Hot Billionaire's House: So Hot Billionaires, #17

By Melody Love

Kendra is a waitress at a local sandwich and coffee shop whose struggling to get by. Just when she feels like she's hit rock-bottom, she gets an unexpected call; she's inherited her great aunt's house. Not knowing this was even a possibility, she's shocked. But there's a catch. She was only gifted half of the house. The other half of the house was gifted to a workaholic, egotistical billionaire, Easton. 

 

The house is run down and Kendra has dreams of fixing it up to live in one day. Easton sees the inheritance as a burden and thinks the house just needs to be demolished. How will two complete strangers agree on what to do with the home? But when a house fire leaves Easton homeless, he has no other choice but to move in to the house he can't stand.

 

Two complete strangers living together is bound to be a disaster or a happily ever after. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM
• Release date: May 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393773467

Book preview

HOT BILLIONAIRE'S HOUSE

By Melody Love

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2020 Melody Love

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Chapter 1 - Easton POV Monday

I always hated Mondays. Not because it meant the start of a long work week, but because it usually meant dealing with Minnesota traffic.

I never really thought I would have ended up in real estate. In fact, when I was a kid, I’d always thought I’d become a doctor and help people who needed brain surgery. I had always dreamed of living some place warm, like Jamaica. I guess life had a way of making its own twist and turns because I ended up working in the cold climate of Minneapolis. The good news is that I ended up making a pretty good salary in Minnesota. That’s the primary reason that I stayed.

Easton. My secretary, Janice rapped on the door and peeked in her head.

Yes, Janice? I looked up from a huge pile of paperwork and awaited her reply.

You’ve got a call from Miller and Moore Law Firm. She raised her brows. I thought for a second. Miller and Moore Law Firm didn’t ring any bells. Maybe I had queried them for a past client? I scratched my head for a second then shrugged. At the rate I worked, there was no telling who it might be on the phone. I was always working on some kind of real estate deal that required my attention, so I figured it must have been somebody who knew me from a recent call.

Go ahead and put them through. I nodded my head at Janice, then reached across my desk to pick up the phone.

Easton Sharp speaking. How many I help you? I reclined in my chair.

Good morning, Easton. My name is Craig Miller. I have some important news to share with you. I furrowed my brow. The man’s voice did not sound familiar to me. I hope this is a good time?

Yes, Craig. Now is fine. I was intrigued by the meaning behind the phone call so I decided I’d better continue the conversation. I took a sip of my coffee, now cold, and waited for him to continue.

Well, I’ve got some great news for a Monday morning, Easton. Craig continued. You’ve inherited a house. My jaw dropped and I nearly spit out my coffee.

What? I leaned forward in my chair with widened eyes.

Yes, it’s true. Craig chuckled and continued. I actually called because I need you to come sign some paperwork in my office.

I’m kind of dumbfounded. I ran my hands through my hair and took another sip of my coffee. I mean, you called me out of the blue to tell me that I’ve inherited a house? It sounded far-fetched, but being in real estate for as long as I had been, nothing was too surprising to me anymore.

The house belonged to a woman named Connie, Craig started. The wheels started turning in my mind but nothing was clicking. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d met anyone named Connie.

Does she live in Michigan? Did I meet her through my real estate firm? I tried to think of where I might have known a Connie from but my mind just drew up blanks.

I think it will make a lot more sense to you when you hear the details. When do you think we can meet? Craig asked. I scrolled through my phone and tried to make sense of my calendar. There were so many appointments taking up the spaces that I could barely see what day of the week it was.

I’m pretty booked this week. I sighed and then bit my lower lip. Working real estate always meant long and often unpredictable hours. I wasn’t sure how I’d be able to fit in another appointment. Where are we meeting, by the way? I realized I might need to set aside travel time for this paper-signing, too.

I’m in Michigan, said Craig.

Okay. I continued scrolling through my phone hoping to find at least one day that wasn’t booked.

How about next Monday? That would give you a solid week to make arrangements. I nodded my head and then clicked on the Monday bar on my phone calendar.

Sounds good. I actually have the weekend and Monday open. I was surprised at the coincidence and eager to find out more about the supposed inheritance.

Great. Let’s meet at my office. It is directly across from the Dorchester Inn on 2nd Street. You’ll be able to find it easily from the airport.

Sounds perfect. How does noon work? I knew that I’d be able to get to Michigan by Monday because I had Sunday completely open.

Works for me. Noon it is. Craig hung up and I sat my phone on my lap.

