The Rental: The Rental, #1

By Linda Mooney

In need of extra income, Dane Caravelle applies for a new program that allows other people to "rent" her and lets them essentially live her life. This groundbreaking scientific technology is meant to allow those who may be disadvantaged or disabled to experience a normal life. Although it requires rigorous testing to become a rental, Dane is ecstatic when she's approved.

 

She's nervous in the beginning and is assured she won't even know when her renter is observing her unless she checks the app, but that hasn't been her experience. Nudges here and there. Feeling as if someone is watching her. And was that a man she saw reflected in her eyes when she looked in the mirror? The program promised only females would be paired with females. Who is he? Or rather, what is he?

 

The nudges turn into phone calls, then voicemails, and she quickly learns that we're definitely not alone in this universe. There are others other there, other species from other worlds, and they're just looking to survive…or so she's told. Despite warnings from her friends, she agrees to help the stranger. But is this "alien" real, or is she being led on? Either way, she discovers she's grown to care for him.

 

And that's just the beginning of her problems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Mooney
• Release date: Nov 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781953797247

Linda Mooney

Linda loves to write sensuously erotic romance with a fantasy, paranormal, or science fiction flair. Her technique is often described as being as visual as a motion picture or graphic novel. A wife, mother, grandmother, and retired Kindergarten and music teacher, she lives in a small south Texas town near the Gulf coast where she delves into other worlds filled with daring exploits, adventure, and intense love. She has numerous best sellers, including 10 consecutive #1s. In 2009, she was named Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's Author of the Year, and her book My Strength, My Power, My Love was named the 2009 WCPT Book of the Year. In 2011, her book Lord of Thunder was named the Epic Ebook "Eppie" Award Winner for Best Erotic Sci-Fi Romance. In addition, she write naughty erotic romances under the name of Carolyn Gregg, and horror under the pseudonym of Gail Smith. For more information about Linda Mooney books and titles, and to sign up for her newsletter, please visit her website. http://www.LindaMooney.com

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

INTERVIEW

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The sign on the side of the building was small and barely noticeable. Almost insignificant, like the building itself. Nondescript. It was adhered to one of the older buildings in town that had been renovated before its new occupants moved in.

Dane stared at the wordage. RALL RENTALS. Not something big and elaborate. The two words gave no clue as to what kind of rentals it represented, and maybe that was a good thing. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the old-fashioned revolving glass door and walked inside.

The entrance, however, was vast. The ceiling arched overhead to a cathedral-shaped dome surrounded by a circle of huge windows at the top that allowed the sunlight to stream inside. A curved desk sat on the opposite side of the room. Behind it was a middle-aged man who looked up when he heard her open the door and waited for her to get closer before he spoke.

Can I help you?

I have a ten o’clock appointment with Miss Mosher.

Name, please?

Dane Caravelle.

The man checked his computer, which was top-of-the-line advanced. It seemed otherworldly in a place like this.

Miss Mosher is on her way down, the receptionist (or was it security guard?) informed her. He also noticed her studying the architecture. This used to be the Hemming Hotel. It was built in nineteen thirty-nine and declared an historic landmark in two thousand one.

I’m surprised you didn’t build a… She shrugged.

More modern looking office? the man supplied with a grin. That had been one of the options considered, but the chairman of our board of directors is from here. He’d always loved this building. When he discovered it was available for sale or rent, he convinced the board to make this their base.

Dane pointed to the ceiling. Is all of that molding…

Hand-carved and original. In fact, the only real changes made to the structure were to rewire it. Other than that, it looks exactly the way it did when it first opened as a hotel.

A soft rumbling sound interrupted them. Dane turned around to see a cage-like structure descend along the far left-hand corner of the room. It held a single occupant. It came to a stop when it reached lobby level, and the filigreed iron door slid aside.

The woman was built like a piece of spaghetti—thin and pasty white. The white dress suit didn’t help, either. But she wore a smile that appeared warm and welcoming as she held out a hand.

Miss Caravelle. May I call you Dane?

Dane stood and took the woman’s hand. They briefly shook. Yes. Please do.

Come with me to my office.

Mosher led her back to the elevator, which took them up to the second level. From there she was led down a wide but short hallway to a door marked MANAGER. Mosher opened it and stepped aside to let her in.

This room was small. An ornately carved wooden desk, two chairs, and a metal block against one wall was all it contained.

Have a seat. This won’t take long. I just need to ask you a few questions.

Dane laughed nervously. More?

Mosher echoed her laughter. I know, I know, but these will be the last of them. I promise.

She took her seat behind the desk and tapped the desk. A holo screen rose from the surface, which the woman briefly studied.

