Текст книги "The Billionaire’s Obsession: Alpha Billionaire Romance "
Автор книги: L. N. Pearl
Соавторы: S. K. Lee
сообщить о нарушении
Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 4 страниц)
The Billionaire’s Obsession
The Billionaire’s Touch Series Book 2
L.N. Pearl
Copyright © 2015 by L.N. Pearl. All rights reserved worldwide.
No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
***
Book description:
Most people have months or weeks to mull over making big decisions. Kendra has a few hours only.
This could be a game changer. Her entire life is about to take a new turn and the pressure is overwhelming. Can she do it?
The ambiguity of her relationship with Jax is killing her. The baby has stolen her heart immediately, but can she let her new boss do the same, only to break it after he’s done with her?
Meanwhile, Jax starts the painful, but necessary process of grieving. His quest for answers will lead him down a path of danger where no one is safe.
Note: this is the second book out of five in the series. Contains explicit language for a mature audience only.
Table of Contents
1 – Kendra
2 – Kendra
3 – Jax
4 – Kendra
5 – Jax
6 – Kendra
7 – Jax
8 – Kendra
1 – Kendra
I tapped the table in front of me, not quite sure how to clean up the mess I just made with my new boss. My original understanding of the job was to work during the daytime, watching Tyson while he worked, but he’d quickly corrected me. The job was to be an overnight gig. Fine. I could do that, but his latest request? To move in with him and lose my privacy and my apartment?
No.
Brian walked out and nodded toward the door. “You ready?”
“Almost.” I turned to my computer and finished scanning through the site as I worked up the courage to call Jax back. I had to explain why I couldn’t leave my apartment. Brian depended on me and I needed a decent sized space to work on my designs. It just wouldn’t work.
“You got the site back up. That’s great news!” Brian leaned over my shoulder. “You have so many talents, Kendra. This nanny thing is just temporary. You’ll have your own business up and running before you know it.”
“I guess. I’ll meet you out front. I need to make one more call before we grab something to eat.” I glanced over my shoulder at him and forced a smile.
“Alright. I’ll get my car from the garage. Just don’t leave me waiting too long. I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving. How a boy can go from good to completely famished without moving through the hungry phase is beyond me.” I gave him a cheeky grin, trying hard to hide the angst that was building in my chest.
“I’m a man, and hurry up.” He snorted as if his admonition was too funny.
I waited until the door closed to call Jax back. He answered almost immediately, which left me wondering if he knew it was me. Of course he did. Caller ID, you idiot. Still, there was something flattering in him having picked up so quickly.
“Jax here.”
“Hi, Mr. Wilder, um, Jax. I feel almost silly calling back so soon. Oh, this is Kendra.” I took a shallow breath and tried to still my heart. Was I nervous just at the idea of calling him or was it because I was about to go against his desires?
“Hi, Kendra. You can call anytime. I meant to inform you that my driver would be there around four or so. Is that enough time for you to pack up?” He was all business.
“Yes, but that’s what I was calling about. My ‘yes’ earlier on the phone wasn’t directed to moving into your penthouse, but because my website suddenly righted itself. Just poor timing on my celebration, I guess.”
“Oh. Well, congrats on the website. Did you fix it yourself?” His voice held a hint of curiosity and oddly enough, pride.
“I did it with the guidance of an IT specialist, but it was mostly me.”
“Very nice.”
“Thank you. So back to the reason for the call. I can’t move into the penthouse with you, but I promise I’ll never be late and I’ll come anytime you need me to, barring me being on a vacation or something of that nature.”
“Hmmm... how can I twist your arm?” He laughed and I couldn’t help but smile as I pictured him in sleeping pants leaning against the counter in the kitchen. “How about I double the original offer I extended to you?”
“What? No. I already feel like you’re being too generous.” I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose, trying to talk myself out of screaming ‘yes’. Four thousand dollars a week was insane. With that kind of money, I could easily pay off my debts, save up for a place of my own and kick off my business in style. I always heard that it took money to make money, but I was broke and bootstrapping my way to the top was extremely long and tedious. With some seed capital, I’d be able to invest and speed things up.
“You’re considering it, but still quite hesitant. Tell me why and I’ll help you work through it.” Jax’s voice softened and I forced myself not to moan. He was everything I could imagine being with in my wildest dreams, but that’s exactly where he belonged. In a dream. No man of his stature, wealth and looks would be interested in me. Not long term, at least.
Let it go. Back away slowly and keep your dignity.
“It’s a handful of things. Moving in with someone, even for employment sake, is still having to share life with a stranger.”
“It’s your boyfriend, right?” His voice tightened a little.
