The Tycoon's Secret(11)

"What do you mean?" she asked, her gaze refusing to meet his. Damien noticed her father's silence as the two of them sat on the couch, almost in a world of their own. He ignored her question.

For all her father knew, Damien wanted Sierra for his own personal sex slave. Damien was disgusted that the man so willingly sold his daughter to the highest bidder. Almost disgusted enough to walk from the room.

Almost.

Not quite.

His eyes took in her petite form, the way her legs were pushed tightly together, how she was twisting her fingers in her lap. When her tongue quickly moistened her surprisingly plump pink lips, he felt a shimmer of desire awaken within him. Surprise filled him.

He narrowed his eyes. This wasn't about desire, and it was best if he remembered that. He got a new employee and an inside connection to the Anderson's. He was glad Douglas had called him. The timing had been impeccable.

With an iron-will that had made him overly successful, he ripped his gaze from her, his attention focusing once more on her father. He looked at the man, waiting for him to inform his daughter of their arrangement.

Damien knew he didn't live in the dark ages. Sierra could refuse to go with him, refuse to be his virtual slave, not that he was telling her that was her job title. He also somehow knew that she wouldn't defy her father. What had him most intrigued was whether her obedience came from loyalty, greed, or fear. He was determined to find out the answer.

With Sierra squirming uncomfortably beside him, he felt an odd stirring of protectiveness rise within him. No! He refused to feel any weakness toward the girl. She wasn't some innocent bystander who needed protection. He'd researched her well, and knew she was as good as any other at playing the games of the rich and famous.

He'd seen her on the arm of many influential people. Whether it was her choice, or her father's, she hadn't seemed unhappy to be traipsed around as nothing more than arm-candy for her different escorts.

"Sierra, Mr. Whitfield has offered you a very generous position with his company," Douglas eventually explained. Damien observed the man who showed no emotion as he spoke. He was stone cold as he talked to his daughter, as if she were nothing more than another business transaction.

Well, to be fair, that's what this was for Douglas Monroe  –  a business deal, where he got a significant sum of money, and Damien got a high-priced … employee.

"What? I … I don't understand … " Sierra stumbled over her words, her voice confused as she looked up, gazing at Damien with shock filled eyes.

"It's very simple. He's in need of a public relations representative, someone who's reliable, trustworthy and free to travel. He only advertised in the most exclusive of listings. He heard about the excellent job you've done with your charity work, and he'd like to hire you. I've accepted on your behalf. The position starts immediately. You should be honored that a man as influential as Damien Whitfield would even consider you for the position, much less hire you, especially with your lack of … experience. Positions like this don't come around often, and they're never just handed over."




 

 

Damien didn't like Douglas's underlining threat to his daughter. He was making it more than clear that she would take the job or face his wrath. The authority he used in his voice was unmistakable. Her complete cooperation was his unyielding expectation.

Even though Damien was getting what he wanted, the way Douglas spoke to his daughter infuriated him. He wanted Sierra to stand up for herself, tell her father to 'go to hell', anything other than sit on the couch, looking so defeated.

"Why me? I wasn't looking for work, yet," Sierra said.

"Of course you weren't," Douglas practically snarled as if Sierra were nothing more than a burden. Damien decided it was time to interrupt again.

"I always know what I want, Sierra. Your father contacted me and I've done the research, and decided you'd accommodate my needs perfectly. It's really quite simple." Damien was still as he waited for any kind of reaction from her.

"What if I refuse?" she asked with reserve, her shoulders slouching as she uttered the words.

"Then you'll disappoint me," Douglas said, menace pouring through his words.

Damien watched as a small shudder passed through her. What had her so afraid of her father? Was it a fear of being cut off from her trust? He wanted to believe that, but somehow he doubted his earlier beliefs that she was nothing but a trust-fund baby. It just didn't add up.

"What are the requirements?" This was asked with hesitancy as if she were afraid of the answer.

She should be.

Damien wanted to know how far she was willing to go to secure her funds. He knew what she was truly asking. She wanted to know if he really needed an employee, or if he was looking for a mistress.