Hot Takeover: An Alpha Billionaire Romance Read online

  “I’ll drive you.”

  I nod, grateful not to have to take a taxi. But still unsure about what he’s expecting from me…if anything.

  We should talk. But that doesn’t seem to be one of Killian’s strong suits. And maybe I don’t really want to hear what he would say.

  I know it’s just a fling, that I should just enjoy the ride. But already I know that my heart is in big trouble when he does decide to leave.

  And he will leave, I remind myself. He’s been hired to do a job, and when he’s done he’ll move onto another one. Most likely in another city. Maybe even in another state.

  “You okay?” he asks, as he opens the door to his car and helps me in.

  “Yes,” I say honestly. Because no matter how confused I may be, I’ve never been happier than when he was touching me.

  It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to feel the way I do when I’m with him. And even though it’s scary as hell, it’s also incredibly exhilarating.

  Chapter 9

  Killian

  If I thought for one second that fucking Alicia would calm the constant hunger for her, I was dead wrong. If anything, it only intensified the need. I have no clue how I’m supposed to walk away from her when my time here is up.

  Because if I’m honest with myself, I don’t want to. But settling down has never been on my radar. I’m not the white-picket-fence kind of guy. The kind of guy who a woman like Alicia deserves.

  “Your twelve o’clock is here,” my assistant says through the intercom.

  “Send him in,” I answer, then add, “And have Ms. Parker join us.”

  Michael Lawson, the photographer for today’s photoshoot and one of my oldest friends walks in.

  “Hey man,” Michael says, slapping my back when he hugs me. “Shit, it’s been too long.”

  “Way too long. How are things?”

  “Better now that you got me this contract. I appreciate the work.”

  “Anytime.” The man is a brilliant photographer, but he’s shitty when it comes to the business side of what he does. Without my help, I’m pretty sure his talents would still be wasted on weddings and kids’ birthday parties.

  There’s a small knock, and Alicia walks into my office.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asks, glancing between two of us.

  Michael’s gaze falls on Alicia, and for some reason, I really hate the way that he’s looking at her, like he’s undressing her with his eyes.

  “Well, hello there,” Michael says, brushing past me, and extending his hand. “I must say that if the rest of the models look like you, this is going to be a hell of a shoot.”

  Alicia blushes and glances at me for help. “Um…”

  “Alicia is one of Love Lace’s designers. She created the set that you’ll be photographing.”

  The asshole is still holding her hand and looking like he’s ready to devour her.

  “You’re kidding me, right?” His gaze roams down her body, then back up to her face, and I want to punch the bastard – friend or not. “Hell, with your cheekbones and those eyes, you should be a model.”

  She laughs and I wonder if she’s enjoying the compliments or if she’s actually falling for his charms. Either way, I feel a wave of possessiveness boiling up inside.

  “Ms. Parker,” I say, regretting the formality of my tone and the use of her surname when she looks at me with confusion. “If you could go check that the models are ready.”

  Alicia nods. “Sure.

  Michael grins at me when she’s gone.

  “What?”

  “Sorry man. I didn’t realize you guys were a thing.”

  I grunt. Is it really that obvious?

  “Come on,” I say gruffly. “I’ll show you where you can set up.”

  I’m well aware of the stupid look on his face when he follows me out of my office and down the corridor.

  “Shit,” he says, nudging my arm. “You’ve got it bad. Not that I blame you. The chick is drop dead gorgeous. I’ve always loved redheads, and those curves. My God, the woman is–”

  “Fuck off,” I mutter, causing him to chuckle.

  “Point taken.”

  When I open the door to the area where the photoshoot is supposed to take place, I’m met with chaos.

  One of the models is having a major melt down, and it’s taking Alicia and two others to calm her down.

  “What’s going on?” I ask, when Alicia approaches.

  “Existential crisis,” Alicia says, rolling her eyes. “Looks like we’re down one model.”

  “Shit.” I rough my hand through my hair. Rescheduling isn’t an option. We’re on a deadline.

  “Why don’t you step in,” Michael says to Alicia.

  “Me?” Alicia’s eyes go wide.

  “Sure.” Michael is beaming at her now, not holding back any of his charm. “You’ve got the body for it and the face.”

  A low growl rumbles from my throat, causing both Michael and Alicia to glance over at me.

  “I couldn’t,” she says, chewing on her bottom lip, and I can see the insecurity in her eyes.

  “Sure, you can.” Michael seems to be enjoying himself a little too much. “The cute little black number over there is screaming out your name.”

  Alicia glances over at me, and I can see she’s considering it. And really, why the hell not? She’s beautiful and there’s no reason she shouldn’t be proud of her body. I just hate the thought of other men looking at her.

  But just because we’re sleeping together doesn’t mean I have the right to say no.

  For once in my life, I try not to be the selfish bastard I usually am, and say, “If you’re comfortable with it…”

  “Really?” Excitement lights up her face.

  I nod.

