Page 29 of Maid for a Magnate

Yeah, his seduction techniques needed a bit of work to say the least. But he’d had four years to get control over just how he wanted to approach things once he finally got his Cat alone. And now he was ready.

 As he stepped below, Will braced his hands on the trim overhead and froze on the last step. Cat lay sideways, curled into a ball on his bed. The innocent pose shouldn’t have his body responding, but...well, he was a guy and this woman had had him tied in knots for years.

 Will had wanted Cat in his bed for too long. All his fantasies involved the bed in his house, but the yacht would do. At this point he sure as hell wasn’t going to be picky. He’d waited too damn long for this and he was going to take each moment he could get, no matter the surroundings.

 And the fact that she was comfortable enough to rest here spoke volumes for how far they’d come. Just a few weeks ago he’d kissed her as if she was his next breath and she’d run away angry. Though Will was smart enough to know her anger stemmed from arousal.

 Passion and hate...there was such a fine line between the two.

 Slowly, Will crossed the open area and pulled a small throw from the narrow linen closet. Gently placing the thin blanket over her bare legs and settling it around her waist, Will watched the calm rise and fall of her chest. She was so peaceful, so relaxed and not on her guard. For the first time in a long time, Will was finally seeing the woman he knew years ago, the woman who was more trusting, less cautious.

 Of course, he’d helped shape her into the vigilant person she was today. Had he not made such bad choices when they’d been together the first time, perhaps she wouldn’t have to feel so guarded all the time. Perhaps she’d smile more and laugh the way she used to.

 Cat shifted, let out a throaty moan and blinked up at Will. Then her eyes widened as she sat straight up.

 “Oh my. Was I asleep?”

 Will laughed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Or you were playing dead.”

 Cat smoothed her short hair away from her face and glanced toward the wall of windows. “I was watching the water. I was so tired, so I thought I’d just lie here and enjoy the scenery.”

 “That was the whole point in having my bed right there. It’s a breathtaking view.”

 When she turned her attention back to him, she gasped. That’s right, he hadn’t been discussing the water. The view of the woman was much more enticing.

 “Why don’t you use the restroom to freshen up and change into your suit?” he suggested. “I’ll get our lunch set up.”

 The bright smile spreading across her face had something unfamiliar tugging on his heart. He may not be able to label what was going on between them, but he couldn’t afford to be emotional about it.

 Dammit. He didn’t even know what to feel, how to act anymore. He wanted her, but he wasn’t thinking of forever. He wanted now. He needed her to see he was a different man, yet he was more than ready to throw this relationship into his father’s face.

 Sticking to business would have been best; at least he knew exactly what he was getting into with real estate and oil. With Cat, he had no clue and the fact that she had him so tied in knots without even trying was terrifying.

 Once his mission had been clear—to win back Cat to prove he could and to show his father who was in charge. But then, somewhere along the way, Will had shifted into needing Cat to see the true person he’d come to be, the man who still had feelings for her and cared for her on a level even he couldn’t understand.

 Cat came to her feet and started folding the throw. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”

 Stepping forward and closing the space between them, Will pulled the blanket from her hands, wadded it up and threw it into the corner. “You aren’t cleaning. You aren’t folding, dusting, doing dishes. Your only job is to relax. If you want a nap, take a nap. The day is yours. The cleaning is up to me. Got it?”

 Her eyes widened as she glanced at the crumpled blanket. “Are you just going to leave that there?”

 Will took her chin between his thumb and finger, forcing her to look only at him. “You didn’t answer my question.”

 Her wide, dark eyes drew him in as she merely nodded. “I can’t promise, but I’ll try.”

 Unable to help himself, Will smacked a kiss on her lips and pulled back as a grin spread across his face. “Go freshen up and meet me on the top deck.”

 Will watched as Cat grabbed her bag off the barstool and crossed to the bathroom. Once the door clicked shut, he let out a breath.