The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 32

Lorelai POV

Rosethorne Exotic Gardens. I've always wanted to go here but never had the time or the money if I was honest. You had to pay a pretty steep price in order to gain entry and generally only the rich and wealthy stepped foot inside its splendid halls. My mouth parted in shock as I took in the building, Knox opening the door and assisting me out while he grabbed the picnic basket and blanket. Even the front of the building was decorated in awe-inspiring tropical-like flowers in various hues, designed to entice the eye of visitors. I was in awe.

"Knox this is beautiful" I breathed as he glanced at me pleased "but we really shouldn't..." I trailed off as he rolled his eyes and made his way determinedly toward the entrance, leaving me trailing in his wake.

The man was determined to do things his way and all I could do was follow behind him and let him do what he wanted.

A woman came out the front to greet us. She looked at the two of us smiling as she held out her hand to shake Knox's and then my hand. "Welcome to the Rosethorne Gardens," she said politely "We are honored to have you as our guests. Is there anything you need? Perhaps a tour or would you like to wander around by yourselves?" she asked.

I glanced uncertainly at Knox. I could see out of the corner of my eye, his bodyguard in the shadows, keeping a close eye

on us.

"What would you like to do Lorelai?" Knox asked, causing me to look at him in shock.

"Um" I was surprised "I think it would be nice to wander around by ourselves if that's okay" I added to the woman.

"Of course" she smiles and leads us inside the building and then out to where the gardens begin "Don't hesitate to ask if you need something."

I glance around, surprised to see the gardens so empty. I would have thought that it would be busy and teeming with tourists. Wealthy tourists. Knox turns around and hands the picnic basket and blanket to his silent bodyguard who looks slightly miffed to be handed it. Evidently it was not in his job description but he wisely bit his tongue and did as Knox bid him.

"Why don't we go and see the rare breeds of roses they are currently growing at the moment" Knox suggests "They are famous for their roses after all."

I happily nod. He reaches out and takes my hand. He feels soft and warm. In a haze I follow him as he makes his way towards what looks like a large hill, which we walk up only to see a mountain of different roses on the other side, all organized by color and breed, a delightful fragrance and aroma of various perfumes.

"It's beautiful" I whisper, as we get closer, my hand reaching out to tentatively touch the petals on one of the roses.

"Yes," says Knox, but when I glance at him, he's not looking at the flowers he's looking at me.

I blush and look down at the ground. He quickly dragged me down a path I hadn't noticed between the roses.

We walk along the cobbled path and come out to a waterfall with all sorts of various water plants growing along the small pond beneath it. I'm entranced. It's like a mythical place out of a fairytale. "How enchanting" I murmur. It's more than enchanting, it's magical. Like a dream.

The gardens all join together, showing off different breeds and exotic colors to rare types. We ended up back at the beginning before we walked up to the roses. I breathe in the fresh air, enjoying the feel of the sun on my face. "I can see why this attracts so many people" I enthuse to Knox beaming up at him "It's so beautiful here. Thank you so much for bringing me although I feel a little bad now" I pause thoughtfully "this doesn't really feel like work." He laughs and motions for the bodyguard to put the blanket down on the ground and the picnic basket. We sit down comfortably while the bodyguard makes himself scarce. Knox begins to pull stuff out, raising a brow. "Grapes, cheese, sandwiches, wine, glasses, water, strawberries. The cook really outdid herself" Knox joked.

I laugh and help myself to a sandwich as he holds it out. He begins to devour one.

"So what made you think of this? It's strange though" I add wrinkling my brow "that it's so quiet today."

Knox almost chokes on his food. "Oh must be one of those days," he says dismissively "Sometimes it's like that."

Huh. I shrug. I'm not about to complain. It's nice to have some quiet time with Knox. I lean back and cross my ankles. Knox's eyes follow my every move. He frowns as he spots a bruise on my shin. "Where did that come from?" he asks, touching it gently.

I force a smile onto my face. "I must have bumped it against something" I lied "I bruise pretty easily."

Too easily. He looks a little doubtful but then gently strokes the bruise with his finger, causing me to inhale slightly. "You should be more careful" he mutters "and maybe get your iron checked" he advised. "I'll do that," I said faintly.

