Читать книгу Taming Her Billionaire - Yahrah St. John - Страница 12
ОглавлениеMaximus pulled his blue Bugatti sports car in front of Art Gallery Twenty-One later that evening. He’d tried unsuccessfully to make it earlier so he could invite Tahlia out for lunch. His schedule had been an endless array of meetings as he tried to keep Knight Shipping clients calm. They were all worried with Arthur’s death about the status of the company. And quite frankly, so was Maximus. How was he supposed to run a company with only half the power? He needed to be free and clear to make decisions unilaterally. But those days were gone. He’d have to consult big brother Lucius as well as Tahlia on every major decision that he made. The machinery deal had stalled, but the luxury vehicle opportunity was still on the horizon. They had to strike while the iron was hot.
Damn his father for putting him in this position!
He’d always done everything that was asked of him and more. And this was how he was repaid, with a knife in the back? Or at least that was how it felt to Maximus. While Lucius and Tahlia were laughing all the way to the bank. Speaking of Tahlia...
Maximus glanced at the whitewashed stucco building. Inside was the woman who held the key to whether his running of Knight Shipping would go smoothly or whether it would be hell on earth. He needed Tahlia on his side. He could offer to buy her shares outright, but if she said no then that would cloud anything that transpired between them after that. No, better to wait. Maximus hoped that with a little schmoozing Tahlia would vote to effectively neutralize Lucius. Just how far he would go to make that happen remained to be seen.
He’d told Griffin he intended to seduce Tahlia, but Maximus was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Maybe Tahlia would see things his way and need very little convincing. Exiting his vehicle, he strode purposefully toward the door.
The gallery was well lit with vibrant paintings adorning the walls and several sculptures strategically placed throughout the open floor plan on pedestals or suspended from the ceiling. It was nearly closing time, so there were less than a handful of people milling about the room. Maximus strolled through the gallery, peering at several pieces of artwork. He’d come once before for an artist’s exhibition, but he’d hardly seen any of it. He’d come here that night to talk to his father because he’d left the office early before they’d closed a deal. He’d found Arthur hadn’t been interested in discussing business. So Maximus had stayed on his phone until the deal was finalized. But now he had time to look around to see what his father had seen in this place.
He stopped in front of a particularly intriguing painting.
“It’s quite complex, yes?” a soft feminine voice said from his side.
Maximus glanced sideways and saw that Tahlia had joined him and was looking at the painting. “Yes, it is.”
“I’ve told the artist that he should dig deeper like he did with this piece. I think he’s very talented.”
“Is there more of his work here?”
Tahlia shook her head. “At the time, I could only convince my boss to exhibit one.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem for you now,” Maximus stated, moving from the painting to walk toward another, “now that you own the gallery.” He noticed that Tahlia followed behind him.
“No, it won’t be,” she responded, “but why does that sound like an accusation?”
He turned to face her and offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend it that way. I was merely stating the obvious, which is you’re a wealthy woman now and the gallery is yours to run as you see fit.”
She eyed him suspiciously, as if she didn’t believe him. “Yes, it does, and I have some ideas.”
“Care to share them over dinner?” Maximus inquired. He glanced down at his watch. “It’s about closing time, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is, but I would need a few minutes to shut down.”
“That’s no problem,” he responded. “I can wait.”
“Why would you?”
“I thought it might be a good idea to get to know my business partner since we’ll be working together.”
She nodded. “Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”
“Then join me.” He trained his dark brown eyes on hers.
“All right,” she replied. “Give me a few minutes, okay?”
“Sure thing. I’ll just mosey around.”
He stared at her retreating figure. He shouldn’t want Tahlia, but he did on some elemental, visceral level. Every time he looked into her eyes, they sizzled with fire, blasting through every reserve in his arsenal. He had not felt anything with his previous lovers other than the physical release his body craved, but there was something about Tahlia that triggered an untapped need in him to care for her, guard her. He had to figure out what it was. He couldn’t afford any distractions, not if he wanted to keep what was his.
* * *
From the loft above, Tahlia stared down at Maximus as he moved through the gallery like a sleek panther hunting his next game. And was that her? Was that why he was here?
