Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Why is she desperate for cash?” I demand, my knuckles whitening around the phone. “A nurse in the department she works in makes decent money. Where the fuck is it all going?”
“To her mother, Evelyn Pierson,” Miller replies. “Diagnosed with a form of advanced, aggressive Parkinson’s disease. Six months ago, Corinne moved her into a specialized, long-term care facility about an hour outside of Seattle. It’s premium, the only one in the region with a dedicated neurological wing that treats patients with dignity. The only problem is, it costs a fortune and the insurance company capped her benefits last quarter. Corinne’s been footing the entire bill out of pocket.”
“And I’d guarantee everything in my bank account that nobody knows she’s going this alone,” I respond.
“From what I can surmise, you’d be right. The billing department is pounding at her door. If she doesn’t clear the arrears soon, they’ll transfer her mother out of there, and who knows where she’ll end up.” Neither of us says it, but we know what they’ll do. Evelyn will end up in a state-funded facility, getting the absolute least, or Cory will insist on taking care of her mother at home.
“Like hell they will.” The words slip out of my mouth before I could stop them, low and lethal.
“I figured you’d say something along those lines. I uploaded the full digital file to your server,” Miller says. “I’ll email you the remainder of my invoice as well.”
“Thank you. Is there anything else you’re not telling me over the phone?” I ask before concluding our call.
“Everything else is in the file. I don’t think you want me to talk about her last doctor’s appointment or her past partner.” I grunt my response.
“You’d be right. Thanks again.” I end the call before putting the phone back in the cradle with more force than necessary. And for a long time, I sit here. Corinne isn’t a reckless spender, she’s a woman fighting a war for her mother’s life, pulling brutal shift after brutal shift witnessing life and death while drowning in a mountain of medical bills, student loans, and keeping a roof over her head, all to keep her mother safe.
Fuck, guilt eats me up inside. If it weren’t for the board and their antiquated way of thinking when it comes to Sterling Capital, I’d forgo this plan of mine. As it stands, I can’t, which means my next order of business is calling my attorney to draft a contract along with a prenuptial agreement.
The sexual chemistry between us is mutual, a fuse waiting to spark to life. I’ll give her the financial security to ensure her mother receives the best care in Washington for the rest of her days. I’ll also wipe out her student loans and medical debt with a single click of a button. And in return, she’ll wear my diamond, share my last name, and stand by my side as my wife.
Our marriage of convenience won’t only save my reputation with the board and her mother, it’s also my golden meal ticket to make Cory mine. I wake my computer up with a wiggle of my mouse, waiting for the notification that signals Miller’s file and bill’s arrival. Now all that’s left to do is convince the minx that this is the only way. And I’ll do that with more than a signature. I’ll do it with my mouth, my fingers, and my cock if need be.
CHAPTER SIX
corinne
“Make it stop.” I fumble around for the shrill, demanding buzz of my phone that shattered sleeping in today. I bury my face into my pillow as I wrap my hand around the offensive device.
“Mmm… hellowww?” I don’t bother checking the caller ID before bringing it to my ear and answering with a thick, sleep-addled voice.
“Wake up, beautiful.” His voice trickles through the speaker, deep, low, and vibrating through the phone, hitting me right between my legs. My pussy pulses and the orgasm I gave myself earlier all but dissipates, leaving me with a clawing need to grab my toy again.
“Dom?” I blink, trying to clear the sleep from my head. “What time is it?” I roll to my back and throw my forearm over my eyes to shield me from the bright light shining through the open blinds.
“Time for you to start the day. We’re having lunch today,” he says with a faint rumble of amusement.
“Are you asking me or telling me?” I sigh. My body is screaming at me to hang up and bury my head in the sand.
“I’m not taking no for an answer, if that tells you anything.”
“Dom, I can’t. I have a million and one things to do today. Can I take a raincheck?” My list is as long as my arm and it also includes researching other avenues of revenue.
“Nope. Get your pretty self out of bed. I’m hungry.” He’s infuriatingly stubborn. His last word is also full of a double entendre, and it has my thighs sliding together to relieve an ache only he can give me.