Addicted to You
Back of the Book
Elin Prescot’s dream to be a top fashion designer is finally within her reach—then Marissa Banks enters her life. Snared by her first taste of passion, Elin is consumed by desire for more. Now, instead of pursuing her dreams, she chases the addiction that is Marissa. Her life spirals out of control until she meets Doctor Aimee Sullivan, who understands all too well what Elin is going through.
Can Elin let Aimee into her heart? Or will her addiction keep her enthralled with Marissa?
This story explores first love, intense passion, manipulation of emotions, and the gentleness of real love and true romance.
Addicted to You
© 2019 by Erin O’Reilly
Affinity E-Book Press NZ LTD.
Canterbury, New Zealand
ISBN: 978-1-98-858802-5
1st Edition
All rights reserved.
No part of this eBook may be reproduced in any form without the express permission of the author and publisher. Please note that piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights and is illegal.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Editor: Angela Koenig
Proof Editor: Alexis Smith
Cover Design: Irish Dragon Designs
Production Design: Affinity Publishing Services
Acknowledgments
I began writing this story many years ago and as it is with most things time forgot where I was going with this story. Add to that chemicals for lung carcinoids and my mind was more than jumbled when I took this story out to continue writing. With that in mind I have been fortunate for those who were watching my back to keep Addicted to You on track.
If it hadn’t been for my friend, Julie, Addicted wouldn’t have seen the light of day. I constantly asked her questions about the story line and she was always available and ready to help me. Once the story was finished, Affinity’s outstanding beta editor and my friend, Nancy pointed out places that needed tightening up and those that made her think “what the hell does she mean by that?” As always, Angela did a fantastic job of editing my story pointing out where I did or didn’t have those troublesome commas and other punctuation nightmares. Next in this journey of Addicted to You Alexis gave the manuscript a critical eye for all those pesky typos that always seem to come out of nowhere. Lastly is Alice who helps me out by formatting the completed story into eBooks. To all of you dear, wonderful ladies, thank you for watching my back when my brain was coming up empty.
Dedication
Julie and Nancy who always have my back when my brain is scattered.
Also by Erin O’Reilly
Spectre of Fear
Next Time
Ready for Love
Return to Me
If I Were a Boy
Through the Darkness
Deception
Fearless
’55 Ford
Fractured
That Kiss
Revelations
Wolf at the Door
Sandcastles
When Hell Meets Heaven Series
Echoes of the Past
Paradox of Love
The End Game
Requiem
With JM Dragon
Say You Won’t Go
Against All Odds
Take Me as I am
Echoes of the Past
The End Game
Requiem
Earthbound
New Beginnings
Atonement
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
About the Author
Other Affinity Books
Prologue
The early afternoon was cold and gray with the sun occasionally peeking out, promising warmth that it never gave. After having lunch nearby, Elin Prescot leaned against the wall of the Empire State Building viewing deck and looked at the vast expanse of the city. When life threw her a curve ball and she needed grounding, she always came to this place. Something about the immensity of it all made her realize just how insignificant her woes were. But, for some reason, Elin just couldn’t get her head around what she was now considering. She had a wonderful life and her career had just taken a new and exciting turn. Yet, here she was, considering throwing it all away for something that experience told her would never work out. Elin unconsciously rubbed her arm while recalling every detail from the moment she first met Marissa Banks. After all these years and despite all that had happened, she could still feel the tug of the woman, and released a growl.
“How did I get here? How did I let this happen?” Elin wrapped her arms around her body looking for warmth but found none.
Chapter One
Elin stood at the front window in her apartment, with her arms folded, watching rain and recalling the day she started toward her dream life…
“Mommy, she needs more clothes.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t have the money for that.”
“But, Mommy, she only has two outfits. How can I play with her without clothes?”
“Tell you what we can do.” Dorothy Prescot knelt and took the doll from her daughter’s hands. “I can show you how to make clothes for her.” She smiled. “That’s what granny did for me.”
“Really?” Elin’s eyes opened wide and she clapped her hands before jumping up and down. “Oh, Mommy, can we do it now?
From that moment on Elin began designing clothes. She had the best-dressed dolls around and all her friends continually begged her to make outfits for their dolls too.
Thirteen years later, after all the self-teaching and mentoring by her mother, her dreams finally came true. She could still see the look on her mother’s face the day the mail came…
“Mom, Mom, look at this!” Elin came flying into the kitchen.
