Seducing His Cinderella
“Is that all?” she asked when he stopped talking.
He nodded. “There is one more thing.”
Catalina swallowed, slid her phone into her pocket and clasped her hands in front of her body. “Yes, sir?”
“If you have a notion of vying for my son’s attention, it’s best you stop.” Patrick eased back in his chair as if he had all the power and not a worry in the world. “He may not be marrying Bella as I’d hoped, but that doesn’t mean he’s on the market for you. Will is a billionaire. He’s handling multimillion dollar deals on a daily basis and the last thing he has time for is to get tangled up in the charms of my maid.”
The threat hung between them. Patrick wasn’t stupid; he knew exactly what was going on with his own son. Catalina wasn’t going to be a pawn in their little family feud. She had a job to do. She’d do it and be on her way in just a few months. Patrick and Will would still be bringing in money and she’d be long forgotten.
“I have no claim on your son, Mr. Rowling,” she stated, thankful her voice was calm and not shaky. “I apologize if you think I do. We dated years ago but that’s over.”
Patrick nodded. “Let’s make sure it stays that way. You have a place here and it’s not in Will’s life.”
Even though he spoke the truth, a piece of her heart cracked a bit more over the fact.
“I’ll get to work on these arrangements right away,” she told Patrick, purposely dropping the topic of his son.
Catalina escaped the office, making it out to the hall before she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes. Deep breaths in and out. She forced herself to remain calm.
If Patrick had known what happened in the laundry room days ago, he would’ve outright said so. He wasn’t a man known for mincing words. But he knew something was up, which was all the more reason for her to stay clear of Will and his potent touch, his hypnotizing kisses and his spellbinding aqua eyes.
Pushing off the wall, Catalina made her way to the kitchen to speak to the head chef. They had a dinner to discuss and Catalina needed to focus on work, not the man who had the ability to destroy her heart for a second time.
He’d watched her bustle around for the past hour. She moved like a woman on a mission and she hadn’t given him one passing glance.
Will wouldn’t tolerate being ignored, especially by a woman he was so wrapped up in.
Slipping from the open living area where Cat was rearranging seating and helping the florist with new arrangements, Will snuck into the hallway and pulled his phone from his pocket. Shooting off a quick text, he stood in a doorway to the library and waited for a reply.
And waited. And waited.
Finally after nearly ten minutes, his phone vibrated in his hand. Cat hadn’t dismissed him completely, but she wasn’t accepting his offer of a private talk. What the hell? She was just outright saying no?
Unacceptable.
He sent another message.
Meet me once the guests arrive. You’ll have a few minutes to spare once you’re done setting up.
Will read over his message and quickly typed another. I’ll be in the library.
Since he hadn’t seen his father yet, Will shot his dad a message stating he may be a few minutes late. There was no way he could let another opportunity pass him by to be alone with Cat.
He’d worked like a madman these past few days and hadn’t even had a chance to stop by for a brief glimpse of her. He knew his desires ran deep, but he hadn’t realized how deep until he had to go this long without seeing her, touching her, kissing her.
In the past two days Will had severed longstanding ties with another company that wasn’t producing the results he wanted. Again he’d faced the wrath of his father, but yet again, Will didn’t care. This was his time to reign over Rowling Energy and he was doing so by pushing forward, hard and fast. He wasn’t tied to these companies the way his father was and Will intended to see the real estate division double its revenues in the next year.
But right now, he didn’t want to think about finances, investments, real estate or oil. He wanted to focus on how fast he could get Cat in his arms once she entered the room. His body responded to the thought.
She wasn’t even in the same room and he was aching for her.
Will had plans for the weekend, plans that involved her. He wanted to take her away somewhere she wouldn’t expect, somewhere they could be alone and stop tiptoeing around the chemistry. Stolen kisses here and there were getting old. He felt like a horny teenager sneaking around his father’s house copping a feel of his girl.
Will took a seat on the leather sofa near the floor-to-ceiling windows. He kept the lights off, save for a small lamp on the table near the entryway. That soft glow was enough; he didn’t want to alert anyone who might be wandering outside that there was a rendezvous going on in here.
Finally after he felt as if he’d waited for an hour, the door clicked softly and Cat appeared. She shut the door at her back, but didn’t step farther into the room.
“I don’t have much time,” she told him.
He didn’t need much…yet. Right now all he needed was one touch, just something to last until he could execute his weekend plans.
Will stood and crossed the spacious room, keeping his eyes locked on hers the entire time. With her back to the door, he placed a hand on either side of her face and leaned in.
His lips grazed over hers softly. “I’ve missed kissing you.”
