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Tall, dark, and gorgeous with cobalt-blue eyes. It doesn't hurt that he's the billionaire owner of the resort we're staying at. And all of it is just what I needed for my celebration weekend after graduating with my master's. It's our last girls' weekend before my friends and I go our separate ways, and it's going to happen with a bang. Literally. Hopefully. It would be a first. The desire was to keep things casual, but our connection is far too deep for that. Him being ex-military and me being an Army brat. The rules we each set up are shattered thanks to the raging passion between us. But eventually, I have to go home. What I never expected in a million years was that he might follow me. Enough swimming in the shallow end of the pool. We're diving in deep.
Trent
I bounced my pencil up and down on the blank paper in front of me. I liked being old school. I liked jotting things down. My iPad was on the table as well, but my big, meaty fingers made it difficult to push the ridiculously small buttons. I jotted things down, and my secretary took care of making it into a document.
I reached my hand up, tugging at the tie choking me. It wasn't anything I would ever get used to. I liked the look, but damn, I hated the feeling.
"Will you stop?" my friend and right-hand man, Richie, growled.
I looked up at him and grinned. "Was I bugging you?"
"You know you are," he said. "Why in the hell do you insist on writing stuff down? Welcome to the twenty-first century. Grab that damn tablet and put it to use."
"Technically, I haven't written anything down," I retorted.
"We need to get this figured out," he said in a serious tone. "Shit is about to get real. If we beat last year's occupancy levels like we've predicted, we need to be ready. We can't afford to have things go wrong. You know it only takes one of those stupid Yelp reviews to tank our business. It's like a domino effect. When one hits, others quickly add their two cents."
I nodded. "You're right. Both hotels are booked solid. We could hire more staff, just temporarily to get through the first rush of the season when all the college grads are out looking to sow their wild oats. We need extra maintenance on hand as well-I don't want a repeat of last year. Overflowing toilets is not something I ever want to encounter again."
He winced. "We have hired more maintenance full time, but the temporary thing?" He shook his head. "That always backfires. Temps don't have the same commitment as our full-time staff."
"Do you have that list from the head of housekeeping?" I asked, deciding it was better to rely on the people who worked in the trenches and knew firsthand what it would take to make the job easier.
He nodded, sliding his finger over the tablet he was using to make notes on. "We talked about linens. Should we do it?"
I shrugged. "If that makes it easier, let's do it. There will be less wait on laundry to come back."
"Done. Next?" His blue eyes stared at me.
I let out a sigh. "I don't know. We need to take care of our staff. They are going to be working their asses off. Why don't we have breakfast catered for them every day? Breakfast and dinner," I quickly amended.
"That's going to cost you," he advised.
"If I don't have a happy staff, it's going to cost me more," I told him. "I want them to enjoy their jobs. It took too much time and money to get them trained to the level they are at now. This season could really put us on the map as a destination getaway."
"Got it. You're right."
We talked a bit more about what we could expect for the coming weekend. Lake Tahoe was a destination for college kids all across the country. It was also a family destination. My hotels tried to cater to both. We had a system worked out that put families on the upper floors on one side of the hotel, with the louder, more likely to party young adults on the ground floors.
"It's going to be a success," Richie said confidently. "I know it."
I smiled, nodding. "It better be. I'm going to get going. We've got a long couple weeks ahead of us, and I want to enjoy one last quiet night."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You mean you're going to go home and hang out with your dog."
I grinned. "Maybe."
He sighed, shaking his head. "You're a nerd. You're the only single billionaire I know who prefers to hang out at home with his dog. You should be out living it up, looking for a sexy Mrs. Billionaire. You're Trent Gilroy, war hero turned billionaire. Everyone wants to know you. You could have any woman you want."
"Not saying I'm not looking, but nothing I've seen has interested me. I'm in no hurry. I'm not going to hop from one bed to the next. You know that isn't my style. Besides, that invites trouble, and I don't want trouble. I like neat and tidy."
"Neat and tidy is overrated," he said dryly. "You're thirty-two. You're halfway over."
I raised an eyebrow. "Halfway over? If you're calling me old, I will remind you that you are about a minute younger than I am."
"You've lived four lifetimes and probably used up at least eight of those lives you started out with during your time over there," he said solemnly. "Don't let this last one pass you by."
He was always getting philosophical like that. He was my best friend in the world and knew things had been rough for me during my time overseas. I had lost a lot of good friends over there and had come back a broken man, literally and figuratively. A few savvy investments had saved my life. I was one of the fortunate ones and had something to build and money to do it.
"I'm out of here," I said. "I'll see you tomorrow. Prepare to be your most charming self, and wear your good suit."
He scoffed. "All of my suits are custom. I don't wear anything less than great."
I raised an eyebrow. "They're custom and like new because you rarely wear them."
"I know good fashion," he said, flicking invisible lint from his suit jacket. "It's my skilled eye that made that lobby what it is. I wear what appeals to the masses. It's summertime. We're on a beach. It's okay to dress the part."
I rolled my eyes. "Your feminine side is showing through, bright and sparkly," I teased.
He burst into laughter. "Women do not doubt my masculinity when I take them to bed. I'm comfortable enough in my own masculinity to talk fashion and good design. You wouldn't know good fashion if it hit you upside the head. Men were not meant to wear jeans, T-shirts, and combat boots all the time."