Did he not like the idea of me having a boyfriend? I had been a little ambiguous the day before when answering his questions about the picture of Brian that popped up on my phone.
“You do know this is Kendra Valentina you called. Right?” I stood up and walked to my room to grab a pair of shoes. Brian would give me hell for making him wait, which I was already doing.
Jax chuckled. “Of course I do. Does Kendra Valentina not have a boyfriend or are you hinting at something else?”
I frowned and wiggled my toes into a pair of muted pink flip-flops, the shade matching my toenail polish perfectly. I wasn’t much of a diva, but making sure my feet were pretty and rather decorated had always been important. It left me feeling pretty.
“I think it’s been two years since I went on my last date.” I laughed, feeling rather pathetic all of a sudden. “How did we get on the topic of my dating life? I was calling to twist your arm on letting me slide past having to move in. I just don’t think it’s necessary. It will put a strain on you that you don’t need. I’d rather not be a burden.”
He ignored my plea and went right back to my shitty dating life. “You haven’t been on a date in two years? Why the fuck not?”
I chuckled at his crudeness. He was proper and beyond wealthy and yet underneath, he was real and nothing more than a warm-blooded male. My stomach tightened as I picked up my purse and walked to the door. I needed to end the call. Brian’s bitching would be good... it would throw cold water on my need to be stripped naked and devoured by my new boss.
“I’m picky? Busy? Not that attractive? I don’t know. Stop changing the subject.” I smiled and opened the door to the apartment as the sound of his laughter rolled over me.
“I disagree on all three accounts, but that’s neither here nor there. One more question and I’ll get back to convincing you to move in. I’m not budging.”
I let out a short sigh as I locked the door. A loud ding resounded in my ear and I jerked the phone back, the text from Brian simply asking if I was coming.
“Fine. I’m running out to have lunch with my roommate, so ask away and I’ll have to call back on the moving in thing.” I walked quickly down the hall, hoping like hell that the phone wouldn’t cut out or lose reception.
“My question is about your roommate. The handsome young guy that called you last night. He’s not your type? I half expected you were with him and that’s why you were roommates.”
I shook my head and gave a breathy laugh. “No. I’m not his type. He’s proposing to his boyfriend soon, or that’s what he keeps telling me.”
“Oh. That explains it. Why do I feel rather comforted by that?”
Yes. Good question. Wouldn’t I love to know?
“Because you believe that means I’ll jump at the chance to move in with you now? No restrictions on my life?”
“There are always restrictions. Why are you fighting this? Are you worried about leaving Brian high and dry?”
“There is that, of course.” I jogged down the stairs, trying not to breathe into the phone like I was entering cardiac arrest.
“That’s easy. I’ll double your pay and I’ll pick up the rent in your place for the next three months.”
I stopped just short of pushing the door to exit the building. “Do you only need me for the next three months?” Something about having the new job be so short term in nature caused my blood to run cold. I wanted years, not days.
“Of course not, but I’ll make you this deal. Move in and I’ll do all I’ve said. If you’re not happy or don’t like sharing the penthouse with me and Tyson, I’ll move you out in three months. You can go back to your place with Brian, or I’ll get you an apartment in the building.”
He made it all sound so simple. Maybe everything was that simple for the wealthy.
Being there would take a huge burden off my shoulders where public transportation was concerned. Riding the subway for an hour there and back each day would be painful. If he was willing to take care of my half of the rent, then why was I still fighting it? It seemed almost too good to be true.
“What else, Kendra? Tell me what has you thinking instead of speaking.”
I grabbed at any excuse. “My sewing stuff. I have tons of it. I don’t want to clutter up your home, Jax. It’s where you rest and entertain, where you bring women and build relationships. I don’t want to impose.”
“I have most of that worked out.” He paused and then his voice dropped even lower. “Stop fighting me and take this golden opportunity.”
“I want to...” I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth and pushed the door open. To spend more time around Jax and Tyson would be great, or so it seemed. I really didn’t know the man too well. The baby had stolen my heart immediately though. Maybe I could just invest in him and use the time like a three-month break from life. Like a long-term vacation of sorts.
“You do know you miss all of the shots you never take.”
I nodded. He was right. “Okay.” The word came out on the tail of the breath I’d been holding. “I’ll try this out for three months, but after that, if I need to find another place, no strings attached, right?”
“Only the ones you weave, Kendra.” His voice deepened even further, the sound of it rushing across me and forcing chill bumps to rise along my exposed arms.
“I’ll be ready at four. Thank you for your generosity.”
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
We hung up and I got into the car as Brian glanced over at me, a growl leaving him.
“Why do women force men to wait? This is one of the reasons I’m grateful to be gay.”
