The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 15

Knox POV

I feel like a right bastard as I square off against Lorelai. She's hurt and I can see the pain in her eyes even as she tries to hide it from me. I've kept her at arms distance all week, trying to maintain a respectful and professional relationship with her and it's been killing me. I know I've confused her after the friendly manner I first treated her, but lan had been right. This was not her world and even though I wanted her, so bad that it hurt, she would never survive the greedy and selfish vultures we were forced to do business with on a daily basis. She was too kindhearted and loving to ever be as ruthless and cruel as the other heiresses were. She would not be welcome into their social circles. I had to remember that and I had to do what was best for both of us. At least, that's what I told myself.

But I'm desperate. If I could have asked another maid for a favor I would have. I was meant to attend a charity gala tonight and had not arranged a date for it. Ordinarily, it would not be a problem, except that one of the women whose advances I had refused on a number of occasions was going to be there and I was not in the mood to have to refuse her again. She was becoming persistent and I was too polite and too gentlemanly to put her off me completely. She was a wealthy socialite after all and to dismiss her would be tantamount to being rude to her whole circle. I needed a date and I needed one now.

"I really need this favor" I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck and eyeing her apologetically.

I was an a*****e. There were no other ways to describe it. If she could have lit me on fire with her gaze, I would be aflame right now.

"What favor?" she asks me frostily.

I hesitate. This is a really bad idea. But there's no one else. Unless I ask another heiress but I didn't know one well enough and Flair was out. Everyone knew she was my sister now so that left very few options. "I need a date for a charity gala tonight," I say slowly as I look at her, very conscious of how she's looking in her uniform and trying not to stare too long "There's a woman I would like to avoid if possible and a date is the only way to..."

"Get her to understand you're not interested?" she sounds disgusted with me "Why don't you just tell her?"

It's not a question, she looks like she's seething as she continues to glare at me.

"I've tried," I tell her quietly "She doesn't take no for an answer. I know I haven't been very nice to you and don't blame you for being angry, but I could use the help. I completely forgot the gala was tonight or I wouldn't be asking with so little notice" I try to make my voice coaxing.

She still glares. I try not to wince. She's angry and I don't blame her. She's stunning even with the fiery expression on her face. Her arms slowly unfurl from her chest as she loosens up slightly but there's still a look of suspicion in her eyes and distrust. "What kind of charity?" her voice is frigid with a hint of curiosity.

"It's a children's charity," I tell her honestly "Cancer. It's to provide more accommodation so that families don't have to travel hundreds of miles to go to a hospital. They need to renovate existing houses as well."

She looks grim now, biting her lip. I gather she can't replace it in her heart to refuse now that she knows what the charity gala is for. She's wavering.

"I don't have anything to wear," she says in a low whisper glancing at me "let alone anything else."

"That's not a problem."

She still looks hesitant and torn. "Who is the woman who won't take no for an answer?"

"Abigail Stevens," I say calmly "She's the daughter of one of our investors and she thinks that I'm playing hard to get." Lorelai rolls her eyes. "How late is it going to go for?"

I glance at her. "Till the early hours of the morning. Is that a problem? I'll make sure you are well compensated for your time."

It was the very least I could do. I would even throw in a bonus. Heck if she put Abigail off I would give her a huge bonus. "No, um, I guess not" she sighs.

I feel guilty. I had overheard her and Charlie discussing going to a club tonight and felt jealous at the thought of other men seeing her dressed up. The idea of having her as my date had struck me as the answer to all my problems. I had been planning on asking her anyway but hearing that conversation had clinched it.

"There will be some children there" I add, trying to further guilt her.

Gods I was going to hell for this. She was eyeing me concerned and looking upset.

"There are?"

"Some of the children who have used the accommodation and who are now in remission" I assured her, seeing where her mind was headed.

"Okay," she whispers biting her lip.

She has no idea how seductive she looks right now. My c**k twitches in response and I loudly clear my throat, trying to force my mind back to the task at hand.

"What am I required to do specifically?" she asks.

