The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 8

Knox POV

Something about this woman seems familiar but I can't quite place her. I'm infuriated to be interrupted by another maid even as I inwardly acknowledge that this must be the one that is to be my personal one only. She's different though from the others. While most of them won't even look me in the eyes, she's got a stubborn streak and even though I could fire her without even blinking she still insists that I sit and eat the cinnamon roll she made. Before I can think about it, I'm intrigued enough by her to sit on the bed, causing a look of relief to sweep over her face.

I'm shocked at my own actions. Ordinarily, I would have put up more of a fight or dismissed the maid but instead, I sit there, eyeing her as she puts a portable table over my lap and then the plate from the tray. Even I have to admit that the cinnamon scroll smells heavenly. Suddenly my stomach lets out a low grumble and I try not to flush. The girl smiles but is wise enough to say nothing. She puts the juice in front of me. "How do you take your coffee?" she asks.

Her voice is sweet and sugary now, like music to the ears. For the first time, I find myself responding in a civil manner instead of my usual brash and harsh way. "With milk and cream please" I request.

She hands it to me and I take a sip, relishing the taste. This girl is stunning, I have to admit, with gorgeous long hair and big doe-like eyes that tempt me. I look down at the plate and put the coffee down, tentatively grabbing the cinnamon roll and biting into it while she eyes me with a look akin to satisfaction. This book has many missing chapters and scenes if you're not reading it on Jo b n I b.com. I give a low moan as the icing and cinnamon hit my tastebuds. It's sweet and has just the right amount of cinnamon. She gives a small laugh and I stare. Part of me wants to hear that laugh again.

"I heard you like cinnamon scrolls," she said quietly.

"I do" I admit in a low tone, still watching her out of the corner of my eye.

She stands with her hands folded neatly in front of her, the very epitome of an obedient maid as she watches me eat. I feel self-conscious.

"Your name?" I ask gruffly, swallowing down some more of the delicious treat.

She blinks. "My name?"

I raise a brow "I'm assuming you have one, or should I merely call you the maid?"

She coughs. "It's Lorelai," she says very quietly.

Lorelai. The name suits her. It's beautiful just like she is. Not that I can tell her that without coming across as creepy. I just nod, continuing to sip at my coffee. My work for the moment seems unimportant, while I enjoy the girl's company and the food she's brought

me.

"I'm Knox" I offer "and I prefer that than being called Mr Grant" I try not to shudder.

I was not big on ceremony. Lorelai nods, her expression thoughtful.

"Very well then I shall call you Knox as you've given me permission," she says calmly.

I finish eating and grab the juice, drinking it down swiftly and then stretching. "I need to get back to work. Um," I glance around the room as though noticing it for the first time, feeling slightly sheepish.

She must think I'm a pig. But her expression is nonchalant as I swallow hard. "I tend to be in a world of my own when I'm on the computer" I admit, which is an understatement "so if I don't respond" which was also a slight dig considering she'd had to touch me to get my attention before "you might need to get in front of me to get my attention."

"Well why don't you give me some orders now so I don't have to disturb you" she suggests coolly "That way I can do it and leave you in peace. I'm assuming that cleaning your room is a priority but what don't you want to be touched?" she asks.

I stare at her. She's the only maid to have asked that question and sounds like she means it. Does she understand my nature already? Does she know or had my father and lan warned her beforehand?

"Mainly my computer equipment and the files and paperwork near the desk" I point to "Anything else is okay. Um, the laundry is probably a priority" I rub the back of my neck awkwardly unable to meet her gaze "The maids don't come in here for it anymore." "Okay, so laundry, dusting, cleaning surfaces, sweeping and mopping the floors, and when's the last time your bed got fresh sheets?" she asked suddenly.

I frown. To be honest I didn't pay much attention to things like that. She notices my look of confusion.

"Never mind, I'll just change them and make your bed up fresh," she says quickly. "Thanks" I mutter and she smiles.

I turn back to the computer and sit down at my desk. I can feel her eyes on me but to my relief, she begins to gather up my laundry without another word. I peel my eyes towards my work and my fingers begin to dance on the computer once more, but for once my focus isn't entirely just on what I'm doing, but what the girl is doing in the background as she vanishes from the room with the hamper full of dirty clothes.

It's hard to concentrate. She's not doing anything to distract me, in fact just the opposite. She's quiet. She's polite. She strips the bed of the sheets, takes them down, and opens the window slightly, leaving a small breeze, without it being fast enough that the papers go flying across the room. I breathe in the fresh air and begin to sneak little glances at her.

Everything about her is stunning. As she bends over the bed to put fresh sheets on, I take in the curve of her back, and the stunning hue of her complexion which is almost glowing in the sunlight provided by the window. Her hair trails over her shoulder. It's so long and my hand twitches while I feel the urge to touch it and see if it's as soft as I imagine it is. I feel like a creep as I subtly sneak looks. Surely she knows what I'm doing but she seems oblivious while she goes about her work.

What the hell is wrong with me? I've never responded to any maid like this before. I've had plenty throw themselves at me thinking they might have a chance with the infamous playboy they thought I might be, but they had always left disappointed. This girl had to be at least 4 years younger or more than me, but it wasn't stopping me from being attracted to her. There was just something about her that drew my eyes to her over and over again.

She lets out a small gasp and it sounds like she's in pain. It's enough to make me swerve the chair around, giving away that I've been listening to her this whole time. She's rubbing her side and wincing. "What's wrong?" I demand.

"Nothing," she says guiltily, her face flushing "I'm sorry, it's just a bad cramp" she apologizes.

I study her. She stares me in the eyes. I'm not sure I believe her, but there's no coy look on her face, no sign of manipulation. I sigh and turn back to the computer, while she straightens back up.

My fingers begin to slow of their own accord. I'm deliberately slowing my work. Another thing that is not like me. But the slower I work, the more time I have to watch her in the corner of my eye. She leaves the room again and comes back, this time bending up and down, picking up loose items off the floor, and finding places to put the various knick-knacks in an attempt to tidy the room, presumably before she swept it. I saw her begin to wince again. "That's not a cramp is it?" my voice is tinged with disbelief.

"It is, it's just a bad one that's all," she says with a small amount of fear "It doesn't affect my work."

"I'm not saying it is," I say, turning back around and getting up, before wandering over to her and bending down to pick up a stray book and hand it to her "but this will go quicker if I help you."

She parts her mouth in surprise, and I stare at those luscious pink lips, wondering what they would taste like if I were to kiss them.

God Knox, stop being a pervert, I scold myself. She takes the book and quietly places it on the bookshelf while I bend down and grab something else. We work in harmony until the floor is devoid of any objects and able to be swept. She looks relieved. "Great, thank you, Sir," she says.

"Knox" I remind her, not liking the title she used.

It's too formal and sounds wrong coming from her lips.

"Knox" she repeats softly.

"I'm going to sweep and mop the floor while you work and then I'll get you lunch," she says with a slow smile "Thank you for helping me."

I just nod and go back to the computer, feeling like an i***t. What had possessed me to go to her aid? Employers did not help their maids, I scolded myself. But she had looked so grateful with those big eyes of hers. I sighed and turned back to work. The rest of the day passed by in the same fashion and by the time she left late in the evening, I was a quivering mess. How was I supposed to get through each day, with this beautiful girl by my side, haunting me? It was more than cruel, it was t*****e. Even just having her near me, drove me crazy as I could smell the scent of her body wash or soap she used and I could smell something sweet coming from her hair which no doubt came from her shampoo. When I closed my eyes that night, I saw her in my dreams and my thoughts continued to dwell on the new maid, who I was slowly becoming enamored with already.