Maid for a Magnate

“I have a lot on my list today.” She stared at his ear, trying to avoid those piercing aqua eyes. “Your dad should be in his den if you’re looking for him.”

“Our business is already taken care of.” Will’s hand dropped, but he didn’t step back; if anything, he shifted closer. “Now you and I are going to talk.”

“Which is just another area where we differ,” she retorted, skirting around him to cross in front of the mantel and head to the other wall of built-in bookcases. “We have nothing to discuss.”

Of course he was right behind her. The man had dropped her so easily four years ago yet in the past few weeks, he’d been relentless. Perhaps she just needed to be more firm, to let him know exactly where she stood.

“Listen.” She spun back around, brandishing her feather duster at him. Maybe he’d start sneezing and she could make a run for it. “I’ve no doubt you want to talk about that kiss. We kissed. Nothing we hadn’t done before.”

Of course this kiss was so, so much more; it had penetrated to her very soul. Dammit.

“But I’m not the same girl you used to know,” she continued, propping her hand on her hip. “I’m not looking for a relationship, I’m not looking for love. I’m not even interested in you anymore, Will.”

Catalina nearly choked on that lie, but she mentally applauded herself for the firmness in her delivery and for stating all she needed to. She wasn’t about to start playing whatever game Will had in mind because she knew one thing for certain...she’d lose.

Will stepped closer, took hold of her wrist and pulled her arm gently behind her back. Her body arched into his as she gripped her feather duster and tried to concentrate on the bite of the handle into her palm and not the way those mesmerizing eyes were full of passion and want.

“Not interested?” he asked with a smirk. “You may be able to lie to yourself, Cat, but you can never lie to me. I know you too well.”

She swallowed. “You don’t know me at all if you think I still like to be called Cat.”

Will leaned in until his lips caressed the side of her ear. “I want to stand out in your mind,” he whispered. “I won’t call you what everyone else does because our relationship is different.”

“We have nothing but a past that was a mistake.” She purposely threw his words back in his face and she didn’t care if that was childish or not.

Struggling against his hold only caused her body to respond even more as she rubbed against that hard, powerful build.

“You can fight this all you want,” he said as he eased back just enough to look into her eyes. “You can deny you want me and you can even try to tell yourself you hate me. But know this. I’m also not the same man I used to be. I’m not going to let you get away this time.”

Catalina narrowed her gaze. “I have goals, Will, and you’re not on my list.”

A sultry grin spread across his face an instant before he captured her lips. His body shifted so that she could feel just how much he wanted her. Catalina couldn’t stop herself from opening her mouth for him and if her hands had been free, she probably would’ve fully embarrassed herself by gripping his hair and holding him even tighter.

Damn this man she wanted to hate, but couldn’t.

He demanded her affection, demanded desire from her and she gave it. Mercy, she had no choice.

He nipped at her, their tongues tangling, before he finally, finally lifted his head and ran a thumb across her moist bottom lip.

“I have goals, too, Cat,” he murmured against her mouth. “And you’re on the top of my list.”

The second he released her, she had to hurry to steady herself. By the time she’d processed that full-on arousing attack, Will was gone.

Typical of the man to get her ready for more and leave her hanging. She just wished she still wasn’t tingling and aching all over for more of his touch.

Two (#ulink_0f8171e6-800d-56ab-bd23-b6cc98a2290e)

Will sat on his patio, staring down at his boat and contemplating another plan of action. Unfortunately his cell phone rang before he could fully appreciate the brilliant idea he’d just had.

His father’s name popped up on the screen and Will knew without answering what this would be about. It looked as if Patrick Rowling had just got wind of Will’s latest business actions.

“Afternoon,” he greeted, purposely being more cheerful than he assumed his father was.

“What the hell are you doing with the Cortes Real Estate company?”

Will stared out onto the sparkling water and crossed his ankles as he leaned back in his cushioned patio chair. “I dropped them.”