  “Okay, then.” She turns her attention back to Michael. “As long as you promise to photoshop my cellulite out.”

  He laughs. “Scout’s honor.”

  “Then I’ll go get ready.” There’s a small skip to her step as she turns and rushes over to where the other women are getting their hair and make-up done.

  “You’re an asshole, you know that,” I mutter, narrowing my eyes on Michael.

  He laughs. “Yeah. Never said otherwise.”

  Chapter 10

  Alicia

  I loved doing the photoshoot. Probably more than I should have. But what woman doesn’t like feeling beautiful? I may not be as tall, or toothpick thin as the other models, but my designs were never meant for one cookie cutter shape.

  No matter a woman’s body type, she deserves to feel like a goddess, to be worshipped and adored.

  That’s the way I feel when I wear my designs. But it’s also the way I feel when Killian looks at me. Or at least I did. He’s been reserved with me since the photoshoot yesterday. And I’m starting to wonder if he had a problem with me doing it.

  In the staffroom, I grab a coffee, ignoring the dirty looks I get when I walk in.

  They can think what they want. I’m starting not to care anymore. Because no matter what I do, people will talk. They always do. And if it’s not about me, then it’ll be about someone else.

  “Watch it, Carol”, one of the other designers says, when I accidentally bump into her, causing the coffee she’s holding to swish over the edge.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  She shakes her head and glares at me, but there are tears in her eyes, and I can tell she’s fighting to hold them back.

  “Did you burn yourself?”

  “I’m fine,” she barks, grabbing some napkins from the counter and throwing them over the spill on the floor.

  She’s clearly not fine. Her hair is a mess and she looks like she hasn’t changed clothes in a week. There’s more stains on her dress than a toddler’s bib. What’s up with her? I know that I can be sensitive at times, but crying over coffee is a bit dramatic.

  “Are you sure? If you need anything…” I touch her arm and feel the tremble go through her, and t
hat’s when the waterworks start.

  “It just…” She hiccups and brushes the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “It feels like everything’s going wrong at the moment.”

  I can sympathize with that.

  “Do you want to talk?”

  She takes a deep breath and glances around, but there’s only her and me in the room now. “Maybe I’m being dramatic but I feel like my designs are all bad. Like I’m next on the list of people getting fired. Have you heard anything?”

  I shake my head, feeling sorry for her. I know what it’s like to be worried about losing my job.

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

  “You can say that because the new boss loves your work.” There’s a hint of bitterness in her voice, but I ignore it.

  I’ve never been close to Carol, or even liked her, mostly because she wasn’t pulling her weight. She’s lazy and unmotivated, not unlike the other designers.

  “This isn’t the first design house that I’ve worked in,” she sobs as we start to walk to the break room. “I was fired from my last placement. I can’t lose this one too.”

  “Well, you know if there’s anything I can do to help you, then don’t hesitate to ask.”

  She bites her lip and I can tell that she has something on her mind.

  Shit. I immediately regret the offer.

  “Would you look at my work? Give me some recommendations on how to improve them? If you have a few spare minutes now…”

  “Oh. Um...” That catches me by surprise. I expected her to take me up on my offer, but not now. I’m still waiting for Killian. He hasn’t come into work today, which isn’t like him.

  “Great, so you’ll look at them?” Carol asks, her face brightening.

  I hesitate before fully committing to it. I glance once again to see if Killian has turned up, but his office door is still closed.

  “Well?” Carol is watching me expectantly.

  I shrug, “Sure, why not?”

  The tears disappear, and she takes my hand, leading me to her desk.

  Suspicion races through me. She was only crying a few minutes ago. But when I see her designs I realize why she was so upset. They make the spandex collection that Cynthia designed for the Christmas line look appealing.

  If this is all she has, then she’s right to worry about her job.

  “What do think?”

  I think this is going to be a lot of work. But I have the time. I’ve already submitted my pieces, and with Killian not here, I don’t know what else to do with myself.

  “Well…” I look over the sketches, picking one of the least unpleasant ones. “I think if you take away these harsh lines and add a bit of–”

  “Wait.” She hands me a pencil and pulls out the chair for me to sit. “Will you show me? Please, just this once.”

  I sigh and take a deep breath as I sit down, and start to add changes to her designs.

  Like I always do the moment my pencil hits the paper, I get caught up in my own head, and time goes without me noticing. Which in a way is a good thing, because I have to talk to Killian. And working on Carol’s designs distracts me from the one thing that’s bugging me.

  Why is he avoiding me?

  Chapter 11

  Killian

  The last couple of days have been crazy.

  I flew to Chicago as soon as I got the phone call that my father had a stroke. Thankfully it was just a minor one, but my mom’s a mess, and I didn’t want to leave her. Plus, Love Lace is practically running itself.

  And being away gave me time to think, without the temptation of Alicia’s sexy little body tempting me every five minutes. And I’ve finally figured out what that is.

  Alicia.

  I just don’t know how I’m going to make it happen. Not when our lives outside of Love Lace are so different.

