My eyes narrow slightly as I recognize the name Purcell. We’re meeting with the owner of Sunrise?
Janice picks up her office phone and a manicured hand presses a few buttons.
“Mr. Purcell, you have a visitor… I’m sorry, sir, I just thought it was best… yes, of course.” Janice’s voice when talking to Mr. Purcell is a thousand times more pleasant than the tone she uses with us. She hangs up the phone delicately and flashes me one of her rehearsed smiles. “Let me take you to his office.”
We trail behind the receptionist as she leads us down the hall to Mr. Purcell’s office. When she stops in front of his office door, my eyes scan the plaque on display to the left of the door that reads, “Cameron Purcell, CEO.” My heart rate accelerates and my nerves intensify. Oh shit. I look to Daddy to see if he’s realized who we’re dealing with but Randy has a blank expression on his face. Of course. Randy probably has no idea what the letters “CEO” stand for.
Janice twists the knob to open Mr. Purcell’s door and steps inside.
“Mr. Purcell, I apologize for the intrusion. Jessalyn and Randy Lane are here. They’d like to discuss their rent payments at the Sunrise Residence Park,” she says smoothly.
I step into the office, which is luxuriously appointed with a cream-colored carpet, a huge mahogany desk, and tasteful solid-oak cabinets. But it’s the man behind the desk who makes my heart pound and pulse accelerate. After all, Cameron Purcell is gorgeous. I’m met by a pair of crystal blue eyes, clear as ice, which seem to absorb my curvy form. Mr. Purcell has hair as dark as charcoal, a cleft chin, and even from behind the desk, I can tell that he’s tall and athletic judging from the breadth of his shoulders and solid chest. My legs feel frozen in place and suddenly, it’s as if all of the words inside of me have vanished.
Mr. Purcell looks completely calm as he rises to his full height.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lane, have a seat,” he says with a voice as smooth as silk. He extends an arm out to the two leather chairs sitting in front of his desk in a motion telling us to sit.
I immediately stammer.
“Oh no, we’re not married. This is my dad, not my husband,” I say, elbowing Randy beside me. My dad grunts something incoherent.
“Of course,” says Cameron Purcell, one black eyebrow raised with amusement. “I’m sorry. I just presumed.”
I stare at him with disbelief. Oh my god, he thought I was married to my dad? How can that be? Randy looks like he’s sixty, whereas I know I don’t look a day over twenty-two. Randy looks unkempt and disreputable, while I tried to look my most presentable this morning with a skirt and blouse. I even did my make-up and brushed out my curls, hoping to make a good impression. So how could Cameron Purcell think that I’m married to Randy?
But the CEO merely smiles at me again, and this time, I detect a bit of a smirk on that handsome face. Rage rushes through my chest as I realize he’s laughing at me. Oh my god, I wish I could punch him right now.
“Thanks,” I say tightly while sitting down in a chair. “I appreciate your time.”
Cameron smirks a bit again, and once more, I dream about punching him in that oddly-attractive cleft chin.
“So, what is this about?” he drawls, leaning back into his chair. I notice the perfect fit of his suit, and how the white of his dress shirt emphasizes the dark bronze of his skin.
I clear my throat and sit up straighter. It’s game time.
“Well, first off, Mr. Purcell, I want to thank you for seeing us today on such short notice, and to apologize for being behind on our rent. My father and I are very hardworking people and do our best to stay timely with our payments. However, this month has been difficult, and I’d like to request an extension, if possible.”
If I'm not mistaken, Cameron’s grinning now with amusement. It’s almost… insulting. He does his best to cover it by tracing his finger over the top of his lip.
“An extension for how long?” he asks.
I take a deep breath.
“A month?” I reply, feeling embarrassment seep in. “My father just lost his job last night, but I assure you he will find something soon. As I said, we’re very hardworking people and just need a bit of time.”
The amused expression continues to flit across Mr. Purcell’s lips. I fight the urge to narrow my eyes at this entitled asshole.