Thankfully he withdrew his finger and I breathed a little easier. Hopefully, there weren't any other bruises on my person that he could see. I tried to adjust my uniform just in case.

"You like gardens" it was a simple statement but accurate.

"I like flowers" I admit with a smile, plucking a grape and putting it in my mouth "but honestly what girl doesn't?"

"What else do you like?" he asks with interest, peering at me as though I was something fascinating.

I swallowed hard and tried to think, but it was difficult with those gorgeous charcoal eyes on me. "Well, I like to read" I admitted "mainly romance novels."

"Because you are a romantic" he scoffed.

I looked at him indignantly "I happen to like to believe that every girl gets her happy ending, even though part of me knows that's unrealistic. Sometimes it's nice to dream" I sigh, causing him to look at me with more interest. "What else?"

I tap my chin "well I like to dance" I add and then wince, wondering if he's put two and two together and remembered that I was the girl he met in the strip club that time.

He hasn't. "I figure with a body like yours that you would be quite good at dancing," he says nonchalantly while I try not to gape at how blunt he is.

"What about you" I turn it around and eye him mischievously "what do you like to do besides your computer work?"

He looks thoughtful now. "Well I like to um, read," he said looking up at the sky "but not romance novels. I always think that stuff is nonsensical" he admits to me while I try not to laugh at his fierce expression "and I like animals and children" he adds surprising me. "I didn't take you for an animal lover," I tell him.

His eyes gleam "Why not?" he challenges me looking curious.

"Because they are noisy and chaotic and quite messy" I answer truthfully "And while you don't abhor mess, you don't like too much noise."

"You do understand me" he murmured, grabbing some cheese and chowing down "but I support various animal charities and shelters instead of adopting an animal myself. Part of me wants an animal but another part of me is not sure how I would go with that. Instead of risking hurting an animal that's already been abandoned by one family, I've decided it's best to help with the financial aspect."

I feel a pang. "But Knox, don't you want to feel the love an animal freely gives its owner?"

I had always wanted an animal but not around Jackson. Never around Jackson. I was too frightened he would abuse it or I would come home and find it dead.

"You make an assumption that the animal would love me" Knox points out wryly sitting back on his hands and smirking.

"It's impossible not to" The words shoot out of my mouth before I can take them back.

s**t. Just like that, I've let my feelings out into the open. Damnit Lorelai, you can't afford for him to know. He's never going to accept somebody like you. Laugh, pretend that you're joking. For god's sake don't let him believe you mean it! Urgh. This is humiliating. I blush profusely.

I giggle and flip my hair, batting my eyelashes "I mean, come on Knox" I tease "You're a big lovable teddy bear."

His eyes narrow and then he chuckles. I relax. Thank god, he's bought it. For a moment there, I was afraid he would realize

I was being honest. "You would be the only one to think so" he comments shaking his head.

He pours us both a glass of wine. I glance down at it. "Should I be drinking on the job?" I ask him warily.

"I give you permission" he waves his hand dismissively.

I shrug and take a sip. Wow. It's good. A fruity like concoction that tastes sweet and tickles the tastebuds.

We sit in comfortable silence. Without even thinking about it, I place my hand over Knox's. The throbbing in my shoulder has faded away and I can feel myself becoming sleepy. I don't know if it's a mixture of the painkillers I had earlier, the amount of walking we

did, or the sunshine that's pouring down on me that's making me drowsy. I give a large yawn and lean against Knox. I put the empty glass of wine down and feel Knox steady me. My eyes begin to flutter closed. It's so pleasant here. So soothing. I feel safe and secure in his arms as he wraps them carefully around me.

"Sleepy" I murmur drowsily, snuggling against him.

I feel his breath against my ear and hear the softness of his voice. "Sleep then, I'll take care of you."

I feel my head drop against his chest and feel his lips kiss me on the forehead. My eyes remain closed as I go silently to sleep, the last thing I remember is Knox gently laying me down so that my head rested on his lap as he crossed his legs, his fingers gently stroking my hair and my forehead. For the first time in a long time, I feel restful and at peace. There are no monsters here, only a man, one who is far beyond any prince charming I have ever dreamed of. Part of me wishes I didn't have to wake up and face reality because this dream, is better than anything I've ever imagined.