Hidden Intentions

Meet Tony, the irresistible Alpha Male who always gets what he wants. He’s avoided love his whole life, his only commitment is to his career. But when he meets plus-size Olivia, he only sees a way to further his professional ambitions. But very soon he realizes there's an undeniable spark he just can't shake.

Olivia, a smart, ambitious, driven career woman, is new to New York City. When she crosses paths with Tony, she knows he's trouble – she’s dealt with playboys before, but she can't resist his charm. The magnetic attraction between them is impossible to ignore, even though she knows better than to get involved.

Both Tony and Olivia have hidden agendas but as they spend more time together, something extraordinary happens. As the lines between manipulation and emotion blur, Tony and Olivia find themselves entangled in an unexpected way that neither of them saw coming. Can they find a way to balance their ambitions with the desires of their hearts? Find out in this steamy and heartfelt romance novel.

HERE'S WHAT READERS LIKE YOU SAID

“I was so happy to find this book so readable. As it began, I thought it was going to be the usual fare, hot guy and hot girl romance, but the main characters were better drawn than that. I liked the character development over time where each one became a real person. Would look forward to part 2.”

"I really enjoyed this bad boy good girl romance. The characters are well-developed and the writing is excellent and kept my attention. I look forward to reading more from this author!"

“I am not a romance book reader but this book was a hit! I loved the tone of the book, it is real world and not toned down to be politically correct. Also, the female MC is plus size which you don't see very often in books. Hugh made it real and applicable in todays world. The tension between the bad boy and good girl is palpable and he creates descriptors to really see the characters. Great book!”

"I thoroughly enjoyed this story about two people that had different ideas about what they were looking for or not looking for in love and found exactly what they were not trying to find. It was a nice easy romance book; the only difference was that this story offered a plus sized beauty as the love interest. Which is not usually the case in storylines of this type.

It was a nice easy read that flowed and did not disappoint. It is nice to see that someone believes that big girls want love too and there are men out there that aren't looking for miss thing that is a perfect size 4. There is someone for everyone that wants it; glad to see an author that is not afraid of writing about another type of woman that is beautiful and loveable."

"I indulge in a steamy novel once and again, and this one makes me want to do it more often.

The author keeps it real and colors outside the lines a bit as far as political correctness—which I do not mind at all. He also does a good job of steering clear of predictable tropes. The way that the dialogue was written is definitely the book's bright spot."

"This was a beautiful story. Tony was a typical playboy with typical playboy ways. Get em', sweet talk em', bed em', then be done with em'. That was until he met Olivia. Big and beautiful, smart and powerful, and an attitude that all but said 'not this chick'. She's seen men like Tony before and knew he wasn't the first or the last playa to push up on her thinking the 'fat girl' would be easy prey. Little did she and Tony know, all it would take was one night out together and neither one would be the same again. I thought this book was terrific, no lies, no playing hard to get. Just two adults being honest with each other and taking a chance on what could happen next. I wish this story was longer, but as short as it was, it was full and very enjoyable."

"My biggest problem with books like 50 Shades and others of the sort, is that I couldn't relate! They were always full of some uber passive virgin bearing a halo on their head with annoying innocence. Not every woman needs to be saved from her life. We've all lived and experienced love/love loss. I love the characters in the book because they were people I actually believed, believed in, and rooted for! I LOVE that they're both strong individuals; it's very refreshing and a definite change of pace! I hope to see more from the author about the Tony & Olivia saga soon!"

"Every single page leaves you wanting more. Hugh's writing not only paints a picture, but the connection you develop for Olivia and the rest of the characters takes you on an incredible journey of laughter, sadness, and so much more! I am so glad to have come across not only this book, but the entire box set—which includes Willows and Soccer Mom. Definitely recommend anything written by Hugh!”

“I just happened to be looking to read something new... When WOW, this book hit me!!! It took off at 12% (if you have a Kindle) and got better as it got BETTER!!! I have never heard of the author before but will be recommending this to my book club!! I loved the sassy side of Olivia and how real Tony got. I cannot wait to read more from this author!! ~ANBJ VP~Phenomenal Diva Book Club.

