Billionaire Seeks an Heir
Book 1: Unplanned Fairy Tale
By Misha Carver
Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0994026743
Join my mailing list to stay up to date on new releases and discounts!
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
Want to connect? Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Misha_Carver
Other Books in This Serial:
Book 1: Unplanned Fairy Tale
Book 2: Unraveled Lives
Book 3: Unforgettable Melody
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Who wants to marry a billionaire? That’s the name of Jason’s game…
Shrewd businessman and billionaire playboy Jason Donnelly built his multimedia corporation from the ground up. As his thirty-fifth birthday rapidly approaches, he realizes that having all the money in the world doesn’t mean anything if you don’t have anyone to share it with. Unfortunately, his womanizing ways make it difficult to find a woman who isn’t just after his money.
Naïve college graduate, Jerrica is career minded and eager to work her way up the ladder at her new PR job. With no time for something as frivolous as a relationship, she’s determined to get ahead in the business world.
They both know what they want, but the question is who will get it. Will Jason’s games win him the victory, or will Jerrica see right through him?
Stocks rise, love ignites, and passion rules. Will Jerrica let the allure of sexy Jason Donnelly sway her towards falling in love? Or will he have to look elsewhere for a potential bride and mother for an heir?
CHAPTER ONE
~Jason~
“You’re so lucky,” Bob said as he swallowed back his beer. “You don’t have anyone to tell you when to come home. The only one who calls the shots is you.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, my friend,” I said as I carefully aimed my cue and took my shot. “I’d give anything to have someone sitting there waiting for me when I get home. Instead, all I have is Rufus.”
“At least Rufus doesn’t argue,” Jacob laughed, setting down his glass of wine while he got ready to take his shot.
“Or make you sleep on the couch,” Bob cut in.
“Have you ever seen how much room that dog takes up on the bed?” I said. “The way he sprawls out there’s barely any room left for me.”
“Look at it this way,” Bob said as he put his arm around my shoulder. “You’ve got the best of both worlds. You aren’t nailed down to any one woman, and you get to keep all of your money to yourself. No woman can take you for half of it if things don’t work out. Stay a bachelor, man. Marriage is hell.”
“Guys, I get where you’re all coming from. But I’ll turn 35 years old this year. I’ve been taking an inventory of my life, and of everything I have. It’s all just possessions. It means nothing if I have no one to share it all with,” I said as I chalked up my cue.
“What’s got into you, man?” Bob said with a concerned look on his face.
“Yeah, has the eternal bachelor gone soft on us?” Jacob said as he raised his eyebrow.
“It’s just that I’m realizing that if I died tomorrow, I have no heir to carry on my family name, or to run my business. I have no one to leave anything to. What does it all mean, if you don’t have a legacy to leave behind for someone to inherit?”
“Either I’ve had too much beer, or that’s the deepest thing I’ve ever heard,” Jacob said.
“Have another beer, buddy,” Bob said. “And Jason, maybe you should too. You’re going all flaky on us.”
“No guys, I’m serious. I’m at a point where I want someone to share my life with, and I want an heir to pass it all on to.”
The waitress came around to collect our empty bottles and glasses. I threw her some cash and ordered another round. I loved Friday nights out with the guys. I could relax in freedom in the back of Sparky’s Bar and Poolroom without anyone recognizing me while we solved the world’s problems, or at least our own.
“You know that’s not going to be easy, man,” Bob said. “Look at all the women that throw themselves at your feet now, all opportunists. You’ll be hard pressed to find someone who’s not just out to get their hands on your money.”
“What he needs,” Jacob said, “is to find someone who’s as successful as he is. It doesn’t matter what field she’s in, as long as she has a similar net worth.”
“So what am I supposed to do?” I asked. “Ask women for their bank statements as a prerequisite for a first date?”
“Well, it might rule a lot of people out,” Jacob said.
“Yeah, but he might also scare a lot of good candidates away that don’t want to share that information so early on. Besides, in the interest of full disclosure, if he’s going to make them share, he should have to do it as well. I doubt that he plans on doing that,” Bob added.
“That’s a good point,” Jacob said. “Aren’t there billionaire dating agencies or something for stinking rich people like you?”
“Yeah,” I laughed. “With women whose profiles are nothing but lies. I tried that once. I’m never going back.”
“What about treating it like a job?” Bob asked.
“Are you saying being married to me would be a full-time job?” I laughed.
“No. I’m just saying, what about interviewing people and finding out who you like. Then pick a couple from the pool to date, and find your perfect match from there.”
“It feels too much like a reality show for me,” I said as I curled up my nose at the idea.
“Well, it’s not like you’re going to advertise it, like who wants to marry a millionaire...”
“Billionaire, at least get it right,” I chuckled.
“And let’s not forget arrogant,” Jacob added. “Seriously though, it’s not a bad idea. Get women to audition, or rather interview, for the job. You could call them back for second and third interviews. It’s perfect.”
“I don’t know. It sounds sneaky and underhanded.”
“Gold diggers and opportunists are sneaky and underhanded,” Bob reminded me.