He’d said it was because they were going to be partners at Knight Shipping, but Tahlia didn’t believe him—at least not entirely. The way he’d looked at her told her it might be something more personal. She wouldn’t mind if it were. Maximus Knight was a gorgeous man. And tonight she’d been made increasingly aware of that fact.
She’d been stunned when after finishing up with a customer, she’d noticed him in her gallery staring at one of her favorite paintings. Since he hadn’t noticed her, she’d been able to soak him in. Power radiated from the man—along with a killer instinct, which she was sure served him well in the business world. But there was a sophistication and polish to Maximus that came from being born into money. And his looks—he was well-groomed with a boldly handsome face that appealed to her. The tiny curling tendrils encircling his head made Tahlia want to reach out and finger them. He stood proud and strong in an arresting dark suit that outlined his shoulders and towering presence.
He was, however, deep in thought, and she’d wondered what could have him so perplexed. And so she’d stepped toward him, eager to find out. His compelling gaze made Tahlia nearly lose her breath, but she’d put up a good front. She knew he wasn’t happy about her new role in his company.
If she’d had her pick, it wasn’t the role Tahlia would have chosen, either. She’d have wanted Maximus to notice her because he’d found her attractive. And maybe he did, but she suspected he was spending time with her now only to try to figure out where she stood. And exactly where was that?
Tahlia wasn’t sure, but maybe she’d figure it out tonight.
* * *
Maximus watched Tahlia saunter toward him. His eyes roved over her figure, and he missed nothing. Not the way the drape of the skirt hugged her curves or how the sleek sweater showed off her naked shoulders. His tongue flicked out to moisten his parched lips. Tahlia was mighty fine. And Maximus had to admit, he would enjoy his dinner companion for the evening.
“Ready to go?” he asked when she made it to him. Her large expressive eyes were alive and glowing, and Maximus liked what he saw there. She was most certainly interested in him, which could play into his game if he decided to go there.
“Yes, let’s do it.” She headed through the doors. He stayed close behind her as she locked up, so when she turned around her face was mere inches from his.
“Oh.” She stepped back for a moment and nearly stumbled, so Maximus reached out and circled his arm around her waist.
“Careful.”
They stayed that way for several seconds, both of them staring at each other. Maximus looked her over seductively, and when his gaze went to her full lips, he felt her tense almost immediately and she stepped away.
“Where to?” she asked, moving toward the sidewalk. “I’ll follow behind you.”
“We should take my car,” Maximus said. “I don’t mind driving.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“I insist.”
In the end, Maximus won out and he opened the passenger door for Tahlia to his Bugatti, and she slid inside. He came around to the driver’s side, hopped in and started the engine. Tahlia seemed uneasy beside him as he drove to dinner despite the fact that she looked damn good in the red leather bucket seat. After several long, excruciating silent minutes, Maximus patted her thigh. “Relax, Tahlia. I don’t bite.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He grinned. “What have you heard? Or should I say read?”
“You have a reputation for being determined.”
It seemed like she’d thought that word through very carefully. “You mean ruthless?”
“That word has been used.”
“And you’re wondering how it applies to you?”
“Shouldn’t I?” Tahlia asked. “I know I stand in the way of something you want.”
“Who’s to say you’re not what I want?” Maximus said as he pulled into the valet area of a well-known French bistro. He glanced at Tahlia and saw the stunned look on her face, just as he exited the vehicle and handed his keys to the valet.
He was at her door in no time, grasping her hand and pulling her from the vehicle. He liked touching her and that when he did, her reaction to him was purely physically. He planned to keep on touching her. With his hand at the small of her back, he led her inside the bistro.
“Jean George,” Maximus greeted the maître d’.
“Mr. Knight,” Jean George replied. “It’s a pleasure to have you dining with us again. Your same table, I presume?”
“If it’s available.”
“For you, of course. Please allow me.” He led Tahlia and Maximus to a quiet booth away from the bustling interior.
Tahlia slid inside the booth, and Maximus eased in beside her. When their thighs began to touch, Maximus felt his skin prickle and heat up in awareness. Or was it the playful scent of her peony fragrance that permeated the small space they shared? They both peered at their menus for several moments, but Maximus didn’t need to look; he knew what he wanted.
