Maid for a Magnate

Catalina swallowed as she zeroed in on the lace and pulled it from the pile. “I know. Don’t dwell on that, though. I’m closer to leaving every day.”

“Not soon enough for me,” her mother muttered.

Catalina knew her mother hated Patrick Rowling. Their affair years ago was still a secret and the only reason Catalina knew was because when she’d been dumped by Will and was sobbing like an adolescent schoolgirl, her mother had confessed. Maria Iberra was a proud woman and Catalina knew it had taken courage to disclose the affair, but Maria was dead set on her daughter truly understanding that the Rowling men were only after one thing and they were ruthless heartbreakers. Feelings didn’t exist for those men, save for James, who seemed to be truly in love and determined to make Bella happy.

But Patrick was ruthless in everything and Will had followed suit. So why was he still pursuing her? She just wanted a straight answer. If he just wanted sex, she’d almost wish he’d just come out and say it. She’d take honesty over adult games any day.

Before she could respond to her mother, Catalina’s doorbell rang. “Mum, I’ll call you back. Someone is at my door.”

She disconnected the call and pocketed her cell in her smock pocket. She’d taken to wearing a smock around her waist to keep pins, thread, tiny scissors and random sewing items easily accessible. Peeking through the peephole, Catalina only saw a vibrant display of flowers.

Flicking the deadbolt, she eased the door open slightly. “Yes?”

“Catalina Iberra?”

“That’s me.”

The young boy held onto the crystal vase with two hands and extended it toward her. “Delivery for you.”

Opening the door fully, she took the bouquet and soon realized why this boy had two hands on it. This thing was massive and heavy.

“Hold on,” she called around the obscene arrangement. “Let me give you a tip.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but that was already taken care of. You have a nice day.”

Catalina stepped back into her apartment, kicked the door shut with her foot and crossed the space to put the vase on her coffee table. She stood back and checked out various shades and types of flowers. Every color seemed to be represented in the beautiful arrangement. Catalina couldn’t even imagine what this cost. The vase alone, made of thick, etched glass, appeared to be rather precious.

A white envelope hung from a perfectly tied ribbon around the top of the vase. She tugged on the ribbon until it fell free and then slid the small envelope off. Pulling the card out and reading it, her heart literally leapt up into her throat. Think of me. W.

Catalina stared at the card, and then back at the flowers. Suddenly they weren’t as pretty as they’d been two minutes ago. Did he seriously think she’d fall for something as cliché as flowers? Please. And that arrogant message on the card was utterly ridiculous.

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.”

No way in hell was he letting his father, or anybody else for that matter, dictate what he could and couldn’t do with Cat. Listening to his father’s instructions about his personal life was what got Will into this mess in the first place.

“Once we’ve officially signed with the Cherringtons, I’ll be sure to send them a nice vintage wine with a personalized note.”

Patrick came to his feet, rested his hands on his desk and leaned forward. “You’re changing the subject.”

“The subject of your staff or my personal life has no relevance in this meeting,” Will countered. “I’ll be sure to keep you updated if anything changes, but my assistant should have all the proper paperwork emailed by the end of the day.”

Will started to head out the door, but turned to glance over his shoulder. “Oh, and the next time Cat talks to you, I suggest you are polite in return and at least look her in the eye.”

Leaving his father with his mouth wide open, Will turned and left the office. Perhaps he shouldn’t have added that last bit, but Will wasn’t going to stand by and watch his father dismiss Cat like that. She was a person, too—just because she cleaned for Patrick and he signed her checks didn’t mean he was more important than she. Will had no doubt that when Cat worked for James, he at least treated her with respect.