Three days later...Rick Cameron wiped the sweat from his brow as he tightened the last bolt on Mrs. Collin's ancient Ford Taurus. The sun shone through the open garage doors, and everyone was busy with one task or another."Tommy!" he called to his youngest mechanic, who was busy organizing a toolbox nearby. "Can you run a final check on Mrs. Collin's cooling system? I want to make sure we've got that leak fixed properly before she picks it up.""Sure thing, boss," Tommy replied, grabbing a pressure tester and heading toward the car.Rick smiled as he watched the kid work. Tommy had been with him for just three months, but he'd put in more work and shown more natural talent than the other mechanics with decades of experience. The boy reminded Rick of himself at nineteen - eager to learn everything about automobiles. Rick sighed, his mind drifting back to the problem that's been bugging him since he left the army. He was a Cameron. He shouldn't be here. He should be running his own au
Rick pulled into his driveway, exhausted after a long day at the shop. Mrs. Collins had stayed for nearly an hour, asking questions about every aspect of her car's maintenance. Not like he minded - he'd always had a soft spot for elderly customers who genuinely wanted to understand their vehicles. But the whole day had just been plain exhausting, that all he wanted was a cold beer, a hot shower, and his bed - in that order.As he stepped out of his truck, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He groaned out loud. If it was another customer emergency, he might just ignore it until morning. He pulled out his phone, squinting at the screen.**Dante:** *YO! BOYS NIGHT @ Ecstasy. GET YOUR ASS HERE ASAP.*Rick sighed. The Gentlemen's Club Ecstasy was the last place he wanted to be tonight. But Dante Riggs had been his best friend since high school - a man who'd been there for him in his darkest moments. Saying no to Dante wasn't something Rick did lightly.He texted back: *Long day. Rain check?
Valerie Calder was a young billionaire and a widow at thirty. She had inherited her aging husband's wealth after his death three years ago and had grown the empire tenfold, earning her the nickname 'Duchess.'She was New York's most sought-after female because of her formidable beauty and her extreme wealth. But she wasn't looking for another husband. She was finally free from the entrapment called marriage, and wanted to enjoy her life as a single wealthy woman.Valerie had just returned home from work on a Friday evening, with her P.A. Melissa, walking closely behind her. She was exhausted and needed rest. The whole week had been a roller coaster."God, I need a drink," Valerie muttered, dropping her designer bag on the counter and kicking off her heels.Her maid, Clara, appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "Good evening, Ms. Valerie. Dinner will be ready when you’re done with your... engagement tonight."She nodded. "Perfect. Make sure it's still warm by midnig
Eight years earlier"Table seven needs another round, Val!" the manager shouted above the loud music.Valerie nodded, balancing the tray of empty glasses as she walked through the crowded bar. Her feet ached in her high heels, which the manager had made compulsory, and her tight uniform felt so… well, tight, because it was designed to attract bigger tips rather than provide any actual comfort to the women wearing them.She felt his eyes on her again. The grey-haired man in the expensive suit who'd been coming in every Friday for the past month, always requesting her section, always staying until closing hours. Dominic Calder. She'd learned his name from the bartender who handled his huge tabs and generous tips."Another whiskey, Mr. Calder?" she asked meekly, as she approached his table."You remember my preference," he smiled, his eyes never leaving her face, though she knew he'd been staring at other parts of her body all night. "Smart girl."As Valerie turned to leave, she felt hi
The sleek blue Bentley pulled up to the curb across from "Cameron Custom Motors," a surprisingly well-maintained shop with large garage doors propped open to reveal the workspace within.Valerie studied the building from behind her fashionable sunglasses, noting the clean exterior. It was a far cry from the dingy chop shop she'd been expecting."Wait here," she instructed her driver, stepping out of the car.As she crossed the street, several mechanics glanced up from their work, their expressions shifting from casual interest to stunned recognition. She smiled inwardly. At least his workers knew who she was, he won't be able to deny not knowing her anymore.Her eyes darted around the garage, looking for his familiar smug face, when she noticed someone with his body build beneath the jacked-up Camaro.Rick Cameron lay on a creeper board, only his lower half visible as he worked underneath the car. His faded jeans were stained with grease, and his boots looked too worn for wear.Valeri
Valerie's head throbbed as she stepped out of the elevator into her penthouse. The board meeting had dragged on for hours. They were on the verge of closing a major deal but a staff had made a silly mistake, forcing them to restart the entire process. Add that to her humiliating encounter with Rick Cameron earlier in the week, and she was ready to collapse."Clara?" she called out, dropping her bag on the counter.No response. Strange. Clara was always there to greet her.Valerie kicked off her shoes and massaged her aching feet. That's when she heard voices coming from the kitchen. One voice was definitely Clara's. The other...Valerie froze. She'd recognize that voice anywhere."Clara?" Valerie called again, her voice sharper this time.The conversation in the kitchen stopped abruptly. Clara appeared in the doorway, wringing her hands nervously."Ms. Valerie, I'm so sorry. I tried to tell her you weren't home, but she insisted on waiting and...""Who let her through security?" Valer