 READ ON FOR AN EXCERPT FROM HIDDEN INTENTIONS

CHAPTER 1

The crowded diner hummed with the energy of the after-church crowd. It was still early, only around noon, but already the waitstaff’s starched white collars drooped, and the bow ties the owner forced them to wear hung limp at their necks. Their soft-soled sneakers made little sound as they glided between tables and booths where men in dark Sunday suits and women in wide-brimmed hats ate and drank with gusto after a morning spent in vigorous worship.

Tony Truman and his friends occupied a booth in a corner of the diner, as far from the din as possible, but when he spoke, his friends still had to lean in to hear his voice above the buzz.

“… and then when I finished doin’ my thing, homegirl lay back chillin’, gettin’ all comfortable like she wanted to cuddle.” He spit the last word out as if it was an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

He paused, and his companions leaned in closer to hear the rest of the story.

“Then what?” Curtis asked.

“Then what?” Tony repeated with a tone that implied the answer was obvious. “I gave her five minutes to catch her breath, then I said, yo baby girl, time to go.”

“Damn, brotha, that’s cold,” Jay said.

“Oh, please! Give a chick an inch, and she’ll take a damn mile. Next thing you….”

Tony went silent as a convoy of elderly ladies, glorious in Sunday best, complete with white gloves and coiffed hair, fine as mist, tottered by on canes and walkers. One of them noticed Tony and paused at the table, peering at him with watery eyes magnified by thick lenses in old-fashioned tortoiseshell frames.

“Anthony Truman? Is that you?”

“It’s me, Ms. Rose,” Tony said as he stood and kissed her on the cheek.

The old lady beamed. “How are you, young man? I don’t see you in church anymore.”

“I’m good, Ms. Rose. Thank you for asking. I miss Brooklyn Bethany, but my niece and nephews beg me to come out to Long Island to go to church with them. How can I refuse the children? My friends here wanted us to have breakfast together, so I rushed back to Brooklyn after the service this morning.”

“Such a good boy. Your mother must be proud. How is Helen, by the way? We miss her.”

“She’s great, loving retirement and enjoying the Florida weather.”

“That’s so wonderful. You tell her we’re thinking about her, you hear, it’s been a….” Ms. Rose’s hand wobbled, and her cane shook. Tony held onto her arm to steady her.

“Come on, Ms. Rose, I’ll walk you to your table. The other ladies must wonder what you’re doing with a bunch of hooligans like us.”

The old lady chuckled as she took Tony’s arm. They tottered slowly to the table where the rest of the seniors sat, chattering away like magpies. Tony pulled out a chair for Ms. Rose and spoke to the ladies around the table. Almost as one, gloved hands flew to mouths, and they giggled like schoolgirls. Tony said his goodbyes and rejoined his friends.

“Wow,” marveled Curtis. “That was like watching Superman change back to Clark Kent.”

“What are you guys talking about?”

“You go to church with your brother and his family on Long Island?” Jay asked.

“We… what did he say? Oh yeah, we hooligans asked you to have breakfast with us?” Sean continued.

“You rushed right back after service? Fool, you haven’t been to church since your mother moved to Florida two years ago,” Curtis chimed in.

Tony rolled his eyes at his friends as he retook his seat.

“I’ve known Ms. Rose since before I could walk. She was my kindergarten teacher and my Sunday School teacher. What should I tell her? Oh, Ms. Rose, so nice to see you again. Me? Oh, not much. Just having breakfast after spending the night at Rebar. Fornicating with big-breasted sluts all night is hard work.”

“Speaking of the big-breasted slut, how did that end up?” Curtis asked.

“Oh, right? She wanted to stay the night, but I wouldn’t let her. If I did, before you know it, there’s pantyhose hanging in my bathroom, and she’s snooping through my phone.”

“So, what did she say?”

“The usual female stuff, oh we had such a great time. You seem like such a great guy. When can we see each other again? Blah blah blah. I said baby, I just met you a few hours ago. We met at a bar. I took your ass home, and now you want a relationship? Great sex ain’t the foundation for anything but more sex. Anytime you want another dose, you know where to find me.”

“Damn,” said Curtis. “That’s messed up, even for you.”

“You said that to her?” Sean asked. “Fine as she was?”

“Hell, yes! Allow me to school ya’ll. Honeys like that are a dime-a-dozen. Plus, they like that treatment. Trust me on this one. There isn’t a chick alive that wants a nice guy. Oh, they say they do, but a nice guy will get played.” His friends nodded their heads in agreement. “That ain’t never gonna happen to me.” He leaned back in the booth and sipped his coffee, a smug look on his handsome face.