Cat’s body trembled. When her hands came up to his chest, he thought she’d take the initiative and kiss him, but she pushed him away.
“I know I’ve given mixed signals,” she whispered. “But this has to end. No matter how much I enjoy kissing you, no matter how I want you, I don’t have the energy for this and I can’t lose my j—”
Cat put a hand over her mouth, shook her head and glanced away.
“Your job?” he asked, taking hold of her wrist and prying her hand from her lips. “You think you’re going to lose your job over what we have going?”
Her deep eyes jerked back to his. “We have nothing going, Will. Don’t you get that? You can afford to mess around. You have nothing at stake here.”
He had more than she realized.
“I need to get back to the guests. Bella and James just arrived.”
He gripped her elbow before she could turn from him. “Stop. Give me two minutes.”
Tucking her hair behind her ears, she nodded. “No more.”
Will slid his thumb beneath her eyes. “You’re exhausted. I don’t like you working so hard, Cat.”
“Some of us don’t have a choice.”
If she were his woman, she’d never work a day in her life.
Wait. What was he saying? She wasn’t his woman and he wasn’t looking to make her his lifelong partner, either. Marriage or any type of committed relationship was sure as hell not something he was ready to get into. Yes, he wanted her and wanted to spend time with her, but anything beyond that wasn’t on his radar just yet.
Gliding his hands over her shoulders, he started to massage the tense muscles. His thumbs grazed the sides of her neck. Cat let out a soft moan as she let her head fall back against the door.
“What are you doing to me?” she groaned.
“Giving you the break you’ve needed.”
Will couldn’t tear his gaze from her parted lips, couldn’t stop himself from fantasizing how she would look when he made love to her…when, not if.
“I really need to get back.” Cat lifted her head and her lids fluttered open. “But this feels so good.”
Will kept massaging. “I want to make you feel better,” he muttered against her lips. “Let me take you home tonight, Cat.”
On a sigh, she shook her head and reached up to squeeze his hands, halting his movements. “You have to know your father thinks something is going on with us.”
Will stilled. “Did he say something to you?”
Her eyes darted away. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is I’m a maid. You’re a billionaire ready to take on the world. We have different goals, Will.”
Yeah, and the object of his main goal was plastered against his body.
Will gripped her face between his palms and forced her to look straight at him. “What did he say?”
“I’m just fully aware of my role in this family and it’s not as your mistress.”
Fury bubbled through Will. “Patrick Rowling does not dictate my sex life and he sure as hell doesn’t have a clue what’s going on with us.”
The sheen in her eyes only made Will that much angrier. How dare his father say anything? He’d done that years ago when Will had let him steamroll over his happiness before. Not again.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” she whispered.
Will lightened his touch, stroked her bottom lip with the pads of his thumbs. “Not yet, but there will be.”
Capturing her lips beneath his, Will relaxed when Cat sighed into his mouth. Will pulled back because if he kept kissing her, he was going to want more and he’d be damned if he had Cat for the first time in his father’s library.
When he took Cat to bed, it would be nowhere near Patrick Rowling or his house.
“Get back to work,” he muttered against her lips. “We’ll talk later.”
“Will—”
“Later,” he promised with another kiss. “I’m not done with you, Cat. I told you once, I’ve barely started.”
He released her and let her leave while he stayed behind.
If he walked out now, people would know he’d been hiding with Cat. The last thing he ever intended was to get her in trouble or risk her job. He knew she took pride in what she did and the fact she was a perfectionist only made Will respect her more. She was so much more, though. She was loyal and determined. Qualities he admired.
Well, he was just as determined and his father would never interfere with his personal life again. They’d gone that round once before and Patrick had won. This time, Will intended to come out, not only on top, but with Rowling Energy and Cat both belonging to him.
Seven
Will stared over the rim of his tumbler as he sipped his scotch. The way Cat worked the room was something he’d seen in the past, but he hadn’t fully appreciated the charm she portrayed toward others during such a difficult time.
There were moments where she’d been stealthy as she slipped in and out of the room, removing empty glasses and keeping the hors d’oeuvre trays filled. Will was positive others hadn’t even noticed her, but he did. He noticed every single thing about her.
The dinner was due to be served in thirty minutes and the guests had mostly arrived. Bella stood off to the side with her brother Gabriel, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
“Your maid is going to get a complex if you keep drilling holes into her.”
Will stiffened at James’s words. His brother came to stand beside him, holding his own tumbler of scotch.
“I’m not drilling holes,” Will replied, tossing back the last of his drink. He welcomed the burn and turned to set the glass on the accent table. “I’m making sure she’s okay.”