Connie, I said out loud and rolled my pencil back and forth on my desk. I still couldn’t think of who this woman might be and it was starting to make me insecure. What if it was a woman I’d slept with? What if she had some kind of dirt on me and I was in an unpleasant surprise? I was beginning to get nervous about the entire meeting.

I got up out of my chair and walked to the large bay window that overlooked Minneapolis. That’s when it hit me. Connie. I could see part of her face now. It was coming back to me. Connie was the elderly woman who lived down the street from me as a child. She lived in the old stone farmhouse on the corner and fed all the stray cats.

I closed my eyes and tried to picture her again. It made me realize just how long-ago childhood had been and I sighed. Connie McGrady lived alone from what I could remember. She always waved and smiled at the kids who rode their bikes through the neighborhood. I remembered that much. Back then I was the leader of the pack, always racing along the streets on my bike and jumping over curbs in an attempt to outsmart my imaginary enemies.

Why would Connie McGrady want me to take her house? I scratched my chin and walked from the window back to my chair. It didn’t really make sense. I wondered what my parents would think of old Connie McGrady leaving me her inheritance, so I sent them both a quick text in an effort to share the surprising news. My mother and father still lived in Michigan, so it might be a good opportunity to stop in and pay them a visit. I didn’t get back home to Michigan much these days, so it would be almost sacrilege to go home without seeing them. I glanced at my phone and wondered what would happen next.

My parents and I hadn’t talked a whole lot over the years. It wasn’t because I had anything against them. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I got along great with both of my parents and I loved both of them very much. I had grown up spending a lot of time with my father. When I was a boy, we often spent many weekends on fishing trips together. We also loved to go camping in the state parks.

My mother was always a solid support for me, even when she didn’t always agree with my choices. I thought it was important that she allowed me to forge my own path and I admired the fact that she was able to offer her blessing for whatever I did, even if she thought she knew better.

When I ventured in to the real estate world, my father had been quick to praise me. My mother, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure that I was making the right choice. She wanted to see me meet a girl and get married. I couldn’t really blame her. I was already in my thirties and hadn’t dated anyone in some time. I knew she just wanted to see me settle down and be happy. My sister had already met the guy of her dreams and was on her way to making a family by the time I moved to Minneapolis and got hired at my agency. I was more concerned with making money and rising to the top of the career ladder.

After just a few years, I had made more money than I’d ever expected. It was a relief to be on my own and be thriving. I knew plenty of guys my age who were still living at home with their parents and I knew for sure I wasn’t going to be like them. I wanted my parents to be proud of me and I was pretty certain they were. If I could just meet a girl that they approved of, I’d have the whole package, I thought with a sigh.

Chapter 2 - Kendra POV Monday

I took a deep breath and high-tailed it for the waitress station. Monday afternoons weren’t usually busy but I was getting slammed. Didn’t think we’d ever see so many people in for turkey sandwiches in one day. I laughed and leaned back against the counter. One of the bus-boys shook his head.

You’re telling me. I’ve got like five tables to clear and there’s a group waiting on a table for five. I’m not complaining, though. I need the tips!

Same here. I raised my brows and grabbed a quick sip of water. I can’t wait for the day that I’ll be living large, not waiting tables anymore. I took out my phone and scanned for anything exciting to take my mind off work. Nothing but the same Instagram posts and Facebook feeds popped up. I was just about to slide it back in my pocket when I heard the familiar bird chirping notification sound for my voice mail.

Weird, I frowned. I didn’t usually get phone calls during work. I checked the missed call and didn’t recognize the number. I took another sip of my water and then turned around to go back into the kitchen. Hallie came bounding around the corner.

Is it me or are we super busy today? Hallie shook her head and plopped her empty tray on the counter behind the waitress station.

You are correct, girl. I nodded my head in agreement and then whirled around to leave. Hey. Hallie. Can you cover my section for five minutes? I have a missed call that I want to get. I knew I could count on Hallie because she was my go-to gal, my best friend and confidante.

No problem. Take your time. Hallie scrawled on her order book and then made a few Cokes behind the station. I walked quickly back to the kitchen and then hid behind a tall stack of dishes where the noise was at bay. I hit the voicemail option and then placed the receiver on my ear in anticipation.

Good afternoon, Kendra, a man’s voice spoke on the message. My name is Craig Miller from Miller and Moore Law Firm. I’ve got some important news to share with you. It’s important that you call me back as soon as possible so that we can discuss this issue in detail. I have some crucial information about a house that you have inherited.

