Maid for the Billionaire(11)

Chapter Five





Abby turned from hanging up the phone to see Lil, baby on one hip, shaking her head in amusement.



Lil said, "I don't believe it! Abby Dartley is engaging in reckless behavior."

I deserve this, Abby thought. She'd lectured her sister about the right and wrong type of man countless times over the years. Before tonight, it had been easy to dismiss Lil's protests that a person couldn't choose who to be attracted to.

But that was before Dominic.

Rude, bossy, blackmailing Dominic. Just the thought of him sent a shiver of sexual anticipation down her spine. Whatever illicit outing he had planned for her tomorrow, she had no intention of going—but that didn't mean that she couldn't indulge in a momentary fantasy.

Lil shifted Colby onto her other hip. "Was that really Dominic Corisi?"

Abby walked past her sister and started to remove some of the clutter from the room. Lil's fever had finally broken. Now perhaps the living room would stop looking like an infirmary. "Yes, it was. I told you that I had met him."

Lil followed her to the kitchen. "You did, but I think you forgot to mention a few other things."

Abby flushed.

Her sister leapt on the involuntary response. "Well you obviously made a good impression on him if he wants to send a limo for you and you can't tell me you don't want to go … you look positively smitten."

Abby rinsed several glasses in the sink before putting them in the dishwasher. She hoped her silence would discourage Lil, but her sister just waited patiently, not even attempting to hide her amusement. "Go ahead. Laugh it up. I deserve it. The guy is a complete ass, but…"

"But you like him," her sister interjected.

"Stupid, huh?"

Lil's smile turned sympathetic. "No, surprisingly human of you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that ever since mom and dad died you've been so perfect." Lil moved closer and cradled Colby against her neck. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for how you've always taken care of me, but it's been hard living up to your expectations. It's just refreshing to see you like this."

"I'm not going anywhere with him." Abby turned, folding her arms across her chest while resting back against the counter.

"Because rich men come knocking on our door every day?"

"I don't care about his money."

Lil nodded, "Ok, but look me in the eye and tell me that you don't want to go."

Abby hopped up on the counter, something she'd hadn't done since childhood, leaned her head back against the wooden cabinet and closed her eyes. She knew the stupid smile was back on her face. "You should have seen him. He came in looking so rough on the outside, but there was a real sadness in his eyes. I just wanted to comfort him. Then he looked at me and—I was on fire. I've never felt that way before. It doesn't matter that I don't even know him." She bit her lip and opened her eyes. "It doesn't make any sense."

"Who said relationships are supposed to? I mean, besides you. No matter how well you plan, you can't dictate who you are going to be attracted to. Why don't you give this guy a chance?" Lil wagged a finger as her sister was about to voice her first reason. "Don't even pretend this is about my job."

Abby had the grace to look ashamed. "Sorry about that, Lil. I'll help you find a new job."

Lil didn't look as upset about the prospect as she had earlier. "Don't change the subject. What do you have against this guy?"

"Outside of the background check he did on me?"

Lil shrugged. "Rich people are weird. I was reading one of those financial magazines and they listed him as one of the top fifty most powerful men in the world. Cut the man some slack. He's probably just being careful." Lil's smile turned knowing as their roles reversed.

One of the most powerful men? Abby gulped nervously. "I'm scared, ok?" If you can't be honest with yourself, at least be honest with your sister.

"No, really?" Lil rolled her eyes.

"Shut up." Abby teased, amazed that the tension that was often part of their discussions was not present. Abby remembered a time, years ago, when they had bantered like this about boys.

"So, one of the richest men on the planet is sending a limo for you tomorrow morning and you're not going to get in it?" Lil challenged.

Abby hopped off the counter and resumed filling the dishwasher. "Exactly. I'm going to…"

"Hide," Lil finished her sentence for her. She lifted Colby up in front of her and spoke to her daughter, "Colby, Auntie Abby has been taking care of me for so long that she is afraid to do something for herself. We're going to have to stop relying on her so much or she's never going to get laid."