The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 31

Knox POV

I watch open-mouthed as she walks into the dining room, a smile on her face. It's like looking at an angel. Her hair is up in a ponytail and her maid uniform is crumpled, but she's like a breath of fresh air. I can smell her subtle perfume and frown at her, wondering what on earth she is thinking of coming back so early after her incident.

"Lorelai," I say, getting up and taking her bag off of her, handing it to another maid "What are you doing back so soon?" Her eyes are like jewels "I thought I might as well" she gives a nonchalant shrug but I see her wince "Instead of staying around the apartment doing nothing. I'm glad to see you're up and having breakfast" She smiles at me.

lan raises a brow "You're dedication is impressive, but Lorelai we weren't in a rush to have you back. You were meant to recover and we would have continued to pay you" he reminded her.

She nods as my father stands up from the table and envelops her in a hug, shocking her.

"My dear, I can't thank you enough for what you did for my two sons," he told her appreciatively "If you ever need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."

She looks slightly taken aback. My father and lan are finished and leave the dining room, leaving just myself and her. I gesture for her to take a seat. She sits and I motion for a maid to quickly fetch her a plate.

"I already ate" she protests but it's weak.

She digs into the croissant as I go back to eating. I refuse to sit there and eat in front of her and to be honest, I like the company. There's something soothing about her presence even though she's not talking. I drink my juice and sit back, watching as she finishes her food, drinking her coffee with a large inhale of satisfaction.

"Your shoulder, does it hurt?" I'm blunt.

She flushes "Only a little. I'm still capable of working" she defends herself.

She's lying. I examine her closely. Her cheeks are pink and there's a sheen of sweat on her forehead. I frown. "Are you taking the painkillers that the hospital provided?"

She looks surprised. "I forgot to take them this morning" She shifts awkwardly on the chair but thankfully doesn't have the presence of mind to ask how I know she has a prescription "But I can manage without them."

I shake my head and get up, vanishing into the kitchen, retrieving strong over-the-counter painkillers and a glass of water, bringing them back, and putting them in front of her. I cross my arms and give her a stern look as she glances up at me. "Take them" I growl "Anybody looking at you can tell you're in pain."

She bites her lip and then nods sheepishly, gulping down the water and painkillers.

"I take it if I told you to go home you wouldn't listen?" it's a statement more than a question.

Lorelai shakes her head "I'm here to work."

The woman is stubborn. I admire that. I exhale and then help her up slowly. I hesitate. "What if I'm not in the mood to work today?" I ask slyly.

That takes her by surprise. "But you always like to work, you have your routine" she stammers "and you don't like being put off it."

She knows me well but today, today I'm willing to make an exception. There's an exotic garden place not far from here, that I'm sure she'll love. Besides, I can't stomach making her work while she's in pain.

"Today we're going out," I say blithely as she gapes "I feel like going out in the sunshine and fresh air."
She still looks unconvinced. I clear my throat. "Grab your things and inform the kitchen to make a picnic basket up for us. I'm going to change into casual clothing" I add glancing down at my suit and wrinkling my nose.

"Well okay but..."

"No buts" I growl in frustration "Just do as you're told for once."

I hurry off before she can say another word, feeling excited for once.

It takes several outfit changes before I'm satisfied. I don't understand why I'm so nervous. It's not like this is a date or anything, I try to remind myself. But just the thought of spending some personal time with Lorelai is enough to cause my heart to skip a beat. I glance down at my black jeans and finish buttoning up my white business shirt with a black tank top underneath with a grin on my face. I put a gold wristwatch on and then put mousse in my hair, mussing it up slightly.

"Looking good Knox" I murmur, eying myself in the mirror and examining myself from various angles.

Would Loreali think so? I flushed. For some reason, her opinion of me mattered. I had dressed with her in mind. I quickly picked up my phone and made a phone call. "Rosethorne Exotic Gardens."

"Good morning. I'm Knox Grant" I hear a sharp inhalation from the woman and know she knows who I am "and I would like to organize a visit shortly. It would be extremely beneficial if the gardens could be empty for my visitor and me. I'm willing to pay any amount as compensation for the trouble."