Huh. I stop to consider the answer. As my date, there was very little she was going to be required to do. After all, I was an infamous playboy who didn't have relationships. She just needed to look pretty, I inwardly winced at that thought, and mingle with other guests.

"Pretty much just stay by my side and look beautiful" I answer truthfully.

She blanches but nods. "That's all?"

Why does she sound so relieved? Did she think I was going to ask her to help serve the drinks and food? I wasn't that much of a bastard. Was I? "Look, I know you're going to need time to get ready," I say impatiently, glancing at my wristwatch.

There were still a few hours left. Her shift hadn't even finished yet, but women took hours from my knowledge to prepare. "Let's get you down the hall and into a guest room that has a bathroom so that you can make a start," I say and she looks a little startled. "What about clothes?"

"I'll have that covered. While you're showering or whatnot" I try hard not to groan out loud at the image in my mind that brings, "I'll organize a dress and accessories. I think I know roughly what size you are" I deliberately rake my gaze over her and see her blush. "I'm not even going to ask how you know that" she mutters and I try not to grin as she begins to admit defeat.

"Fine, but you owe me for this. I'm doing this for the children" she says indignantly "and I expect a raise in my salary." "Deal" I exhale "so long as you keep your part of the bargain."

She looks unimpressed as I take her down the hall and open another door, leading her into a room. It's huge, but not as big as mine. I walk across and shove the door to the adjoining bathroom open. "Towels already in there, shampoo and conditioner" I ticked my fingers "Do you need anything else?"

She slowly shakes her head. "Makeup?"

"I'll bring that in with the dress and other stuff," I said swallowing hard.

I deliberately don't mention the undergarments she'll need. She looks at me sharply but says nothing. She walks into the bathroom and then shuts the door behind her. I stare blankly for a minute and then turn around, grabbing my cell phone from my pocket.

I hit the dial tone. "Flair"

"What do you need Knox?" Grayson's voice is cool and resigned.

Huh. Flair must be busy with the baby. I shrug "I need a designer dress, matching undergarments, clutch, shoes, and jewelry for tonight. As in asap" I clarified.

Flair's businesses were growing and she had a stockload of dresses and accessories as well as lingerie that got sent to her house as samples before she approved them. It meant that whatever she had at the moment in dresses would be a one-off. "What size."

"I'll send them to you," I said cheerfully "How's Flair?"

"Tired but managing. The baby is teething" Grayson grumbled, sounding a little tired himself "I'll get her to pick out the stuff. Anything else?"

"Makeup" I chirped.

"What kind of girl is this for?" Grayson began to ask but I hung up and then messaged the sizes I would need.

Perfect. I knew Grayson would be quick. It wasn't often I asked for a favor and he owed me several. This would go a long way to clearing part of his debt towards me. He hated owing me favors. I turned towards my room and began to think about what clothes I needed to get out of the wardrobe to wear. I stopped past the door and knocked on the bathroom one to check on Lorelai who was still showering. She didn't answer but she probably couldn't hear me over the sound of the water.

I went and grabbed my suit and placed it carefully across the bed. It wasn't long until the doorbell rang and a disgruntled Grayson was handing over a bunch of bags. "Keep the stuff," he said brusquely "Flair doesn't need any of it back. Including the makeup" he sighed "all of which is vegan-friendly and animal cruelty-free."

I smirked "I wouldn't expect anything less. Tell her she saved my hide tonight" I said with a chuckle.

"Does this mean we're even?" Grayson's voice was hopeful.

I pretended to think about it "It means you don't owe me as many favors" I said cheerfully.

He groaned and then laughed. "Well, good luck tonight. We would have gone to the gala too but with Hunter teething, Flair didn't feel like it was a good idea."

"Tell Flair I said thank you," I called out as he began to walk away, my hands loaded with stuff.

I began to walk back towards Lorelai's room, stuff in tow, an expectant grin on my face. Lorelai was going to look absolutely stunning, I just knew it. Especially when she wore a dress designed by my sister. I couldn't wait to see how she looked when we left for this gala.