The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 10

Lorelai POV

The spot between my legs is sore as I get ready in the morning to go to work. This time I take the back entrance like I was instructed by Charlie. I'm greeted by her smile and a quick wave but she's too busy to stop and talk. I walk into the dining area and see that Mr. Grant and lan are sitting there talking over breakfast but once again, Knox is nowhere to be seen. "Good morning Mr Grant and Mr lan" I greet them politely, bowing my head "Would Mr Knox happen to be in his bedroom again?" I ask, fairly certain that he is.

Mr Grant's face is wreathed in smiles. He's such a cheerful man with a pleasant demeanor. Not like other people who have wealth at their disposal. It's a far cry from what I expected to have to deal with. Ian merely smiles and nods at me.

"I'm afraid so," he says with a sigh "he was up late again. I could hear him typing away. I think he's doing some work on the side for someone" he added with a frown.

lan gives a nonchalant shrug "It's a good thing that I'm going into the company then, isn't it" he quips with a grin as Mr. Grant frowns "Don't fret so much Father" he advises calmly "We knew that Knox would be doing most of the work behind the scenes. Lorelai it's nice to see you again."

I smile. "With your permission, I will go up and see if I can persuade Mr Knox to leave his bedroom today."

Mr Grant's chuckles. "I wish you luck with that. By all means, please, go and attend to Knox."

I duck my head and walk out, heading directly to the stairs. I don't intend to make him breakfast today. Instead, I have another goal in mind. I want him to go downstairs and sit down for breakfast. I want him to relax and take the time to enjoy his food without staring at the computer equipment that's waiting for him.

I knock on his bedroom door. No answer. I frown and put my ear to the door. No sounds are coming from the other side. I can't hear the shower running in the bathroom. I hesitate and then knock a little louder but there's still silence. I debate to myself and then slowly open the door with a loud creak. Nothing. I step inside and see that Knox is lying on his bed, tucked under the covers, sleeping soundly. He looks vulnerable, I decide, studying him intently. His hair is disheveled and he has stubble on his chin. His complexion somehow is tanned despite the fact that he never seems to be out in the sunlight and I can see his fit and toned abdomen, another conundrum. Does he work out late at night? I can see he's not wearing a shirt and feel like a perve as I dip my eyes, taking in the beauty of his upper half, his arm lying on top of the bedsheet. My thighs involuntarily clench.

Damn. He's just as good-looking as before. Maybe even more so. I lick my lips and then quietly tiptoe forward. He doesn't even stir. He's dead to the world. I reach out with one hand and begin to place it on his shoulder and he wakes instantly, grabbing my arm and yanking me forward so that I fall on the bed, his body suddenly pinning me below him as he grips my throat and I struggle in his grasp. Where the hell had that come from? I whimper in fear and his eyes widen in realization, his hand slowly falling from my throat and his body slowly sliding off of mine as I sit upright, rubbing my throat with one hand, my eyes warily sliding to his. That had hurt and not in a good way.

"Sorry" he rasps "but you should know not to sneak up on a person like that while they are sleeping."

I frown. To be fair I had knocked on his door first before coming in and trying to rouse him. He must have seen the indignant look on my face.

"I am a little on edge when it comes to being touched while sleeping" he admits.

No s**t. He'd scared the living daylights out of me although part of me had thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of his body on top of mine, for what little time it had been. I wasn't about to admit that to him though, although I could feel heat between my thighs at the thought of it.

"I um, just wanted to wake you" I stammer, as he runs a hand through his hair, looking sheepish.

"Next time shout or something" he grumbles "It's much safer for you."

I nod slowly. It would have been nice to be warned he would have this reaction to being woken up, I thought a tad bit sourly. I slowly stand up as Knox lets the bedcovers fall and then climbs out himself.

A sharp inhale of breath before I turn my back. Do not drool over the man Lorelai I scold myself. But goddamn Knox Grant was one sexy ass man. He didn't even seem to be aware of it as he yawned and stretched, my eyes glancing back at him despite my attempts

not to.