“That, and you get to rub all over a sexy guy like Billy.”
Brian laughed and pulled out onto the quiet street. “Steer clear of my man, girlie.”
“Not a problem. It’s steering clear of my new boss that’s going to be the struggle of my life.”
Brian glanced over, concern brushing over his features. “That bad?”
“That bad,” I confirmed and dropped my phone into my purse before leaning back and letting my imagination make much more out of the situation than it should.
2 – Kendra
“Why are you so quiet?” Brian picked a french fry off my plate and swirled it in the glob of ketchup between us.
I glanced up and shrugged. “Just trying to think through everything.”
“Talk to me about it. We can figure it out together.” He reached for another fry and I popped his hand back.
“You just ate all of yours and now you’re eating mine?” I chuckled and shoved the plate toward him, my burger only half gone.
“You done?” He nodded toward my plate as a boyish smile crept up on his handsome face.
“Yeah. Feel free to finish it.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.”
“How is it that you eat like a heifer and yet don’t look like one?” I glanced down at my own frame, grateful for the metabolism of an athlete. I tried to watch what I ate on most occasions, but I knew it would catch up with me. It seemed to catch up with everyone. It would have been nice to know what my family history or genetics predisposed me toward, but not knowing anything about my parents left me with nil.
“Good genes?” He winked and picked up my burger. “Spill, Kendra. That worried look on your face is going to leave ugly lines in your forehead. Get it off your chest.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes. “Maybe. So the latest request by this guy is for me to move in. Today.”
Brian’s gaze moved to mine as his brow lifted. “Today? You know Billy isn’t moving in for another few months and I’m already strapped just paying my half of the rent. Paying yours lately has been a total ball buster.”
“I know. Jax said that he would pay my part of the rent for the next three months. He wants me to give our new arrangement that long to work out.”
“Oh.” Brian picked the burger back up and wiped his forehead with his napkin. “I thought you were trying to skip out on helping me for a minute there.”
“What?” Anger rushed up from the pit of my stomach. I swallowed it back down. Brian had been carrying me for a while now. My character was obviously in question due to that fact alone. “I would never do that to you. I haven’t paid the rent because I couldn’t, not because I didn’t want to.”
“I know.” He glanced at his plate as his mouth turned down into a frown. “I’m sorry. I’ve just wanted to buy Billy this ring he wanted and I can’t seem to save up the damn money. It’s like every time I get a little put away, something else happens.”
I reached for his hand, guilt squirming in my chest. “I’ll give you the back rent I owe you as soon as I get paid. Use that to get the ring.”
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.” Brian sat back and picked up his soda, sucking it dry and reaching for mine. “Are you okay staying with some guy you don’t even know?”
“I guess. He seems like a good guy and with the amount of wealth he has, he has to be legit, right?” I picked a fry from my plate that sat in front of Brian now.
He popped my hand and we laughed. “If he’s rich, then there’s tons of info on him. Get on the inter-webs and find out who he is.”
“That’s true.” I shrugged, half liking the idea of the mystery Jax had become. The lonely bachelor who lost his wife and needed comfort seemed fitting. I could offer comfort and a strong shoulder for him to lean against. In return, I would get the opportunity to mean something to him and Tyson.
Drop it. You’re going off the deep end again.
“What’s his name? I watch all that celebrity news and shit. Maybe I’ve heard of him.”
“It’s Jax Wilder.”
His eyes grew big. “Wait... The Jax Wilder? Like the one who owns an investing firm with his father?”
“I don’t know. My friend Hunter works for him as a trader. I assumed it was energy or something.”
“Investment trader.”
“I thought they were brokers?” I took my drink back from him and wiped at the straw.
“They have both. Where does this guy live again?”
I gave him the address of the penthouse.
“In Carrington Park?” Brian’s voice rose as excitement rushed across his face.
“Yes. Hold it down. People are starting to look at us.” I motioned for the server to bring us the check.
“Holy shit, Kendra. You’re working for The Jax Wilder?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not sure he uses that exact title, but yes. His son is adorable and he honestly acts much like any other guy would.” I shrugged and sat back, knowing I didn’t have the funds to pay for lunch.
The server brought the bill and Brian snatched it up, leaving me with a little bit of my dignity. I was grateful.
“It’s not his son you’re watching. Did you not see the special on Flight 2426? I was trying to drag you into the living room to watch the recap the other day, remember?”
“What does that have to do with...” I paused as realization rolled over me. “Oh. Was his wife on that flight?”
He threw up his hands. “No. His sister and her husband were. The baby is his nephew if we’re talking about the same billionaire.”