“I guess when you put it that way, it’s not that terrible of an idea. Besides, I’m only protecting my assets.”
“Exactly,” Jacob said. “Protect your own ass and make sure you find the perfect woman for the job. Maybe none of them will qualify, or maybe you’ll wind up with a few of them to choose from. You’ll never know until you try.”
“Well, that’s it for me, boys. I have an early morning tomorrow,” I said as I grabbed my sweater off the back of my chair.
“Tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Bob said questioningly.
“Yeah, well, the boss’s work is never done,” I said with a smile. “Have a good one, guys.”
“At least think about it,” Jacob said.
“I will,” I lied. I never intended to give it another thought. Interviewing potential wives was the stupidest idea I’d ever heard of.
***
When I got home I gave my maid the rest of the night off and immediately flopped down on the couch. As I flipped through the television channels, I must have fallen asleep. I woke up the next morning to the sounds of the birds singing, still wearing my clothes from the bar the night before.
I scrambled to get ready to head down to the office. Ratings sweeps had just ended, and we were debating which television shows to cancel and which to renew for another season. I hated working Saturdays, but during sweeps, sometimes it couldn’t be helped, especially during negotiations.
***
When I arrived at the office, my secretary, Julie, greeted me with a hot cup of coffee as she’d done every morning for the past five years. I didn’t know what I’d
do without her. She knew exactly what I liked and she always delivered.
“Hey Julie,” I said. “Can I see you in my office for a second?”
“Coming, Mr. Donnelly,” she said.
“I’m going to ask you to do something rather strange,” I said as I folded my hands on my desk.
“Fire away,” she said with her spunky little attitude.
“I want to have a baby, and I’m in the market for a wife. I want you to set up interviews with women for me.”
“So, you want me to be your personal dating service?” she asked with a huge grin on her face.
“Not quite. I just want you to prequalify people before I meet them. I’m trying to steer clear of the gold diggers. I want someone who loves me for me, not for my money.”
“Ah, so no more one-night stands for the lone Jason Donnelly. New York’s most eligible bachelor is about to marry himself off, I take it.”
“Enough of the snide remarks, Julie. I’m counting on you. Just do it,” I said exhausted.
“Consider it done,” she said as she gave me a sly grin and walked out of my office.
CHAPTER TWO
~Jerrica~
“So, what exactly was your interview for?” my roommate Liz asked.
“Public relations intern at Donnelly Multimedia. I won’t get the job. I just don’t have the experience,” I said as I flopped down on the couch with a bag of potato chips.
“Not with an attitude like that, you won’t. You need to throw your shoulders back, get that chin up, and show the world the Jerrica Rollins that I know. The one that can conquer the world.” She knocked everything off the stand beside her as she flung her arms around in the air.
“I just finished school, Liz. I don’t have the background to get a position like that. There is no way in the world they’re going to hire me.”
“How did the interview go?”
“It seemed okay,” I said as I washed down my chips with some soda. “I was in and out in ten minutes, though. That’s how I know I didn’t get it.”
“Stay positive, you never know,” she said as she got up to answer the phone. “Jerrica,” she said as she held her hand over the receiver. “It’s for you. It’s Donnelly Multimedia.”
My eyes were as big as saucers and my jaw dropped to the floor the second she said it. I couldn’t believe they actually called. Then, as I reached out to grab the receiver, I realized there was only one reason they would call back this soon after the interview. To tell me I didn’t get the job. I swallowed what I had in my mouth quickly before answering.
“Hello. Yes, this Jerrica Rollins. Okay. Yes. Thanks for calling.”
“Well...” Liz said as she stood across the room waiting for the verdict.
I looked at the floor with a dismal expression on my face. “They just called to tell me...that I got the job,” I said excitedly. “I start Monday morning at nine a.m. sharp.”
“Oh my God, I’m so happy for you,” Liz squealed as she threw her arms around me.
“I can’t believe it,” I said. “I didn’t think I’d get it in a million years.”
“Get dressed,” she said. “We’re going out to celebrate. My treat.”
“Where do you want to go?” I asked.
“I don’t know, it’s Friday night. A bar I guess.”
“Hey, do you want to play some pool?” I asked. “I haven’t done that in so long.”
“Sure, why not? I used to love playing billiards.”
“Why don’t we just go in what we’ve got on, then,” I said, looking down at my faded jeans and comfy sweatshirt. I really didn’t feel like getting all dolled up when I was already settled in for a quiet night at home.
“Nope. I’ll have none of that. We’re going to get ourselves all done up for a night on the town. Now go make yourself gorgeous before we go rack up some balls.”
It figured that she’d want to get dressed up. So much for my quiet night on the couch. It was really sweet of her to take me out to celebrate though, and I wanted to humor her. Besides, I was ecstatic that I got the job.
CHAPTER THREE
~Jason~
“You started interviewing wives yet?” Bob asked as the waitress dropped a pitcher of beer off at our table.
“God no. I’m leaving the first interview up to my secretary. I’ll take it from there. I don’t have time to sit down with every candidate,” I said as I took a swig from my mug.
