“So what brought you to L.A.?” she asked.
“Work. Things were a little slow in North Carolina, so I bid on a job here remodeling a restaurant. I got it and then it led to a couple home remodels, the Starbucks remodel, and now your lovely home remodel. I was supposed to leave after the restaurant remodel, but then other work started popping up.”
“Do you like it here?”
“In L.A.? Yeah. It took some getting used to. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the traffic. I’ve never seen anything like it. How about you? I’m assuming you were born and raised here?”
She flashed me her beautiful smile. “Yeah. I’ve lived here all my life. I’m a big city girl. L.A., Chicago, New York. If it’s big, has lots of traffic and people and, most importantly, more than ten shoe stores, I’m there.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“You think I’m kidding?” She smiled. “I’m very high maintenance.”
“I can tell.”
Her mouth dropped and she made the cutest face. She threw her napkin across the table at me.
“Now that’s not very lady-like, you big city girl.”
“Who said big city girls are lady-like?”
The waitress smiled as she set down our plates in front of us.
“Have a piece of bacon,” I said as I held it up.
“Hell, no. Do you know how much fat is in that piece?”
“That’s what makes it so good.” I smiled as I shoved it in my mouth.
As we ate our breakfast, she kept checking her phone over and over again. “Do you ever take a day off?” I asked.
“Huh?” she said as she looked up. “Oh, sorry. I had to answer a couple of emails. Everything’s urgent in the corporate world. Unfortunately, this is my job and it goes with me everywhere I go.”
I gave her a small smile and the rest of our breakfast consisted of me eating and her picking at her food and sending emails. I felt out of place with her. I guess I wasn’t used to corporate women. I only dated small-town girls. Once we finished our breakfast, we walked back to her house. I opened the door to my truck.
“I’m going to head on home. I’ll draw up the plans for the renovations and I’ll have a final price for you on Monday. I’ll drop it off at your office.”
“Before you leave, can you come in the back with me for a minute? I want to show you something,” she said.
I followed her into the back. Kirsty was in the pool.
“Hey, you two.” She waved.
“Hey.” I waved back.
“I have a guest house.” Sierra smiled.
“That’s nice. Do you want that remodeled as well?” I asked.
“No. Not right now, at least. At breakfast, I did some research. The apartments are slim pickings right now. The cheapest one I could find, even twenty miles away, is over $3,000 a month. So, since you’ll be doing work at my house for what’s going to seem like forever, I’d like to offer you my guest house to stay in.”
“You said you were answering emails.” I laughed.
“I didn’t want you to know that I was looking up apartments for you. Plus, I did send a couple emails out to some contacts of mine who are in the real estate business. Unfortunately, things aren’t looking good for you, apartment-wise.”
“Thanks for the offer, Sierra. That’s really nice of you, but I can’t stay in your guest house.”
“Why not?” Kirsty said as she walked over to us. “What’s wrong with the guest house?”
“Nothing’s wrong from what I can see. It looks great on the outside.”
“Well, hold on a second and I’ll go grab the key,” Kirsty said.
A moment later, Kirsty came back and inserted the key into the lock. She opened the door and flipped the switch. We walked inside and I was surprised how much bigger it looked on the inside.
“Look; you have everything you need. Living room, small kitchen with appliances, excluding a dishwasher, a not overly small bathroom, and a bedroom that is fully furnished with a queen-size bed and dresser.”
I looked over at Kirsty and smiled. “Are you sure you’re not in real estate? I think you’d be good at it.”
“Hush your mouth. She’s my assistant and, without her, my life would be complete chaos,” Sierra said.
“I appreciate your offer, but I don’t know.”
“Well, it’s up to you. I was just trying to help you out and since you’ll be working here, I thought it would be convenient. Excuse me; I have to take this call.”
She walked out of the guest house and Kirsty slapped me on the chest. “What the hell is the matter with you?” she asked.