“His nephew?” Something inside of me loosened. The idea of him not having belonged to a prefabricated family gave room for something to move in my soul. It was silly, seeing that I was still nothing more than the nanny to the child he was guardian over. Just because he wasn’t Tyson’s true father didn’t change much other than the fact that he hadn’t been previously married. And it made more sense as to why he knew nothing about burping.
I liked that thought a little too much.
“Yes. This guy is like filthy rich, Kendra. He doesn’t have to work a day in his life and yet he does.” Brian handed the bill back to the server.
“I don’t know about all of that. He offered me the job and it’s far more money than I could expect anywhere. I’ll give it the three months he’s offering me.” I reached across the table and brushed my fingers over Brian’s hand. “You sure you’re okay with me leaving? I’ll pay my part of the rent, no worries.”
He gripped my hand back. “As long as you’re okay with it. I want to visit of course, but that’s just the curious part of me. The man’s beautiful. You sure you’re going to be okay with that?” Brian lifted his eyebrow and gave me a cocky smirk.
“Of course. I’m there to watch Tyson and take care of his needs. Jax is simply my employer. Nothing more.” I shrugged and stood. “You ready? He’s sending a truck at four and I need to pack up all my shit.”
“Four? That’s in three hours. You have more stuff than anyone I’ve ever known.” He laughed and moved toward me, pressing his hand to the lower part of my back and moving us from the burger shop. “I’ll help you pack if you promise to describe Jax in detail the first time you get him naked.”
I gasped in pseudo embarrassment. “Why, Brian. I would never, ever, ever... tell you when I get him naked.”
Brian laughed as we walked to the car. “That’s my girl.”
***
Packing was a nightmare and a half. I ended up with five suitcases and twelve boxes of stuff. By the time the driver arrived, I was covered in sweat and needing a shower. I promised him and Brian that it would only be a minute. There was no way in hell I was showing up at Jax’s covered in sweat again. He would think I had real issues, which I most likely did.
I worked fast to wash up as I went through the list in my head. I had packed my three sewing machines, my equipment, books, sketches of designs, clothes and my favorite snacks from the pantry.
Spending Saturdays back at the apartment with Brian would be the plan, but who knew how long that would last. I usually spent my weekends working on new designs or lounging in the nearby parks. It was almost spring, and the idea of taking Tyson to a large park downtown left excitement bubbling up inside of me.
It was like a whole new life, and it was mine.
I towel-dried quickly and braided my long blond hair to where it sat heavy on my back. I changed into a soft cotton dress and added a little bit of lip gloss to make myself look more nanny-like. Whatever the hell that meant.
Tugging my last bag over my shoulder, I paused and looked around my rather empty room as sadness rolled over me. There was a chance that I wouldn’t see that room again or have time with Brian by myself like I had for the last few years. He and Billy were moving on with their lives and would be married, most likely, by Christmas.
What was I doing? Playing house with a wealthy playboy who would love me today and drop me tomorrow? I growled at the thought.
I wasn’t playing anything. I was making tons of money to watch a sweet little guy who had recently lost not only his mother, but his father too. We were alike in our pain, and I could help him as he grew up. He wouldn’t remember the event at all, but everyone else would. Their recollection of it would create emotions inside of Tyson. Emotions that I had long ago figured out how to process. I hadn’t had much of a choice.
“Hey. You coming?” Brian’s voice pulled me from my reverie and I let out a soft sigh before turning and walking toward the front door.
“Yeah. Sorry. Just having a moment.” I stopped in front of him as he reached out and pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’m here if you need anything. That room will always be open to you, okay?”
“Okay.” I snuggled against him and forced back the burn of tears. Why did it feel like everything was changing? It had to be the suddenness of it all.
“Did you get your favorite snacks from the pantry?” He moved back and squeezed my shoulders as sadness sat on his face too. It had to be because of the quickness of the decision to move out. Most people had months or weeks to mull over making such a big decision. I had a few hours.
Guess that’s how rich people work. No time to dilly dally.
“Yeah, but if you want the pop-tarts, I’ll leave them for you.” I pulled from his grasp and gave him a cheeky grin.
“Um no. I’d rather not eat fake fruit squeezed between cardboard.”
I nudged him. “Hey! I love those things.”
He popped my rear and laughed. “And they love you too.”
I shook my head and walked to the door, pausing for a minute to glance back at him. “You sure about this?”
He took in a deep breath and smiled. “I support you in anything you do. Are you sure about this?”
“No, but taking risks seems to be something I continue to be faced with.”
“Good. Then take another one. My mom used to always tell me that if you can force yourself to go to the edge of a limb, you just might discover that you can fly.”
I smiled as tears burned my gaze. “I want to fly.”
“And you will.”