Your stats look normal, your health is good, and your profile is acceptable.

But? Dane interjected.

Mosher jerked her head up.

You don’t sound convinced about something, Dane said, adding an apologetic smile.

The woman leaned back in her chair. Why do you want to become a rental?

Dane blinked. I, uhhh…

Yes, I know we’ve already asked you that question. Several times, in fact. She dropped the smile. What you gave us is what we hear from nearly every applicant. It’s also why we reject ninety-eight percent of all applications.

Dane frowned at her. Why do I get the feeling you didn’t have me come here to tell me I’ve been rejected?

Not yet, anyway. Now, between us, tell me why you decided to become a rental.

Dane chewed on her lips, debating whether to call the whole thing off, or to let this woman know the truth. The ugly truth.

Well, hell, what difference would it make at this point?

You want to know the truth? she almost angrily replied. I grew up in an abusive household. I’m not telling you this to gain your sympathy, but it’s relevant. I grew up where nothing I did was ever good enough for my mother. My dad left us soon after my brother was born, so I know she had a rough time raising us and providing for us. But she set her sights on Joe. All her attention, all her…love, you could call it, all her warm and motherly emotions were his and his alone. And that’s what I had to contend with ever since I was five years old. When I got brave enough to ask her why she preferred him over me, you know what she told me? She said it was because he was going to carry on the family name.

Dane gave a contemptuous little laugh. "Can you believe that? Because his children would all be Caravelles, but when I married, if I married, my children would have my husband’s name. And she couldn’t accept that.

"I swallowed that excuse, but I never forgave her for it. I tried to go to college, but I had to quit because Joe needed to go, and she didn’t have enough money for the both of us. But I got a job and managed to get my degree anyway, without any further help from her. I earned a decent salary, but to her my job wasn’t ‘prestigious.’ She called it a dead-end job.

"She did the same for any guy I dated. Somehow, she found out about him, and I’d get the third degree. She’d brow beat me until I finally broke it off with him. And even today, when I told her I had an appointment this morning, she demanded to know where and why. I’m twenty-fucking-eight years old, and she still treats me like a child."

Dane caught the woman glancing at the monitor. Your mother lives in Borden Falls. That’s a good three hundred miles from here. Why do you still listen to her?

Because she’s my mother, Dane softly replied. "It’s just been within the past five years that I’ve managed to break away from her. I’m living my life the way I want to. When she calls up, demanding to know what I’ve been doing… A tiny smile crept onto her face. I hang up on her. I no longer need her."

So how does this tie in with Rall Rentals?

That’s easy. I know what it’s like to be an outsider. I’m thinking there has to be others out there like me, no matter what the species. I don’t think my circumstances are strictly…human, I guess you could say.

Mosher studied her, then referred to the monitor again. Then you’re fully aware that the majority of our clients are handicapped?

Yes.

And it doesn’t bother you to allow someone you don’t know, whom you’ve never met, and probably will never meet, into your mind and into your life?

Not at all. Dane knew she didn’t have to try to sound convincing. She’d never felt more sure of herself than she did at that moment.

Dane, did it ever occur to you that applying to become a rental might be something your mother would heartily disapprove of?

Oh, I have no doubt she would. But she doesn’t have any say so about what I do anymore.

So, in short, you applied as a way to get back at her? To challenge her supposed authority over you?

Dane snorted. Yes. I guess you can say that.

This interview was over. Now that Mosher knew the truth, the woman wouldn’t allow her application to go through. Dane had killed what little chance she’d had to get in on this groundbreaking scientific development.

But there’ll be other opportunities, she silently promised herself. I’m finally breaking free of Mom’s control. I can live my life the way I want to.

Mosher sat up in her chair. Tell me, Dane. Can you come next Wednesday, the eleventh, at nine a.m.?

Dane stared at her in surprise. For another interview?

That warm smile returned to the woman’s face. No. For your implant.

CHAPTER 2

IMPLANT

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Dane arrived at eight forty-five. Instead of making her wait, she was taken downstairs to a subbasement that looked more like a lab. The nurse who escorted her had her take a seat next to a console. Dr. Fargus will be with you momentarily.

Dane thanked her and watched the woman exit through another door. The door started to swing shut when it opened again, and Mosher entered the room. The woman flashed her another one of those warm smiles.

Good morning, Dane! Did you sleep well last night?

Not really.

That got a chuckle out of the woman. Implantees usually don’t.

It wasn’t because I’m afraid, Dane added.

"In your case, I’m sure you aren’t. If I had to guess, I’d say it was because you were wondering who you’d get as a