Her mother took the official looking paper and read it before smiling broadly. “I’m so proud of you, darling.” Dorothy wrapped her daughter in a warm hug.
“Thanks, Mom. Can you believe that it is really happening? Parsons accepted me, and once I graduate from there anything is possible.” She grinned. “I just know it.”
†
Five years later, Elin graduated from Parsons School of Design at the top of her class with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Her dream was on its way to fulfillment when she accepted an apprenticeship at the upscale Boutique La René that specialized in all types of apparel for women in business. The shop, situated in the fashion district of New York City, had a long, impressive list of clients that included executives, politicians, stockbrokers, and many renowned businesswomen from around the country. She had spent the last six months learning the business from the boutique’s owner, Bess Matthews.
“Good morning, Elin, did you have a pleasant weekend?” Bess asked when Elin walked into the store.
“The usual—cleaning, washing clothes, and shopping for grocer
ies.” Elin smiled. “How about yours?”
“I spent it with my daughter and her family.” Bess shook her head and then laughed. “I’m getting too old to chase a three-year-old around.”
“When I go to my cousin’s house and watch her kids run around, I always wonder where they get all that energy. I think their mother tunes it all out because it never seems to faze her.”
“My daughter is the same way. Well, the day has come, you are no longer an intern. We have a new client coming in and I want her to be your client. I know you will do a fantastic job with her, Elin.” Bess clapped her hands, then picked up a folder and held it out. “This is her information and,”—she looked at her wristwatch—“you have three hours to familiarize yourself with her.”
“Um. Thank you. Wow, what a way to start the week.” Elin could feel excitement bubbling but there also was a modicum of fear. This had the potential of making or breaking her. She could feel Bess’s chestnut brown eyes appraising her and, for a fleeting moment, she wondered if Bess was regretting the decision.
“It certainly is. I remember my first client and how the owner at that time had to come to my rescue.” Bess had a bemused look on her face before she patted Elin’s arm. “There is nothing to worry about, you’ll do fine. I’ve watched you work and, of all the interns I’ve had over the years, you are by far the most promising.”
“I won’t let you down and you won’t be sorry for trusting me.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that you will do wonderfully.” She handed the folder with Marissa Banks’s name on it. “Here is the information I obtained from Ms. Banks’s phone interview and the information she sent me. Are you clear on how to handle everything?”
“Yes. First, we will have a friendly conversation over coffee so I can get to know about her life, her job, and her clothing preferences. Then I will make an additional appointment to show her what I would suggest she wear.” Elin thought for a moment. “Do you want to sit in?”
“No, my dear, I am sure you will do wonderfully.” Bess smiled fondly and patted her shoulder.
†
Elin picked her favorite consultation room and went inside. The room was decorated with antiques and had a warm, comfortably friendly atmosphere. She sat in a chair that was at a highly polished square table and laid the folder in the middle. Elin ran a finger across the name and smiled while a thrill of excitement coursed down her spine. Marissa Banks, my very first customer. With that thought firmly in her mind she opened the folder and saw an eight by ten of a woman with black hair standing beside a desk with her arms akimbo and her ankles crossed. She had on a designer pencil suit with a red silk blouse and a string of black pearls around her neck. Elin had to catch her breath. In a word, her new client was stunning. There was a raw power exuding from her and Elin began worrying that she would never sell Marissa Banks anything.
On the next page, Elin learned that Marissa was forty-three-years old, and held masters degrees in both finance and business. Her eyes tracked down the page to see the woman’s occupation and she frowned. What the hell was a venture capital firm? She’d better look that one up. The last thing she wanted was to look ignorant during the initial interview. She shook her head as she noted her new client’s height, five foot nine, and weight, one hundred and fifty-two pounds. She flipped back to the photograph. If she had to guess, Elin would say she weighed less than that.
After turning on her laptop, Elin did a search to find that venture capital firms invested in startup companies. They pooled funds to invest in businesses that they thought would provide investors with high rates of return. For a moment, she puzzled over what it all meant and then decided to delve into the job description more. She learned her new client was a senior partner of the venture capital firm Rosen, Blake, Banks and Schiefer, and her salary was in the millions.
“I wonder if Bess knew?” Elin tapped a pen against the prepared document before she stood and left the room.
†
“Bess, do you have a moment?”
“I can tell by your frown that there’s a problem. What is it?”
“Do you know anything else about Marissa Banks?”
“I’m not following you. I checked her file and from what I could see everything was there. Is something missing?” Bess had a perplexed look on her face.
