“Milk?” Olivia asked, feigning so much interest in what she was doing that she hadn’t realized her brother’s best friend walk up to her. His body heat radiated off him that caused her hand tremble when she took the hot kettle and poured steaming water into their cups.
“Milk would be great,” Corbin replied, sounding incredibly close. “You didn’t answer my question, Olivia.”
The way he said her name sent a spiralling current down her spinal column. Startling her that she nearly burned herself with the hot coffee.
Trying her best not to appear shaken nor dazed, she put up a bright smile and passed a scorching mug onto his hand.
“You asked that twice now. I’m fine.”
“Then what are those envelope bills on your coffee table, Liv?”
The reminder of her unpaid bills shot her head forward towards it. An acquainted feeling of heat rose up to her cheekbones, spreading over the surface as she bit down on her lower lip.
“Those are nothing,” she muttered quietly before she brought her drink down and walked over to her coffee table, assembling all her things together and dumping them up in her drawer—away from the scrutinising eyeful Corbin seemed to be giving her.
“Those aren’t nothing, Olivia.” He said gently and took them out once again, anteing up the embarrassment she was feeling at that moment.
She watched him silently as he tore through the envelope and scanned the pages. His gorgeous green eyes darkening in silent fury. An indescribable feeling gripped her as she observed him; his shoulders shook faintly with mild annoyance and ferocity.
“Is this nothing to you Olivia?” he asked quietly. Placing back the letter into its place and lifting his head to look straight into her eyes. “Because this letter bill sure doesn’t look nothing to me.”
“It’s nothing important and none of your concern, Corbin.” She said fervently and snatched the damn thing away from him. Their fingers touched for the briefest moment and she nearly gasped in shock from the electricity that seemed to ignite between them.
“The hell it isn’t,” he roared, strolling towards her window and stared outside. Like he’d rather glare out and see different people walk by than gaze at her. She couldn’t blame him though. How could she when she was ashamed of herself? How could this day get even worse? First, she gets fired and loses her only job, only to find out that she was behind with her bills and didn’t have enough money to pay for it. And lastly, she comes home shortly after her brother’s best friend comes knocking at her door and demands she tell him her personal business.
“Does George know about this?” Corbin asked suddenly. His question cutting through her reverie that she looked at him.
An undefined expression flickered in his emerald orbs. Something that Olivia couldn’t place her finger on as she continued to stare at him with blankness on her face.
“What?”
“I said does George know about this? Your unpaid bills,” he repeated with minor tolerance for her inquiries.
Olivia reached out and raked her fingers through her strawberry blonde mane. Nearly tempted on pulling at the strands to keep herself from going mad.
“You can’t tell my brother this, Corbin. It’s none of your businesses and he doesn’t need to know. I’m a full grown woman and I know how to look after myself.” She insisted, flopping down on the couch and crossed her arms beneath her breasts. Drawing out his attention without knowing in spite of the seriousness of the situation.
“George will be worried about you, Liv. He’ll be worried sick just as I am at this moment.” He said, though his voice became gentler. Softer that it caused her head to jerk his way.
With a frown mutilating her forehead, she gazed up at him with full curiosity. “What do you mean?”
Instead of answering her question, he pushed back from the window and ambled over to her. Stopping in front of her that she was required to look up at him, a quizzical look marred her expression.
Dropping down to his haunches he stared at her, extended a hand out and gripped her chin. Forcing her to look at him as her eyes glazed over with unshed tears.
“How did you put your place into such situation, Liv?” Corbin queried, his forefinger and thumb captured her head so that she was unable to look away.
Seeing as there wasn’t a way out of this, she pressed her lips together and said, “I didn’t realized I was in so much debt. I was going to pay for them eventually and never really got the chance to look them over. When I came home I saw them and opened them up right after I got fired.”
“You were fired from work today?” he outburst. Disbelief and astonishment mingling together as she nodded her head in humiliation.
And now she must look like a pitying girl who needed her older brother’s reassurance and the last thing she wanted was to worry her parents or George. So pulling away from the light clasp he had on her, Olivia pasted a small smile on her lips and broke away. Wanting to step away from the spell she was casted upon on as she took his previous location. Propping up an elbow on the windowsill as she looked out.
Examining a couple as they strolled past. Hands linked together as if nothing could ever separate them. Somewhere deep in her mind, a memory lurked in the corner. Awakening old memoirs that she had buried a long time ago. With just the feel of Corbin’s hand on her skin sent her body aflame, just as it had always done in the past.
And with him waiting a few inches away, it was even hard to ponder ways of getting rid of him and convincing him not to tell her brother.
“Yes, I was fired today from the lack of my presence in the office last week. As you should know, I was sick the whole week and couldn’t do anything but rest in bed. I told my boss that but she wouldn’t have it any way. I did ask for an extension but she said that the company I worked don’t do that. And so here I am,” she outstretched her hands and gestured with a flourish as if she had just done a dramatic performance. “Broke as ever and have no money to pay for my bloody bills.”
