Maid for a Magnate(13)

"I'm hoping." He reached out, tucking her hair behind her ears before  his fingertips trailed down her jawline. "I want to take you somewhere  tomorrow afternoon. Just us, on my yacht for a day out."

Catalina wanted to give in to him, she wanted to forget all the reasons  they shouldn't be together in any way. She wished her head and her  heart would get on the same page where Will Rowling was concerned. She  had goals, she had a job she needed to keep in order to reach those  goals...yet everything about Will made her want to entertain the idea of  letting him in, even if just for one night.

"I even have the perfect spot chosen for a swim," he added, resting his  hands on her shoulders. Squeezing her tense muscles, Will smiled. "I'll  be a total gentleman."

"A total gentleman?" Catalina couldn't help but laugh. "Then why are you so eager to go?"

"Maybe I think it's time someone gives back to you." His hands stilled  as he held her gaze and she realized he wasn't joking at all. "And maybe  it's time you see that I'm a changed man."

Her heart tumbled in her chest. "I'm so tired, Will. I'm pretty sure I'm going to spend the next two days sleeping."

"You won't have to do a thing," he promised. "I'll bring the food. All  you have to do is wear a swimsuit. I promise this will be a day of total  relaxation and pampering."

Catalina sighed. "Will, your father-"

"He's not invited."

She laughed again. "I'm serious."

"I am, too."

Will backed her up to her car and towered over her with such an intense gaze, Catalina knew she was fighting a losing battle.

"This has nothing to do with my father, your job or our differences."  His strong jaw set firm, he pressed his gloriously hard body against  hers as he stared into her eyes. "I want to spend time with you, Cat.  I've finally got my sights set on what is important to me and I'm not  letting you get away again. Not without a fight."

"That's what scares me." She whispered the confession.

"There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Said the big bad wolf."

Will smiled, dropped his hands and eased back. "No pressure, Cat. I  want to spend time with you, but if you're not ready, I understand. I'm  not going anywhere."                       
       
           



       

The man knew exactly what to say and his delivery was flawless. In his  line of work, Will was a master at getting people to see things his way,  to ensure he got what he wanted at the end of the day.

No matter what common sense tried to tell her, Catalina wasn't about to start in on a battle she had no chance of winning.

"I'll go," she told him.

The smile that spread across his face was half shadowed by the slant of  the motion lights, but she knew all too well how beautiful and sexy the  gesture was.

"I'll pick you up at your apartment around noon," he told her. "Now, go  home. I'm going to follow you to make sure you get there safely since  you're so tired."

"That's not necessary."

Will shrugged. "Maybe not, but I wasn't kidding when I said someone  needed to take care of you and pamper you for a change. I'm not coming  in. I'll just follow, and then be on my way home."

"I live in the opposite direction from your house," she argued.

"We could've been halfway to your flat by now." He slid his arm around  her and tugged on her door handle. "Get in, stop fighting me and let's  just save time. You know I'll win in the end anyway."

That's precisely what she feared the most. Will having a win over her  could prove more damaging than the last time she'd let him in, but she  wanted to see this new side of him. She wanted to take a day and do  absolutely nothing but be catered to.

Catalina eased behind the wheel and let Will shut her door. Tomorrow  would tell her one of two things: either she was ready to move on and  just be his friend or she wanted more with him than stolen kisses behind  closed doors.

Worry and panic flooded Catalina as she realized she already knew what tomorrow would bring.

* * *

Will had been meaning to see his niece, Maisey, and this morning he was  making her his top priority. Before he went to pick up Cat for their  outing, he wanted to surprise his adorable niece with a gift...the first  of many. He had a feeling this little girl was going to be spoiled,  which was better than a child being ignored.

Maisey Rowling would want for nothing. Will's brother had given up  being a playboy and was growing into his family-man role rather nicely,  and Bella was the perfect stepmother to the infant. Will figured since  he and his twin were growing closer, he'd stop in and offer support to  James. This complete one-eighty in lifestyles had to be a rough  transition for James, but he had Bella and the two were completely in  love. And they both loved sweet Maisey.

A slight twinge of jealousy speared through Will, but not over the fact  that his brother had married Bella. There had been no chemistry between  Will and Bella. She was sweet and stunning, but Will only had eyes for  one woman.

The jealousy stemmed from the thought of his brother settling down with  his own family. Will hadn't given much thought to family before. He'd  been raised to focus solely on taking over Rowling Energy one day.

Will tapped on the etched glass front door to James and Bella's  temporary home. They were living here until they knew for sure where  they wanted to be permanently. They were in the middle of renovating the  old farmhouse that belonged to the Montoros and James had mentioned  that they'd probably end up there.

But for now, this house was ideal. It was near the beach, near the park  and near Bella's family. Family was important to the Montoros...and yet  Will was still thrilled he'd dodged that clan.

The door swung open and Bella greeted him with a smile. "Will, this is a surprise. Come on in."

Clutching the doll he'd brought as a present, Will stepped over the  threshold. "I should've called, but I really thought of this  last-minute."

Bella smoothed her blond hair behind her shoulders. "This is fine.  Maisey and James are in the living room. They just finished breakfast  and they're watching a movie."

Her blue eyes darted down to his hands. "I'm assuming that's for Maisey?"

Will nodded. "I haven't played the good uncle yet. Figured it was time I started spoiling her."

Bella's smile lit up her face. "She's going to love it."

The thought of being married to this woman did nothing for Will. Yes,  she was stunning, but he'd never felt the stirrings of lust or need when  he'd been around her. Their fathers never should have attempted to  arrange their engagement, but thankfully everything had worked out for  the best...at least where Bella and James were concerned. They were a  unified family now.

The thought of his black sheep, playboy brother snuggling up with a  baby girl and watching some kid flick was nearly laughable. But Will  also knew that once James had learned he had a child, his entire life  had changed and his priorities had taken on a whole new order, Maisey  being at the top.                       
       
           



       

Bella led Will through a wide, open-arched doorway to a spacious living  room. Two pale yellow sofas sat facing each other with a squat,  oversized table between them. An array of coloring books and crayons  were scattered over the top of the glossy surface.

James sat on one of the sofas, legs sprawled out before him with Maisey  on his lap. James's short hair was all in disarray. He still wore his  pajama bottoms and no shirt, and Maisey had a little pink nightgown on;  it was obvious they were enjoying a morning of laziness.

As Will stepped farther into the room, James glanced over and smiled. "Hey, brother. What brings you out?"

Bella sat at the end of the couch at her husband's feet. Maisey crawled  over her father's legs and settled herself onto Bella's lap. Will  looked at his niece and found himself staring into those signature  Rowling aqua eyes. No denying who this baby's father was.

"I brought something for Maisey." Will crossed the room and sat on the  edge of the coffee table. "Hey, sweetheart. Do you like dolls?"

What if she didn't like it? What if she didn't like him? Dammit. He  should've planned better and called to see what Maisey actually played  with. He'd just assumed a little girl would like a tiny stuffed doll.

"Her dress matches your nightgown," Bella said softly to the little girl.

Maisey kept her eyes on him as she reached for the toy. Instantly the blond hair went into Maisey's mouth.

"She likes it." James laughed. "Everything goes into her mouth these days."

Will continued to stare at his niece. Children were one area where he  had no clue, but if James said Maisey liked it, then Will had to assume  she did.