“Ouch. What was that for?”
“Listen to me. This whole thing has me freaked out. Sierra doesn’t do shit like this. All she does is work. She barely goes out. She only dates suits.”
“Suits?” I asked in confusion.
“You know, businessmen. Powerful, corporate businessmen. Her life has been turned completely upside down since Ryan left and I’m trying like fuck to get her back on track. So you are to move into this guest house because she offered it to you. Plus, I won’t have to worry about her as much for a while if you’re right in her backyard.”
“Why do you worry about her?”
“I just do.”
Sierra walked in and told Kirsty that she needed to call a client. Kirsty let out a big sigh before leaving.
“What’s the verdict?” Sierra asked.
“Yes, I’ll take you up on your offer, but you will charge me rent. I won’t stay here for free.”
A big smile fell upon her face. “That’s fine. I can charge you rent. I’ll have Rosa clean this up first thing Monday morning and you can move in Tuesday if you want. Feel free to use the pool and hot tub whenever you’d like and you can use the barbeque.”
“Thanks, Sierra. I appreciate your help.”
“No problem, Cameron.” She smiled.
I said my goodbyes to her and Kirsty and drove back to my apartment. I couldn’t believe that a few days ago, I saw this beautiful woman that was out of my league standing in line at Starbucks and now I was moving into her guest house. I sure hope I had made the right decision. It was bothering me what Kirsty said about Sierra’s life being turned upside down by some dude named Ryan. Also the fact that she only dated rich, corporate men. I needed to put Sierra out of my mind for the rest of the weekend.
Chapter 9
Sierra
I couldn’t believe that I offered up the guest house to Cameron. What the hell was I thinking? I needed to remember that it was only temporary and once my house was remodeled, he’d be moving back to North Carolina. He did say that he wasn’t here permanently, so this was only a temporary arrangement.
“Good morning, Rosa,” I said as I strolled into the kitchen.
“Good morning, Sierra.”
“I need you to clean the guest house and change the sheets. There will be a guest staying in there while the house is being remodeled.”
“Guest? Who is this guest?”
“His name is Cameron Cole and he’s the one who will be working on the house.”
“Why is the builder guy staying in your guest house?”
“It’s a long story, Rosa, and I don’t have time to get into it. He’ll probably be moving in tomorrow.”
“Is he cute?”
I smiled at her. “Yeah, he’s pretty cute.” I wasn’t about to tell her that he was drop dead gorgeous.
“He better be clean. I have enough to do around this big house,” she yelled as I walked out of the kitchen.
When I climbed in the back of the limo, Kirsty was already waiting for me.
“We have a lot to go over today,” she said.
“Can we start with a good morning?” I smiled.
“Why are you smiling? You never smile first thing in the morning. What’s going on? James, why is she smiling?”
“I couldn’t tell you, Kirsty.”
“I can’t smile? Is there
a law that says Sierra isn’t allowed to smile in the morning?” I asked in confusion.
“Have you been drinking already? Let me smell your breath,” she said as she leaned closer to me.
“Get away from me and go back on your side. I have not been drinking.”
While Kirsty rattled off the events of the day, I found myself thinking about Cameron. He was the reason for my morning smile. I didn’t want to think about him, but I couldn’t help it. Damn him. James pulled up to the curb of the building and opened the door for me. As I climbed out, my eyes took control and looked across the street. I didn’t see him. In fact, I didn’t see his truck. I walked into the building and went straight up to my office. As I passed by Sasha, she handed me a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, Sierra.” She smiled.
“Not particularly,” I growled and stepped into my office.
“I see you’re back,” Kirsty said as she followed behind.
“What are you talking about?” I sighed.
“Your smile’s gone and you’re back to your usual morning self.” She smiled.
God, she was irritating me. “Kirsty, don’t you have a meeting to plan or trips to book or something?”
“It’s him. Isn’t it?”
