Page 22 of Maid for a Magnate

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.”