe her newly found sister-in-law was right — maybe she should just hold on and see where this all led.

She sent Bryson a wink. Would this work as a sexy gesture? Yesss! She felt immediate warmth when she saw him stiffen. Mmm, flirting was becoming a new favorite pastime of hers.

“You go, girl,” Sierra said with a chuckle.

“I just might do that,” Misty replied, leaning back and enjoying herself.

By the end of her second night at the Anderson mansion, she’d been talked into meeting the rest of the family. The Anderson Foundation was throwing a fundraising party and it sounded like too much fun to miss. Her last night there promised to be an adventure unlike anything she’d experienced before.

Bring it on, she thought with a new optimism.