Love Above All: A Billionaire Romance Book 1

by Lillian James

  "If you ever listened to us, you would have something else to think of. Like your own family, a wife —" Gary started to say.

  "Gary, you know there is nothing much to discuss about that,” Connor interrupted. “I can't get why you and the others won't drop the topic of marriage.” His brothers never stopped trying to convince Connor to settle down, and he had told them countless times that he was not interested in marriage. Among his four brothers, he was the only one who wasn't married.

  "That's because we know about the bliss that comes with marriage," Gary said as he smiled at Connor.

  "Yeah, I know," Connor said, rolling his eyes. Gary shook his head slightly as he watched his older brother.

  "Anyway, speaking about family,” Gary began. “We would like to celebrate the three months since our twins have joined us. Before you think of coming up with an excuse about why you won't make it, remember this is for the twins.” In reality, Gary had thought along with Samantha that the party would be a way to bring the whole family together. He had thought it had been a long time since they’d been together as a family, when Samantha had come up with the plan.

  "You know, I’m not making up an excuse when I say I'm busy. You know about the expansion," Connor reminded Gary, eyebrows raised.

  "It doesn't mean you shouldn't spare a few minutes for your nephew and niece," Gary said.

  "When is it?" Connor asked, sighing.

  "It's on Friday," Gary said.

  "I can't make it, Gary. I have a meeting in Spain on Friday," Connor said.

  "I see,” Gary said sarcastically. “So the twins don't mean much to you. I mean, you haven't even seen them before. What an incredible uncle you are.”

  "Of course that’s not what I’m saying," Connor said firmly.

  "Then you can reschedule the meeting for their sake," Gary said.

  "Okay, you got me there," Connor said, chuckling as he raised his hands in surrender.

  "Good," Gary said, grinning widely.

  "However, I won't stay long at the party,” Connor admonished. “I'll be there for a brief moment before I fly to Spain for the meeting.”

  "That's fair enough. It's better than not coming at all," Gary said.

  "What time is the party?" Connor asked.

  "It's 4 pm," Gary answered.

  "Such a convenient time," Connor remarked sarcastically.

  "You are going to be there just like the rest. That's all that matters," Gary said.

  "Whatever," Connor said as he rolled his eyes.

  "In that case, I'll be on my way. I have some work to attend to," Gary said as he stood. "I'll see you on Friday," he said as he reached the door.

  "Friday it is," Connor said before Gary left his office. Connor continued reading from where he had left off on his reports.

  ❖❖❖

  "Here you go, ma'am," Amelia said as she placed the pot roast in the center of the dining table with the rest of the delicacies she had prepared for the twins’ three months celebration Gary and Samantha had organized.

  "Thank you," Samantha said, smiling broadly. The Smith family members were seated around the table except for Connor, who hadn't yet arrived. Margarita Smith, the mother of the four Smith boys, held one of the twins in her arms while Gary held the other twin.

  Amelia served up their meal before she left the family once more.

  Connor entered the room minutes after they had started eating.

  "Thank goodness, you found time in your busy schedule to celebrate these adorable angels," Margarita said sarcastically at him.

  "Good evening, Mom," Connor said as he crossed over to where his mom sat and kissed her forehead.

  "For a second there, I thought you wouldn't come," Gary said.

  "I told you I would," Connor protested. "Is this one of the twins?" He looked down at the bundle in his mother's arms.

  "Yes, that's Geoffrey," Samantha said with a proud smile. "And this is Pearl," she she pointed to the other baby in Gary's arms.

  "They are adorable. Can I carry him?" Connor asked.

  "Of course," Mrs. Smith said as she passed the Geoffrey to him. Connor carried him for a second before he lifted him in the air.

  Geoffrey chuckled at this, and Connor continued lifting Geoffrey for the next few seconds before he gave him back to Mrs. Smith. He moved toward Gary and carried Pearl and then he started the lifting process with her. He gave Pearl back to Gary before taking his seat in one of the empty chairs around the table.

