Everything He Demands (Bookkeeper for the Billionaire #3)(3)
Author: Thalia Frost

He turned me around to face the mirror. “We look great.”

“If a little dirty.” I giggled, feeling strangely comfortable with him even though we were from different worlds, surrounded by mirrors in a posh restaurant.

We settled back at the table, holding hands on top of it.

“I’m so glad you came with me.” Rock winked at me.

“As if there was a doubt in your mind I would resist,” I spoke, a bit of resentment making its way into my voice.

“You always have a choice, Lacey. We all do.” Rock’s gaze darkened. “Let’s enjoy dinner. Work awaits tonight, but at least we had a…wonderful diversion.”

Is that what I am to him—a diversion?

I nodded just as the waiter returned. How had he known exactly when to show up?

Warmth rose to my face at the thought, and I couldn’t look at him.

The food was delicious, but my hunger had abated, and nervousness fluttered in my stomach at what would come after dinner.

Work. Am I up to the task?

I knew I was good at what I did—numbers and books—but I’d never worked for someone like Rock. And I’d never been doing kinky stuff with the boss.

I ate what I could as my eyelids grew heavy.

“Am I losing you?” Rock squeezed my arm gently, and I smiled at him.

“No, just jetlagged I guess.”

“As you should be. Would you like dessert? They make an amazing canoli.”

I shook my head, hiding a yawn behind my palm. “I don’t think so. Maybe just a hot shower and work.”

“Sounds like a good plan, Lacey.”

When the waiter returned, he didn’t bring a bill. “Put it on my tab, Dimitri.”

“Certainly, sir. Have a wonderful time in Venice. I hope to see you again soon.” The waiter bowed. “Would you like me to show you out?”

“Definitely. How do things look outside?” Rock’s brow furrowed.

I had no idea what he was talking about.

“Pretty good, sir, but I’ll do my best to clear the path to your limo.” Dimitri grinned.

Rock helped me up from my chair and whispered to me as Dimitri went ahead of us out of the room. “I’m going to be calling you Ms. Pate regularly…at least till tomorrow night when the news of our engagement breaks.”

My stomach dropped.

“Right.”

“It’s best to act as if our relationship is the standard professional one until then—at least when we’re in the public eye.”

“I understand.”

Now I knew what the crowd was about. The paparazzi surely waited outside for us.

I swallowed hard.

“You’ll be fine. Just stay close and don’t answer any questions.” Rock gave me a small nod.

“I will.” I took a deep breath and walked out beside him.

The moment hit me as surreal. I was walking outside of a posh Italian restaurant with Rock Weldon, billionaire CEO. And I wasn’t just working for him. He’d made me his lover and soon-to-be fiancée.

As soon as we hit the door, flashbulbs went off in a blinding burst of light.

“Mr. Weldon, please comment on the rumors about Regal Enterprises.” Rock ignored them with a tight smile.

Just a few feet to go. The reporters were packed in close to us, even as Dimitri waved them away where he’d gone out ahead.

A hard grasp on my forearm made me gasp. “Ouch!”

Rock turned toward the perpetrator, an icy glare on his face.

“Miss! Miss, tell us your role with the company and Mr. Weldon.” The tone of her voice was unmistakable, and a dart of hurt ran through me.

How many bookkeepers have there been before me? I must be a laughingstock right now.

I tried to shake the woman off, but her grip tightened.

“Let her go right now or I’ll have you sued. You’ll never work again.” Rock had stopped, leaning toward the woman, a menacing look on his face.

The paparazzi murmured, snapping photos as fast as possible.

“No problem. Just trying to get a story.” The hawk-nosed woman smiled.

“No, you’re not. You’re infringing on my bookkeeper’s right to be unmolested by vultures.” Rock touched my arm, and we continued to the limo.

He helped me into the car, and I let out a long sigh, more relieved to be out of the public view than I ever had been.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Where to, Mr. Weldon?” Luigi’s accented voice came over a small speaker.

“To the villa. Take the back way. I don’t want the paparazzi there if I can help it.”

Rock leaned back and closed his eyes briefly. I studied the fine lines around his eyes. My heart squeezed.

He looks so tired.

“I think you’ll like my place. I’ve had it a few years, and it has a fabulous view.” Rock’s words were soft, and I wondered about the other side of this man. The softer one that I’d seen a few times now.

“I’m sure I will.” My voice was stiff in spite of the tenderness I felt toward him.

My wonderings about how many bookkeepers had come before me flooded my mind again.

“What’s wrong, Lacey? You always get quiet when you’re unhappy.”

I let out a breath at his perceptive statement. “I was just wondering how many bookkeepers or assistants have come before me. That reporter—”

“Forget her.” Rock’s tone was sharp, like a knife to my heart.

“That still doesn’t answer my question,” I whispered, taking in the lights of Venice.

“The answer will only hurt you, no matter what it is. Right?”

“I don’t know.” Tears pooled in my eyes.

Dammit. Why can’t I treat this like a job? Because it’s more than that…at least to me. I’m falling for this man, a man I can never truly have.

“Well, the answer is that you’re the first bookkeeper or assistant I’ve had this sort of relationship with. I haven’t been in any relationship for over a year, and even then, I was never much of a womanizer.” Rock ran his hand up my thigh, sending a shiver through me.

“I don’t believe that.”

The man has billions of dollars, and he’s hot as hell.

“Doesn’t matter if you do. It’s true. I’m a very private person, Lacey. I don’t let just anyone in to my world.” Rock pulled me close, and I didn’t resist.

I leaned against him, and he put his arm around me. The silence enveloped us, comforting and familiar.

Could he be telling the truth? Am I special in some way?

I rolled my eyes at my romanticizing.

I’m basically his whore/fiancée for hire.

A lump rose in my throat, and I clung to him harder, wishing for much more.

* * * *

Rock and I climbed out of the limo in an alley that smelled of leather and water. That smell was the scent of Venice, I was learning—darkness and romance mixing in an irresistible duo.