BEAST
by Alana Albertson
Heroes Ever After, #1
Publication Date: March 22, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
SYNOPSIS:
Wanted: Beautiful woman to be the mistress of my manor. Must be single. No
sex required, dynamic conversation imperative. Salary $100,000 for a one-month
contract.
A viral post. Thousands of women applied—including me. I told myself I
was crazy, but the money could pay for my father’s medical treatments and save his life.
A month later, I received the call.
I’d been chosen.
A man with a mask greeted me, and though he filled my days with a
library full of books, and dressed me in the finest clothes, he never shed his cover nor touched me
intimately, despite my growing hunger for him.
He was equal parts Iron Man, Phantom of the Opera, and Beauty’s Beast.
But he wasn’t a superhero, the tragic villain of a novel turned musical, or the cursed creature of a fairy
tale.
This former Marine was trapped in his own nightmare—demons from
the war he had fought in haunted his thoughts, scars from the bomb he jumped on marked his
skin.
True love could free him from his self-imposed prison, but he’d have to
let me in. Opening the door to his cabin was the easy part, but the real test would be allowing me into
his heart.
Otherwise, he would always remain a beast.
EXCERPT
Chapter One—
Isa
I stared at my phone, rereading a post from Reddit that had gone
viral.
Wanted: Beautiful woman to be the mistress of my manor. Must be
single. No sex required, dynamic conversation imperative. Salary $100,000 for a one-month
contract.
The opportunity of a lifetime. Thousands of women had applied, the
world was anxious to learn the identity of the man the press had hailed as “the dark bachelor.”
Though I’d never purchased a lottery ticket, nor did I believe in get-rich-
quick schemes, I hastily filled out the application, never thinking for a second that I had a chance. The
process had been easy enough—agree to submit to a background check if chosen, send a picture, and
write an essay (100 words or less) answering the question, “What I’d do with the $100,000.”
Well, that was easy. My words poured onto the page.
I would pay off my father’s medical bills, and provide him with the best
care. He has brain cancer, and insurance hasn’t covered all of his treatments. I dropped out of college
and work three jobs to support him. I would like to spend more quality time with him before he passes.
My father is proud, independent man, a Marine who served Vietnam, and he hates to be a burden. He
has dedicated his life to me, and I’m happy to take care of him during his final years. I would be forever
grateful to you for this opportunity.
I attached a picture of me wearing a loose-fitting grey T-shirt, jean
shorts, and flip-flops. For makeup, I had only used a tinted moisturizer, purple eyeliner to accentuate my
green eyes, mascara, and nude lipstick. My black hair hung like a shower curtain around my face. I
wanted to make sure I wasn’t sending a provocative image to this man. Though I strongly doubted
whoever he was only wanted a platonic companion, I was positive hundreds of girls would send in bikini
shots, or nude selfies, so if that was what that guy was looking for, then he’d have plenty of options. I
figured the chances of me being chosen were so slim, it was worth the risk to apply.
What kind of man posted an ad like this? He could’ve been a serial killer,
or some psycho. One newspaper swore he was a famous tech billionaire, another speculated that he
was a deformed recluse.
I didn’t put much thought into it—until I received the call from a blocked
number.
“Hello?” I answered my cell late one night.
“May I speak to Isa?” A man with a deep, sexy voice asked.
I had a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. “This is Isa.”
“This is the man who posted the ad.”
Dios mío! Was this a joke? “Uhm hi. What’s your name?”
He laughed, a gruff, sexy laugh. He sounded younger than I’d thought
he’d be. I had assumed he was an older gentleman when I read the ad. “You can call me Bruce.”
The way he said Bruce made me certain it wasn’t his name. “Okay, Bruce.
Am I a finalist or something? Why are you calling me?”
“I wanted to hear your voice.” He paused, and exhaled. “Is your dad
going to be okay if I pick you? Does he have someone else to step in to take care of him?”
I didn’t even know this guy and he seemed to care more about what
happened to my father than my own friends did. “Honestly, no. I didn’t think I’d be chosen so I never
really considered what I’d do.” I felt so stupid. I should’ve never applied. I would have to quit my jobs,
find somewhere for my father to go, and someone to attend to him. “I’m sorry to waste your time. I
applied on a whim. I heard that thousands of girls applied. Why me? I mean, I could really use the
money, but—” I swallowed a sob. Was he really about to pick me, was I about to throw away this
amazing opportunity so that once in my life I wouldn’t have to struggle?
“Hey, look. I liked your essay—and your picture. As for why I chose you,
let’s just say you stood out to me. If you really want to do this, I can arrange to have someone take care
of your father.”
Was he for real? “Are you serious? Who are you? Why are you doing
this? You sound really nice, I’m sure you can find someone to hang out with you for free.”
“I have my reasons. So is that a yes?”
My hands shook. Was this really happening to me? “I don’t know. I
mean, I’m not going to sleep with you, if that’s what you’re after. I don’t know anything about you; you
could be an axe murder. I feel naïve even talking about this.”
“I’m not expecting sex in return. And though I’m not going to tell you my
real name, the Washoe County Sheriff knows who I am and you are welcome to verify with them that I
have no criminal record. If you agree to meet me, I promise to show you a good time and keep you safe.
I’d like to get to know you. So what do you say?”
I couldn’t believe he was serious. And why wouldn’t he tell me his real
name? Was he famous? Notorious? “Can I think about it?”
“No. I need a decision. What’s it going be?”
My heart raced. I was now completely intrigued; yet simultaneously
scared to death. He promised to take care of my father, and I desperately needed this money. My
breath hitched. “I’m in.”
#TAKEOFFYOURMASK
#AMERICASBRAVESTBEAST
#BEAUTYSBEAST
ABOUT ALANA ALBERTSON
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