Maid for a Magnate(2)

Oh, he intended to do just that.

Will gave his father a brief nod before heading out into the hallway.  Little did his father know, Will was fully capable of going after more  than one goal at a time. He had no intention of letting the oil or real  estate businesses slide. If anything, Will fully intended to expand both  aspects of the business into new territory within the next year.

Will also intended to seduce Cat even sooner. Much sooner. And he would stop at nothing to see all of his desires fulfilled.                       
       
           



       

* * *

That familiar woodsy scent assaulted her...much like the man himself had when he'd kissed her a few weeks ago.

Could such a full-on assault of the senses be called something so  simple as a kiss? He'd consumed her from the inside out. He'd had her  body responding within seconds and left her aching and wanting more than  she should.

Catalina kept her back turned, knowing full well who stood behind her.  She'd managed to avoid running into him, though he visited his father  more and more lately. At this point, a run-in was inevitable.

She much preferred working for James instead of Patrick, but now that  James was married, he didn't stay here anymore and Patrick did. Catalina  had zero tolerance for Patrick and the fact that she worked directly  for him now only motivated her more to finish saving up to get out of  Alma once and for all. And the only reason she was working for Patrick  was because she needed the money. She knew she was well on her way to  leaving, so going to work for another family for only a few months  didn't seem fair.

Years ago her mother had moved on and still worked for a prestigious  family in Alma. Cat prayed her time here with Patrick was coming to an  end, too.

But for now, she was stuck here and she hadn't been able to stop  thinking about that kiss. Will had silently taken control of her body  and mind in the span of just a few heated moments, and he'd managed to  thrust her directly into their past to the time when they'd dated.

Unfortunately, when he'd broken things off with her, he'd hurt her more  than she cared to admit. Beyond leaving her when she hadn't even seen  it coming, he'd gone so far as to say it had all been a mistake. His  exact words, which had shocked her and left her wondering how she'd been  so clueless. Catalina wouldn't be played for a fool and she would never  be his "mistake" again. She had more pride than that...even if her  heart was still bruised from the harsh rejection.

Even if her lips still tingled at the memory of their recent kiss.

Catalina continued to pick up random antique trinkets on the built-in  bookshelves as she dusted. She couldn't face Will, not just yet. This  was the first encounter since that night three weeks ago. She'd seen  him, he'd purposely caught her eye a few times since then, but he'd not  approached her until now. It was as if the man enjoyed the torture he  inflicted upon her senses.

"You work too hard."

That voice. Will's low, sultry tone dripped with sex appeal. She didn't  turn around. No doubt the sight of him would still give her that swift  punch of lust to the gut, but she was stronger now than she used to  be...or she'd been stronger before he'd weakened her defenses with one  simple yet toe-curling kiss.

"Would that make you the pot or the kettle?" she asked, giving extra  attention to one specific shelf because focusing on anything other than  this man was all that was holding her sanity together.

His rich laughter washed over her, penetrating any defense she'd  surrounded herself with. Why did her body have to betray her? Why did  she find herself drawn to the one man she shouldn't want? Because she  hadn't forgotten that he'd recently been the chosen one to wed Bella  Montoro. Bella's father had put out a false press release announcing  their engagement, but of course Bella fell for James instead and Will  ended up single. James had informed Cat that Bella and Will were never  actually engaged, but still. With Will single now, and after that  toe-curling kiss, Cat had to be on her guard. She had too much pride in  herself to be anybody's Plan B.

"That spot is clean." His warm, solid hand slid easily onto her shoulder. "Turn around."

Pulling in a deep breath, Catalina turned, keeping her shoulders back  and her chin high. She would not be intimidated by sexy good looks,  flawless charm and that knowing twinkle in Will's eye. Chemistry  wouldn't get her what she wanted out of life...all she'd end up with was  another broken heart.

"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

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.