  "Vivian, please serve Connor his meal," Gary said as Vivian passed them. Vivian was assisting Amelia at the party.

  "Okay, sir," Vivian said before she served Connor from the dishes placed on the table. Then she left the family once more.

  Connor took the first spoon of the pot roast, and the smooth taste hit his tongue with full force.

  He took another spoon and found himself enjoying it. This tastes exactly like Mom makes it. She must have taken this party extra seriously if she had willingly gone through all this, Connor thought to himself.

  "Mom, your pot roast is delicious as always," he said as he finished his meal.

  "I didn't make it," Mrs. Smith replied to his utter amazement.

  "You didn't?" Connor asked.

  "No, she didn't,” Gary said. “Amelia did.”

  "Amelia?" Connor asked.

  "She’s the chef we hired months ago because Samantha fell in love with her meals,” Gary explained. “Aside from that, I’d also tasted her food and it reminded me of Mom's. So I found a way to hire her as our personal chef.”

  "Wow, this is incredible,” Connor said. “I've never met anyone who could cook as perfectly as Mom.”

  "Thank you," Mrs. Smith said to him, smiling fondly.

  "Would you like to meet her?" Samantha asked Connor.

  "Of course,” Connor said, imagining Amelia as a fifty-something year old chef. “I would like to meet the woman who cooks this well.”

  "I'll call her over then," Samantha said as she pressed a button that would send an alert to the kitchen.

  Amelia arrived minutes later. Connor's eyes widened as he took her in. She is definitely not a fifty-something year old woman. I mean, how can someone be this breathtakingly beautiful?

  "Amelia, Connor was just talking about your outstanding culinary skills," Samantha said with pride as Connor snapped out of his thought.

  "Oh," Amelia said, brows arching.

  "Yes, your meal is absolutely top-notch," Connor said as he continued to study Amelia.

  "Thank you, sir," Amelia said as she directed her attention toward Connor.

  "I'm impressed," Connor said. He was not only referring to her food at this point but also how she looked. However, he didn't let that fact slip.

  "Thank you, sir," Amelia said to Connor as his gaze swept over Amelia's ample bosom and her well-rounded curves.

  What it would feel like to hold her closer and feel her curves in my arms? He wondered to himself as he kept stealing glances at Amelia. I must have her, he thought as Amelia walked away. He felt a stirring in his loins as he watched the gentle sway of her hips, which was evident even in her chef uniform.

  I'll find a way to have her. I'm sure that by the time I do, whatever infatuation I feel for her would be gone just like with all the other women in the past, Connor continued to ruminate.

  The family stood from the table and they moved into the living room. Connor's mind wasn't engaged in any of the chatter among his family. It was was focused solely on Amelia. I need to find a way to speak with her, Connor thought. An idea formed in his head.

  "I have a call I need to take," he announced to his family as he stood. Not that he needed to do it, but he didn't want to receive any suspicion from the rest of the family. He made his way over to the kitchen as fast as he could.

  He smiled as he met her in the kitchen with her back turned to him. He used the brief minutes to study her curves once more before recallin
g that he had little time to talk to her before they would be interrupted. He moved closer to Amelia, who was deep in concentration on the salad she was making. She didn't realize that Connor was behind her. She turned to pick the salad dressing on the other side of the tabletop when she came to an abrupt halt at seeing Connor.

  "Sir," she stammered, clearly startled by his presence.

  "Amelia," Connor greeted her with a broad smile.

  "Is there anything you need?" She asked with a puzzled expression while her heart hammered rapidly.

  "Well, you could say that,” Connor said. “Like I said earlier, I find your cooking skills astonishing.”

  "Thank you," Amelia acknowledged while she watched him skeptically. Did he really come all the way to the kitchen to compliment my cooking skills? Amelia wondered.

  "But what I failed to mention early is that you are one beautiful woman, Amelia," Connor said, smiling flirtatiously

  "Oh," Amelia said as her heart fluttered at his words. She couldn't explain why she reacted that way since Connor wasn't the first person to compliment her.

