Whatever He Asks (Writer for the Billionaire #1)(3)
Author: Thalia Frost

Magnus stopped when I did, beside my beat-up car.  “To wait on me and do what I ask. Nothing more, nothing less.”

I shivered at how close he was to me. I was pressed against the car, somehow. I don’t know how I got into that position. Magnus lifted a hand to my face and traced my jawline with a warm finger. I gaped, doing nothing to stop him.

“Well, then. That’s as clear as mud.” I gulped for air.

He smiled. “Think it over. Your life will change, and you’re the woman I want. I’m tired of the rest who do sloppy jobs on the assignments I give them.” Magnus sighed, a pained look flitting across his face. “And of course, if you do well, the contract can be for multiple years.”

What the hell is going on here? There’s a whole story I’m just not getting.

“Uh, okay.”

Really intelligent-sounding answers.

“I do have school. I’m not done with my M. F. A., and I want to complete it.”

He spread his hands. “Of course. It’s been wonderful talking with you, Ms. Louis. Think about my proposal. I’ll see you tomorrow in your office.”

My heart jumped to my throat.

“You’re…” I trailed off, at a loss for words.

“Yes, I know where you work. I’ll expect your answer by 4:45 p.m. I’ll see you then.”

I nodded, tongue-tied again.

He watched me get into the car and start it up. When he said something, I rolled down the window. “Lock your doors. I don’t like you out this late alone.”

“You’re not my boss yet,” I said sharply.

Smiling, Magnus Gray pivoted on one heel and strode off into the night.

* * * *

I barely slept that night, though I knew what my answer would be as soon as I’d heard he wanted me for my writing.

And for what else?

I just knew there was more to it than that. I’d ask to see the contract when he came by my office. If it looked kosher, I’d quit my job at the bar and start my new life as a personal writer for Magnus V. Gray.

I pinched myself one more time and drifted off to sleep just as the sun was rising.

* * * *

My shift at Gray Enterprises was the most nerve-racking I’d ever had. Twice, I almost spilled coffee on senior writers who asked me to get them an afternoon cup.

“Sorry,” I mumbled to one as I pulled down the pencil skirt I had on. I’d dressed in a red silk shirt that showed a little skin, too. Not my usual outfit but today wasn’t the average day for me the intern.

“Get with it, Melinda.” She frowned.

I scurried back to my desk, head down. 3:30 p.m. and no sign of the mysterious man who’d hired me.

I pushed Magnus out of my mind and worked on a brochure that was due in a few days.

“Excuse me, Ms. Louis?”

I jumped at Magnus Gray’s voice. I noticed then that the basement area where I worked had gone quiet. Heat rose in my cheeks.

“Yes.” I plastered what I knew must be an idiot grin on my face and waited.

“I’d like to know your answer now.” He smiled, those icy blue eyes arresting my thoughts.

“Um, can I see a contract?” My voice shook. Whispers surrounded me.

“Of course. Here it is. Take your time and look it over. I’ll wait.”

My breath hitched.

He’s really serious about this. A CEO who makes millions a year and is worth billions is waiting on me to review a contract.

Laughter bubbled up in my throat from the edge of my near hysteria. I hadn’t told anyone what was going on with me—not my parents and not my best friend Kiki. She was out of town right now on vacation anyway. Probably a good thing. She was too level-headed to entertain what I was thinking of doing right now.

I read through the contract. Everything looked kosher. One year, $500,000 a year. Then I stopped at a clause about time off.

“What’s the deal with this?” I asked, jabbing my finger at the paper.

“Oh, the job is…unique. Vacation is worked into it.” Magnus leaned against my small desk, and I caught a whiff of an expensive, very male scent.

I scanned the document to the end. Nothing else looked off. Besides, it was only for a year. How bad could it be, working for the CEO of this company as a writer?

“The answer is yes.” I put the paper on my desk, looking up at him.

The girl in the cubicle next to me poked her head above the wall.

“Then please sign and I’ll do likewise. And your job begins.”

I did so, my hand shaky.

Magnus took the paper from me and signed with a flourish, his gaze never leaving my face. The uneasiness I felt that the job might have more to it than writing returned.

And what if it does? The man’s a god.

I felt a bit ashamed of myself for the thought.

“Follow me and you can begin.”

“Right now?” I guess I’d thought I’d get a little break.

“Yes, from now till we’re done.”

“All right. I have a phone call to make, though.” I stood up, unsteady on my feet as I grabbed my purse and a few other belongings.

“Make it on the way up to my office.” Magnus whirled, and I hurried out the door behind him, the voices growing louder.

I reached the elevator right behind him just as the call went through to the bar.

“Hi, Rick. I’m quitting.”

“What?” He sounded gobsmacked.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ll explain more later. I got something I can’t pass up.”

“All right, sweetie. We’ll miss you. I’ll get your last check together and mail it to you. Drop your keys off this week when you can.”

The elevator stopped in front of us, and we got on.

“I will. Thanks for everything.”

“Don’t sweat it. Good luck, Mel.”

“Thanks.” Tears gathered in my eyes as Magnus closed the elevator door.

“I’m glad you’ve accepted the job, Linda,” he said, calling me by the nickname he’d given me last night.

“Thanks for offering it. I’m eager to get to work.” The words were mechanical, but what did one say to a man like this and a job like the one I now had…whatever it was?

“Good. When I saw some of the work you’d done for the company, I knew I wanted you to come be my direct employee.”

I realized how close he was standing to me. It wasn’t unpleasant.

“Oh.”

“Don’t you want to know why?”

I gaped at him. “Sure. Yes.”

“I think your brochures are brilliant, and when I learned you’d come up with the concepts, I had to have you.” His cool gaze bored into me as the elevator whizzed up.

It seemed like all the air had left the small space for a moment.

“Thanks. I don’t know what to say.”