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Chapter 1

Jacob

After I got my rental car at the airport, I drove past the first of the three sites I was here to exae and barren It would be perfect for a two hundred roo three hotel locations in a sweet deal They were trying to o I’d been eyeing the locations for a couple of months already I didn’t have time to stop because it was already past my check-in time

I pulled up to the generic hotel that was going to be et out of the car The hotel re ladies discovered dead bodies I turned off the engine of the modest car I rented I could have drove up in my truck, but I didn’t want anyone to knohy I was here People tried to please you or shun you, depending on how the future change was perceived Rurade and a financial pick-rowth co built twenty minutes away in the next town over It wouldn’t be done for two years, but I wanted a juht before the launch, I would be inundated with theuests The Middleton Hotels were already in hout the world, but ere always looking for ways to expand We rivaled the Hiltons in wealth, but we kept a very low profile, so many had no idea hoealthy we really were We were like the Spurs, a teains We’ve won the last four bids on locations This one should be a sla sold for a large sum of money I wanted all three, but one happened to be the hotel as it was I wasn’t allowed to demolish this one because it was the only one in town, so I would build the others, then renovate this one or do a full rebuild if necessary

I stepped out ofremarkable about this place in the least, but I suppose with a town of only 2,500 people, there didn’t need to be a lavish hotel in place It looked worn down and the sign wasn’t even lit Everything about it re bites headed rumbled to myself

“Nah, they don’t like your filthy, rich blood,” said a soft voice behind me A moment of embarrassment washed over me as I realized someone overheardto say to me because I didn’t know this person and they sure as hell didn’t know me I turned around to see a petite dark-haired wo at osh, I’ht you were someone else” She didn’t wait for ht past me

I paused for a moment to check my phone, or so I wanted her to think I just wanted to let her get settled I caught her na and shirt when I turned to her The shocked look on her face toldtruthful about her mistake Inside, that kind of pissed e wave of possessiveness and jealousy washed over me Like soe deal Mine to keep Noas time to meet the beauty and stake my claim

Chapter 2

Harley

I wanted to die of ht he was the realtor who I couldn’t stand Thishe was from the Middleton Group We only had a total of three reservations booked and one was for Jacob Middleton I didn’t know anything about the Middletons except they ealthy and successful Unlike many people, I didn’t have daily access to the internet My other expenses took priority over a smart phone or cable and internet Books were all I had to occupy my time They weren’t the most educational books, well not in an intellectual sense They were chock-full of romance and sex, but I loved the to end up with irl could dream

Speaking of drea soirl that he was at the hotel safe and sound He probably told her how et home to her

“Stupid, Harley,” I et jealous over a stranger I rushed to my place behind the old, beat-up desk and waited for him to approach

Turning on the professionalisreeted him cheerfully, “Hello, welcome to the River’s Peak Hotel” My saff

“Hello, Harley,” he said, readingwhich I now noticed was upside down My entire body flushed Freaking wonderful Could I look any more like a fool? I was sure I would do ood impression

“How can I help you today, sir?” I asked as cal inside He said roomed with a soft layer of brown facial hair I h that I didn’t think he heard His body seeer now that ere ht brown hair and a killer s at er fool of ether

“Sir? Youhis chest, faking a heart attack I felt the tension leave ic he worked, but I was lost in his eyes so much that I wasn’t nervous

“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t know your name, so sir would be appropriate,” I offered back with a bit of sass, trying to get it together I had to treat him like any other

“It’s Jacob Middleton,” he said, holding his hand out for me to shake I reached out and took it, but I pulled back as fast as I could Electricity shot through ht to my heart My eyes jumped to his nervously then back down to my hand like there was some imprint from his touch

“Mr Middleton, we have your room ready,” I stuttered out weakly

“Again,me feel old Call me Jacob” He sround and distance I tried to create

“I think it’s better if I keep it formal, Mr Middleton The entire staff knohy you’re here” He was interested in buying the hotel, and with all the debt and dilapidation, the hotel needed it or ould all be out of a job

“Then it would be prudent to do as I asked and call me Jacob,” he said It came off as sexual