  "Anyone would be blind not to see how refreshingly beautiful you are," Connor said as he moved closer to Amelia. At the same time, she could only gape at him.

  "You captivate me with your beauty and I would do anything to take care of you," Connor continued.

  Oh my goodness, this is hot,” Amelia thought. I must admit he is a good-looking man with his blue eyes and his facial structure. He looks like a fantastic sculptured work of art. His physique is enough to make anyone woman do his bidding. She continued to mull over his attractiveness as she studied Connor. Her heartbeat increased as Connor moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist as he pulled her closer. Although his touch had an effect on her, Amelia managed to bring herself back to her senses as Connor pressed her against the kitchen counter and leaned in to kiss her.

  She pushed him away and slapped him hard before she could control herself.

  Glaring at him while she breathing heavily, she stormed out of the kitchen, leaving a dazed Connor.

  Dammit she has strong arms, Connor thought as his held his throbbing cheek.

  Oh, my goodness! Amelia thought as she headed toward her quarters in the mansion. I'd didn't just slap the Smith family's first son, did I?! I'm definitely losing my job. Amelia entered her quarters and leaned against her closed door as she tried to steady her breathing.

  He had it coming when he decided to kiss me. What was he thinking? That he could just waltz in and kiss me, and I'd allow him? Fine, he is the Smith family's firstborn, but there is only much I can take.

  "Well, I’d better start packing my things. I'm sure that's the punishment I'll get for slapping the firstborn of the Smith family," Amelia muttered to herself as she moved to her closet and she started packing her clothes.

  "Amelia," Vivian called out as she knocked on her door. Amelia stopped packing as she heard Vivian’s voice.

  "Vivian?" She called out to be sure that it was her.

  "Yes, it's me. Mrs. Samantha and Mr. Gary sent for you," Vivian said, and Amelia's eyes widened at this. They are calling me for the termination of my job, she thought as perspiration covered her.

  "Amelia?" Vivian called out.

  "I'll join them in a minute," Amelia called out as she realized Vivian was waiting for her feedback.

  "Okay," Vivian said before she left. Amelia waited for a brief second before stepping out of her quarters while she imagined the different ways they were going to break the news to her.

  Amelia's palms became sweaty as she neared the entrance of the living room. Her heartbeat plummeted as she entered the living room and waited for the lambasting for her actions.

  "Mrs. Samantha, you sent for me," Amelia stammered as she intertwined her fingers in front of her.

  "Oh, Amelia, there you are," Samantha said, giving Amelia a broad smile, much to Amelia's amazement.

  Her eyes darted over to Connor, and she found him smiling as he gave her a knowing look.

  "You won't believe what just happened," Samantha said, making Amelia return her attention to her.

  Goodness, the slap must be the reason they sent for me, Amelia thought as she braced for what she thought would come next.

  "Connor was quite taken in with your cooking skills. Trust me, that means a lot when it comes to him," Samantha said as she chuckled with the rest of the family joining in except Connor.

  "He has recommended that your salary be doubled," Gary said while Amelia's questioning gaze immediately darted toward Connor. Connor wasn't looking in her direction at this point as he pretended to concentrate on the painting in the room.

  "Thank you," Amelia stammered as her heart skipped a bit at the announcement.

  "That's not all. He would also like you to come over to his place every Saturday to make him meals that would last him the whole week," Samantha said while Amelia's eyes widened.

  "Of course, that comes with an additional pay," Samantha said as she winked at Amelia.

  What! Go to his house to cook for him! That manipulative bastard. Oh, I should have known that there was something else behind the recommendation for my pay rise. Amelia’s thoughts raged through her mind while she boiled with fury. However, she didn't show any of her emotions as she kept a blank look on her face. She knew that Connor was driving her into a tight corner.

  "I'll appreciate it if you would dazzle me with your meals," Connor said, looking at her with a triumphant smile.

  At this, Amelia turned in his direction. She would do anything to cross over to him and wipe the smirk from his face. However, she knew better.

