Blackmailing The Billionaire(11)

"Alaska, at this time of year, can be dangerous. I'm going to a small  town called, Cordova, as you know. Did you research the area, like I  suggested?" he asked.

"Yes, I did an online search. I know its main industry is fishing, and  that at least one member of each household is most likely involved in  the fishing industry in one way or another. They took a hard hit when  the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on the Blight Reef, causing one  of the most devastating environmental disasters ever in North America.  With that and the restrictions put on logging, the town has had some  hard hits but their slowly coming back," she said proudly.         

     



 

"The town also gets hit by a lot of snowfall, dangerously low  temperatures, and you have to be aware of wild animals. You can't just  go wandering around wherever you feel like. You could end up dead in a  matter of minutes in those conditions," he said firmly. She could feel  he was beginning to cave. She sat eagerly, not wanting him to change his  mind.

"I understand all that, and I promise, you'll barely even be able to tell I'm around," she said quietly.

"That's highly unlikely," he said with a smirk. If she knew the thoughts  racing through his mind, he didn't think she'd be so eager to join him  in the secluded town. His body responded at just the thought of her  alone with him in a remote cabin. He was grateful to be sitting so she  couldn't see the evidence of her effect on him. He squirmed in his seat  for a moment, suddenly very uncomfortable.

"If you're going to come with me, then you'll have to make yourself more  useful than just taking notes and following me around. Cynthia had a  family emergency and won't be able to accompany me like she normally  does, so I'll need you to fill in for her," he said. She would be  willing to do anything to go, and taking some notes as his secretary  didn't seem like it could be that difficult.

"I can do that," she said, hoping she didn't sound too eager.

"Cynthia's job isn't as easy it looks. She's just so good at what she  does, she makes it seem effortless. You have to know when to speak, and  when not to. You have to take detailed notes, listen to what I'm asking,  and not offend the locals," he preached. She wanted to give him a  sarcastic reply but managed to hold it in, barely.

"I know Cynthia is a true gem. I'll be sure to pick her brain tomorrow  and have her go over everything I'll need to know," she said, instead.

"As you well know by now, we're very close in these offices. There are  certain items of discussion that I can't have you writing about. I've  been lenient about this interview, but on this trip you'll need to be  careful with what you're writing. I'm going to need to approve your  final copy," Max told her. Her hackles immediately rose. She didn't like  him questioning her integrity. She also didn't like him getting the  final say on her article. She didn't know if she should argue, though,  as she really wanted to go. She was trying to figure out how she could  agree without locking herself into something.

"I have to say I'm a bit offended by that statement. I've gotten along  very well with the workers. I also promised from the beginning to be  honest. If you have nothing to hide, then I don't see what the problem  is with my article," she answered, avoiding making any promises. He  folded his hands and rested his chin on them. He stared her down,  neither of them used to making any sort of compromise.

"Fine, I'll let you look over the article but that doesn't mean I'm  willing to cut and slash my work so it's a typical fluff piece. I've  never agreed to that," she said with a frustrated sigh. The man was  insufferable.

"You can leave anytime you want if you don't like the way I run things,"  he said with a hopeful smile. She glared at him, not allowing him to  get his way.

"I'm fine right where I am."

"Then, we'll leave in two days. Pack for incredibly cold weather," he  said. She knew she'd need to do some shopping. She was used to cold and  rain but not freezing conditions. She mentally tallied her pitiful bank  account. It would all work out, though, because once she'd written this  article she'd be golden for getting a great reporting job.

"You get a reprieve from me for the rest of the afternoon. I have plans  this evening," she said. He immediately sat up and looked at her  suspiciously. Since she'd started trailing him, she'd never once had to  leave early. She was always the first one in the offices, sometimes  beating him there, and never left until he walked out the doors. He was  surprised by the jealousy that flared in him.

"Running late for a hot date?" he asked casually.

Cassie could feel her cheeks heat up at his words. She couldn't actually  remember the last time she'd gone on a date. What irritated her further  was how much she'd love to go out for a romantic evening. She'd love a  man to take her on a real date, with flowers, opening her door, and  making her feel special, without him expecting her to crawl into his bed  at the end of the evening. She didn't know if there were still men out  there like that.         

     



 

"It's really none of your business what my plans are this evening," she finally managed to say.

"You expect every inch of my life to be dissected for your pleasure, yet I'm not allowed to ask you a simple question?"

"I'm done with this conversation. There's no need for you to know about my life," she snapped.

"You aren't denying a date. Is it someone from the offices?"

"I don't need to defend myself. I'm here to interview you, not for you  to analyze me or keep track of my love life. You're acting completely  unprofessional at the moment and I don't appreciate it. As I said before  this is none of your business," she said in her haughtiest voice.

"You're correct." He suddenly got comfortable again and gave her a  stunning smile, looking in control. "How rude of me to want to pry into  your life and dig into the smallest details. It's a good thing you've  put me in my place." His words came out sounding sincere but she knew he  was really talking about the way she was in his face at all times. "I  tend to have a problem with butting my nose into other people's  business, what was I thinking?"

"Well, I'm glad you realize that," Cassie said, proud of her ability to  sound just as serious as he had. She managed to keep a straight face, as  well. If he felt like playing a game, she was ready for him. Batter up!

"Yes, me too." His smile only grew wider, his dimple clearly showing in  his perfectly chiseled cheeks. He could make both young and old fall at  his feet. When he didn't get his way the first time, he simply changed  direction and made sure to win another way. She was ready to spill her  guts, though there wasn't much to say. She knew she needed to be on  higher guard or it wouldn't take him any time to know every secret she'd  ever wanted to keep hidden.

She was impressed she'd been able to hold her own as long as she had  around him. He was a compelling man, and she was doing well at keeping  him at bay. At least, she felt she was doing well. In reality, she was  probably fooling herself.

Cassie glanced at the clock and realized she was running behind  schedule. She needed to get out of there. She was surprised she wanted  to stay with him. He had a hold on her that scared her, considering  she'd only known him personally about a month. She'd researched him for  months, though, and found that what she'd assumed about him was not who  he was turning out to be.

"I don't want to discuss this any further," she finally said. She was  uncomfortable with where their conversation had led and the myriad of  emotions running through her.

"Fine, I'll remember that when you're asking me questions next time."  Cassie just stood up, gathered her things, and walked out the door. She  wouldn't argue with him further.

Max sat at his desk as she walked away, his temper barely in check. He  wanted to follow her, drag her back, and make sure she had no other man  on her mind other than him. He knew he was being irrational, but he'd  set his sights on her and he wanted to stake his territory. He found it  quite appealing to chase a woman. One of the things he liked about her  most was the fact that she wasn't falling all over him. Amazingly, it  got old after a while to have women chasing you all the time.

He wasn't necessarily arrogant, but he knew he was considered a good  looking man, and with the name and money, he was the ultimate catch in  greedy women's eyes. He would prefer a woman to look a bit deeper inside  him. He didn't know how his brother had gotten so lucky with his bride,  let alone his cousins. They'd all managed to find women who genuinely  loved them for themselves, and not the power behind their name.

Of course, those matches hadn't started out too well in the beginning.  He chuckled when he thought about the trouble his brother had gone  through with his bride. She'd blown him off like he was nothing. It had  been a good thing for Trenton. Since his marriage, though, Trenton had  turned disgustingly mushy.