The Billionaire and the Cleaner(18)
Author: Sam Crescent

She nodded.

“From what I’ve read, you’re a lucky woman. He’s got a history of violence under his belt. Women are terrified of him. He lost his job at the bank a few months ago, and from what I’ve found out, things are tight. Frank likes to live a luxurious lifestyle. He can’t afford it and is looking for someone to help fund the bill.”

Tears filled her eyes as she dropped the file. “I never knew he was like that. I mean, he said horrid things and sometimes his anger got the better of him. I thought I was the one to bring it out of him. I can’t believe he was the same person. He loved his job, or at least I thought he did.”

She folded her arms over her chest.

“What information does he have on you?” Kent asked.

“You didn’t buy the information?”

“No, you’re my friend. I’d rather hear it from your lips.”

Lana let out a sigh. “I’m sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusions, and thank you for that guy. Knowing this,” she pointed at the folder, “Frank would have gotten violent. I’d never use our friendship for his personal gain. I can’t believe I never knew this.”

Kent got up and went around his desk. He pulled her against his body and held her tightly.

“I don’t have a very good past. I don’t like talking about it, Kent. I was never on drugs or anything. It was just a pretty bad start to life. That was all.”

He’d figured that much out with her having no pictures in her apartment or talking about her family. Lana kept herself closed off from the world. His family liked her and looked forward to her spending Christmas with them.

“Hey, Frank is out of the picture. He’s not going to spoil your life anymore. You’ve got me,” Kent said. From the day at his home where she’d promised he would always have her, Kent had made a promise to himself to always be there for her. He’d hired Mitch, the guy who followed her to keep her safe. Kent got daily reports, and when the call came through of Frank harassing her, he wished he’d been the guy with her and not Mitch.

“Thank you. I know I can count on you.” She rested her head against his chest. Stroking her hair, Kent closed his eyes and relished the feel of her in his arms.

“Am I forgiven?”

“Yes. I could never stay mad at you for long, Kent.”

They stood in his office for several minutes. He didn’t want to break the cuddle off. Kent loved the feel of her in his arms. He’d sworn off women. The only woman he cared about was in his arms.

He’d talked with his parents about how he felt, and they agreed with him to take it slow. His mother and father adored her. They thought she was sweet, but they also felt sorry for her. She was clearly used to not having any affection toward her.

Kent wanted to give her the world.

She pulled away. “I better get started. I don’t want you phoning the firm and telling them I’m becoming lazy.”

He’d never do that. In fact, he’d already agreed to give her a large bonus. She should receive it at the end of week in time for her to go shopping with him. He’d settled everything with the firm.

When she’d been in the shower one night, he’d gone hunting for the safe with the bills she worked out. He’d gone through her paperwork and started leaving money in the safe, and when he didn’t get chance to put it in the safe, he left it around her apartment. Kent figured leaving her money lying around on surfaces or slotted inside books would be more realistic.

One day he’d purposefully placed some money in a cook book. He’d opened the page in the kitchen and stared at her.

“Are you leaving enough money in books now to pay for ingredients?”

Lana had frowned when she saw the two bills laid in the page.

Kent made sure not to leave her too much in case she got suspicious. He also upped her wages through the company. She’d been excited at getting a raise.

These were the little things he could do for her. She still refused to let him pay for a television or a cell phone. It wouldn’t be long until he got his way. He looked forward to seeing her face on Christmas morning.

His parents were excited about having her in the family. Penny looked forward to getting in touch with her when he got her the cell phone.

“I’ve got a few things to do here. Are there any leftovers at your place?” Kent asked.

“No, I’m dry until Friday. I’m living off stale bread and ham.”

He chuckled. “Then tonight is your lucky night. You’re coming back to my place.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ve got food, and I intend to feed you.”

“Okay.” She moved out of his office and started working. He went back to his desk to finish signing some of the letters he’d not gotten around to during the day. Every now and again he looked up to find her bent over a desk, showing him her glorious ass.

Moaning, he covered his eyes and forced himself to concentrate on the document in front of him. His feelings for Lana were growing. He didn’t know how much longer he could cope with just being her friend.

Chapter Eleven

Tiredness consumed Lana, and for once she was pleased she wasn’t cooking. Kent drove them to his apartment. Her eyes widened at the sheer size of the building in front of her. He punched in some numbers, and then he was driving underneath the building.

“You live here?” she asked.

“Yeah. It’s nothing like my parents’ home, but this is where I live when I’m not with them.”

“This is insane. I can’t believe you want to spend time with me when you could be here.”

“It’s lonely, Lana.”

She kept her mouth closed after that statement. Kent had opened his heart to her the last time they were at his parents’ house.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He parked the car, and together they made their way up to his apartment. She stared at their reflections in the metal door of the elevator. Kent wore a designer business suit while she wore her cleaning uniform. They were like chalk and cheese.

Her old tattered purse dangled in front of her legs. They were polar opposites of each other. Dropping her gaze from their reflections, Lana stared at her trainer pumps. She spotted a tomato grease stain from one of the kids she’d served in the diner. Pulling a tissue out of her bag she dropped down and started cleaning the mess from her shoe. She hated mess, and she couldn’t believe she hadn’t seen the stain on her shoe before now.