Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
My jaw drops with astonishment.
“Trillion dollar? Surely, you mean, millions or even a billion.”
Liam grins, his teeth white against his tanned skin.
“No, I mean trillion,” he says. “I’m already a billionaire, so another billion wasn’t going to be a big deal. But yeah, I guess the board believes in me, and believes that I’ve earned my salary. So a trillion dollars it is. It’s not a hundred percent cash,” he explains. “And it’s not going to be paid out all at once either. It’s a mixture of stock, stock options, retirement benefits, as well as cash, so there are a lot of things thrown into the mix.”
Still, I’m so surprised that I’m speechless.
“Wow,” I murmur. “Just wow.”
Liam grins again.
“Yeah, it’s a big wow, but actually, I do need the money, believe it or not. One of my companies is into space exploration, and one day, we’re hoping to colonize Mars. That’s going to cost a fuck ton, and I’m already resigned to the fact that most likely, I’ll be the one funding the effort.”
“Colonize Mars?” I gasp. “Really? That sounds like out of a science fiction novel.”
“Yep,” Liam grins. “It basically is, but I think we can do it. I believe in the potential of the human race, and this is a vote of confidence in humanity as a whole. With the right resources, timing, and people, as well as a stroke of luck, I believe that we can do it.”
I’m astonished and impressed by this handsome man because I figured I was here to service a run-of-the-mill CEO. I figured my client would be some dude who’s rich up the wazoo, and who can buy anything he wants, from fancy houses to exotic sports cars.
But Liam Carrington is at another level because he’s not about the material, although obviously he has plenty. Instead, this man dreams big and wants to help humanity. He’s not just about himself; he’s about moving the human race forwards as a whole.
You are out of your league, Avalon, the voice in my head remarks. You’re just a lowly barista, and here you are, chatting with a man who leads not one, but two companies.
Yes, but people aren’t their jobs either, another voice in my head retorts in return. People are more than their nine to fives.
Still, I can’t contain my feeling of awe, and stare at Liam.
“So you must work all the time.”
“I do,” he acknowledges in a wry tone. “I’m on the clock constantly, and that’s partially why I have this cabin. It’s remote, and people know not to bother me when I’m here. Plus, sometimes signal goes down, so what can I say? They’re not getting a response today, tomorrow, or even later this week.”
I giggle.
“But surely, as CEO you don’t feel compelled to respond to everything.”
“No, I don’t, and it would be impractical,” he acknowledges. “But there’s a lot of shit that does require my attention, and it builds up. I can’t get away from it forever, but at least being here gives me a bit of respite.”
Then, he reaches forward and pulls me into his lap. “Okay, enough about my jobs because that shit is boring. What I want is more of this curvy body to sate my appetite,” he growls in my ear. “Are you done with breakfast? Ready for another round, sweetheart?”
Of course, there’s only one right answer, and soon, we’re in the bedroom again with Liam’s massive horse cock buried tight in my wet pussy as we moan with pleasure. It feels so good and I can’t think coherently while we’re making love. But in the back of my mind, my brain’s whirling with what ifs, and what could bes? After all, Liam Carrington is a catch and any woman would be ecstatic to be seen on his arm. Then again, I’m a nobody. I’m Plain Jane Avalon Leigh, who works as a barista, scrimping to make ends meet. Why would a trillionaire want me? Still, the high hopes make me giddy with wishfulness and desire … and it’s not a crime to dream big, just like Liam’s taught me.
7
Avalon
I frown and sigh with exasperation. I just got a text from Liam that says he’s not going to be home for dinner tonight. Again.
I’m disappointed, and yet I know I shouldn’t be because life has already thrown me so many curveballs that the unexpected has become expected. Yet I still feel let down at his absence because I want to be with my man. I want us to share a meal together and spend time chatting about everything and nothing, shooting each other special glances along the way before retiring to the master bedroom upstairs for night of sexy hijinks.
After all, I’m no longer an impoverished barista scraping by. Instead, after the rendezvous at the cabin, my liaison with Liam continued. After returning to St. Cloud, I was breathless with excitement for a few days, hoping that the billionaire would contact me. But of course he didn’t, and disappointed, I fell into a slump. Except during my Thursday shift, a text from an unknown number came through.