All Chapters of A Billion Desires 1: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

River's eyes were sunken from lack of sleep, but he snapped them open, a one-track mind to see the Maserati he'd just finished. He'd put in a nasty three-day marathon to get it done, sending Julian a text the moment he was finished. Even with seven days' lead time on parts, a three-week turnover was a coup. More importantly, he knew the job was flawless. He reclined on the breakroom couch, planning on a quick snooze before Julian came off work.He awakened in a stunned sense of awareness, Julian towering over him, and a surge of adrenaline coursed through him. "What the fuck?" he shouted, standing up.Julian held up his hands in a pacifying gesture. "Sorry, sorry. I knocked. Front's empty." He gestured over his shoulder. "You said I could come by anytime.""Right, sorry. I just thought it would be later." River rubbed his eyes half asleep and took Julian to the central office. It was noon; his sister Sierra had taken their dad, Tomás, out for lunch. River moved behind the counter to p

"Listen," he released a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know you're not gonna believe this, but I've got an auto repair shop on the south side of town with my dad." He looked at my dress and made me feel small and insufficient. "I'm sure it's not your first choice, but we're the best in the region for import restoration. You can read our reviews on Yelp and crap. Moreno Custom Garage.""Are you going to fix my car?" I asked in amazement. If he would fix the car, then I would have a chance at seeing him again. I winced at the way that sounded. "I only meant, I'd appreciate that, and I'll pay, of course.""Yeah, I can fix it no problem. It might take me a few weeks to be able to get what I need, but if you want to make a police report, that's okay too.""I'd rather not have anything to do with that if it's alright with you." If my name ended up on a police report, the press would have it covered. It was an election year, and Camille was the governor's daughter. My associa

"How's it going with Jason?" I inquire about Mara's new beau. I want to meet everybody in this building from the custodians to the people who work at the coffee shop to the information technology staff to the board of trustees. My name is on the building, and my dad and I have a vastly different view of what it is to be a leader.I would like these people to look forward to working for me in the future, not dread it and jump ship from Ashford & Co. Wealth the moment they get the chance."They're great. He took me to a Brave's game this weekend because I told him I never had and always wanted to attend," she smiles. Good fellow, Jason.The toaster signals, and Mara finishes preparing my bagel before handing it over."I'm glad to hear it. You keep him at it, yeah?""Thank you, Mr. Ashford. I will."Catching the elevator back up to my office, my thoughts replay my encounter with River. Wish I wasn't so fucking embarrassed around him, but I've never ever acted on a crush before boarding s

I hit one hundred and twenty and I rolled at that for a few miles until I rolled off the accelerator and coasted to a reasonable speed, realizing I'm going to miss our turn. Braking from that kind of speed isn't any gentler on the riders than it is the car, and I don't want to roll it or blow out my tires.As we pass the street I need to turn onto, we're still going ninety-five, and River waves. "When you do the turn around, that's your turn.""Got it."Am I extending this joyride intentionally? You bet.The craziest thing? River doesn't seem to mind.It takes a minute before he leans forward over the console into my space, and I almost crash when I get a whiff of his shampoo close to my face."Okay, you're good," he tells me, sitting his ass back down in the seat, leaving me in utter confusion.I have to cough my way back to having a voice. "Good for what?" I'm swearing on God, if he touches me even lightly, I'm going to shoot my load in my fucking underwear."I was just wanting to g

"Why hello, River! What are you by today?" Betty trills, coming towards me with open arms."Hi, Mrs. Betty." I embrace her and notice how fragile she appears. I don't like it. "I was wondering if you all have had any other property losses recently? We were struck last week and again last night.""Oh my, are your dad and sister okay?""They are, just mad and a little ruffled up.""Thank goodness, we only got hit the one time last few months." The instant she finishes talking, the front bell rings once more, which causes me to turn around. Carl walks into the room with two lamps in his arms. "Well, aren't those lovely!" Betty claps her hands together. "Those would look good in our living room."Carl scowls, but I can tell that it's to conceal his smile. "Hell no, woman. We're supposed to sell what we discover so other individuals can purchase so we can pay to switch on the lights we already own."She smacks playfully at his shoulder and takes the lamps away from him and runs off behind