“So what happened then?” Asked Jay.

Tony rolled his eyes.

“What do you think happened? She got dressed and bounced like I told her to. That’s what happened.”

Sean was about to say something when he noticed a group of women taking seats a few tables away.

“Hey, check it out. Isn’t that Charlene and her sister?”

They all shifted in their seats to look.

“Tony, did you and Charlene have a thing?”

“Yup, then I got with her best friend too.”

“Oh damn. That’s foul. I bet she was pissed.”

“Pissed ain’t the word. She showed up at my place, beating on the door and causing a scene. My neighbors almost called the damn cops. She calmed down eventually, though.”

“How? Did you apologize?” Jay asked.

“I don’t apologize. You know what I say….”

“Only suckers say sorry.” His friends completed Tony’s mantra.

Tony grinned. “I see you fools pay attention. I gave her what she wanted, and she was fine.”

Tony snickered as his friends smiled and shook their heads.

Curtis nudged Tony. “Hey, who’s that with them? I’ve never seen her before?”

“No clue who she is, but damn, that girl is thick!” Sean declared, craning his neck to stare at the new arrival.

Tony looked at him in amazement.

“You like that? She’s fat! I don’t care what you call it, thick, BBW, healthy, zaftig, whatever, the girl’s still fat!”

“Yea, you’re right.”

“I don’t care for that either.”

“Ya’ll are crazy,” Sean, the lone dissenter, stated, glaring at them. “That girl is sexy as hell. And she’s cute too. Those eyes… damn!”

“Yea,” Tony said, “I’ll give you that. She’s a cutie. For a fat chick. Who is she anyway?”

“I met her at a seminar last week. Her name is Olivia Reynolds. She’s the new head of Sato Electronics New York office,” Jay said. “Too bad you don’t like big girls; you could work your magic on her and have the inside track on the account.”

Tony saw the newcomer in a different light. Sato Electronics was a Japanese firm that had quickly become a major consumer electronics player. The Sato Tablet, or the S, was a low-cost, high-quality tablet that challenged Apple’s iPad for superiority in the tablet computing market. Tony’s firm had tried and failed to get the lucrative Sato account, and his mind churned with the possibilities. Fat chicks are desperate, he thought. Why not show her some attention and give her big ass a thrill? A little dinner, some sweet talk. Hell, if it came down to it, he might give her some. With the way he put it down, there was no doubt he would be the one to land the account. After that, there was no way in hell he wouldn’t make partner.

“You read my mind, my brotha. Now you all know I’m not into big girls,” said Tony as he adjusted his already perfectly knotted tie. “Sometimes, you have to take one for your team. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

Tony left his flabbergasted friends behind and made a beeline for the ladies’ table, pausing to shake a hand or kiss a cheek as he navigated through the crowds of breakfasting churchgoers. He glanced at a mirror along the way to check if his tie was as straight and his fade was as tight as he thought.

They were.

He arrived at the ladies’ table moments later but walked past, then did a double-take as if he’d only just noticed them there.

“Ladies, how are you? I didn’t see you over here. You all look stunning this morning. If I realized you would be here, I’d be breaking the fast with you all and not with that bunch of knuckleheads over there.”

He punctuated his sentence with a smile that showed every one of his capped and whitened teeth to dazzling effect.

“What’s up, Tony?” Charlene asked. Her tone was icy, but her eyes gave away her attraction.

“I’m great, Char. And you?”

“How can you ask me that? You know what the f….”

Charlene’s sister Michelle spoke up, cutting her off.

“So Tony, have you met our friend Olivia? She just moved here from Atlanta a couple of weeks ago.”

“Hello, Olivia. It’s my pleasure.” He stuck out his hand as he gave her the full, dazzling wattage of his smile.

She returned his smile with a mega-watt smile of her own.

“Very nice to meet you, too. The pleasure is all mine.”

She was even prettier close-up. Her green eyes and light mocha skin were a deadly combination for him. As she smiled, a sprinkling of tiny freckles played across her nose.

“So Olivia, how do you like Brooklyn?” He asked.