  But the thought of being away from her is torture. I barely survived being gone the past three days. And it’s terrifying that she’s already got such a hold on me.

  Alicia is slouched over her desk when I walk into the large room where the designers work.

  “Alicia,” I say approaching her, but she doesn’t look up. But every other pair of eyes in the room does. I clear my throat, and say more loudly, “Ms. Parker.”

  When she doesn’t react, I place my hand on her shoulder. That causes a small flinch.

  “I need to speak with–” I don’t finish what I’m about to say because I feel the small tremble that goes through her body, a tremble that feels like she’s holding back a sob.

  Shit. Something’s wrong.

  Her phone is in her hand, and she’s staring at it like it’s a viper ready to strike at any moment. When she glances up at me, I see the tears she’s holding back.

  “My office,” I say, taking her hand, and leading her past the gawking employees.

  They can look all they want. My first and only concern is figuring out what has set her off.

  I shut my office door behind us, then pull her into my arms, but instead of melting into me like she normally does, she remains stiff and rigid.

  Cupping her chin, I force her to look at me. “What’s wrong?”

  She shakes her head, “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit. Talk to me.”

  She pulls away then, and says coldly, “Where have you been?”

  I exhale a long drawn out breath and rub the back of my neck. “My father was sick.”

  “You didn’t call.” It’s impossible to miss the hurt in her voice.

  I take a step towards her and place my hands on her arms. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have.”

  My apology doesn’t seem to appease her. All I can see in her expression is pain and a look of betrayal.

  “I’ve got work to do.” She blinks back the tears from falling, and I can practically feel the wall she’s constructing between us.

  “You’re not leaving until you tell me what else is bothering you. What was on your phone that you were so upset about?”

  She looks away, then closes her eyes. “I’m only telling you because it affects the company. You’ll have to stop Trevor from publishing those pictures of me on the website. I don’t want to be the cause of more bad press for Love Lace.” She lets out a small shuddering breath. “I’ll put in my resignation notice at the end of the day.”

  She still hasn’t told me a damn thing, but she’s starting to scare the shit out of me.

  “You’re not fucking resigning.”

  “I have to.” A single tear slips down her cheek, and I brush it away with my thumb. “He said…he…”

  Her lips press together and she closes her eyes and shakes her head.

  “Who is he?” I cup her chin. “Alicia, talk to me.”

  She swallows hard, then says, “My ex.”

  “What about him?”

  “He’s threatening to release some pictures of me.”

  “What kind of pictures?” I try to keep my voice controlled, but it’s difficult.

  She hesitates, then says, “Naked photos.”

  My nostrils flare and I clench my back teeth.

  “I didn’t know he’d taken them. Some were when I was in the shower. Others when I was sleeping.” More tears fall over her cheeks, but she doesn’t even try to wipe them away. “He wants money. Apparently, someone told him I was involved with a rich businessman…” She shakes her head and makes a disgusted sound at the back of her throat. “It doesn’t matter that’s not the truth. He wants his money or he’s going to release the pictures.”

  I sometimes forget that she doesn’t know who I really am. That I’m worth a hundred times what Love Lace is worth.

  “How much?” I ask.

  “More than I can ever come up with.”

  “And the asshole’s name?”

  She squints up at me. “It doesn’t matter. This isn’t your problem.”

  “His name, Alicia.”

  “Nick Makris. But like I said–”

  “I’ll
deal with it.”

  “Killian–”

  I crush my lips against hers, silencing her protest.

  “I’ll deal with this. Understand?”

  A small nod is her only reply.

  “Sit,” I demand, before moving around the desk, and picking up my phone.

  She obeys, which is fucking good, because I’m not in the mood to play games. I’ve got a one- track mind, and right now my focus is on protecting her.

  My first call is to an investigator that I use from time-to-time.

  “Ron, this is Killian.”

  “Killian, it’s been a while.”

  “That’s because the last time I used you, I told you to use whatever means necessary to get the information I needed, and you interpreted it to mean you should beat the guy to an inch of his life.”

  Alicia’s brows go up.

  Ron chuckles. “Yeah, and you got your answers, didn’t you?”

  I grunt.

  “What can I do you for?”

  “Nick Makris. I need everything you can find out about the guy.”

  “What do you want me to find out?”

  “The usual.” Anything that can be used against him. Sure, I could pay the asshole off, but that won’t stop him from coming at her again in the future.

  I need something more convincing than money. And I plan to get it any way I can.

  Chapter 12

  Alicia

  I’m shocked by how quickly Killian gets the information he needs, like he’s got the FBI and CIA on speed dial.

  “I’ll be back in a few hours, I’m going to pay our friend a little visit,” Killian says, after he gets off the phone with another one of his sources. He’s been at it all day, and from the intense look on his face now, it’s clear that’s he’s found something.

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “No.”

  It’s a command I don’t intend to obey.

  “You can’t tell me no. This is my problem.”

  “It’s my problem now. I don’t want you in any danger.”