The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 12

Lorelai POV

When I return to the kitchen, I can see Knox studying me as I put two plates down, one in front of him, loaded to the brim with bacon, eggs, toast, sausages, and more, and my own which contains one piece of toast and one slice of bacon. He looks unimpressed with "That's barely enough to feed a squirrel" he growls and then before I can protest, promptly slides some of his food onto my plate, looking at me triumphantly.

me.

"I need to watch my weight" I protest lamely.

"Your weight? You're perfect" he comments and I have no recourse for that, my cheeks turning pink as he begins to eat, looking nonchalant, even though his comment has caused butterflies in my stomach.

"So Lorelai how old are you?" he asks looking at me intently.

I shift awkwardly on my chair, feeling like an insect underneath a microscope. But it wasn't like it was a big secret or anything. "23," I say quietly.

"That's young. I imagine that your parents must be proud of you for being such a hard worker" he says and I can't help it, my body stiffens and I stare at the table.

"I wouldn't know" is all I offer and he looks confused but I don't want to divulge my past to him.

I don't want to divulge the past to anyone. This book has many missing chapters and scenes if you're not reading it on Jo b n I b.com. It's mine and as far as I'm concerned it can remain safely locked behind closed doors. The only one who knows even a hint of it is Jackson and I've not told him the whole truth of my sordid life and what it was like before I was on the streets.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stir up bad memories," Knox says and I glance at him, forcing a fake smile on my face.

"You didn't," I say evenly.

My tone doesn't placate him but he changes the subject to my relief. "So what made you want to be a maid?" he asks curiously.

He doesn't remember me. I can't help but sigh. I know who he is, although it had taken me some time to place him. I remember him from the strip club. He was dressed differently then, but I know it was him. Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't recognize me. I'm sure he would have questions as to why a stripper was now working in his household as a maid. "I needed the money" I choose brutal honesty "and this pays the bills."

I nibble on the toast. Knox's eyes are shrewd "It's not the type of work most young women would choose or the type of vocation. Didn't you want to go to college and pursue something far more ambitious?"

His questioning hurt far more than it should have. Once upon a time, I might have considered that, but it was far outside the realms of possibility now. There was no way Jackson was ever going to grant me permission to do that and I couldn't afford to anyway. "I'm content with what I do," I tell him, trying not to wince.

He's acting as though I'm a puzzle he wants to solve. Surely I'm not that interesting?

"What are your interests?"

The subject changes so fast again I'm almost getting whiplash. What is this sudden interest in me? Perhaps it was merely a curiosity that he was trying to relieve.

"I like to dance," I say hoping he didn't put two and two together "I like to sing. I like gardens, sometimes I go and visit the exotic garden nearby just to smell the flowers out the front" I add wistfully "and I like to read when I have time." Which was hardly ever.

"What kind of books do you like to read?" he asked, putting his hand on his chin, c*****g his head.

"I like mystery and suspense" I answered truthfully "Patricia Cornwell is one of my favorites but I also like romance on occasion." "Patricia Cornwell is also one of my favorites" he adds surprising me "but I tend to spend a lot of time on my computers."

"I also really like animals," I say without prompting, putting my fork down and leaning back "If I could have a pet I would get a cat, I always wanted one as a kid, but the apartment I'm living in right now doesn't allow them and it's too small anyway." Not to mention I shuddered to think what Jackson would do to the poor animal if I got one. There was no way I would subject a poor creature to him. It was one thing to hurt me, but a poor innocent creature? I couldn't have that on my conscious. "That's a shame" Knox murmured "I like animals too but I've never considered getting one."

It surprises me. He doesn't seem like the kind to like cuddly furry creatures but I was stereotyping him. It was difficult to get a read on Knox. Right now though, he looked relaxed and didn't appear to be in a hurry to get back to the room.

"Why not?" my question is bold as I glance meaningfully around the house "I mean, this house is big enough to have a pet. I bet it would keep you company while you were on the computer and it would probably even remind you to get away at certain times." It would probably do him a world of good and it would look adorable, although I wouldn't tell him that. I could already picture it in my mind and a smile curved on my lips.

He chuckles "You know, for a maid you have a lot of opinions."

I blush. He laughs "It's refreshing. Most maids are too afraid to speak their minds or tell me what they think. Or they just up and quit when they realize how hard it is to work with me."

He had a temper, I remembered but I had yet to see it. Unless I counted when he pinned me to the bed, but that had been partially my fault for waking him. He finishes his plate and looks stunned. "I'm full' he yawns "That's the first time I've had a proper breakfast in..." he trails off and looks up at the ceiling as though struggling to remember "A very long time" he finishes with a wry grin.

I try not to grin myself as I stand up and begin to gather the plates and cutlery. "Well, I'm glad I managed to persuade you to get away from your computer for a little while. It's important that you take care of your own well-being too" I told him as I bent over to grab his plate from the table.

"Oh I totally agree" he murmured into my ear as I tensed, realizing that I'd placed my ear directly in line with his mouth "but the company of a beautiful woman tends to take the sting out of being forced to do it."

What was I supposed to do with that statement? He thought I was beautiful? I could feel my body trembling in response as I swiftly picked the plates up and vanished into the kitchen. I took a moment to lean against the doorway, trying to regain my composure. Every time I thought I had the upper hand, Knox managed to knock the wind out of my sails again. The man was a walking, talking, breathing temptation that was out of bounds. At least for me. But god, one whisper from him, and my thighs were involuntarily wanting to part. I could feel my hands shaking as I forced myself to take a breath and head back into the kitchen in order to face him again. I couldn't afford to give myself away, or the feelings I was experiencing. I needed to remember to maintain a professional relationship or no doubt Constance would fire me in an instant.

Knox was gone. My mouth opened in surprise. He hadn't waited for me to come back. The dining room was empty. He'd vanished without a trace. I glanced at the table and then sighed, before beginning to slowly walk up the stairs and towards his room. The man must have his mind already intent on his work. A smile hovered on my lips as my hand gently touched them. His smile had been like watching the sun light up the sky, and his eyes sparkled like diamonds in a darkened room. Even his voice was like music when he got impassioned about something.

I reach his bedroom. This time I don't even have to knock. Out of courtesy, he's left it partially open. I can see him, sitting at his desk, headphones on his head, his back to the door. His fingers are practically flying across the keyboard and there's a look of utter determination on his face. He looks focused. I slide inside. I have no desire to continue disturbing him. Whatever he was working on looked important. He had so many numbers and codes flying across the screen that it was impossible to tell what he was working on. I quietly begin to make up his bed and survey the room, trying to decide what job would need doing next.

It almost seemed like what happened minutes ago was a dream. I cast Knox a sidelong glance, taking in the stiffness of his posture, the clenching of his jaw, and the glint in his eyes. The relaxed, easygoing Knox was gone and had been replaced by this one. As I moved around the room, I was conscious of making any noise, but he didn't even glance my way, not once. Disappointment flooded through me. I should have been relieved, after all, he was allowing me to continue my work, but part of me wanted him to show me some attention. Some caring. To at least acknowledge me. But his gaze never left the computer, not even for his meals which sat untouched on the desk, and when I left that evening, it was with a heavy heart and fighting back tears. I had been foolish to think that Knox Grant was exhibiting anything more than a passing kindness towards me. To think it was anything more than that was only going to end in a broken heart.