The next morning being Saturday, Valerie stood in her balcony, wrapped in a silk robe, with coffee in hand.Her phone rang, Sophia's smiling face filling up the screen."Good morning, sunshine!" Sophia greeted brightly, sea waves crashing in the background. "You would not believe how gorgeous Bora Bora is at sunrise.""I've been," Valerie reminded her, trying not to sound bored. "Three times.""Yes, but not with a husband who makes it his mission to pleasure you on every square inch of the private beach," Sophia giggled. "Trevor surprised me with breakfast in bed this morning. Then he surprised me with... well, something better than breakfast."Valerie rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. Sophia had always been a romantic, even back in college when they'd first met."Sounds wonderful," Valerie said, not meaning it. The idea of being with one man, day after day, year after year... it made her skin crawl. She was never going through that again."Have you heard from Karen?" Sophia
For a moment, Valerie felt the urge to run back upstairs and grab a robe, but that would mean letting him win. Besides, no one told the Duchess what to do. She lifted her chin defiantly."I wear whatever I please in my own home," she replied coolly. "Is that a problem for you?"Rick shook his head slightly and turned his attention back to the tire. "This wasn't an accident," he said flatly. "Someone deliberately cut this tire."Valerie crossed her arms. "Are you accusing me of something?""I'm stating a fact," he replied, not looking up at her. "This is a clean cut, not a puncture or a blowout."He stood up, dusting off his hands. "I'll need to replace it. I have some tires that might fit in my truck.""I'll watch," Valerie said, stepping closer.Rick gave her an irritated glance. "That's not necessary.""It's my car," she insisted. "I want to make sure it's done properly."He shrugged. "Suit yourself."When Rick returned, Valerie stood there while he worked, trying to think of how to
Rick pulled into his driveway, exhausted after a long day at the shop. Mrs. Collins had stayed for nearly an hour, asking questions about every aspect of her car's maintenance. Not like he minded - he'd always had a soft spot for elderly customers who genuinely wanted to understand their vehicles. But the whole day had just been plain exhausting, that all he wanted was a cold beer, a hot shower, and his bed - in that order.As he stepped out of his truck, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He groaned out loud. If it was another customer emergency, he might just ignore it until morning. He pulled out his phone, squinting at the screen.**Dante:** *YO! BOYS NIGHT @ Ecstasy. GET YOUR ASS HERE ASAP.*Rick sighed. The Gentlemen's Club Ecstasy was the last place he wanted to be tonight. But Dante Riggs had been his best friend since high school - a man who'd been there for him in his darkest moments. Saying no to Dante wasn't something Rick did lightly.He texted back: *Long day. Rain check?
Three days later...Rick Cameron wiped the sweat from his brow as he tightened the last bolt on Mrs. Collin's ancient Ford Taurus. The sun shone through the open garage doors, and everyone was busy with one task or another."Tommy!" he called to his youngest mechanic, who was busy organizing a toolbox nearby. "Can you run a final check on Mrs. Collin's cooling system? I want to make sure we've got that leak fixed properly before she picks it up.""Sure thing, boss," Tommy replied, grabbing a pressure tester and heading toward the car.Rick smiled as he watched the kid work. Tommy had been with him for just three months, but he'd put in more work and shown more natural talent than the other mechanics with decades of experience. The boy reminded Rick of himself at nineteen - eager to learn everything about automobiles. Rick sighed, his mind drifting back to the problem that's been bugging him since he left the army. He was a Cameron. He shouldn't be here. He should be running his own au
Valerie trudged up to her room, glancing at her smartwatch with a sinking feeling. Late. She was going to be late, for the first time in her entire career. All because of a surly mechanic with an attitude problem who clearly couldn't stand the sight of her."This is ridiculous," she muttered, pushing open her bedroom door. She was pissed. Really pissed. And she brought this on herself. Why did she have to be interested in a man who hated her? Of all the men in the world, why him?!From downstairs, she could hear Clara moving around the kitchen, making preparations for breakfast. Food would be ready soon, and maybe it would improve her mood.Valerie was just gathering her towel and robe when the front door flew open with a bang, followed by the sound of heels clicking against the floor."Yoo-hoo! Val! Where are you, darling?" Karen's voice echoed through the house. "And more importantly, who is that absolute specimen of rugged masculinity pulling out of your driveway in that beat-up tr