  What would it look like if I refuse this offer? Amelia wondered. It would start bringing unnecessary suspicions. There is no way I would refuse the offer without everyone wondering why, and he knows it.

  "If Mr. and Mrs. Smith wouldn't mind, I will gladly accept your offer," Amelia said with a smile before she sent Connor a quick glare. She ensured that he was the only one that saw it. Connor's smile widened at this.

  I'm going to prove to him that he hasn't won this. He might have put me in a tight situation, but I'll make the most of it, Amelia thought with a determined look. She was then dismissed before the family left the gathering one after the other.

  CHAPTER THREE

  "Good afternoon," Amelia said coldly as she stood before Connor the following day. It was her first Saturday to cook Connor's meals. Connor's housekeeper had let her in a few minutes earlier and had shown her to Connor, who was in his living room.

  "Amelia," Connor greeted with a broad grin while Amelia glared at him.

  "Can I be directed to the kitchen so I can get to work?" Amelia said.

  "Straight to work, is it?" Connor said with arched brows.

  "That's my sole reason here, isn't it?" Amelia said as she glared at him.

  "Sure it is," Connor said.

  "Good, so the kitchen," Amelia said.

  "I'll have Maria show you the way," Connor said as he studied Amelia. "Would you like to take a seat before she comes?".

  "I'll pass," Amelia said curtly.

  "I see," Connor said, shrugging.

  "Listen, even though you are a manipulative bastard and you managed to pull this off, I'll stick to what I was assigned to do for you. Trust me, for the first time, the thought of cooking for someone repulses me. You know why? I hate control freaks who think the world revolves around them," Amelia said, her anger mounting as she glared at Connor. She turned as she heard a gasp from the doorway and realized it was the same housekeeper who had opened the door for her.

  Connor smiled at Amelia before he said, "Maria, please show Amelia to the kitchen."

  "Okay, sir," Maria said. "Please, follow me." She turned to Amelia but not before she gave her a disapproving look.

  "Thank you," Amelia said as she followed Maria out of the living room. Connor smiled as he watched Amelia leave. His gaze drifted to her body onc
e more before she was entirely out of sight.

  I'm sure all her anger will be gone in no time. Connor thought as he smiled. He couldn't remember the last time anyone had remained angry at him. In fact, most people liked to be in his good graces.

  He was more determined to have Amelia in his bed than ever.

  ❖❖❖

  What do I do? Connor thought as he paced his home office. It was the fifth Saturday Amelia had started cooking his meals. He’d been surprised when Amelia had shown him more hatred the past few Saturdays she had come over to cook for him.

  "This must be some joke," he muttered as he thought of the different occasions Amelia had shown him her total hatred. I must get her in my bed, but how do I go about it? He thought to himself as he continuing his pacing.

  "I need to think fast," he thought. He had to think of something before Amelia left in the evening. He stopped pacing as an idea sprang into his head. All girls want the old-fashioned thing. I'm sure Amelia would like that as well. She would most likely lighten up after a date. A smile crept over his face at the thought.

  I should have thought of this sooner. It would have saved me from wasting time these past few weeks. Connor walked out of his office and strode toward his kitchen. He stopped short as he met Amelia whipping some cream in a bowl with her back to him.

  "Amelia," he called out as he stepped closer to her. Amelia tensed for a second before she turned around slowly to face him.

  "How may I help you, Mr. Smith?" she asked. Connor cringed at the stiff way she spoke to him. This was her habit since she had started working for him.

  "You can drop the formality, Amelia," Connor said with a smile, and disappointment washed over him as Amelia didn't return his smile.

  "I want to take you out on a date this evening," Connor continued when he got no further response from her.

  "I'll have to decline,” Amelia responded quickly. “I have a lot of work to do here as well as at the other mansion and I'm always tired after so much work.”

  "I see,” Connor said. “You can think about it. Find some time out of your schedule so we could go out on a date.”

  "I'll have to decline again, Mr. Connor,” Amelia said more firmly. “There is nothing to think about. My answer will remain the same. If that's all you would like to say, can I return to what I was doing before you came in?"