Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
“Hello, Mr. Ames.”
“I need you to do me a favor.” There are going to be some major changes in my life, and I need her assistance more than ever.
“Of course, Sir.”
“I’m heading into the office, and I might need to take some time off.” She coughs on the other end. I twist my lips in annoyance. Yes, we have almost two weeks until the holiday. It’s not like we are days away. People work on Christmas Day. “Don’t act like it’s a big deal.”
“Sir, you haven’t had time off in…”
“In ten years. I know.” It’s another fucking reason I hate Christmas. My mother was killed in a car accident while Christmas shopping, looking for a stupid gift for the neighbor who was having an affair with my father. I found out after my mother died. Since then, I haven’t spoken to either of them. I’d just made my first million. I’d been so happy to share the news with my mother on the phone. We were talking about how it would be a great Christmas, and she couldn’t wait until there were grandbabies so that Christmas would be like magic again.
“Sir?” My assistant’s voice chirps through my distasteful memories.
“Yes?” I respond.
“I said, what do you need me to do?”
“Oh, yes. Prepare the meeting materials with Ace Investments and Devlin Securities tomorrow.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll take care of that as soon as I get home.”
“I said take care of it tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
I’m a brutal boss, but I understand it’s Sunday. I consider having her look up the woman who lives across from my sister, but then I don’t want her in my personal life. I don’t like anyone in my private life. Not that I have one to begin with. I have almost every dollar I earned plus interest that I didn’t reinvest back into my financial firm because I don’t have a life outside of work.
I drive straight to my condo building and sigh at the large wreath that hangs above the garage entrance. If that falls on someone’s car, that will be a massive lawsuit. I can’t believe they wasted funds on that bullshit. I pull into my personal spot and then park. Cutting the engine, I get a text from my sister.
Chloe: Are you really coming back tonight? I can make dinner?
Parker: I am, but I can pick up dinner. What do you want?
I go upstairs, take a quick shower, and then put on new clothes. Then I head to my laptop in my office. Let’s find out who you are, little pink princess. I entered her address for the property records, finding the owner to be Caroline Cole. Next, I’m pulling a quick background search on my little beauty just to learn a bit of basics because I can’t help myself.
And two hours later, my phone rings. “Hey, dick. Where are you?” my sister complains. Fuck. I completely let time get away from me.
“Oh shit. Sorry, Sis. I’m on my way right now. I got carried away with work.” I quickly tuck everything into my office drawer and turn off my laptop. Then I lock my office and slip on my winter coat and scarf. I’m glad I was smart enough to wear my other coat to do outdoor work.
“I’m sure. What’s new?” she scoffs because it’s the truth, or at least that’s almost always the case.
Chapter Two
Caroline
I almost feel guilty for staring at his butt and then startling him until he rudely yelled at me. He is a jerk, the finest jerk in the world. Taller than any man should be allowed to be when I’m only five-four, and too damn built. He had on a puffy sports coat, and I could still make out his broad, muscular physique underneath. The man has to be at least six four. A whole giant foot taller than me. What the heck was he worried about falling for? The snow was nearly up to his thigh. He would have had a safe landing, or at least I tell myself that after being so careless.
I’ve never felt so guilty and angry at the same time. As soon as he saw me, his tone changed. I know guys like that. They see a cute chick, and they change their tune, but I’m not playing that game. Besides, I have no idea who he is. This is only the second time I’ve seen him since I moved in. He could be a family member or her husband. I’m always working, so it’s not like I keep an eye on people’s schedules. I hope for her sake he isn’t her man because he was clearly trying to flirt with me, and that is so repulsive.
I rush off and go to the grocery store. When I return, the handsome guy is gone. I send up a silent prayer because that means I won’t have to see him again for at least a couple of weeks.