Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Cross,” he says in a deep voice. “I look forward to learning more.”
Then, the door closes and Ursula and I are left alone in the lavish hallway. My handler scurries on ahead, oblivious of Mr. Michaelson’s offer to talk later tonight, and I wonder if I should tell her. But I decide not to because I need money, and I need it fast. After all, Logan Michaelson has all but promised to make my problems disappear, and I’m going to take him up on his offer.
CHAPTER 3
Logan
Rocky pulls up in front of my house in an Uber, and even from the second-floor window, I can see how she grimaces a bit when looking at the fare on her phone. But then, the curvy girl takes a deep breath, straightens her shoulders, and begins walking up the path to my manor. I admire the courage in her gesture. After all, it seems that Rocky’s in somewhat of a jam, and I’m just the man to help her out.
I admit, I won’t be making any generous gestures of goodwill. I got to be a billionaire because I watched my money carefully, and always made certain to get a good return. An excellent return, in fact, and now Rocky’s come to my castle to play my game. She’ll find out just what I’m charging, and my guess is that the curvy girl will agree. After all, bankruptcy is a tough process. People lose almost everything during the proceedings, and I wouldn’t want to go through that particular kind of hell.
Sure enough, Rocky steps up to the house and knocks, and within minutes, my butler’s tapping at my office door.
“Mr. Michaelson, your guest has arrived,” Walter intones.
“Thanks!” I call out through the wooden slab. “Please show her to the sitting room. I’ll be with her in a moment.”
“Yes, sir.”
After ten minutes, I make my way down to the sitting room and enter the small but lavish space. This particular room was done in jewel tones, with elaborate turn-of-the-century furniture. Rocky looks absolutely gorgeous, perched on one of the upholstered chairs in a crimson dress that hugs her figure without being obscene. It’s made of a soft velvet material, highlighting that big bust and long legs, and her brunette curls are draped over one shoulder. Spectacular.
“Miss Cross, we meet again. Thank you for coming,” I say, my voice low.
Rocky nods, obviously a bit on edge.
“Thanks for having me,” is her soft murmur. “Your house is beautiful.”
I laugh. “Well, it’s too big for me. We’ve got half a dozen bedrooms, but I’m the only one who lives here. Other than the staff, of course.”
She nods.
“It’s gorgeous, though. Does the fireplace work?” she asks, looking at the handsome marble mantelpiece.
I nod.
“It does. Why, are you cold?”
She giggles.
“No, I was just curious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a working fireplace before because you know how the old houses in Millbrook are. They stopped up those things long ago.”
I nod.
“Yeah, when I bought this place, it had to be renovated and my architect was trying to convince me to turn this thing into a decorative feature, and nothing else. But I wouldn’t have it, so it still works.”
Rocky giggles.
“Well, that’s good. Who knew you were a preservationist?”
I growl and wink.
“You’re right. Who knew, indeed? We’re all full of surprises. But are you ready to talk about your reason for coming?” I manage in a smooth voice.
Rocky blushes and looks down, clasping her hands.
“Yeah, sure,” she mutters. “I guess so.” Then, she sighs and looks up, a sadness in those brown eyes that breaks my heart. “Mr. Michaelson, it’s very generous of you to help me come up with a solution for my money problems. Would you like me to start working at your company? At your house? I used to be a nurse, but I learn fast. I can type, I can dictate, and I’m great with people. I just need some time before I begin because there are a lot of commitments for the Miss Millbrook title holder.”
I shake my head.
“No, I don’t need another employee, although thanks. Instead, I have another type of engagement in mind.”
Rocky seems to sag even more in her chair.
“Yes? Do you need a home aide? A dog-walker, perhaps?”
I snort.
“No, no such thing. Actually, I’m happy to make a fifty-thousand dollar one-time payment in exchange for your … ah, services.”
That makes her head jerk up as she gasps.
“What? Fifty thousand? For doing what though?”
I shrug like nothing’s the matter.
“Well, I’d like a week of your time actually.”
Rocky’s downright suspicious now, her mouth turning down at the corners.
“Yes, but how so? I know there’s a catch, Mr. Michaelson. I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Ah, this woman’s smart and I smile wolfishly.
“You’re right, sweetheart. Actually, I have a weeklong party to attend, and I wasn’t going to bring a guest. But now, seeing that you may have availability, I’d like for you to be my companion during this island getaway.”