Maid for a Magnate

Think of him? Lately she’d done little else, but she’d certainly never tell him that. What an ego he’d grown since they were last together. And she thought it had been inflated then.

But because no one was around to see her, she bent down and buried her face in the fresh lilacs. They smelled so wonderful and in two days they would still look amazing.

A smile spread across her face as her plan took shape. Will had no idea who he was up against if he thought an expensive floral arrangement was going to get her to drop her panties or common sense.

As much as she was confused and a bit hurt by his newfound interest in her now that he wasn’t involved with Bella, she had to admit, toying with him was going to be fun. Only one person could win this battle...she just prayed her strength held out and she didn’t go down in the first round.

* * *

Will slid his cell back into his pocket and leaned against the window seat in his father’s office at his Playa del Onda home. “We’ve got them.”

Patrick blinked once, twice, and then a wide smile spread across his face. “I didn’t think you could do it.”

Will shrugged. “I didn’t have a doubt.”

“I’ve been trying to sign with the Cherringtons for over a year.” Patrick shook his head and pushed off the top of his desk to come to his feet. “You’re really making a mark here, Will. I wondered how things would fair after Bella, but business is definitely your area of expertise.”

Will didn’t tell his father that Mrs. Cherrington had tried to make a pass at Will at a charity event a few months back. Blackmail in business was sometimes not a bad thing. It seemed that Mrs. Cherrington would do anything to keep her husband from learning she’d had too much to drink and gotten a little frisky. She apparently went so far as to talk him into doing business with the Rowlings, but considering both families would prosper, Will would keep her little secret.

In Will’s defense, he didn’t let her advances go far. Even if she weren’t old enough to be his mother and if she hadn’t smelled as if she bathed in a distillery, she was married. He may not want any part of marriage for himself, but that didn’t mean he was going to home in on anybody else’s, either.

Before he could say anything further, Cat appeared in the doorway with an enormous bouquet. The arrangement reminded him of the gift he’d sent her. He’d wondered all weekend what she’d thought of the arrangement. Had she smiled? Had she thought about calling him?

He’d end this meeting with his father and make sure to track her down before he headed back to the Rowling Energy offices for an afternoon meeting. He had an ache that wasn’t going away anytime soon and he was starting to schedule his work around opportunities to see Cat. His control and priorities were becoming skewed.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she stated, not glancing Will’s way even for a second. “I thought I’d freshen up your office.”

Patrick glanced down at some papers on his desk and motioned her in without a word. Will kept his eyes on Cat, on her petite, curvy frame tucked so neatly into her black button-down shirt and hip-hugging dress pants. His hands ached to run over her, sans clothing.

She was sporting quite a smirk, though. She was up to something, which only put him on full alert.

“I don’t always keep flowers in here, but I thought this bouquet was lovely.” She set it on the accent table nestled between two leather wingback chairs against the far wall. “I received these the other day and they just did a number on my allergies. I thought about trashing them, but then realized that you may want something fresh for your office, Mr. Rowling.”

Will stood straight up. She’d received those the other day? She’d brought his bouquet into his father’s office and was giving it away?

Apparently his little Cat had gotten feisty.

“I didn’t realize you had allergies,” Will stated, drawing her attention to him.

She tucked her short black hair behind her ears and smiled. “And why should you?” she countered with a bit more sass than he was used to from her. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

As she breezed out just as quickly as she’d come, Will looked at his father, who was staring right back at him with a narrowed gaze. Why did Will feel as if he’d been caught doing something wrong?

“Keep your hands off my staff,” his father warned. “You already tried that once. I hesitated keeping her on, but James swore she was the best worker he’d ever had. Her mother had been a hard worker, too, so don’t make me regret that decision.”