The Billionaire's Second Chance Read Online Free Page A

at the last had wiggled into the skin tight cos tume and spent the rest of the time playing the role of sexy siren.
    Afterwards, she had needed the assistance of Jules to squirm out of the costume. She re called that as the red sequined second skin peeled away Jules was treated to a bird’s eye view of the tell-tale tattoo when the stretchy material had finally been removed revealing Shannon’s lower half in a skimpy thong which completely revealed her butt cheeks.
    Jules had actually commented on the unexpected sight of the blue tattoo on her friend’s bottom and blushing furiously, Shannon had explained the significance of the tiny bird and the symbol.
    From an old African tale, the bird and the symbol represented the freedom which comes when the heart finds its one true mate.  Shannon choked the explanation out while Jules sat back and simply stared at her. It was an odd reaction that was over quickly as the two continued on bustling through the charity event.
    Funny how the presence of a tiny bird on her patio could send her off on a trek down memory lane.
    Ah well, Shannon mused.  Such is life. Straightening up from her comfy chair, her second cup of tea drained, Shannon rose and headed inside to shower and dress for the day.
    It was hard not to love her beautifully restored Craftsman Style house with the pergola shaded terrace just off the quaint kitchen where Shannon was headed.  Stepping up to the farm sink under a wide-silled window that was overflowing with herbs in multi colored and sized pots, she quickly rinsed her mug, a kitschy souvenir from Disneyworld showing Belle from Beauty and the Beast, which she hadn’t been able to resist with the adorable connection to her business.  Wiping off the counter with a hurried swipe, Shannon made sure the kettle was switched off and the back door latched before she turned to make her way to the bathroom addition she’d had built, her one true indulgence, to get ready for the day ahead.  A relaxing interlude in the massive soaking tub surrounded by hand painted tiles with French doors that opened to the private terrace would have to wait until later when she wasn’t so rushed.  For now it would be a quick shower and then a mad dash to get ready for what she knew was another busy day.
    Maybe when the next few weeks wrapped up and she’d done her last party for this season, a party which just happened to be a very special birthday blow out for Jules’s six year old son, she would take some down time and head back east for her parents 50 th anniversary get together.
    She needed to do something she thought wryly because all this restless, distracting energy and lack of sleep was making her out-of-sorts enough that she knew she had to change it.
    It seemed like time to step back and maybe make some changes to her otherwise, safe but frighteningly bland life.

CHAPTER THREE
    “Oh please work you little wonder, please, please work” Shannon muttered to no one but herself as she hurried along a hay bale stacked walkway decorated every inch a cowboy dream as she tapped away at her phone.
    With six desperados missing in action just as they were supposed to come riding into the party zone yee -hawing all the way , she was anxious to get a text through to her assistant Rory who was who-knows-where on the property.  Shannon had lost sight of her ages ago as they’d each gone off to supervise and coordinate the party in progress. Good old ’ trusty and dependable Rory would know what to do or at least maybe have an idea where the actors were that she’d hired to play the outlaws for Domenic Ste wart’s authentic cowboy bash.
    Shannon needed this event to be picture-perfect.  Not because she wanted a glowing recommendation from the hosts but rather because the hosts in question were Jules and Ned Ste wart . Shannon was emotionally invested in seeing Jules’s vision for her precious 6 year old son’s birthday party come to life.
    Shannon didn’t make real friends