She sighed. “It’s been so hectic for me. I haven’t seen much of it, but I love what I’ve seen so far. I’m looking forward to seeing more.”

Tony’s already huge smile grew bigger. Olivia had just given him all the opening he needed.

“Well, I’m a born and bred Brooklynite, so if you ever need someone to show you around, I’m your man.”

“That’s great. I’d like that,” Olivia said. A business card materialized in her hand, and she handed it to him. “My cell number is on the back. Why don’t you call me?”

Tony, momentarily taken aback by Olivia’s directness, didn’t allow it to show. He fished in his pocket for his own business card and handed it to her.

She tucked his card into her purse and returned her attention to her friends. “It was so nice to meet you. We’ll talk soon,” she said.

“Ah… yeah… nice to meet you, too. Take care, ladies.”

He hadn’t expected Olivia to respond to his advance so boldly, and in front of the others, no less. He used to being in the driver’s seat, and it felt strange. His walk back to his table had less swagger, but he saw his friends looking over at him as he approached and knew they would expect a typical Tony story. By the time he was back at his table, he was himself again. She was one of those type-A career chick, he reasoned. They go for what they want, and she saw me and wants me. She’s no different from any other woman. Plus, big job or not, she was only some fat chick. He would work it out.

CHAPTER 2

Charlene watched Tony as he returned to his table, then reached over and punched her sister on the shoulder.

“Why did you do that? I wanted to give that fool a piece of my mind.”

Michelle glared at her younger sister. “This is not the time or place. It’s Sunday, and we just came from church. Save the drama for another time.”

“Drama?” Olivia asked.

Michelle rolled her eyes. “You’re going to regret asking.”

Charlene gave her sister a nasty look.

“Girl, that asshole Tony sweet-talked me and took me out twice, telling me he was looking for a good woman blah blah, bullshit, and bullshit.”

“His bullshit must’ve been great since he talked you out of your panties on the first date.”

“Shut up, Michelle. Whose side are you on, anyway?” Charlene shot her sister another nasty look. “Anyway, we… you know… hooked up a few times. Then the fool told me he didn’t think we would work out. Oh, but if I still wanted to sleep with him once in a while, that was all good.”

“An offer you took him up on quite a few times, as I recall.”

“That’s not the point, Michelle!”

“Then what is?”

“You know what the point is. He kicked me to the curb, then hooked up with Keisha.”

“Who’s Keisha?” Olivia asked.

“Her best friend.”

“She’s my former best friend. To hell with that bitch.”

“No, he didn’t!” Olivia said.

“Oh yes, he sure did.”

Michelle rolled her eyes at her sister. “And you still want him bad. He’s got you so open you don’t know what to do with yourself.”

“Well… it was good. No, better than good. It was fantastic. A woman has needs,” she said.

“I didn’t know about your history, Charlene,” said Olivia. “If he calls me, I’ll tell him to forget it.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t think he’s interested… I mean… he just….”

“He just what?”

“Well, he doesn’t… like bigger girls.”

Michelle gasped. “Charlene!”

To their surprise, Olivia burst out laughing.

“Honey, it’s okay. Plenty of guys want all this,” she said, passing her hand over her body with an exaggerated flourish.

When the server arrived to take their order, the conversation turned to other matters, but Olivia’s mind remained on Tony. Despite what she’d told Charlene and Michelle, she’d seen the look in Tony’s eyes when he looked at her. He was most definitely interested. She’d had enough experience to know plenty of men said they didn’t like a big girl, but behind closed doors, it was a different matter entirely. Plus, he was pretty, and pretty boys were her weakness. She wouldn’t let him escape if he were as good in bed as Charlene said. No, she had this one on her hook and intended to land him. After all, he was just some pretty wannabe playboy. Not her first, and he wouldn’t be her last. She would work it out.

 CHAPTER 3

Tony checked his reflection in his office mirror. Looking good, he thought, but it never hurt to get a second opinion. He pressed the intercom on his desk phone.

“Carmela, can you come in for a second, please?”

The door opened a moment later, and Tony’s Executive Assistant, Carmela Minucci, entered the office, purse in hand.

“Do you need something, Tony? I was getting ready to leave.”

“How do I look?” He asked.

“Ravishing. Who’s the lucky lady this time?”

“Oh, no one in particular,” he said. “Just Sato Electronics new Executive Vice President of East Coast Marketing.”