Valerie kissed him wildly, desperately and hungrily. His lips parted instantly, inviting her in, and for a moment, she forgot everything - the darkness, his insults, the reason she was there… the only thing that mattered at that moment was getting her tongue deep inside his mouth until she could feel the back of his throat.Rick wasn’t left out, he grabbed her waist, pulling her deeper into him, as his hot hands massaged her burning pussy. Valerie moaned into his mouth, grateful for not wearing any panties.She felt his hardness against her thighs, felt the way his chest expanded with each labored breath. This was what she had fantasized about for days - the feeling of being completely consumed by him. Rick’s hands left her pussy and moved up the insides her dress, until he found her succulent breasts. He squeezed firmly, emitting a soft moan from her.She was completely glued to him now, but she wanted more. Wanted him inside of her before she eventually collapses from the pressure o
1 AM, and Valerie still couldn’t close her eyes. It was way past her bedtime, and she needed her sleep to maintain a sharp mind tomorrow. But she lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering if she’d been a bit harsh on Rick. If she were to be fair, he hadn’t actually done anything wrong, and in a way, he was right about some things - though she would never admit it. Never.She sighed, turning restlessly on the already messed-up bed. If only she could go back in time and stop herself from encountering Rick in the first place, she wouldn’t be going through all this emotional stress.After another hour of finding no solace in her bed, she threw off the covers and began pacing her bedroom in frustration. Should she release him? What was he doing right now in that basement? What if her guards had hurt him? Oh God. What had she done?She grabbed her robe, then on second thoughts, abandoned it and made her way to the elevator. Her heart hammered against her chest as she punched the
Valerie hung up the call immediately, her heart pounding with fury and shock. Rick had come to her home and was preparing to leave without a word. It's not like it was mandatory that he sees the owner of the car he was working on, but still...She grabbed her keys and headed for the elevator, she didn't even stop to consider that she wasn't wearing any shoes. Rick wasn't leaving until she understands why he affects her this way.Within seconds, the elevator doors opened into the private garage, revealing Valerie, with fists clenched at her sides, her face set in a hardened expression. She stepped out marching barefooted, her body exuding fury and rage. Her dress flowed around her ankle, and she knew how she must look right now - the Duchess of New York, barefoot and chasing after a man.She strode towards the group of security men surrounding Rick's truck near the exit.Rick was inside the truck, one hand on the steering wheel, the other gesturing angrily at the security guards who
Valerie sat in her executive chair, staring blankly at the financial reports on her computer screen. The Japanese acquisition was progressing well, stocks were up by 3.7% since Morrey's dismissal, and the board had finally stopped questioning her authority. It should have been a perfect Tuesday.Yet she couldn't focus.Her mind kept drifting to thoughts of Rick Cameron and the fact that he would be at her penthouse this evening. She had spent half the afternoon wondering why he'd called about the tire. Was it truly about the wrong specifications, or was it an excuse to see her again? Perhaps he'd had second thoughts about rejecting her proposal."Ms. Calder?" Melissa's voice startled her. "The Dubai investors are on line two."Valerie nodded, straightening in her chair and forcing her mind back to business. "Thank you, Melissa."The call lasted nearly an hour, during which Valerie negotiated terms that would add another billion to the company's portfolio. Yet, the moment the call ende
On monday morning, Valerie's eyes snapped open at precisely 5:29 AM, a full minute before her alarm was set to sound. She silenced it immediately, almost flinging it across the wall. She willed herself to be calm. Breath in. Breath out. She couldn't afford to be angry on a Monday morning, or the millions of staff under her would be rendered jobless in a split second.The weekend had left her in a foul mood. First was Rick's rejection, then Aaron's unwelcome visit - both men had gotten under her skin in very different ways.She threw back the covers and strode to her bathroom. Today was not about either of them. Today was about reminding everyone - including herself - exactly who she was.The Duchess of New York.By 6:15, she had completed her morning workout, a punishing routine that leaves her muscles sore. Yes, she loved the pain - physical discipline bred mental discipline - a lesson she'd learned quite early. Besides she needed to punish herself for letting a common man dismiss h
Valerie continued inside, ignoring the voice that had paralyzed her moments ago. She walked through her penthouse, her back straight and rigid despite the storm raging within. The humiliation of Rick's rejection still burned, but it was nothing compared to the mere presence of yet another 'Calder.' Aaron Calder. Her late husband's younger brother.She could hear him following behind her, the sounds of his footsteps making her shiver - this time, from cold disgust."Quite rude to walk away when someone's talking to you, Val," Aaron called out, still diligently following behind her.Valerie said nothing as she made her way to her bedroom, quickly grabbing a thick robe from her closet, and slipping it on to cover her revealing outfit. She tied it tightly around her waist before finally turning to face him.Aaron stood in the doorway of her bedroom, leaning against the doorframe with an entitled ease that made her skin crawl. At forty, he was a decade younger than Dominic had been when s