When Tahlia glanced up, she found his gaze was riveted on her. “What are you doing, Maximus?”
“Call me Max. All my friends do.”
“And is that what we are, friends?”
“We don’t have to be enemies,” he stated firmly.
“I guess that depends on you,” Tahlia stated, and his eyebrow rose. Tahlia wasn’t as naive as he imagined her to be.
A waiter came over and took their drink orders, a scotch for Maximus and a club soda for Tahlia. Once he’d gone, Maximus responded to Tahlia’s comment. “All right, I’ll bite. I didn’t anticipate having you or Lucius to answer to when running my company.”
“Don’t you mean our company?” she responded quickly.
He was about to correct her when he saw the smile in her eyes. She was teasing him. “All my life I’ve been groomed to run Knight Shipping, so imagine how you would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and interlopers came in to tell you how to run it.”
“I can only imagine that you feel slighted, as would I,” Tahlia said. “But this doesn’t have to be a battle between you and your brother, Lucius.”
“And how do you foresee this going, Tahlia?”
He liked how her name rolled off his lips.
Tahlia shrugged. “I’m not sure. We’ll have to make it up as we go along.”
At her words, he frowned. Maximus didn’t leave anything to chance. He was all about facts and figures and making a well-thought-out educated decision before proceeding in life as well as in business. It was why he’d been so successful.
“Listen, no one said this was going to be easy. I think your father put me in the middle to help negotiate a peaceful truce between the two of you.”
“You don’t resent that he’s put you in the middle of an untenable position?”
“At first, I did,” she answered honestly, “but then I began to see it as an honor and that I could make a difference.”
“Are you always this positive?” Maximus inquired, steepling his fingers and staring at her. “Because that’s sort of a Pollyanna way of thinking.”
“That might be so, but I’m here and I’m not going away.”
There was never a truer statement, Maximus thought. “No, you’re not, so we might as well get to know each other if we’re going to be spending so much time together.”
“At the office, I presume.”
The waiter returned and set both their drinks on the table.
After they’d ordered dinner, Maximus immediately reached for his drink and took a sip. “As a shareholder in Knight shipping, your presence, although not required, is expected at functions in town or around the globe if needed.”
“I only own two percent. You and Lucius have the lion’s share. You don’t need me there.” Tahlia reached for her beverage and drank liberally from her club soda.
“What if I want you there?” Maximus countered.
Tahlia looked up at him through thick lashes, and Maximus’s stomach lurched. He did want her around and not just for business. He wanted her for himself. He wanted to get to know her story and how she’d become this beacon of positivity.
“I—I’ll be there, if I’m needed.”
She didn’t rise to his bait, but that was okay. Maximus wasn’t sure where this was going, but there was an attraction between them. He felt it because his heartbeat was thumping at a rapid pace and he couldn’t take his eyes off her and vice versa. She was looking at him like she wanted to jump his bones. And if she did, Maximus wouldn’t mind at all.
“So, Tahlia, tell me your story.” He drank a bit more of his scotch and regarded her with interest.
“You mean you haven’t researched the interloper who just burst into your life?”
He stared at her long and hard until she looked downward. “No, I haven’t. I was hoping to do that personally.”
“All right,” she said. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“That’s very vague. Hmm...” She paused. “I guess I can tell you that I was raised by my mother, Sophia Armstrong. It’s always been Mama, Kaitlynn—that’s my baby sister—and me. My mother is an RN at UCLA Medical Center, and my sister is an accountant.”
“And your father? You didn’t mention him. Where’s he in the picture?”
“He was mugged and shot one night coming home from work. He—he didn’t survive his injuries.”
Maximus noted how formal she sounded about losing her father so young. It had to have been devastating for her. “How old were you?”
“Ten years old,” Tahlia said. “Kaitlynn was only six. She barely remembers him, but I do. He was such a good dad. He taught me how to ride a bike, he helped me with my homework. He tucked me into bed at night and read us stories...” Her voice trailed off, and he could see the toll talking about it was having on her. Her eyes had become misty and wet with tears.
Maximus reached across the table, placed his hand over hers and squeezed. She didn’t move away. Instead, she let him comfort her, and he used his other hand to wipe away an errant tear that slid down her cheek. When she looked up at him, so soft and tender, all Maximus wanted was to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until the hurt went way. Instead, he just slid closer and wrapped his arm around her, and they sat silently for several minutes.