I walked over to the bar, opened a travel size bottle of Kahlua, and poured it in my coffee. “Is he what?” I asked.
“Builder boy. I saw you look across the street and the instant change on your face when you didn’t see him or his truck.”
“You saw nothing. Drop it.”
“Fine. You’ll talk when you’re ready. By the way, Royce will be here soon for a meeting.”
“Ah, shit! I forgot about him.”
“I figured as much. Good thing you have me.” She winked and left my office.
I sat down at my desk and turned my chair to face the window. I still didn’t see his truck. This was unusual for him because he was there every morning.
“There’s my pretty lady,” Royce said as he walked in unannounced.
I turned my chair around and glared at him.
“Sasha wasn’t at her desk,” he said.
“Come on in, Royce. Have a seat. Can I get you some coffee?”
“That would be great.” He smiled.
He did look quite handsome in his black Armani suit and the way he wore his jet black hair swept to the side. But that fucking cologne. I filled both cups with coffee and discreetly poured the rest of the Kahlua in mine.
“Here you go. Now, let’s get this meeting over with. I have a lot of work to do today.”
He held his cup up and flashed me a big smile. “I agree.”
Royce’s company was one of the tech companies we worked closely with for our digital advertising. He had a problem with commitment and the minute a woman suggested a relationship, he kicked her to the curb. He told me he had mommy issues. Most of these CEOs did. Shit, I had mommy issues. As soon as we wrapped up our meeting, he sat across the desk from me, leaned back in his chair, unbuttoned his suit coat, and smiled. I tilted my head and stared back. I knew what the fucker wanted. He got up from his chair and took off his jacket. As he walked over to me, he held out his hand and helped me from my chair. His lips caressed my neck as his hand grabbed my tit.
“You’re so sexy. I really need to fuck you right now,” he whispered as he took off his shirt and laid it across my desk.
His hand slipped up my skirt and his fingers pushed my panties to the side as they plunged inside me, causing me to gasp. He unbuttoned my shirt with his other hand and slid it off my shoulders. His teeth took down one of my bra straps, exposing my bare breast and his mouth engulfed my hard nipple. His fingers moved in and out of me and, instantly, my mind went to George.
“Ah,” I moaned.
“Mhmm, you’re so fucking wet, baby.”
Suddenly, George was no longer in my mind and, in a flash, Cameron popped up. Before I could even think about anything else, Royce turned me around, pulled down my panties, lifted up my skirt, put on a condom and pushed himself deep inside me. All I envisioned was Cameron from behind. I could hear his moans each time he thrust in and out of me. His hands kneaded my tits and his fingers played with my nipples.
“You’re coming, baby. I can feel you coming!” Royce exclaimed as he pushed deep inside me one last time and moaned with pleasure. “That was nice, baby. Thank you,” he said as he pulled out and slapped my ass.
I opened my eyes and snapped back to reality. I sighed when I saw him walk to the bathroom. He was no George and he was certainly no Cameron. I grabbed some tissue from my desk, cleaned myself up, pulled up my panties, and pulled down my skirt. I sat down in my chair and there was a light knock on the door. As Royce walked out of the bathroom, buttoning his shirt, Cameron walked into my office. I froze. He looked at Royce and then at me.
“Hey, your secretary wasn’t at her desk.”
“Hi,” I said in a panicked tone.
“I can come back if you’re busy.”
“No need. We’re finished here. Thanks again, love.” He smiled as he walked over and kissed my cheek. I’ll call you soon.”
Cameron looked at him and they nodded at each other before Royce walked out of the office. I could tell he was feeling uneasy.
“I just wanted to give you the drawings and the price for the remodel. Everything is here on these papers,” he said as he put them on my desk and then began to walk away.
“Cameron, wait,” I said as I got up from my desk. “He’s just—”
“It’s none of my business, Sierra. Don’t worry about it.”
“I didn’t see your truck across the street this morning.”
