Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
5
LUCY
I dreamt last night like I’ve never dreamt before. Normally my dreams are not quite nightmares, but they’re something close. I often wake up feeling anxious, with things on my mind like What am I going to do today? or Did I forget anything from my planner yesterday? or Am I behind on any of my long-term projects?
But last night I dreamt like a baby. It was like Jason sedated me when we got back to his bedroom.
The only things I can remember about my dreams last night are images – images of big, strong, masculine arms wrapped around me. A hard, buff chest and a chiseled jaw, and of course caramel-brown eyes staring right into mine.
I wake up and stretch and immediately recognize that I’m in Jason’s bed. Jason Rooke’s bed.
How did any of this happen?
I had everything planned out. My trip to the Philippines, showing up early to the airport, my to-go bag, and then everything went off the rails. My flight was delayed, but what came of it? I met one of the richest men in the world and lost my virginity to him. What are the chances?
I roll to my side, expecting to see him sleeping beside me, but see nothing but an empty bed.
“Of course,” I say to myself. “Probably up for a 4 a.m. gym workout, or whatever.”
These billionaire types. Always up and at ‘em. Doing something to make more money. How much is he worth, anyway? It occurs to me I don’t even know how old he is either, so I grab my phone and Google him:
Jason Rooke, 31 years old.
Estimated Net Worth, 119 billion dollars.
I gasp. That’s a number I can’t even get my head around. I can’t even imagine what I would do with that much money. Paying off my college tuition would be like buying a Frappuccino to him. He wouldn’t even notice it. But at least he doesn’t look like one of those dickheads who wears like a watch with ten acres of diamonds on it so he can show off to everybody. I mean, his car was incredible, but still…
I slide out of bed and call out for him. There’s no answer, so I decide to head for the attached master bathroom and take a shower, but it’s then I see the note on the bedside table.
Had some very important work business to attend to. The house is yours! Whatever you need! And Frank will take you to the airport whenever you need him to. Sorry I couldn’t be there with you. Call me when you get back.
At the bottom there’s a heart beside his name, along with his number.
I smile, feeling warm and pixielike as I add his contact to my phone and send a smiley face text along with my name, not expecting a response any time soon. He is dealing with business stuff, after all.
I shower in a master bathroom the size of most people’s apartments, freshen up, then go downstairs, where I find a small acai bowl in the fridge, along with plenty of other fresh ingredients, along with another note from Jason.
This bowl is delicious. Make anything else you’d like. I know you’re a fantastic cook.
Laughing to myself, I make a couple of scrambled eggs with scallions, a slice of toast, and finish it off with the acai bowl. It is delicious, just as he said it would be.
According to my phone, my flight is in four hours, so I’ll need to get going soon if I want to get through the traffic, into the city, through security, and to my gate again. So I do my hair, get changed and head out front, and just like Jason said, Frank is out there waiting for me with the car.
Wow, this is how it feels to be part of the one percent.
“So think it’s actually happening this time?” Frank asks me as we pull out from the house.
“Let’s hope so,” I chuckle. “I’ve got plans over there that I’ve already spent money on!”
“Philippines, eh? How long will you be there?”
“Just shy of four months. I’ll be back right before school starts.”
“Ship off to Asia, then ship off to college, huh?” Frank remarks. “You’re not a gal who likes to sit still, I take it?”
His comment gives me a moment of pause. “I’ve never thought about it that way, but I guess yeah – you might be right.”
Four Months Later…
Still no word from Jason. That may not be his fault, though. He never texted me back before I actually got to the Philippines, which I understand – he could have been busy at work – and then as it turns out, when you actually get to the Philippines, you can’t just use your same US number like you’re still in the US, because duh, you’re not in the US.