“You don’t have time to sit down and talk to someone, but you think you have time for a wife who you’ll need to care for twenty-four hours a day? Now how does that make sense?” Jacob asked.
“You guys just don’t understand my lifestyle,” I said.
“Either that, or you need to sort out your priorities,” Bob said. “So, are we just going to sit here all night, or are we going to play some pool?”
“Would you look at that,” Jacob said, pointing toward the door. I turned around in my chair and saw two women walking up to the bar. They were both gorgeous. The tall one wore a black spandex dress and had long auburn hair. The petite one wore a royal blue dress that wasn’t quite as snug but still flattered her curvaceous body quite nicely. Her wavy flaxen hair hung softly over her shoulders and down her back. I wanted desperately to touch it, to run my fingers through it.
“Jason...Jason,” Bob said as he nudged my elbow and sent my beer flying.
“What? Sorry, did you say something?”
“I asked you if you were going to set up the balls, but apparently you had other things on your mind.”
“Yeah, I guess. Right now, I need to go up to the bar and get a napkin,” I said. I walked up to the bar where the two women stood. While I was waiting to get a cloth from the bartender, I figured one of them would strike up a conversation with me, but neither spoke a word.
I turned to the auburn-haired beauty hoping I’d be able to weasel my way into talking to her friend. “Busy place in here tonight,” I said.
She grabbed their drinks off the bar, looked at me as if I were a parasite, rolled her eyes, and the two of them went off and found a table. I stood there feeling like a fool. No one had ever rejected me before, and I wasn’t about to have any part of it.
After the bartender handed me a cloth, I asked him to send two drinks over to the table the ladies sat down at. When I went back to my table and cleaned up the mess, I watched and waited. When the waitress took the drinks over to the girls, she pointed, indicating that they were from me. The girls smiled and waved. Ha, I’ve still got it, I thought.
A few minutes later the waitress came over and sat both drinks down on our table. “The women at the other table said to tell you they don’t accept drinks from men they don’t know.”
I bit my lip and rubbed my chin for a second. They had certainly piqued my curiosity. “Wait a second,” I said to the waitress as I scribbled a note down on a napkin.
Care to join us? Then you’ll know me.
“Can you take this back over to the ladies,” I said. I watched as she walked back over and handed my note to the girls. They giggled as they read it, and then they promptly got up and left.
“Well, it looks like old Jason finally struck out,” Jacob said.
“Shut up,” I said. “And don’t call me old.”
“Good thing you’re looking for a wife, buddy,” Bob said, “because it looks like your days as a ladies’ man are numbered.”
I sat there shaking my head going over everything in my mind. I hadn’t been rude or obnoxious. In fact, I thought I’d been downright charming. Maybe the guys were right. Maybe I was getting old.
“Tough break,” the waitress said as she cleared off their table. “For what it’s worth, I would have taken the drink.”
“Yeah, thanks,” I said.
“Whoa, Jason, you got a live one there,” Bob said.
“Guys, she’s cute, but I already told you, my days of one-night stands are over. I’m looking for som
ething meaningful in my life. It wouldn’t be fair to me and it wouldn’t be fair to her.”
After we drank some beers while I wallowed in my sorrows about getting older and getting turned down, I racked up the balls. We played a few rounds of pool, before I decided to call it quits for the night.
“Gotta go into the office again tomorrow?” Jacob asked.
“No. I’m just tired. I think I’m going to hit the sack,” I said as I took some cash out of my wallet to cover the rest of their evening.
“Getting tired early on a Friday night is the first sign of getting old,” he said.
“You just keep your mouth shut or I’ll put that money away,” I laughed as I turned around and left.
***
All I could think about on the drive home and while I lay in bed was the beautiful girl with the flaxen hair. Try as I might, I couldn’t get her off my mind.
CHAPTER FOUR
~Jerrica~
“Could you believe that jerk at the bar earlier?” Liz said.
“Yeah, I know,” I said as I flopped back down on our overstuffed couch in my pajamas. “I hate it when a guy just assumes he can buy me a drink. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.”
“I know, right. They buy you a drink and they expect a whole night of ravenous sex. What do they think we are, dollar-store hookers? If they want a night of sex, I at least want a flat screen TV,” she said.
“Or a diamond necklace,” I said, laughing. “Fuck expecting anything for a four-dollar drink. Men are crazy.”
“You’ve got that right,” she said as she grabbed a bottle of water out of the kitchen.
***
“Where are you going so bright and early?” Liz asked.
“I want to run a few errands and pick up a few things that I’ll need for work on Monday,” I said as I put on my earrings and grabbed my purse.
“Look at you going all career woman on me,” she laughed as she flopped down on the couch in her sweats.
“Do you want to come?” I asked her.
“No. I have a date with the couch. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Suit yourself then,” I said as I headed out the door.
***
I hobbled into the coffee shop with a broken heel while I carried countless shopping bags in my arms. I had no idea shopping could be so treacherous. When I got to the counter and placed my order, I fished around trying to get into my purse to find some change before grabbing my coffee.