“I had to close out a couple of jobs so I could start on your place tomorrow.”
“Are you moving in tomorrow?” I asked.
“Yeah. I don’t have much, only a couple of bags, so I can be there in the morning, and then, as soon as I get settled, I’ll start on your closet.”
I smiled. “Thanks. I thank you and my shoes thank you too.”
“I’ll see you around,” he said with a disappointed look and walked towards the door.
“Cameron,” I called out.
“Yeah.”
“Do you want my phone number in case you have any questions while you’re working?”
“Sure. I guess I’ll need that.”
He pulled out his phone and, as I rattled off my number, he punched it in. I didn’t dare ask him for his at that moment. I was humiliated and unsure of what he thought of me.
****
Cameron
I walked out of her office and I didn’t know what to think. Seeing that guy walk out of the bathroom, practically naked, really pissed me off. I had no reason to be pissed, but she just confirmed my decision. A woman like her would never go for a guy like me. I was stupid as shit in the first place for even thinking it. She was way out of my league and now I saw it with my own eyes. She slept around with rich, high-powered men. Men who were on her level. Men who she had things in common with. She liked rich. I liked simple. Why did she have to be so damn beautiful? And that smile. Why did my face light up when she smiled at me? Fuck. I was going to focus on remodeling her home and that was it. She’d be gone at work all day and by time she got home, I’d make sure I was done for the night. That way, we wouldn’t really have to see each other. Small conversations and that was it. Nothing more and nothing less. Why did I feel so bummed out?
Chapter 10
Sierra
I opened up the papers that Cameron left me. I looked at the designs and then the total price. I honestly thought it would have been more than what he charged me. I felt like a whore who just got caught by her mommy.
“Sasha, send Kirsty in here, please.”
“Sure thing, Sierra.”
“What can I do you for, ma’am?” she said as she walked in.
“First off, you can stop calling me ‘ma’am.’ Second, I feel like a whore.”
“Why? Because you fucked Royc
e but have a thing for Cameron?”
“I don’t have a thing for Cameron. How did you know I fucked Royce?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please. You always fuck Royce when he comes to the office.”
“That’s not entirely true,” I said. “Anyway, Royce came out of the bathroom, buttoning his shirt, and Cameron walked into the office.”
“So? You just said you don’t have a thing for him, so who cares?”
I rolled my eyes at her and put my hand on my head. “I care because he’s a nice guy and he shouldn’t have seen that. I don’t need the guy who’s doing work on my house thinking I’m a slut.”
“Then stop fucking guys in your office. It’s simple. Now come on. We have to go.”
“Go where?” I asked.
“Your mother’s dinner party.”
“No,” I whined. “I don’t want to deal with her. Especially not tonight.”
“You don’t have a choice, Sierra.”
“Tell her I’m sick.”
She walked over and grabbed me by the arm, pulling me up from my chair. She grabbed my phone, my briefcase, and my purse, and pushed me out of the office.
“You’re a bitch,” I said.
“Yeah, your bitch.” She smiled.
We walked out of the building and before I climbed into the limo, I looked across the street and saw Cameron’s truck.
“Get in the car, Sierra,” Kirsty said as she looked up at me from inside the limo.
I climbed in and James shut the door. “What was all that about?” he asked.
“Sierra fucked Royce in her office and Builder Boy walked in while Royce was buttoning his shirt. Now she thinks Builder Boy thinks she’s a slut.”
“I see,” James said. “He shouldn’t think anything, actually. The two of you have a business relationship. It’s none of his business who you’re fucking and not fucking.”
I didn’t say a word the rest of the ride home. The only thought going through my head was how drunk I was getting tonight.
****
Kirsty and I stepped into the foyer of Delia’s house and were immediately greeted by a hot waiter carrying a silver tray filled with glasses of wine. I politely smiled as I grabbed one from the tray and sipped my way through the house and to the living room where the party was taking place.