“And how do you know that your father will be able to get a new job soon? I’m not trying to patronize you, Miss Lane, but that is a possibility. Even if your father were to get a new job today, by the time he interviews, gets hired, signs his papers, trains, and officially starts, you’re looking at receiving his first paycheck in about two months’ time.”
I glare at him. This man is really starting to piss me off. I want to scream at him. I want to tell him that my father is a hardworking man with great references who will be hired immediately. But unfortunately, that’s not true. My dad is a hardworking man, but only for a matter of weeks until he loses his temper. That’s the truth.
Still trying to concoct an answer for Mr. Purcell, I gulp and open my mouth to speak, but I’m cut off by Randy’s grunt.
“Cut the shit, Mr. Purcell. Why are we playing games?”
Playing games? Oh no. My dad is going to butt in and ruin everything for us now. I shoot Randy a panicked look and raise my hand to interrupt.
“My father doesn’t know anything–” I begin, but Randy merely cuts me off again.
“Jessalyn,” he says. “Let me take over. You’re going to live with Mr. Purcell here. Just until we get enough money to cobble together rent.”
My mouth drops wide.
“What?” I snap, my attention flying back to my father. “Excuse me?”
Randy sighs and scratches behind his head like an itchy dog.
“You heard me. I called Mr. Purcell yesterday and offered you, in exchange for rent.”
My mouth literally drops open as I stare at him.
“You did what?”
My dad merely shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“How do you think we got this appointment today? You think Mr. Purcell usually talks to renters from the trailer park? No, sweetheart, I had to make a deal, and I did it. It ain’t easy to sell your daughter, but I’m lucky in this respect – you’re pretty, and Mr. Purcell is very open-minded.”
By now, I’m about to fall down from shock. My dad did what? And Cameron Purcell knew about this the entire time?
“I spoke with your father before this appointment, Jessalyn,” Mr. Purcell says in a smooth tone. “I’ve agreed to waive your father’s rent on one condition.”
My heart rate quickens.
“Oh really?” I say through gritted teeth. “And pray tell, what is that condition? That I have your babies and then … I don’t know, become your concubine?” I demand.
Cameron’s eyebrows go up.
“Would you do that? Have my children, I mean?”
I sputter, my face going red.
“This is totally crazy. Of course not! Why are we even having this conversation?”
But Cameron merely shrugs those broad shoulders.
“Just checking.”
I seethe at him.
“I’m going to kill you both,” I grind out through clenched teeth. “I’m going to be convicted for murder, but it will be worth it.”
Cameron merely sits back in his chair and smirks again.
“Your dad said you were sassy. I like it. You’ll do.”
I can’t believe this. This has got to be a joke, right? I stand up, grabbing my purse.
“Come on, Dad. We need to go. This guy is out of his mind.”
But Randy doesn’t budge. Instead, he just sits there, looking at me. There’s no remorse in my father’s eyes, but I’m not surprised. They’re full of emptiness as he looks at me.
“Come on, Randy,” I say again. “Let’s go. Now.”
But my dad merely takes out a cigarette and lights it in Cameron’s office, like he belongs there.
�
��Come on!” I practically scream at him. “Are you insane? This is unbelievable!”
Daddy scoffs.
“Quit your complaining, Jessalyn. Mr. Purcell here is making our lives easier.”
“Yeah, for you,” I say back to him. “But what about me?”
Mr. Purcell holds up a hand calmly.
“So long as you live with me, your father gets free rent,” he says, leaning back in his chair, as if totally unfazed by this crazy turn of events.
This can’t be happening. There’s no way this is real.
I look at Randy, but he avoids my eyes, picking at the crust of dirt underneath his fingernails.
My heart hurts, physically hurts, and tears swell in my eyes.
My dad just sold me, and I have no choice but to go.
* * *
To be continued …
The Billionaire’s Pet is now LIVE! Pick up your copy here.
Sneak Peek: My Sister’s Boyfriend
Catherine
Catherine’s got a huge crush on Mesa College’s handsome quarterback. The problem? Hunter is her sister’s boyfriend.
