Everything He Demands (6 page)

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.

“
Thanks,
Luigi.
I'll
call
you
about
tomorrow.
”

“
I'll
be
ready,
sir.
Good
night.
”
Luigi
tipped
his
hat
and
walked
back
around
to
the
driver's
side
of
the
limo.

Rock's
hand
was
at
my
back.
“
Let's
get
inside.
You
can
get
a
shower.
I
have
to
get
to
work
immediately.
”

“
All
right.
”
A
shower
sounded
amazing.

Before
he
could
open
the
door,
a
butler
appeared.
“
Mr.
Weldon!
Welcome
back.
”

“
Hello,
Alphonse.
Good
to
see
you.
”

“
Likewise,
sir.
Is
there
anything
you
need?
”
The
distinguished
older
man's
voice
was
soft
and
reassuring.

“
We'll
have
a
bottle
of
the
1895
red
and
one
of
the
1920
white
in
my
room.
Just
leave
it
there.
”
Rock
smiled.
“
By
the
way,
this
is
Ms.
Pate,
my
bookkeeper.
”

“
Pleased
to
meet
you,
signorina.
”
The
man
bowed
low.

“
I'm
happy
to
meet
you,
too,
Alphonse.
”
I
liked
him
immediately.

“
Please
show
Ms.
Pate
to
the
guest
suite
down
the
hall
from
mine.
”
Alphonse
nodded
and
grabbed
my
suitcase
and
Rock's.

“
This
way.
”

I
gave
one
glance
back
toward
Rock,
but
he
was
already
pulling
his
cell
phone
out.

This
might
get
pretty
lonely.

But
at
least
I'd
have
some
time
with
my
own
thoughts...before
I
became
engaged
to
Rock
Weldon
the
next
day.

My
heels
clacked
on
marble
flooring.
Gold,
white
and
red
dazzled
my
eyes.
The
foyer
and
everything
about
the
place
was
immense
and
grand.

“
This
way,
Ms.
Pate.
”
Alphonse
led
me
up
a
sweeping
staircase.