2. Derek
2
Derek
The new maid is going to be a problem. A big fucking problem.
I knew it the moment I opened my door, expecting to find a short and squat middle-aged woman named Maggie. I wasn’t at all prepared for a leggy redhead with lush pink lips, pale skin and hazel eyes that couldn’t hide a damn thing she was feeling. Even with her hair in a bun that shows off the graceful slope of her neck, a tight jawline and pouty lips, she’s beautiful as ever.
She’s too young and too sweet, and too fucking gorgeous for me to work around without distraction. And I need to work, dammit.
“I should make her wear a damn uniform,” I grumble into the quiet of my office, where I’m now hiding before I snap at her or drag her to the bedroom for something other than cleaning. I’m not a man accustomed to using restraint when it comes to what I want. If there’s a resort with potential and I want to add it to my portfolio, I do what it takes to get it. A woman I want to take to bed, I charm my way through it.
Having Maggie in my house day in and day out, in those jeans and having to keep my hands to myself? Im-fucking-possible. But I’m not such a bastard that I’ll fire her just because I want her. No, I’ll just keep my distance until she screws up.
And then I’ll get what I want.
I pick up my phone and dial the office. “I need you to get here right away and break in the new maid.” I end the call abruptly knowing my assistant will make sure Maggie knows what is expected of her and what the punishment will be if she disappoints.
With that settled, I push Maggie and those sexy jeans from my mind and settle in to get some work done. Work is my focus and nothing ever distracts me from it. It’s how I became a billionaire before I turned thirty and it’s how I continue to grow my wealth and power every damn year. Not a young maid or even my dick will take my mind off the main goal, which is to make Banks Luxury the top name in resorts across the world.
I stop thinking about the new girl around and focus on my latest acquisition, a small island resort off the coast of New Zealand. It’s rundown, and I paid pennies on the dollar for it but I know misbehaving celebrities and monarchs will pay top dollar for the privacy it offers.
It’s going to be a black diamond resort in less than five years, at least it will be if I stay on track and ignore any and all distractions.
“What is it?” I bark when someone knocks on my door. I expect it’s my assistant arriving to talk with Maggie, so I don’t bother to look up as the door opens and a figure steps inside.
“Jonathan asked me to bring you lunch since you never stop and he’s busy prepping dinner.” Maggie’s words are stilted as if she’s afraid of me but when I look at her, her gaze is steady and strong.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” I grunt as she stands there holding the tray of food.
The quiver of her lips is the only sign of irritation I catch and it would be almost impressive if she wasn’t such a goddamn distraction. “Well, where do you want it, Mr. Banks? There’s not one inch of free space in here, never mind a spot large enough for this tray of food.”
Her annoyance makes me grin. People so rarely get edgy with me; it’s one of the privileges of extreme wealth and I have to say, this is rather amusing. “Yeah, it’s a mess around here.”
“I agree,” she says without a trace of humor. “Too bad Jonathan says I’m never to enter unless you invite me inside.”
Touche. I reach for a corner of my large mahogany desk and lift a stack of files before I motion to the now empty space. “There, plenty of room.”
She sets the tray down without sparing me another glance as she heads to the door. “Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Banks.” Her polite words drip with frustration.
“Call me Derek,” I tell her just before she closes the door a little too hard for my liking. But instead of fuming, I find myself smiling. What the hell is the new girl doing to me?