* * *
I don’t have to be a fly on the wall to know exactly what’s going on in my sister’s room. The grunts and moans as the mattress springs protest tell me all I need to know. It’s kind of irritating because I could have gone to live in the dorms at Mesa College, but was swindled into moving in with Angela instead.
My sister: a drop-dead gorgeous girl that every guy wants and every girl wishes they could be. Including me, if I’m being honest. Angela is thin and the epitome of a socialite. Everyone on campus knows her or knows of her. But what I don’t get is why she wanted to share an apartment with me. Sure, she thinks the dorms are beneath her, but as a senior, she would have qualified for a single, and our residence halls aren’t that bad. They were recently remodeled, and I kind of like the terracotta decor and blonde wood furniture. So why would Angela want to live with me, her dorky younger sister?
My eyes shift to the locked bedroom door. A deep moan filters through the wood, along with some panting sounds. I clap my hands to my ears trying to muffle the noises but then the headboard begins pounding against the wall, making them impossible to block out. Ka-thunk! Ka-thunk!
I grimace. I can’t help but wonder what our neighbors think of us. They probably think we have entire football teams over every night, judging from the noises that come from our side of the wall. They wouldn’t be totally wrong.
Hunter Brody, my sister’s boyfriend, is the star quarterback of Mesa College, and he’s gorgeous. Graphic images of his muscular body slick with sweat fill my head, and the tiniest bit of jealousy seeps into me. Why does Angela always have all the luck?
“Please,” I hear her voice plead breathily. At least that’s what I think she says as I slam the front door in the hopes of alerting them to my presence. Then, I jingle my keys loudly, and drop them on the floor on purpose. Hopefully, they can hear me above their ecstatic groans, but experience has shown that it doesn’t always work.
“Angie,” I call in a loud voice. “I’m home!” There’s no hiding my irritation. The last time I ‘interrupted,’ Angela reamed me a new one. But how am I going to study with all that clamor going on in the bedroom?
Unfortunately, all I hear are more moans.
“Yes… God please, more.” It’s my sister’s typical response to Hunter. Blushing, I look down. Hunter. His name describes him to a tee. His piercing blue eyes remind me of a glacier in the frozen Alaskan waters. I can envision him in a loincloth, that massive body on display with rippling abs, developed pecs, and thick tree-trunk thighs. He’s ungodly gorgeous, and everyone on campus recognizes him.
Deep grunts and heavy moans seep through the crack under the door, causing me to catch my breath. My sister is so lucky to be with Hunter. What would it feel like to have his hands there? Or his mouth here? I shake my head, trying to push out all thoughts of Hunter and Angela out of my mind. But my mouth waters when I close my eyes, once again imagining his rippled physique and carved musculature.
Then I snap back to reality. I shouldn’t be thinking about Hunter in this way because he’s my sister’s boyfriend. And who am I, compared to the beautiful and popular Angela Lauder?
“Deeper, now.” The throaty desperation in Angela’s voice makes me cringe as I move to the refrigerator and yank open the freezer door. A blast of cold air swirls around me as I stick my head into the small compartment. Arizona only has two temperatures: oven hot and nuclear. Today is borderline nuclear as I hunt inside for my favorite chocolate chip ice cream.
The banging of the headboard against the wall becomes louder and more insistent, and I can’t help but wonder who’s banging whom. Was Hunter ramming his hard cock deep into my sister, or was she riding him for all he was worth? I can only imagine the feeling of having someone so drop dead delicious inside me.
Swallowing hard, I try to moisten my dry throat. There’s no way I’ll be able to get anything done tonight. Not with that kind of racket going on. All I can do is snag a pint of ice cream from the freezer, steal a spoon from off the dish rack, and make a beeline for my room. The apartment isn’t anywhere big enough to drown out the sounds coming from Angela’s room, even with the television blaring.