“I’m sorry,” he finally said.
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get emotional. I just get choked up talking about my dad sometimes.” Tahlia sniffed.
Maximus turned to her, offering her his handkerchief. “Don’t be, you loved him. And it shows. I don’t think I’ve even cried over my father since his death.”
She glanced up at him through lashes damp with tears as she dabbed at her eyes with the hanky. “You haven’t?”
“We didn’t have the sort of relationship that you and your father did.” He finished off the rest of his scotch and placed the empty glass on the table.
“You didn’t?” She sounded incredulous as she moved out of his embrace to look inquiringly at him.
“That surprises you?”
“If I’m honest?” she asked. “It does. Arthur was always so caring toward me. And I suppose losing my dad so young that having Arthur in my life was a godsend. We had a special relationship that went beyond a love of art, but was genuine.”
“Then I envy you,” Maximus said. “Because my father was never affectionate with me. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Whenever I seemed to be around, he was cold, distant and indifferent. Which is why I’m still boggled over why he stayed with my mother. And the only thing I’ve come up with is money. He stayed with her for money and the power that came with it.
“No.” Tahlia shook her head. “That can’t be. I can’t reconcile that with the Arthur I knew.”
“Then you didn’t know him at all. He was a master of lies.”
“But he loved you. He loved both his sons.”
“He did?” Now it was Maximus’s turn to be in disbelief. He’d shared so much with a stranger, but yet he hadn’t been able to tell his own sons those words? It didn’t make any sense. He was understanding Arthur Knight less and less with each passing day.
* * *
At the stunned look on Maximus’s face, Tahlia knew she’d said the wrong thing. She’d thought her words would give him comfort, but they were having the opposite effect. “I’m so sorry, Maximus. I don’t know why Arthur wasn’t honest with both his sons about his true feelings. I only know he wanted to claim his other son. But he never revealed it was Lucius. Just that it was his wish that both of you would run the business together one day.”
Maximus snorted. “For an outsider, you sure do know a lot about my family. Or should I say my father? It appears as if maybe you did know him better than any of us.” He signaled the waiter over.
“I’ll have another scotch.” He turned to Tahlia. “What would you like?”
“Nothing for me.”
The waiter departed, leaving them alone again. Tahlia noticed Maximus was silent as he pondered her words. Arthur Knight was a mix of contradictions. He was outwardly cold to Maximus and his mother, Charlotte, passionate with Jocelyn Turner and a father figure to her. And now Maximus would never know the answer to the burning questions he must have.
“Max,” Tahlia began. “What can I do?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure you can do anything, Tahlia. You’re in the middle of this mess, and we’ll have to navigate our way through it.”
Tahlia didn’t like his answer, and she wished she’d never told him just how much Arthur had shared with her. She hadn’t meant to hurt Maximus, but it was clear she had. His father had been open with her and not him. That had to sting.
She tried to change the subject. “I never got to finish my story,” she said. “You asked me about myself.”
“Hmm... I did, didn’t I?” Maximus sipped his scotch. “Why don’t you tell me how you got involved with the gallery?”
His question brought a smile to Tahlia’s face. “Actually, I’m an artist.”
He peered at her with intensity. “You are? Then why are you working at the gallery and not exhibiting?”
Tahlia shrugged. “I wasn’t very successful at getting my own art displayed, so I thought what better way to stay in the field than to help other struggling artists?”
“And your own art? What became of it?”
“I still dabble.”
“Would you show me your work sometime?” he inquired.
A smile of enchantment crossed Tahlia’s lips at the request. “Yes, I would like that.”
“It’s a date,” Maximus said. His look was so galvanizing it sent a tremor through Tahlia, and her heart began hammering loudly in her ears. She wanted to respond and tell him she’d love to go out with him again, but a knot rose in her throat and all Tahlia could do was nod.
The waiter brought their entrées and they both dug into their French meals. The food was rich and decadent, but delicious. Tahlia had no qualms about finishing the meal, and Maximus commented on it.
“You enjoyed your meal?” He inclined his head to her empty plate.