Carmela’s eyes widened, and she glanced outside the office to make sure no one had overheard, then shut the door.

“Sato? Tony, this could be big.”

“I know, I know, I’m going to….”

“If you get this account, you’re a lock to make partner. A lock!”

“I know Carm, this is….”

“Could you imagine us working up on the 40th floor? It would be amazing. You better play your cards right, Tony.”

“Carmela, calm down. I got this. You know how I do.”

Carmela put her hands on her hips and glared at him. She pulled herself to her full five-foot-two inches and stuck her finger in his chest.

“Yea, I know exactly how you do,” Carmella said, her Lawn Guyland accent in full effect. “You do lousy. That’s how you do. I can’t count how many times I’ve lied to some poor, broken-hearted woman for you. I think I changed your cell number three times last year alone.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re just exaggerating. I’m not that bad.”

“Oh, no? Remember Tanya, the first-grade teacher?”

Tony said nothing.

“Let me refresh your memory. She cried on the phone for almost an hour. I mean weeping, Tony, like someone died. How about Carolyn, the woman that owns the flower shop in Hoboken? She sent flowers every day for a month; it was like the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in here. Oh, and who can forget Marta, the translator at the U.N.? She quit her job and flew home to Barcelona because she couldn’t bear to live one more day in the city where her heart got broken. Do you know she calls you here every year on the anniversary you broke her heart? Then there was….”

Tony threw up his hands. “Okay, I get the point. I get it. Damn.”

“Do you? I don’t know that you do. The point is, don’t screw this one up, Tony,” she said, poking him hard in the chest.

“Ow, ow. Damn Carmella, I won’t. Damn.”

“Make sure that you don’t.”

She removed a speck of lint from his suit jacket and adjusted his tie. “I have to go. I expect a full report in the morning.”

“Don’t screw it up!” She said again as she walked out of his office.

Tony thought about Carmela’s warning in the cab on the way to Olivia’s SoHo office. He had to admit she was correct. In the past, he’d been cavalier in his dealings with women, but that wouldn’t be the case with Olivia. She was just some fat chick, and this was strictly business.

Kind of.

She wasn’t his type, but she was still beautiful and had an aura, a confidence that he found very sexy. It had intrigued him when they’d met on Sunday morning, and he found himself strangely attracted to the beautiful, plus-sized woman. He made it a point never to date anyone above a size four, but Olivia had stayed on his mind. Tony put it down to the circumstances of the meeting and the fact that Olivia could help to advance his career. Also, the thought of sleeping with another of Charlene’s friends appealed to his darker side.

Tony hadn’t set out to sleep with Charlene’s friend Keisha, but they’d been out one night, and Keisha slipped him her number with Charlene not six feet away. Her boldness turned him on, and an hour after he’d dropped Charlene off at her building, he was in her best friend’s bed. He hadn’t cared why Keisha had done it. Some weird female competition thing, he supposed. He never understood the urge of some women to betray their friends and didn’t try to. He just took advantage of it.

That was the exact reasoning behind Olivia’s actions; he thought as the cab pulled up in front of her office building. She’d seen an opportunity to stick it to her friend, and she took it. And right in front of her, no less. No matter. His plan for Olivia was textbook. After waiting a day or two, he would call her and make reservations at an expensive place. He would spend the evening sweeping her off her feet, then take her back to his place for some wine. He’d dangle the promise of good sex, then talk about business. If he liked what he heard, they might end up in bed.

Or not.

He would see.

Olivia had other plans, however. His phone rang that evening, and it surprised him to hear her voice. The call only lasted a minute or two, just long enough to exchange brief pleasantries and arrange a day and time for dinner. He’d put the phone down, feeling disconcerted by her for the second time that day. She hadn’t proposed a day and time as much as dictated it. Confidence was one thing, but it seemed she had a way of taking control of situations that he wasn’t sure he liked. He was the one who usually made a brief call to dictate the time and place for dates. He enjoyed the predatory feeling of hunting, tracking, and stalking before killing and devouring, leaving behind the carcass of his conquest. Again, he put it down to that weird female competition dynamic. No doubt Charlene bragged about his skills, and Olivia couldn’t wait to experience them.

He reminded himself of that as he paid the cab driver and entered Olivia’s office building, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he was the prey this time.