Blackmailing The Billionaire(26)

As they made the trek toward the back of the house, where she could hear  the sounds of the party reaching them, her stomach became more nervous.  Her only thought was that she didn't belong. She was way out of her  element in the luxurious home, with the billionaire family.

As they stepped into the room, she looked around in awe. Her nerves  settled a bit. She'd thought the women had exaggerated when they said  the more people, the happier Joseph was. The room was filled with guests  in all forms of dress. She almost felt a bit overdressed, until she saw  Amy rush through the crowd in a floor length red gown. She looked  stunning. If Cassie ever had children, she hoped she maintained as  beautiful a figure as Amy.

"You're late," Amy said as she gave them both a hug. "Come with me. I  have many people for you to talk to. The boys will take care of Max,"  she said as she grabbed Cassie's hand and dragged her through the crowd.

Over the next couple hours, Cassie was shuffled from one group to the  next. It was humbling for her to see how nice everyone was, when she  would've thought she couldn't possibly fit in. She felt like a reverse  snob, and it didn't feel so great. She'd make up for her earlier  thoughts, by letting the world know who the Andersons truly were.         

     



 

She finally managed to sneak away and went to the bar and got a Sprite.  She was hot, her foot was starting to ache, and she wanted to find a  quiet corner to sit down and write her many notes. Max's family and  friends had been more than happy to share every conceivable story they  could think of about him. She'd learned everything from his first word,  to what age he was when he had his first kiss. One of his siblings had  even passed her a picture of him from his freshman year of high school,  looking incredibly skinny with way too much hair. She couldn't help but  smile. He'd been telling her the truth, after all.

Cassie glanced at the crowd, and as if they were physically connected,  she immediately found Max. He was so handsome in his slacks and button  up shirt. He'd loosened his tie and undone the top buttons, showing a  glimpse of his magnificent chest. She could easily undress him the rest  of the way with only her eyes. He gave her a smile, shooting awareness  through her body, and she quickly turned away. She was trying to get her  hormones under control, not stay under his spell.

Cassie found a couch and sat down, a silent sigh escaping her. She  wanted to put her foot up, but thought that would be rude. It was good  enough to get her weight off it. She smiled as she listened to the  conversations all around her. Everyone was so happy, laughter ran  rampant throughout the room. She was glad she'd come.

"What is such a lovely lady doing here all by herself?" a man asked. She  looked up, not recognizing him. He was attractive, normally the kind of  man she would've been drawn to. He wasn't over the top sexy, but  comfortable, the kind of guy who seemed unlikely to cheat.

"I'm getting off my feet for the first time tonight," she replied. He took her response as an invitation to sit down.

"I'm Mike. I work for Joseph in the corporate offices," he said.

"Nice to meet you, Mike. I'm Cassie. I'm interviewing Max," she responded.

"Oh, you're the one doing the interview. I've heard about that. Are the  rumors true? Did you really manage to blackmail Max into the interview?"  he asked with glee. His pure joy at the thought made her laugh. He was  certainly easy to talk to, as everyone at the party was.

"Yes, all rumors are true. But, I do recommend trying to get the interview without being hit by a car," she said.

They chatted for several more moments and she found he was pleasant  company. She wasn't attracted to him in the least, but how could she  find anyone appealing with Max in the room. She feared he'd set the bar  so high she'd never be attracted to another man. That wasn't a pleasant  thought. Just as Cassie was starting to relax, she felt a hand brush  against her neck. There was only one man in that room who could cause  shivers to rush down her spine from just a simple brush of his fingers.

"You're glass looked empty, dear," he said, then bent down and gave her a  long kiss that had her toes curling. As he lifted up, he glanced at  Mike.

"Hi Mike, I'm sorry, I didn't see you sitting there," he said as he sat  down and put his arm around her. She was feeling a little light headed  until she realized what he said and what he was doing. He was staking  his claim. She wouldn't cause a scene but she didn't like being treated  like a piece of property. Besides that, they weren't a couple. They  were … well, she didn't know how to define them.

"Thank you," she mumbled. Mike made some excuse and slinked away. Max had done what he wanted.

"I'm not some possession of yours," she said with irritation once she  knew Mike was out of earshot. Max ignored her words and scooted over,  then lifted her leg onto his lap and started gently rubbing her foot.  She wanted to yank it away, but it felt so good. She was embarrassed,  but not enough to demand he stop.

"Mike is a womanizer. He didn't need to be talking to you," Max growled.

"You don't have the right to tell me who I can and can't speak to. You  wanted me to come to this party and now you're selecting who I can talk  with?" she asked with a glare.

"You can talk to anyone you want … except Mike," he said as if his words  were perfectly reasonable. She gave up arguing, neither of them were  willing to concede they were wrong.

"I've gotten some great information on you, tonight," she said with a  wicked gleam in her eye. She knew the change of subject was good enough  to distract him. It worked. "I heard about your sophomore year, and the  tractor … " she trailed off. His eyes narrowed.

"As interesting a subject as that is, I'll pass on hearing about it  again," he said through gritted teeth. It seemed he wasn't too thrilled  about some of the stories she'd heard. He'd told her she could talk to  his family. He was most likely regretting that decision.         

     



 

"Don't you want to add anything else for me," she goaded. She never  listened in school when her teachers talked about not poking the bear.  But, of course that's what would make her an excellent reporter. She had  to be fearless or she'd never get a good story.

"Just remember our deal about what is and isn't acceptable to print," he  warned. She had to fight the laughter that wanted to spill from her. He  was quite easily riled.

"I need to go thank your Aunt and Uncle for the invitation. Joseph  really knows how to throw a nice party," she said, giving him a break.  She was finding it hard to make conversation with him as his hand  caressed her foot, then slid up her calf and back down. It was playing  havoc with her nerves. But, he could do it forever and she'd be okay.

"This is typical for my family. We've been growing larger each year,  with all my cousins getting married, having kids, and now my brother  joined their ranks. I think my father has the idea that my other  siblings and I will follow in our cousins footsteps. Austin, Bree, and I  have all talked. We know what our Dad and Uncle Joseph are up to and  there's no way we're falling into their trap," Max said.

"Why would your father and uncle have anything to do with you getting married?" she asked.

"I don't know. I just know that my relatives are falling into marriage  left and right, and I don't know how, but I think my Uncle and Dad are  behind it," Max said, shooting a suspicious glance at the two men, who  were currently looking at them.

"I don't know how it would be possible. I've met your relatives and they  aren't forced marriages. It's obvious to anyone who spends a few  minutes in their presence how much they love their wives," she said.

"There's no doubt that they're all madly in love, as a matter-of-fact,  it's quite disgusting to be in a room too long with them, but I know  those old men are somehow involved," Max said with conviction.

"Well … okay," she said, clearly not believing him.

"We will just agree to disagree," he said and she had to role her eyes  at the over-used line. She was once again getting too comfortable around  him.

"I'm going to leave soon," she told him. She didn't feel like walking  around anymore, and the party was in full swing. She knew she wouldn't  last the entire evening.

"Is your foot still bothering you," he asked with concern.

"It's not horribly bad, but I just need to get some sleep. My head's starting to hurt," she said.

"Let me say goodbye to my Aunt, then we can leave," he told her, setting  her foot down and starting to rise. She reached out and grabbed his  arm.

"There's no need for that, Max. I'm going home to my apartment, tonight.  You stay and enjoy your family. I'll take a cab," she insisted.

"I brought you here, and I'll escort you home," he said with a glare. He certainly wasn't used to a woman refusing him.