Sighing heavily, I steal one more glance at my sister’s closed bedroom door. Heat floods me as if I’ve just stepped into a sauna. Every fiber in my body wants to be with Hunter. I’ve only ever exchanged a few words with the handsome quarterback, but still, I cling to the memories. Then, I make a face, disgusted with myself. Why would Hunter ever be interested in me?
From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There I am, a husky girl with a metal spoon lodged in her mouth and too many extra pounds to work off. My hair hangs like a damp towel over my shoulders, and my complexion is pasty pale, without even the slightest hint of a tan. I suppose my eyes are okay, being a nice chocolate brown, but most people can’t see my eyes from behind my thick glasses.
“Man, I wish I had my own place,” I mumble, taking refuge in my room. I kick a pile of clothes angrily, and a shirt flies through the air, landing all but three inches from where it originally was. Disgusted, I shake my head and move to the bed. The springs moan under my weight as I toe off my shoes.
“Here’s to another day,” I say, setting the ice cream down to unload my backpack. My shoulders burn from the pressure of the heavy tomes, but it’s a small price to pay for going to school. After all, I have big dreams. I want to get out of Mesa and have a life. Hopefully, as far from Angela as possible.
But right now, the moaning sounds are driving me insane. I close my eyes and lay back on the bed. The pint of ice cream rests against my thigh as I envision Hunter in my room. Hunter’s muscles roll as he runs his fingers through his deep black hair, and he flashes that charming smile, making me shiver.
Suddenly, my eyes pop open as I shoot up.
“I can’t do this. It’s too pathetic. I can’t be that girl.” Irritation rocks me even as my panties moisten. “That’s my sister’s boyfriend. I shouldn’t be thinking about Hunter and Angela doing … doing ...”
Once again, I find myself slipping into fantasy. Hunter is here with me, by me, running his fingers over my bare thigh and inching his fingertips up my leg. His icy blue eyes smolder with desire as he plays with the hem of my shorts.
“Hunter,” I mumble incoherently. Then, I jerk when something ice-cold touches my leg. Hunter? But no, it’s just the wet condensation from the ice cream container dripping down my thigh.
“Damn it, I really need to get a grip,” I say, rising to my feet. I snatch the pint off the bed and swallow one last spoonful out before cramming the lid back on.
Melted ice cream will just be one more thing for Angela to gripe about. Savoring that last bite, I move swiftly to my bedroom door and open it. Carefully, I pop my head out and scan the room. With no sign of Angela or Hunter, I tiptoe back into the kitchen to return the
ice cream to the freezer.
The sounds coming from the locked door are now muted. The hushed sound of voices greets my ears instead of the heavy-duty banging and clanging going on before. My eyes linger on the door. Does Hunter snuggle after sex? Or is he one of those guys who pushes the girl to the side? My heart flutters as I envision being snug in the nook of his arm, looking up at his handsome face as he drifts to sleep.
Then, a sharp click causes me to jump and startles me from my daydream. The last thing I want is to be caught lingering in the living room as he walks out. Nor do I want to catch a glimpse of my sister. Not after dreaming about her hunky boyfriend.
Bolting to my room, I shut my door just as I hear the other one opening. A piece of me wants to peek through the crack of my door to catch a glimpse of Hunter before he leaves, but I would never hear the end of it if I were caught.
“See you later then,” Angela says in her sing-song voice. He must have pounded her thoroughly for her to use that tone. The front door shuts, and Angela’s voice completely changes.
“I know you’re home, Catherine,” Angela snaps. Her voice is sharp, even though we have a door between us.
“Angela?” I call out, trying to sound surprised. “Is that you?”
The door snicks as it opens.
“Don’t play coy,” she frowns.
Quickly, I snatch my headphones from my backpack, and they’re on my ears before she steps into the room. With my heart thumping, I try to look as innocent as possible. My sister’s eyes narrow as she crosses her arms over her chest. She’s a beautiful ice queen with her rigidly narrow frame and frozen blue eyes.
“Listening to music?”
“It’s the only way to drown you out sometimes,” I say innocently.
“And what song is playing, may I ask?”
The Soldier Next Door: A Forbidden Romance Page 8
