The Keeper S
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The Keeper S. Denise Sullivan HER ONE AND ONLY THE KEEPER SERIES BY S. DENISE SULLIVAN TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 1 Prologue .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 1 – Memories .................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 – Allow Me to Introduce Myself ................................................................................................... 12 Chapter 3 – Time For A Change .................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 4 – Back To Basics ............................................................................................................................ 30 Chapter 5 – Once A Cheater ......................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 6 – Lovers, Lovers, Lovers ............................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 7 – A Tall Drink of Water to Quench My Thirst ............................................................................... 60 Chapter 8 – And You Want What? ................................................................................................................ 68 Chapter 9 – Business is Business ................................................................................................................... 77 Chapter 10 – Of Loves Remembered ............................................................................................................ 83 Chapter 11 – Betrayal of the Heart ............................................................................................................... 94 Chapter 12 – The Heart Needs No Introduction ......................................................................................... 106 Chapter 13 – A Kiss Worth Waiting For ...................................................................................................... 114 Chapter 14 – Girl, Get Your Love Right! ...................................................................................................... 127 Chapter 15 – I See You ................................................................................................................................ 138 Chapter 16 – A Night to Remember ............................................................................................................ 149 Chapter 17 – The Shadow Speaks ............................................................................................................... 167 Chapter 18 – You Belong To Me ................................................................................................................. 181 Chapter 19 – It’s A Yes or No Answer ......................................................................................................... 191 Epilogue....................................................................................................................................................... 201 Introduction Newly partnered caterer, Rebekah Waters, has been searching for true love and romance for a long time. Being a full-figured black woman on the rise with a new partner and scores of clienteles, she fears that love has passed her by. While confident in herself as a business woman, she begins to lack confidence in her personal life. She has dealt with the heartaches of an abusive boyfriend, a mama’s boy, a stalker – even a closet bigamist. All she wants is a real shot at love. From her first love in high school to her sex stalking attorney, Rebekah is about to swear off men altogether – that is, until she meets her new neighbor – enter Jake Turner – a very well-off gallery owner and entrepreneur, who recently uprooted from the Bay area to open a new art gallery in Los Angeles. He is gorgeous, financially secure in more ways than one and, unbeknownst to anyone – even himself, has eyes only for Rebekah. After his not- so-private breakup with Eliza, Jake wants to get to know his neighbor better – both on and off the clock. Unbeknownst to either party, there is someone lurking in the shadows – watching – waiting. He wants it all – he wants Rebekah. Like Rebekah, Jake’s been searching to find the right person to settle down with, and thanks to a “slight” nudge from his grandmother and her business partner; they both may have found what they have been searching for – The Keeper. Will HE get in their way? Her One and Only - The Keeper S. Denise Sullivan Prologue “Oh my God! I can’t believe something could be so good – yes I can! Yes, I can! It is so sinfully delicious! Bekah, you are the connoisseur of dessert extravaganza!” “Uh – thank you?” Those were the only words that Rebekah Waters could muster after watching her friend, and client, Gail Abernathy, sink her teeth into another bite of her new dessert, Ambrosia Delights. “Tell me, Bekah,” Gail mumbled as she took another succulent bite of the mouth- watering, newly invented dessert, “-what did you put in this? I taste a hint of rosehips and – and, champagne?” Gail’s eyes rolled to the back of her head, and Rebekah wanted to laugh as she watched her friend delve into what was left of the tasty treat. Rebekah spent two days working on a recipe specially suited for Gail’s upcoming event. Having created a champagne tart in the past from scratch that won Gail over the first time they met, she wanted this to knock her socks off. And by the way Gail was dancing in her chair with delight, she had done just that. “These little Champagne Ambrosia cakes are heavenly! They are perfect size to tease the pallet and make you want more! Bravo, Bekah! Bravo!” Feeling giddy, Bekah smiled and replied with great pride, “Thanks, Gail. I am so glad you approve. Do you think they will really go over well?” Unable to answer, Gail repeatedly nodded in delight and continued to savor the last bite. If Beckie, or Bekah as her family and close friends called her, could pat herself on the back right now, she would. She’d never seen anyone enjoy one of her desserts like Gail Abernathy did. Gail was a high-end socialite party extraordinaire who hosted, if not attended, an enormous amount of upscale business parties, debutant balls, personal social gatherings of important business moguls, and the like. She was the one person someone wanted on their side when trying to promote ones’ business or bring together prominent authority figures. Rebekah had been fortunate enough to be introduced to Gail through an acquaintance from one of the firms she had done legal work for. At first Gail was skeptical, not by the way their mutual friend had gone on about Rebekah’s cooking, but because Rebekah didn’t appear to be your typical well-bred caterer that she had been used to dealing with. When Gail and Rebekah first met, Rebekah had just moved from the East Coast in search of a new beginning. She loved baking and had done successfully with family and close friends back home, and wanted to bring that talent, along with her legal 2 Her One and Only - The Keeper S. Denise Sullivan background, to the West Coast and see which one would take off first and fastest. She worked with various firms, in and out of their office researching and filing legal documents with the state and federal courts throughout portions of the Southern California area. One firm loved her and her work, and the Senior Partner was throwing a party to welcome new associates and partners to the firm. Aside from her shy demeanor, Rebekah had made friends quickly in the firm and would bring in the occasional treat or sample platter to share with the employees. Many of the firms that she did business with would receive a delectable, mouth- watering care package upon her arrival as a kind gesture for giving her their business, in a sense. Even on occasion, she would offer to do the catering for the occasional conference room meetings and breakfasts. At first meeting, Gail had been in a foul mood having had a heated discussion with her then pastry chef who had decided to up and quit on her. She had dismissed Rebekah like a common servant, barely touching her hand when Rebekah had extended it in kind greeting. Gail had given her a list of the foods she wanted and insisted that she make a handful of desserts while the “culinary chefs” worked on the main course. “My dear, it is rather important that you follow my instructions to the letter. I do not tolerate half-created concoctions from ‘mama’s kitchen’ and I do not divulge in southern eatery, do I make myself clear?” All Rebekah could do was nod her head and say “yes ma’am” in a barely audible voice. As Gail turned to walk away, Rebekah cleared her throat and began to make a few choice selections of her own – “Miss Aber…” “That’s Ms. Abernathy, my dear. I’ve buried two husbands and divorced another. I am no more a Miss than the man on the moon.” “Yes, of course – Ms. Abernathy, you have quite and extensive list of desserts that you want to go with your selection of main courses, I see…” “Yes, and?” “Well, I noticed that you have a chocolate shaved double chocolate cake and cherry tart to accompany the pork tender loin with new baby potatoes and asparagus?