“I’m well aware of that seeing as how Dominic called me to raise hell. What were you thinking?” his father demanded. “When you steamrolled into the head position, I thought you’d make wise moves to further the family business and make it even more profitable into the next generation. I never expected you to sever ties with companies we’ve dealt with for decades.”

“I’m not hanging on to business relationships based on tradition or some sense of loyalty,” Will stated, refusing to back down. “We’ve not gained a thing in the past five years from the Corteses and it was time to cut our losses. If you and Dom want to be friends, then go play golf or something, but his family will no longer do business with mine. The bottom line here is money, not hurt feelings.”

“You should’ve run this by me, Will. I won’t tolerate you going behind my back.”

Will came to his feet, pulled in a deep breath of ocean air and smiled because he was in charge now and his father was going to start seeing that the “good” twin wasn’t always going to bend and bow to Patrick’s wishes. Will was still doing the “right thing,” it just so happened the decisions made were Will’s version of right and not his father’s.

“I’m not sneaking at all,” Will replied, leaning against the scrolling wrought iron rail surrounding his deck. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know, but since I’m in charge now, I’m not asking for permission, either.”

“How many more phone calls can I expect like the one I got from Cortes?”

His father’s sarcasm wasn’t lost on Will.

“None for the time being. I only let one go, but that doesn’t mean I won’t cut more ties in the future if I see we aren’t pulling any revenue in after a period of time.”

“You run your decisions by me first.”

Giving a shrug even though his father couldn’t see him, Will replied, “You wanted the golden son to take over. That’s exactly what I’m doing. Don’t second-guess me and my decisions. I stand to gain or lose like you do and I don’t intend to see our name tarnished. We’ll come out on top if you stop questioning me and let me do this job the way it’s meant to be done.”

Patrick sighed. “I never thought you’d argue with me.”

“I’m not arguing. I’m telling you how it is.”

Will disconnected the call. He wasn’t going to get into a verbal sparring match with his father. He didn’t have time for such things and nothing would change Will’s mind. He’d gone over the numbers and cross-referenced them for the past years. Though that was a job his assistant could easily do, Will wanted his eyes on every report since he was taking over. He needed to know exactly what he was dealing with and how to plan accordingly.

His gaze traveled back to his yacht nestled against his private dock. Speaking of planning accordingly, he had more personal issues to deal with right now. Issues that involved one very sexy maid.

It had taken a lifeless, arranged relationship with Bella to really wake Will up to the fact his father had his clutches so tight, Will had basically been a marionette his entire life. Now Will was severing those strings, starting with the ridiculous notion of his marrying Bella.

Will was more than ready to move forward and take all the things he’d been craving: money and Cat. A beautiful combo to start this second stage of his life.

And it would be soon, he vowed to himself as he stalked around his outdoor seating area and headed inside. Very soon he would add to his millions, secure his place as head of the family business by cementing its leading position in the oil and real estate industries and have Cat right where he wanted her...begging.

* * *

Catalina couldn’t wait to finish this day. So many things had come up that hadn’t been on her regular schedule...just another perk of working for the Rowling patriarch. She had her sights set on getting home, taking off her ugly, sensible work shoes and digging into another sewing project that would give her hope, get her one step closer to her ultimate goal.

This next piece she’d designed late last night would be a brilliant, classy, yet fun outfit to add to her private collection. A collection she fully intended to take with her when she left Alma very soon.

Her own secret goal of becoming a fashion designer had her smiling. Maybe one day she could wear her own stylish clothes to work instead of boring black cotton pants and button-down shirt with hideous shoes. Other than her mother, nobody knew of Catalina’s real dream, and she had every intention of keeping things that way. The last thing she needed was anyone trying to dissuade her from pursuing her ambitions or telling her that the odds were against her. She was fully aware of the odds and she intended to leap over them and claim her dream no matter how long it took. Determination was a hell of a motivator.