James’s brief laugh had Will gritting his teeth to remain quiet and to prevent himself from spewing more defensive reasons as to why he’d been staring at Cat.
“She’s used to working, Will. I’d say she’s just fine.”
Will turned to face his twin. “Did you come over here to hassle me or did you actually want to say something important?”
James’s smile spread across his face. Will knew that smile, dammit. He’d thrown it James’s way when he’d been in knots over Bella.
“Shut up,” Will said as he turned back to watch Cat.
If his brother already had that knowing grin, then Will’s watching Cat wouldn’t matter at this point. She was working too damn hard. She’d been here all day to make sure the house was perfect for the Montoros and she was still busting her butt to make everyone happy. The chef was really busting it, too, behind the scenes. Cat was definitely due for a much needed relaxing day away from all of this.
“You appear to be plotting,” James commented. “But right now I want to discuss what Dad is in such a mood about.”
Will threw his brother a glance. “He’s Patrick Rowling. Does he need a reason?”
“Not necessarily, but he was a bit gruffer than usual when I spoke with him earlier.”
Will watched his father across the room as the man approached Bella and Gabriel. As they all spoke, Will knew his father was diplomatic enough to put on a front of being compassionate. He wouldn’t be his stiff, grouchy self with those two.
“I may have made some business decisions he wasn’t happy with,” Will stated simply.
“Business? Yeah, that will do it.” James sighed and finished his scotch. “He put you in charge, so he can’t expect you to run every decision by him.”
“That’s what I told him. I’m not one of his employees, I’m his son and I’m the CEO of Rowling Energy now.”
“Plus you’re trying to seduce his maid,” James added with a chuckle. “You’re going to get grounded.”
Will couldn’t help but smile. “You’re such an ass.”
“It’s fun to see the tables turned and you squirming over a woman for once.”
“I’m not squirming, dammit,” Will muttered.
But he wouldn’t deny he was using Cat as another jab at his father. Yes, he wanted Cat and always had, but if being with her still irritated the old man, so much the better.
Part of him felt guilty for the lack of respect for his father, but that went both ways and the moment Patrick had issued his ultimatum years ago, Will had vowed then and there to gain back everything he deserved, no matter what the cost to his relationship with his father.
Bella’s oldest brother, Rafe, and his very pregnant wife, Emily, crossed the room, heading for Will and James. Since he’d abdicated, Rafe and Emily had lived in Key West. But they’d traveled back to be with the family during this difficult time.
“This was a really nice thing for Patrick to do,” Rafe stated as he wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Losing Isabella has been hard.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Will said. “She was definitely a fighter and Alma is a better place because of her.”
“She was quite stubborn,” Emily chimed in with a smile. “But we’ll get through this because the Montoros are strong.”
Will didn’t think this was the appropriate time to bring up the subject of Rafe resigning from his duties before his coronation. It was the proverbial elephant in the room.
“I’m going to save my wife from my father,” James told them. “Excuse me.”
Rafe and Emily were talking about the funeral—how many people had turned out and how supportive the country was in respecting their time of mourning. But Will was only half listening. Cat glanced his way once and that’s all it took for his heart to kick up and his body to respond. She didn’t smile, she merely locked those dark eyes on him as if she knew his every thought.
Tension crackled between them and everyone else in the room disappeared from his world. Nobody existed but Cat and he knew without a doubt she would agree to his proposal.
He wouldn’t accept no for an answer.
Her feet were absolutely screaming. Her back wasn’t faring much better. The Montoros lingered longer than she’d expected and Catalina had stuck around an hour after the guests had left.
This fourteen-hour workday would certainly yield a nice chunk of change, but right now all Catalina could think of was her bed, which she hoped to fall into the moment she got home. She may not even take the time to peel out of her clothes.
Catalina nearly wept as she walked toward her car. She’d parked in the back of the estate near the detached garage where Patrick kept his sporty cars that he only brought out on special occasions. The motion light popped on as she approached her vehicle.
Instantly she spotted Will sitting on a decorative bench along the garage wall. Catalina stopped and couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you hiding?” she asked as she started forward again.
“Waiting.” He unfolded that tall, broad frame and started coming toward her. “I know you’re exhausted, but I just wanted to ask something.”
Catalina crossed her arms and stared up at him. “You could’ve called or texted me your question.”
“I could’ve,” he agreed with a slight nod. “But you could say no too easily. I figure if you’re looking me in the eye—”
“You think I can’t resist you?” she laughed.
Exhaustion might have been consuming her and clouding her judgment, but there was still something so irresistible and charming about this overbearing man…and something calculating as well. He’d purposely waited for her, to catch her at a weak moment. He must really want something major.
“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.