What Money Can Buy Read Online Free Page B

smiled and looked at each other for what seemed like minutes yet was merely seconds.
    "Let's get dressed," he said. "I want to know everything about you over dinner."
     
     

FIVE
     
     
    "So tell me, Jason. Do you enjoy being rich?"
    I took a sip of the expensive Vermentino that Jason had ordered earlier in the evening. Our meals were finished, a stunning selection of Italian cured meats followed by fresh fish presumably caught earlier that day. Jason looked at me from behind his glass, that mischievous smile of his causing butterflies to dance around my stomach.
    "Is that a loaded question, Lauren?"
    "Not at all," I replied. "It's just that they say money isn't everything. That it can't buy you happiness."
    "No," Jason sighed. "But it sure as hell makes the misery a lot more bearable."
    I giggled. "Amen to that. Wow , I think I'm getting drunk."
    "Good. That means it won’t be difficult for me to have my wicked way with you again later."
    I wagged a finger at him. "Now now, Mr King. We need to keep things professional, remember?"
    He leaned forward. "So what about you, Lauren? What do you spend your money on?"
    I took a deep breath. "Nothing. Well, nothing for me anyway. Every penny I have right now goes to my dad."
    Jason looked puzzled. "Your dad? You said back in New York that he was in hospital, right?"
    I nodded. "Yes. Stage two colon c ancer. Thankfully, he's get ting better. But the last year has been hell on earth and the medical bills cost a fortune."
    "Does he not have insurance?"
    "He does," I said, leaning back. "But it's nowhere near enough. The sheer amount of medication he has to take each day wiped out most of what I make from working for you. The agency has been fantastic. Normally, temps move around quite a bit – but they're desperate to keep someone working in your company, if you know what I mean. So I'm that girl."
    "Because they keep getting fired?"
    I nodded, laughing. "Yes. You're a horrible boss, you know. Everyone tells me that. An absolute pig."
    Jason started laughing. "No, Lauren, don't hold back. There's nothing worse than someone who sits on the fence. ”
    " A s exist, insufferable, lecherous, mean pig…"
    "Okay, okay. Now say what you really mean."
    "I don't think you're any of those things," I smiled. "Not yet, anyway."
    Jason gestured to the waiter. "Do you want a coffee?"
    "Yes please. Double espresso, if you're offering."
    He ordered the drinks and turned back to me. "Double espresso, huh ? Talk about rocket fuel. Anyway, you were telling me about your dad and his medical bills."
    "Yes , so the money I earn from temp ing pays to make him better. My second job – copywriting for magazines – pays for my rent, food and everything else."
    Jason leaned forward again and placed his hands on the table. "Wait, you work another job? In addition to temping full-time?"
    "Yup," I replied as the waiter brought our coffees. "Guilty as charged. Now you know why I look so bleary - eyed some mornings. Not that you'd ever have noticed, of course."
    Jason smiled and placed his hand on mine. "I notice everything, Lauren . N othing goes in an d out of my company without me seeing it . You must hide you tiredness well because I never would have believed you were working a second job. Since the day you walk ed in, you've always looked flawless. Beautiful."
    I felt a heat form in my cheeks . "That's enough. You ’ll make me cry. In a good way, of course."
    "Are you not used to people paying you compliments, Lauren? You seem embarrassed."
    "I'm not used to much of anything," I said, fighting back tears. "It's just been so hard for so long, you know?"
    Jason wiped my tears away with a delicate stroke of his finger. "No, I can't say I do. Part of the advantage of being a billionaire is that nothing is ever hard, nothing is ever so difficult you can't fix it with money."
    I regained my composure. "And yet , all the money in the world can't buy health and family and love."
    "No," Jason replied, sitting at