My Billionaire Roommate

Another Proposition

Shooting up into a sitting position, Bree’s eyes scanned the room tensely before she recognized where she was. Her body hunched forward and her bed head fell over her shoulders before she let out a relieved breath and she pulled the sheet off of her.

After a quick shower, she tidied up her room and looked at the time. She only had one class that afternoon, so she figured she would make breakfast and check the rooms that he wanted her to clean.

Was he still in the Penthouse?

When she got into the kitchen, she figured he was either still asleep or he had already left considering how quiet it was. As she cooked the food, she started to make a mental list of things they would need for the kitchen and possible cleaning products.

She had been sitting at the breakfast bar when she heard the tap of shoes, “‘Mornin.”

“Good morning,” She replied, looking over her shoulder to see his disheveled look.

“I don’t know about the good part.” He rubbed his head, messing up his hair further, “How did you sleep?”

“Wonderfully.” Truly she did, “Almost too well.”

He gave a small laugh within his chest, “I’m glad.”

She bobbed her head for a second before motioning to the skillet, “I only made eggs, bacon, and toast.”

“I knew I smelled bacon…” He shuffled his way over to the stove, “You know you don’t have to fix me breakfast… it isn’t part of the agreement.”

“I know.” She shrugged before taking a bite of a piece of the bacon in her fingers, “But I fixed something for me, so I figured I’d save some for you in the very least.”

“Thank you.” He sat across from her and looked her over before picking up his fork, “You seem to be a morning person.”

“I don’t think I am willingly a morning person.” She mumbled, “It isn’t bad to wake up early cause I tend to get more done throughout the day. Just hopefully I do not annoy you with my morning enthusiasm.”

“I doubt you could annoy me.” He smirked over at her before shaking his head, “If you want, I’ll show you where all of your supplies are and I’ll let you decide when to get started. Do you have any classes today?”

“Only one,” She answered, “It’s this afternoon, so I have time to do what you need and do my reading.”

They finished their food and she quickly cleaned everything while he went to prepare himself for the day. When he reemerged from his room, he looked just as good as the first time she met him and she had to look away from him at first to keep her staring in check.

“I’ll show you what you need, but then I have to go.” He frowned for a moment, his phone in hand, “My father has called me into the office for something.”

“If you just show me where the cleaning supplies are, I can take it from there.” She offered.

His frown vanished in thought before he nodded, “Thank you.” He showed her quickly where things were before he pointed to a door that she had barely noticed at the end of the kitchen, “That is my office.”

“I won’t go in there.” She tried to reassure him, “Promise.”

His eyes lingered on her for only a moment before he lowered his head, “Thank you.” He grabbed a briefcase before lifting a hand to her, “I’ll see you later.”

“See ya.” She smiled, lifting her own hand in farewell, “Drive safely.”

He paused for a moment before a smile broke out across his face and he kept going to the door, “Don’t overwork yourself; I’m not a slave driver.”

“I didn’t figure you would be,” She said out loud though he was far enough away that she wasn’t sure he heard until he turned to her after hitting the call button for the elevator, “I’m still going to do my part.”

His face was neutrally happy as he tilted his head forward as the doors opened behind him, “You’re something else, Bree.” He looked at his wrist watch, “If I am not back before your class, have a good day. I will see you tonight.”

“Any thoughts on what you want for dinner?” She asked quickly, wanting an idea before he disappeared behind the door.

He hummed for a moment, his eyes closing for a split second, “Something with pasta.”

“Pasta?” She questioned, but the doors closed before he could confirm.

Blinking a couple of times as if processing what he said, she stored his request in her mind and went to work.

Letting out a breath as she walked down the street towards The Cadence, Bree went over a few things within her mind that she could make that would fit Mr. Knightly’s request. Before she knew it, she was walking out of the elevator and she stopped right outside the doors as they closed behind her. 

How in the world was she already so comfortable?

“Bree!” The enthusiastic call of her name pulled a gasp from her as she tensed, “Ah, sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” Ashton came into view, seemingly coming out of his office, “Hey, so, I have a proposition for you.”

If she thought she was tense before, she definitely was now, “Oh?”

“I know I asked you to fix dinner, but would you mind if I take you out tonight instead? My treat.” He asked, looking down to adjust the cuff on his shirt, but then he paused, “Not as a date... Exactly.”

Her brows knitted on her face, “Exactly?”

Ash’s face took on a contemplative look, “It’s not like a real date, but it kind of is.” He shrugged, “More platonic and maybe business involved.”

She couldn’t deny she was curious, “Should I change?” She looked down at her casual outfit that might not be suited for his style, “I don’t have much, but I can figure out something nicer…”

“Ah, no.” He gave her a once over, “If that is comfortable for you, then I have no complaints.” 

He came over and slipped the bag off of her shoulder, the gesture more intimate than she felt it should be, “I can go put that in my room.”

“It should be okay here.” He set it up on the top of the kitchen counter.

Not sure what else to say, she shrugged, “I guess I am ready then.”

“Great!” He sounded oddly confident, as if he knew she wouldn’t refuse, “Let’s go then.”

Awkwardly following him into the elevator, she stood slightly behind him, “May I have a hint as to what is going on?”

He let out a short breath, not sounding frustrated, but maybe a little apprehensive, “My father brought something to my attention unconsciously.”

“And I am part of the solution?” She asked, now even more confused.

“At least temporarily.” He said after a pause, “Though, we never know the future.”

“Apparently we don’t.” She mumbled under her breath.

The drive was short and they were soon parking in front of a small café. She was actually surprised he would actually eat in such a place instead of something a little more fancy, but she kept reminding herself that he had already proven not to be like the typical rich person she had met in the past.

Sitting across from each other, their eyes met after the waiter walked away with their order. Bree couldn’t help but admire how he looked good in almost any setting, where as she looked average at best.

“So?” Bree offered, looking down to the steaming cup of tea she had ordered, before looking him in the eyes again, “What is this new offer?”

He licked his lip and she noticed a couple of small dots where it looked to be previously pierced, “I found my father talking about Melissa and I together with her father on the phone today when he asked me to stop by.” His face soured, “I am not interested in her in any shape or form outside of a business acquaintance… If that.”

“She seemed a little…” Bree hesitated before continuing, “...Pushy.”

“That is an understatement.” He laughed for a moment before shaking his head.

“Where do I come in?” She questioned, wondering how in the world she could help with Melissa.

“Bryleigh,” He started, making her entire body freeze, “Would you be my business girlfriend?”