"It's functional and comfortable," I retorted, referring to my usual style. "And I wear shorts sometimes."
"Rarely," he muttered.
We both knew I avoided wearing shorts at the hotel because of the scars. I didn't want to scare little kids and horrify guests. I also didn't want the looks of pity. I hated pity.
He got to his feet and walked out of my office. I grabbed my things and left shortly after. It was going to be a wild summer. I was looking forward to the business.
This guy could offer me the moon, and I’d hand it right back. Never in a million years did I expect to run into the biggest crush of my childhood. But, of course, I have. And I’m reporting to him at the new company I landed a big-time job at. Arrogant. Hot as hell. Total jackass. Why he’s still single is no mystery to me. He’s not willing to settle down. He’s always been that way, and as far as I’m concerned, he always will be. But, boy, is he beautiful to look at. Every part of me screams "run" as my insides turn to mush. No. Not me too… Not again. I should be immune by now. I know him far too well to fall into this hopeless pit of adoration again. But maybe there’s a way around it. It’s his power that drives me over the edge of insanity. If I were the boss instead of him, I’d hold all the cards. Good thing I’m always up for a challenge. Funnily enough, this guy thinks he’s going to score. He might have to redefine what getting lucky looks like after me. At least, that’s the plan.
Ethan Lewis has been in the bright lights for as long as he can remember. He’s just turned the cusp of celebrating his twenty-fourth birthday, and yet he feels more like eighty. Living the life of a celebrity isn’t all it is chalked up to be, and dealing with the unruly number of women who are more interested in his billions than who he is as a person is getting old. He has resigned himself to giving up on love and focusing on the only thing that truly gives back – his career. Riley Phillips has always dreamed of being on a big stage with the warmth of the spotlight baring down on her, but she just couldn’t seem to catch the right agent’s attention. After giving a quick commencement speech as Valedictorian of her graduating class at Billmore High, she’s offered something she can’t refuse... The chance to work in Hollywood. It’s not all it’s chalked up to be, but she works hard and finally gets her big break four years down the line. There is a new movie that her agent wants her to audition for, and her co-star? The dreamy Ethan Lewis. She scores the part, but soon regrets it due to his callous, overbearing persona. He’s nothing like the public touts, and she for one isn’t impressed. Funny enough, he is - immensely. This is book 1 in a continued series. All books are available
He said I couldn’t do it, but he was wrong. An old professor at UCLA promised me that I would make nothing of myself, so I made sure I did. To the tune of billions. I’m only a little cocky about it. Yachts, parties, and one-night events pretty much spell out my life. And all of it works well until I run into a beauty I can’t get out of my head. But we’re keeping it friendly and casual until we aren’t. There’s just one problem. Her old man hates me. And for good reason. He was my UCLA professor. He’s dead set against me becoming anything important to his little girl, but the old man’s got it all backward. I’m not looking to make an example out of our passion or prove a point. This isn’t about hit it and quit it. His daughter is mine, and he might kick me out, but she’s letting me all the way in.
My Needs. My Demands. Your Pleasure. You're Welcome. She had one year left of college when our parents got married. And thanks to being raised in poverty, she needed help with her expenses. My dad, being the benevolent billionaire, stepped up without question. But there was a catch. She had to intern at the firm for a year. With me. As her boss. Poor sweet little thing. She has no clue what she’s up against, but she’ll figure it out soon. I don’t play typical games, but the ones I do play, I always win. And regardless of how taboo our relationship might become, I’m all in. The reward is worth the risk. I just hope she can keep up with my many demands.
He’s going to make me break my number one rule. And possibly lose my job. How dare he? It’s pretty simple, though. Don’t date students. Which is normally easy to stick to. Who wants to date an eighteen-year-old boy? Not me. I much prefer an older man with rough hands that knows what he’s doing. Enter Mr. Evans. A single father billionaire with more time on his plate than he knows what to do with. And the man is brilliant and wickedly delicious. Much to my surprise, he’s quickly becoming my star pupil, which means he gets more of my time than necessary. But I can’t help myself. He’s exactly what I need in my life, in my bed, kissing me at the stroke of midnight… And the best is even though he’s older than me, he’s more than willing to let me teach him a few new tricks. Let's just hope we don't get caught.
I need a wife. Now. It doesn’t have to do with love and living the good life. This is all about getting the money my billionaire father left to me. And I’m running out of time. But who proposes to a stranger after the first date? Me. That’s who. As if I have another choice. Luck is on my side though, and a beautiful model shows up in my office. Single? Gorgeous? Funny? All of the above. Our first date goes so well that I feel unsure about my decision to do this thing with her—you know, fake it. I put it off and decide to do it later, to ask for her help after we get to know each other better. But I like her more and more each time we meet, and eventually, offering her a ring isn’t for my dad’s money—it’s because I want her more than anything else in the world. Besides, who’s going to know if it’s fake or real? And does it really matter? Yeah. It does.
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
In Lothlann Continent, talent in martial arts won cultivators respect. Darren Chu, a mediocre talent in martial arts, was deemed a loser by everyone. His status changed when a fireball fell from the sky and hit him on the head. He cheated death. Empowered with the ability to assimilate other creatures' talent, Darren sought to better himself and seek vengeance against those who had wronged his family, including his little sister. "You will kneel in front of me one day," swore the future lord of martial arts.