"You want us to empty the gardens? That is no problem for such an honored guest as yourself. Consider it done within the next thirty minutes. You are one of our most generous benefactors so we do not need compensation."

"I will be there in thirty," I said briskly and hung up.

I forgot that we donated to the gardens, I thought with wry amusement. It was one of my father's favorite places to go to. How fortuitous. I grabbed my wallet and phone, putting them securely in my jeans pocket, and then grabbed a black zip-up hoodie, leaving it open and putting it on.

I made it back downstairs and headed to the kitchen. The cook gave me a smile and pointed at the picnic basket. "All ready to go, Mr Grant," she said respectfully.

I frowned "Where is Lorelai?"

"She needed the bathroom," the cook said quietly "I think she's still in a lot of pain sir although she tries to hide it."

I sighed. Lorelai came walking back in, looking pale. She went to retrieve the picnic basket, but I scooped it up before she could.

"Knox" she protested but it was only half-heartedly.

The picnic basket was heavy. I eyed the cook wondering what on earth she had placed in there for two people.

"I will carry it," I said briskly ignoring her.

She sighed and didn't offer more protest. I grinned and then took her arm, tucking it underneath me. "Let's go find the driver," I said smoothly.

"But Knox, I'm supposed to be working" she tried again.

I stare at her "You are working. You're my personal maid correct?" I deadpanned.

"Well yes," she said uncertainly.

"Well then it stands to reason that you go where I go," I said looking at her innocently "and since I'm choosing to leave the house today, then you have to go as well. Otherwise, you would be neglecting your work."

She rolled her eyes "That's not exactly how it works" she mumbled while I gave a low chuckle "And I'm sure your father and brother would disagree with your logic."

"Good thing they aren't here then," I said with nonchalance as we made our way outside "and you would be wrong. lan would be delighted to know that I'm choosing to leave the house and would decide you're a good influence on me."

"Is that so" she mumbles, looking up at me from beneath her lashes "Then I can hardly complain then can I?"

I winked at her "Now you're getting it. Now where is that driver" I muttered and then spotted him by the limo.

No doubt Father and lan had already been taken but we had several drivers. I waved and he immediately leaped into action, opening the door for Lorelai while I waited for her to slide into the backseat.

"Take us to Rosethorne Exotic Gardens Please" I murmur in a low voice so that Lorelai doesn't hear me.

I want this to remain a surprise. The driver's eyes widen but he nods in agreement. I place the picnic basket carefully on the floor and the driver vanishes for a moment and then comes back and hands me a blanket to place on the floor. "You may want this sir," he says as I nod gratefully, placing it with the basket before climbing in myself.

He shuts the door behind me.

Lorelai's eyes are sparkling. She looks excited despite her objections. There's a wide smile on her face that causes my heart to race a little faster. She glances out the window as the limo begins to roar to life.

"Where are we going?" she asks, her voice filled with delight.

"It's a surprise," I tell her, enjoying the look of happiness flooding her face.

She was so easy to please, I thought a little shocked. Most women I had tried to date had always wanted something from me. Whether it was jewelry, money, expensive trinkets, or jewels of some description. But Lorelai looked happy just to be going out to some unknown destination. She was practically bouncing up and down on her seat while I tried not to laugh at her enthusiasm.

"Just a hint" she pleads causing me to laugh out loud.

"Where would the fun be in that?" I ask smugly.

She pokes her tongue out like a petulant child and I almost snort. "Did you just poke your tongue out at me?" I growl, feigning anger.

"Maybe" she feigns ignorance.

She did. I felt laughter bubbling up in my stomach and then I couldn't control it anymore, the laughter bursting out of me as she giggled beside me, taking my hand and squeezing it without hesitation.

It felt so natural, that for a moment it didn't even register what she was doing as I relaxed against her. If only it felt this natural with everyone, I thought sadly, but it wasn't. There were times when I was very averse to being touched or hugged, or given any kind of affection. With Lorelai though, I didn't seem to mind at all. It was almost as if she alone, had the ability to soothe the monster inside of me and bring the calm I needed. We reached our destination and I grinned at her. "Prepare to be amazed" I teased as she glanced out the window and her eyes lit up.