She blushed. “I’d think that was obvious.” She wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“I love this place and come here often,” Maximus said. “It might be small and quaint, but I believe in quality over quantity, and the food is best—thus why I have a special table.”
“Thank you for the invite.”
“You’re welcome. Would you care for dessert? Coffee?”
She patted her stomach. “Oh, no, I couldn’t eat another thing.”
“All right, I’ll get the bill.” He motioned the waiter over.
Once the bill was settled, Maximus and Tahlia made their way back to the valet station. And once his Bugatti was procured, they were on their way back to the gallery, where Tahlia’s car was parked. Conversation continued until they arrived at the deserted parking lot. Maximus pulled up alongside her VW Bug. Next to his Bugatti, her car looked like a relic, but because she’d been a struggling artist, it was all she could afford at the time. Though now, she could afford much more. But Tahlia was determined not to be frivolous. Robert had offered to help her, and she suspected she’d need all the help she could get, starting with an accountant and a financial adviser.
“I enjoyed tonight,” Tahlia said, once Maximus had opened the passenger door and walked her to her car. She stood at the door ready to glide in, but something in the way he was looking at her held Tahlia back.
Was he going to kiss her?
If he were, she wouldn’t stop him. She’d welcome it after the wonderful night she’d spent in his company. Last year, when she’d seen him from across the room looking so deliciously handsome, she’d secretly wondered what it would be like to be with Maximus, but for now she’d settle for a kiss.
“So did I. And I’d like to see you again.” He leaned forward toward her, pressing Tahlia backward into the driver’s door. “Perhaps you can come to Knight Shipping? I could give you a tour of the facilities. You can see for yourself what you’ve inherited.”
“You’d do that?” Tahlia asked softly, looking at his sinful lips. She ached for them to brush hers.
“For you, yes.” His mouth was so very near hers.
“But not for Lucius?” she inquired. The ire on Maximus’s face at the mention of his older brother’s name had Tahlia immediately regretting her choice to bring him into the conversation.
Maximus straightened and took a step backward. “I extended the invitation to you, but I suppose I might as well get it over with, so fine, invite him. Have a good night, Tahlia.”
He turned on his heel to leave, which meant he wasn’t going to kiss her tonight. She’d put her foot in her mouth because of her do-gooder ways.
“I will,” Tahlia said to his retreating figure as she watched him get into his sports car and drive off. She clicked opened her car and slid in. Then she slammed her fists on the steering wheel. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut? Her hands flew up to her lips. If she had, she was certain Maximus would have kissed her, and now she wouldn’t know the feel of his mouth on hers. Would she ever?
* * *
As he drove away, Maximus realized he had Tahlia exactly where he wanted her. Or did he? Tonight hadn’t gone exactly as he anticipated it would. The impending deals that would lead to expansion and going public had been far from his mind. Instead, his purpose had been to find out more about Tahlia, and he had. She’d grown up fatherless, a struggling artist needing someone to look after her. There was a certain naïveté and innocence about her that intrigued Maximus and apparently his father, too.
Arthur Knight had been the father Tahlia no longer had, but then their relationship had changed and she’d become his confidante. He’d shared secrets with Tahlia about his wishes that he could never share with his own family until his death. But she didn’t appear to be using that knowledge with malice or avarice. Or at least none that Maximus could see. She also seemed steadfast in her intent to ensure that he and Lucius formed a brotherhood, as if that were possible.
It wasn’t.
Maximus may not fault Lucius for his existence, but he didn’t share. Knight Shipping was his and his alone because he’d earned it. Lucius and Tahlia stood in the way of that. Maximus had to neutralize Lucius’s power. The only way to do that was to get to Tahlia. And tonight he had.
She’d wanted him to kiss her as much as he’d wanted to. And he might have, if she’d had the good sense to leave Lucius out of the conversation. Instead, she would have to wait, wait until Maximus decided it was time. He didn’t relish seducing Tahlia and the potential of ruining the positive bubble she lived in, but there was no way around it.
He would have to be smart about it, though. Slowly court Tahlia until she didn’t notice that he had her under his thumb. But at the same time Maximus would have to keep his heart locked up tight because something told him if he wasn’t careful, he’d fall under Tahlia’s spell.
