The Billionaire and the Cleaner by Sam Crescent Read Free Book Online Page B

“You’re conceited.”
    “I’m telling the truth. I know what I’m doing.”
    Lana shook her head. “Get me to this exhibition. I think
looking at art will be easier to deal with than listening to you.”
    After a few minutes passed, Kent started talking about his
family.
    “I’ve got two brothers and two sisters. All four of them are
settled down with families.”
    “You’re the only one single?”
    “Yes, see why I need you tomorrow? My parents are going to
be talking non-stop about settling down.”
    “I’m a perfect distraction.”
    “Exactly,” he said.
    “Where do you come in? Are you the oldest or youngest?” she
asked, intrigued.
    “Seth’s the oldest. Then I was born, followed by Eric. Dawn
and Sophie come next in the line. My parents were childhood sweethearts. They
fell in love during high-school, and my mom was pregnant with Seth at
seventeen.”
    “Wow, you’re a big family.”
    “Seth’s two years older than I am.”
    “Your parents sound amazing,” she said, wishing she had some
great family story to tell him. She didn’t even know who her father was. Her
mother slept around to earn extra money to drink her way to the bottom. There
were times she’d seen some of the guys from school leaving her mother’s bedroom.
That was the most embarrassing of all. They bullied Lana during school, and yet
they were sleeping with her mother when they got the chance.
    “They really are. However, being forty-five without children
is horrid for them. They want me to have the same as what they had. It drives
me crazy.”
    “They want what’s best for you.”
    He nodded.
    Kent fell silent.
She didn’t push him even though she was desperate to know what he was thinking.
    “During high-school and college I was in love with my best
friend, Tonya. She was amazing. I loved her, and we were a couple. I talked
with her about everything. There were no secrets between us.”
    He pulled up outside the art exhibition.
    “She’s married to Seth.”
    Lana gasped. “Is that one of the reasons you’ve never
settled down?”
    “My family thinks so, and so does Seth. I thought it was a
reason, but I don’t think it is. I haven’t found the right woman to spend the
rest of my life with. Tonya can’t change who she fell in love with. I wasn’t
the guy for her.”
    He turned the engine off. There were no tears in his eyes,
but there was a frown on his face.
    ****
    Why did he share that with her? Kent didn’t like people knowing he
was vulnerable. Tonya had broken his heart, and he’d seen the guilt in her eyes
during the numerous visits he’d made to his family home.
    “I’m so sorry,” Lana said.
    “Don’t worry about it. It was a long time ago. We’re here.”
He took the keys out of the ignition then made his way around to her side of the
car. Lana was already out, waiting for him.
    “Thank you for telling me.” She wrapped her arms around his
neck and held him close. Her soft breasts pressed to the front of his shirt. Tugging
her in tight, he ran his arms over her back. It wasn’t enough, not nearly
enough for what he wanted to do with her.
    He held her, relishing the closeness.
    She smiled up at him. Her face was flushed. “Are you taking
me inside?”
    “Yeah.” He took her hand and
led her inside.
    “I’m so happy to be with you,” she said.
    “I’m happy to be with you, too.” Kent had to admit he enjoyed their
time together even without the sex.
    Together they walked into the small art exhibit. He spotted
several of his friends including John.
    “There are a lot of people here.” She moved closer to his
side. Placing an arm at her waist Kent escorted her through to the
bar.
    “Do you want anything to drink?” he asked.
    “No, tea or water will be fine,” she said. His friends
hadn’t spotted him yet. He didn’t want them to see her. Once they saw her,
they’d try to stick their noses into his business. He liked to keep his
personal business private. Also, he liked