I slid my phone back into my pocket and bit my lower lip. What on Earth could this guy want from me? And what was this business about an inherited house? Probably a scam, I thought. But on second thought, the guy sounded like he knew me somehow. I couldn’t make sense of it and shook my head back and forth, trying to think of any possible reason that I’d have for such a phone call. I didn’t have any late bills this month and I was caught up on my rent. Besides, I knew all the usual suspects who might call me for those problems and none of them were named Craig.

Everything okay? Hallie gave me a concerned look when I breezed by her on the floor.

I think so. I frowned and placed my tray on the waitress stand that was popped up in my section. I got a weird message from some guy named Craig. I shrugged and then wiped off my table and straightened out the salt and pepper shakers.

You think it’s legit? Hallie asked while clearing some empty glasses from her tables.

I have no idea. I shook my head slowly back and forth and then placed a hand on my hip. I mean, he sounded pretty serious to me, but with my luck, it’s a prank and I’ll end up with my identity stolen when all is said and done. I gave a sarcastic laugh and then flipped my hair over my shoulder. The lunch rush had died down considerably and a quiet stillness covered the sandwich shop.

Well, you be careful. Don’t call that guy back if you get any weird vibes, said Hallie, always looking out for my best interest.

Yeah, I’ll have to think about it, I agreed. I’ll have to think about it and maybe call him back after work if the suspense gets the best of me. I knew that with my curious nature, it would be too hard to sleep at night knowing that someone had bona fide news to share with me about an inheritance.

Kendra, want to pick up one last table of four? Allison the hostess walked casually from the front lobby. I know the rush is over, but this could be a big tipper for you, she winked. I nodded. Turning away a table meant turning away a tip, so I always agreed to take extras.

Hello. Welcome to the Sunnyside Café. Can I start you out with some drinks? I quickly greeted my new table as they were sat and then waited quietly for them to place their orders. The brief pause in action gave me a chance to ponder the voice mail once more. Who was Craig and why would I have inherited a house? I just couldn’t get his message out of my mind.

We’ll have a round of iced teas. The man at the head of the table spoke up and I scribbled his order in my book.

Be back in just a few, I smiled and then bounded away to the waitress station. After filling up four iced teas and dropping them off at the table, I began feeling impatient. I wanted to finish my shift, go home and shower, then prepare myself for this phone call.

Can I take your lunch order? I smiled and scrawled down the table’s order: two turkey club specials, a cup of tomato bisque soup, an order of bruschetta and a basket of homemade bread. Then I headed back to the kitchen, entered the list into the computer screen and took a deep breath. Hallie came in the kitchen and gave me a concerned look.

Don’t sweat it too much, Kendra. She grabbed an apple cobbler from the dessert cart and placed it on her tray. Look at it this way. If it’s a legitimate message, your life just might take on an interesting new twist.

And if not? I cocked my head to the side and folded my hands across my chest. Hallie chuckled.

If not, you will still be a highly sought-after waitress in my shop and you will plod along with persistence as usual. She winked and then kicked open the door with her foot. I smiled and then sighed. Hallie was always right.

It felt like an eternity getting finished with my last table. I rolled some silverware as side-work from an empty booth in the back, craning my neck every five minutes to see if they looked ready to pay. Eventually, the man placed a credit card on the table and I appeared like a fairy by his side, taking the card to the kitchen and running it through the machine.

Have a great day and thank you for visiting Sunnyside Café. I smiled and placed the check with the credit card on the table. Once they had left the restaurant, I slipped into tornado mode, wiping all my tables, putting out new table settings and straightening the chairs before finally making my grand departure for the day.

Well, here goes nothing. I sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed my hands together. What would Craig say when he heard my voice? Would he even answer the phone? My mind ran amok and my fingertips trembled. I would never know the answer to any of my questions unless I called, so I quickly dialed and waited.

Miller and Moore Law Firm. Can I help you? A woman with a cheery voice answered.

Yes. My name is Kendra and I’m returning a call from Craig Miller. I tried not to sound apprehensive but I could hear the tremble in my voice.

Mr. Miller is in a meeting. I’ll have to put you through to his voice mail, the woman replied. I felt instant disappointment. Oh, wait. Actually, Mr. Miller just got back to the office. Let me put you through. I held my breath and waited with bated breath.

Craig Miller speaking. A crisp male voice spoke and my hear skipped a beat.

Hello, Mr. Miller. I’m Kendra Bundy. I tried not to sound nervous. You left me a message? I leaned on the edge of my bed and twisted the silver ring on my finger. The silence was intense and I grew impatient.

"Yes, Kendra. Thank you for your prompt reply. As you know, my name is Craig Miller and