Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Emerson

I took back what I said about Alex Parker not being such a bad guy. He was a complete asshole in how he spoke to me in his commanding voice like I was some child. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him what I did, but my defenses had gone up. My parents were the only people who had a right to talk to me like that. I couldn’t stop thinking about how he came into my room last night to check on me. As weird as it was having him hover over me in bed, it was a nice gesture on his part. I got the feeling there were two sides to Alex Parker. I just hadn’t figured out yet which side was more dominant. I was only here for three months, and having as little contact with him as possible wouldn't be difficult.

After putting on my bathing suit, and as I was walking out the patio door, I heard Alex call my name.

“Emerson, I need to speak with you for a moment.”

I rolled my eyes and turned around to face him.

“Yes, Alex?”

“Robert’s mother has taken ill, and he is leaving for Florida. So, I will need you to step in and take his place.”

I raised my brow at him. “Take his place? What exactly do you mean?”

“You’ll be his replacement chef. Mainly cooking my breakfast in the morning and an occasional dinner.”

I laughed uncontrollably. “You’re kidding, right? You expect me to cook for you?”

“No, and yes. Since you apparently have these mad cooking skills, it will save me from hiring another personal chef. After all, I am letting you stay here,” he spoke seriously.

Cocking my head, I stared at him, becoming distracted by his overall sexiness in his tailored business suit and his scent that lingered in the air. Damn him.

“Fine. Since you were kind enough to open up your home to me while my brother is away, the least I could do is repay you by cooking your meals.” I pretty much had to choke out the words.

“Very good. You’ll start tomorrow morning. Breakfast is at 7:30 sharp.”

“And if I don’t have it ready until 7:31 or perhaps 7:32?”

He took in a sharp inhale. “7:30, Miss James.” He walked away without even cracking a smile.

I didn’t see him the rest of the day or night, which was fine with me. I wasn’t particularly liking his attitude.

I made sure to wake up nice and early to serve his Majesty his breakfast on time. Just as Alex walked into the kitchen, I plated his quiche with a side of fresh fruit and a homemade banana-nut muffin.

“Good morning,” he mumbled.

“Morning. Your breakfast is ready.”

“It smells delicious in here. Did you make homemade muffins?”

“Yes. Banana-nut. I hope you like them.”

“They aren’t my first choice, but I don’t mind them.”

I rolled my eyes as I set his plate on the table.

“Are you joining me?” he asked as he sat down.

“Does Robert ever join you?”

“No.”

“Then why would I?”

I walked out of the dining room and into the kitchen with a small smile on my face. I poured myself another cup of coffee and took a muffin from the cooling rack. Banana-nut might not have been his first choice, but they sure were mine. As I was cleaning up, Alex brought his plate to the kitchen.

“That was an excellent breakfast.”

“It must be those mad cooking skills I supposedly have,” I replied as I washed a pan over the sink.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of hot breath over my neck as he came up from behind and leaned close to my ear.

“You have very mad cooking skills, and I can’t wait to see what you cook up next.”

I gulped. His scent was infiltrating my space, and it was driving me crazy, not to mention the fabric of his suit that lightly brushed up against my skin.

“Guess you’ll have to wait and find out,” I spoke without turning around.

My phone, which was sitting on the counter, beeped with a voicemail message. Strange that I hadn’t heard it ring. Alex backed up, and I reached over, pressed play, and hit the speaker button because my hands were wet. It was from a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hey, Em, it’s Ryan. I got a new number and want you to have it if you change your mind about us and come back to Connecticut. I sure do miss you, baby. I miss the great sex we had, and I miss holding you in my arms.”

I immediately stopped the message and sighed. Shit . I couldn’t believe Alex had heard that.

“Ryan? Great sex? Another heart you broke?” He snickered.

I took in a deep breath. “The sex wasn’t all that great, and yes, another heart I broke. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish cleaning up before I head down to the beach.”

“Enjoy your day, and thank you for breakfast.”

“No problem. After all, you are letting me stay in your castle.” I gave a small smile.

He left the kitchen, and I placed my hands against the counter, pushing myself back. Why the hell would Ryan be calling me after all this time?

Alex

Sitting in the car on the way to the office, the only thing on my mind was Emerson, the breakfast she made me, and the two hearts she broke. Why the fuck was I thinking about her so much? She was certainly a beautiful woman. She was definitely one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, but she was mouthy and disrespectful. Even though I despised those two things about women, she had me curious about her. Something was going on with her, and I was going to find out her story, whether she wanted to tell me or not. I would allow her to tell me herself. If she didn’t, I would hire someone to find out for me. She was a woman I shouldn’t give a damn about. She was my friend’s sister. But something about her made me want to know more, and my mind wouldn’t rest until I found out everything about her.