“Well,” Elin blew out a breath, “I’ve looked into her job and I think she is the kind of person who would eat me for an appetizer then spit me out.”
“Why do you say that? I vet all of our clients and there were no red flags with the woman.” A reassuring smile came to Bess’ face. “I think you have the first client jitters.” She patted Elin’s arm. “Trust me, you’ll do fine. I remember my first client and—”
Elin’s eyes then darted around the reception area. “Where’s Camille? Who is going to greet my client?”
“Breathe, Elin. Camille’s mother took a tumble and they took her to the hospital.”
“Oh, no. Is her mother okay? What about Ms. Banks? Should I just stand here and wait for her?”
“Elin, you need to calm down…everything is going to be fine.” Bess patted Elin’s shoulder. “I am going to do Camille’s job today so there are no worries.”
“Okay.” Elin blew out a long breath. “Right. First client jitters. I’ve got it under control.”
Just then the bell over the door jingled as a tall, well-dressed woman walked in. Elin felt another surge of panic and it wasn’t the excitement that one feels when starting down a new road. The lady oozed power and something else. Danger.
She gulped in a breath. “I can do this,” she told Bess and walked briskly toward the client with her hand outstretched.
“Ms. Banks? I’m Elin Prescot and I will be helping you today.” She held out her hand.
“I understood that I’d be working with Ms. Matthews and not some underling. Isn’t she here?”
“Bess Matthews is the owner and she has assigned me to advise you.” Elin took a deep breath and lowered her hand, a look of anger and irritation crossed her face. Elin trembled as she gave the woman a discrete once over. “If you object, I can get her for you.”
“Ms. Matthews came highly recommended, and frankly I know nothing about you.”
Elin shivered. Marissa Banks’s eyes seemed to be sizing her up much as Elin guessed she would a business proposal. There’s no way I’m letting her intimidate or bully me into giving up.
“I understand. Listen, I’ll make a deal with you.” Elin’s stomach, which seemed to be erupting in waves of nausea, belied her outward confidence.
“I’m listening,” came the growled response.
“We can go into the consultation room and have a conversation about my credentials and what your expectations are.” Elin searched the eyes that were a darker blue than hers and saw no objection. “If at any time you feel that you would prefer that Ms. Matthews be your consultant, I will happily get her for you.”
“I don’t deal with underlings, but since I am already here, I will give it a try.” She sighed, deeply clenching her jaw.
†
I don’t need this shit. Marissa surveyed the shop girl’s body, then she squeezed her thighs tightly as a wave of pleasure surged through her body. I can do with some eye-candy for a bit before I dismiss her for her boss to take over.
“Please, take a seat, Ms. Banks. Can I interest you in something to drink?”
“Coffee, black would be good.” Marissa sank down in the overstuffed chair surprised at its comfort. She had spied two Spode cups, a plate of crackers, brie, and fruit, and her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten yet.
Elin filled one of the cups with coffee, placed it in front of her, and gestured toward the plate. “Please help yourself.”
Once settled, Marissa listened as the young girl began her interview and looked at her watch. I’ll give her five minutes and then demand someone else.
“May I call you Marissa?”
“
That will be fine.”
“Thank you. I know you answered a lot of questions when you made the appointment, but if you don’t mind, I would like to ask them again.”
“Why? Didn’t you read what I told Ms. Matthews?” Marissa fixed the young girl with a look of annoyance and all thoughts of toying with the shop girl vanished. This girl doesn’t know a damn thing. God, what have I gotten myself into? Incompetence is unacceptable.
“I didn’t read the document, Ms. Banks, because I wanted to have an impression of you that is not tainted by previous knowledge.” Elin straightened her shoulders. “I graduated the top of my class from Parson’s with a degree in fashion design and then an MBA. I have interned with Alan Steven and just finished another internship at this shop, and I’m now a full time consultant at Boutique La René.”
“Frankly, that means nothing to me, Ms. Prescot.” Marissa gave her a skeptical look.
“I know what I am doing. Do you think Bess…Ms. Matthews would assign you to me if she thought I couldn’t assist you in your choices?”
“Fire away with your questions but know that my patience is rapidly becoming exhausted.” Marissa’s lips curled into a tentative smile before she looked at her wristwatch. Three more minutes. She wantonly eyed the girl again. This might turn out to my advantage.
“Thank you. I can see by your clothes that you have impeccable taste. Are you looking to maintain that style?”
“If I wanted to do that, why would I be here? I want something that screams success, power, and money.”