The Billionaire and the Cleaner(25)
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.
“Lana, what’s the matter?” Kent bent down.
“I’ve got to clean the mess. I’ve had a raise, and I can’t believe my standards are slipping.” Tears filled her eyes as she recalled the horrid food stains in the trailer. The time she’d gone into her mother’s room and the stench of sex, urine, and alcohol had filled the room.
She’d never allow herself to be like her. Frank was wrong. She wasn’t like her mother. Everything had to be clean and have its own place.
Kent’s hand closed over hers. “Stop this,” he said.
Lana lifted her head. Tears fell on her cheeks. He wiped the tears away. “I’m not like her. I’m not dirty. I like things clean, and I work hard. I’m not like her.”
“No, you’re not like her.”
He didn’t have a clue who she was talking about, but hearing him agree with her meant a lot. Kent removed her hand away from the shoe. “See, it’s all clean. You’re fine. I promise.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry.”
The bell on the elevator rung out letting them know they’d come to the right floor. Kent lifted her up in his arms. She didn’t let go as he carried her down the corridor to his room.
Resting her head against his chest she waited for him to open the door.
“I won’t have to fight semi-naked women out of your apartment, will I?” she asked, teasing him.
“No. There are no naked women here.”
“That’s good to know.”
His heart thumped against her ear. Kent carried her inside his apartment. He sat down on the sofa pulling her onto his lap.