"I have to get to work" he begins to say and I interrupt.

"No."

My tone is sharp but damnit he'd just pinned me to the bed, I had a right to be slightly angry. More than a little angry. He raises a brow, looking slightly taken aback. "No?" he repeats as though unaccustomed to hearing the word.

In his defense he probably doesn't hear the word often I thought absent-mindedly. I had a suspicion that he probably got everything he wanted without trying. I turn around and take a deep breath. "No" I repeat firmly "You are going to shower and you are going to get dressed and then have breakfast at the dining table downstairs."

He looks displeased. I fold my arms and glare at him. He blinks.

"I don't have time."

"Yes, you do" I glance around the room which coincidentally is already a pigsty again, and try not to let my distaste show. After all, this is what I was being paid for. But I was also being paid to take care of him and part of me felt responsible for his wellbeing. He needed to take breaks and eat to nourish his body properly.

"No I do..." he began again, a little more insistent.

"Yes you do" I repeated louder "Considering that you just attacked me, the least you can do is this" I try the guilt tactic.

It works, and he flushes. "I wasn't trying to hurt you" he defends himself, but his guard is lowering and he looks ashamed

now.

"Still, it wouldn't hurt you to come down and have breakfast" I wheedle, trying not to smile as he begins to hesitate "I worry about you not eating properly and it would give me a chance to clean up while you're gone."

There. Try refusing that, I thought with satisfaction. But there's a glint in his eyes now and a thoughtful expression on his face. He c***s his head and regards me while I try not to shift awkwardly on my feet. Why is he looking at me like that? I feel like a mouse about to be caught in my own trap. When he speaks again, it's decisive and his voice is authoritative. "I'll only go downstairs and eat breakfast if you come down with me. The cleaning can wait."

s**t. I hadn't anticipated that. I glance around the room, taking in the multiple empty cans of sodas, the littered clothes on the floor, and the rumpled bed, and glance towards the bathroom which I hadn't even gotten to yesterday. I can feel my mouth go dry. Part of me was afraid of being alone with him. Of being so intimate with someone who was supposed to be my employer.

"I couldn't. You're my employer" My words are halfhearted at best.

I want to. I want to sit with him and stare into those dark eyes of his which mesmerize me. I want to look at his face and feel my heart racing. My thighs press together as I protest. He chuckles "Well either you come down and sit with me baby doll" he drawls eyeing me consideringly with a smug expression on his face, while he stands there in his half-dressed glory, "or I don't eat. What do you say to that?"

He had me and he knew it. There was a gleam in those eyes of his as he continued to smirk at me.

This was inappropriate. It was unusual. But I had my orders and part of it was taking care of him. I ignored the small voice inside my head warning me that this was a bad idea. I felt a slow smile spread across my face and held out my hand, which he took and shook with a grin "Deal. Now go and shower. I'll wait in the hallway" I advised tersely.

Images of a naked Knox beneath the water filled my mind and I swallowed hard, trying not to groan out loud. Knox sighs and lets out a dramatic groan, making me giggle.

"Fine" he groans "I'll shower and get dressed while you wait. But you're going to owe me for this doll cakes" he winks and I almost swoon at his playful manner "And I plan on asking for the favor back one of these days."

He could ask me for any favor he liked looking like that, I thought numbly, turning around and stiffly making my way out to the hallway. I leaned against the wall, feeling my breathing become shallow as I waited. Knox Grant was a charmer, using his wiles to get what he wanted and I was fast losing control of my rationality while I was in his presence. My heart needed to stay on guard, I thought, realization dawning. If Jackson was ever to replace out that I was attracted to Knox, the results would be catastrophic. I needed to get ahold of myself, I thought, shaking my head to clear it and remember that Knox Grant would never lower himself to fall for a maid anyway. Men like that, only dated supermodels and heiresses. I was neither. Knox was too good for the likes of me.