Whatever He Asks (Writer for the Billionaire #1)(2)
Author: Thalia Frost

“Nothing.”

“You look…worried.”

“I’m okay.” I flashed a smile in his direction.

He frowned. “You sure? ‘Cause I got your back if you need it.”

“Nah. I’m fine.”

“All right.” He shrugged. “You good to close alone?”

“Yeah, great.”

“I’m gonna jet then. The new Halo’s out today—well, yesterday now.” He grinned.

“Have fun.” I waved.

“I will. Call if you need me.” He raised an eyebrow.

“I’m fine. I swear.”

He nodded and scooted out of the back room. The front door jingled. Steve was gone.

The question was whether Viking Romeo was still out there waiting.

Glancing at my watch, I tried to still the beating of my heart, but that was nearly impossible. 1:50 a.m. Closing was officially in ten minutes. Time to talk.

I took a deep breath, straightened my dress and hair and walked to the bar casually.

“You’re still here.”

“Of course.” Magnus Gray smiled, and I noticed there were only two bottles in front of him. He’d sat there this whole time and not gotten stone drunk. What self-control.

I leaned against the bar, waiting for him to speak.

“I don’t want to keep you from what you have to do.” His voice ran over me like silk.

“You’re not. At this point, I only need to lock up.”

“Then please. Sit for a moment. I have a business proposal for you.” He turned slightly to face me full on, and the effect was like that of a magnetic force.

I felt myself drawn to him, nothing I could do about it. He was the moon, and I was the ocean, pulsing to his pull on me. I sat down heavily on the bar stool next to him, heat creeping into my cheeks at my lack of grace.

“Okay.” I didn’t know what else to say. I had no earthly idea what a man like this wanted from a woman like me.

Well, I had an idea, but it didn’t make sense other than in the form of a quick lay. And he could have found that anywhere with his looks. I was far from the most attractive or most polished woman on earth, and I was flat broke. Hardly a trophy for a billionaire, which I had an inkling he was.

“Melinda Louis.” He spoke my name slowly, lingering over each syllable. There was something illicit in the sound, and goosebumps rose on my arms.

“Yeah, that’s my name. Don’t break it.”

He didn’t smile.

Guess he’s not the joking type.

A shiver rippled through me, and I felt exposed in my barmaid costume.

“Melinda, I’d like you to come work for me.”

I gaped at him and finally closed my mouth. He gauged me without flinching.

Cool as ice, this one. That’s how I know he has money.

“Doing what?” I hated how stupid I sounded but he’d flabbergasted me.

“Whatever I want.” He clicked his tongue in a way that sounded quite naughty.

I held my breath, all thoughts leaving my head. I might have been an imbecile for all the brain activity going on at that moment.

“Wow. Okay.”

“You would, of course, have the opportunity to say no to anything that made you uncomfortable, Ms. Louis. Is it miss?” He smiled.

“Yes.” I clasped my hands together tight, aware they were shaking. “But I don’t see how I’m the person for the job.”

“You are. I knew it before I even walked in here. I’ve been looking for someone like you, Linda.”

The way he said the nickname made me hot all over. I remembered that it meant pretty.

“Right.”

“Really.” His bit his lip, his brows furrowing. “Of course, I’m sure you’re waiting to hear about pay.”

I nodded stupidly. That was honestly the last question I had. The whole situation was so bizarre that it defied reason.

“I’d pay you $500,000 for a one-year contract.”

My breath whooshed out, and I gasped for air. I knew I must look like a fish washed up on shore, breathing its last.

“Um, I don’t see how there’s any honest way I’d be earning that much money.”

Magnus grinned at me, his teeth impossibly white in the darkness. For the first time, I noticed a tiny scar on one cheek. I wanted to touch it, to know about it.

“Sure there is. I have need of your services, of your freshness. I’ve seen your writing, and you’re obviously a woman of many talents. I want you to work for me personally—no more time in a basement room.” His gaze raked my uniform.

My writing and where I work? How would he know about that?

I gulped. Something very strange was going on. Was he a stalker or a psycho who’d been following me around the city?

“You can think about it. I’ll be back tomorrow evening to get your answer.” He stood.

“What? One day to consider it?” My voice was a squeak.

“Yes, that’s plenty of time. I promise you, I’m trustworthy. Here’s my card, Linda.” Magnus handed me a slick business card and I read it, the words hardly registering, though the cover scheme and logo was one I’d have known in my sleep:

Magnus V. Gray

CEO

Gray Enterprises

The rest went blurry. No wonder he’d looked familiar. I’d seen him on company brochures I’d worked on. He was a legend among women and worth billions. The company had been in the Burgh since the late 1800s and was one of the city’s most successful enterprises, and I’d been damned proud even to intern there. It had begun in railroads and coal and moved into the financial sector in the twentieth century.

“Thanks. I’ll think about it, Mr. Gray.” My voice shook.

How does he know about me? Is it really from the work I’ve done at the company?

The thought boggled the mind.

“Call me Magnus. Please. Other questions for me? Let me walk you out.” He stood and I did as well.

I took my time locking up and doing last-minute things, hoping my breathing would slow down. I felt like I might go into a panic attack.

Finally, I walked over to where Magnus Gray stood at the door.

He opened it for me, and I locked it, joining him outside in the perfect May evening.

“One more question. What will my hours be like?” I started walking toward my car, which I’d parked along a nearby city street.

Magnus chuckled softly. The sound didn’t exactly instill confidence. “They’ll be…flexible. There will be times you’ll work harder than others. Some days you’ll hardly work at all.”

I stared at him, trying to decipher what his words meant.

Will I be his personal call girl?

“Umkay. So, what is the job description then?” I felt like a total idiot asking, but I had more questions than answers now.