“How about a proposition?” he asked.
“What?’ she whirled around and noted the way his face took a slight amusement at her question.
“A proposition.” He repeated.
Suspicion rose up to the surface and she tried to squash it along with the tinge of silver lining. “What kind of a proposition?” she probed.
“I’m needing a new secretary and you happen to be free. What do you say?”
Olivia bit her lip and as she considered working for him. She knew that he had become successful during his early years and worked his way up. But contemplating his proposal seemed to be re-living the dangerous zone and she didn’t whether she was ready for that.
Corbin seemed to have a different mind because he took her silence as an approval to his intention.
“That’s settled then.”
Chapter Three
And that was how she became Corbin’s secretary.
It was Monday morning and required for her to get up early, seeing as she had a new job and needed to fulfil her allocated position. Although, Olivia never really had the chance nor time to ask him why his ex-secretary left. And somewhere in the pit of her mind, she had a vague idea and never took the chance to ask if she didn’t want her dreams shattered.
Standing in front of a new building, she stared up at it in complete awe and noticed the bright shimmer the structure made against the rising sun. She was up early and though not feeling as bright and new, she indulged in the dazzling heat and read the words that was etched on the skyscraper.
The Haynes Firm Inc.
Obviously, Corbin was successful and didn’t have problems with his financial situations. She shivered against the cold as a puff of frosty breeze wound itself into her thick tresses. Rustling up her neat ponytail as she pulled her thin but professional-looking jacket around her small petite, trapping as much body heat as she could do. The invisible line of icy wind interlocked together and ran down the small length of her spine as she walked forward. Her sma
ll, but practical heels clanked against the hard concrete floor.
The soles of her feet didn’t protest nor her toes as she wriggled them up inside the miniscule compartment. Head turned up in determination and had her fingers clasped around her bag strap, holding on tightly as if her dear life defended on it. Taking a deep inhalation, she gulped and marched onwards. Determined not to mess-up this job offer and take what she could get in spite of the chill that ran down her spinal column.
Back straight and rigid, she took in her surroundings and breathed in the sweet scent of fresh brew of coffee as she anted up the speed of her feet acceleration. People in business suits and formal dressings made her feel slightly intimidated, though choosing to harden her heart at the crowd that paid her no attention.
Stepping a heel-clad foot into the marbled floor, Olivia looked around and quickly rushed to the almost-full elevator. Sending a quick apologetic smile as she squeezed, juggling her heavy bag on her shoulder blade as she tightened the small box she carried in her arms. Here she was again, holding onto a box but had strangers squashing her in like a small ant in a horde of elephants.
When the silver-coloured doors glided open, people walked out and a relieved whoosh of breath left passed her lips. Standing aside to make room for other people and soon the small compartment was rolling up again and she was strolling into her new office. A bright grin pasted on her face as she nodded in greetings toward the others, voicing out her “hello” when some walked past and caught her eyes.
“You must be the new secretary of Mr. Haynes then,” a woman with cool, grey eyes said. Appearing out of nowhere as Olivia turned her head and greeted the other woman.
“Yes, I am.” Olivia returned, placing her things down on her new desk. And reaching out to shake the other person’s hand.
“I’m Jane,’ she smiled and gripped her own.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Letting go, she grabbed her stuff and began to take them out. A photo of Olivia and her brother captivated in a rimed-corner frame as she put it on the corner of her timber desk. Reaching into the box, she seized another framework but this one held a picture of her in the middle with Corbin and George squeezing her in. Studying the photo, she took in their grins and bright leers that radiated off the image.
“Are you familiarized with Mr. Haynes?” Jane asked, leaning over to peer through her shoulder.
Olivia smiled. Nodding her head and touching the corner of her photo once, and facing the other woman’s inquiring face. “Yeah. Corbin and my older brother grew up together. We met almost a decade ago through George.”
“Fascinating,” Jane murmured.
They said their goodbyes and left. Leaving her standing over her desk as she spent the next hour tidying up her garbage and throwing away things that weren’t needed to be in her office. She was just in the process of finishing up when her door opened and revealed a gorgeous-looking Corbin.
He was wearing another collection of his tuxedos and today he was clothed in dark-grey pants and a white inside shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Light veins popped from his tanned skin, showing masculinity and hardness that sent a surprising rush to the southern part of her body. Eyes gazing upwards, she took in the tightness of his shirt that was taut around his chest, showing off his muscular torso that made her mouth water.
Tearing her gaze away, she met his penetrating glare and Olivia clamped down on her tongue. Stifling a surprising bubble of giggle that threatened to push past her lips for getting caught at looking at him.
“I see you’ve settled in,” he observed.
“Uh, yeah.” She said uncomfortably and pushed back from her chair. “Is there anything you want to say?”
“I need you to come with me to this charity event I was invited in. Since you’re your my new secretary, I’m needing to bring someone into this party without needing to take a woman who got clingy afterwards. Would you consider going?”
A pang of ache blossomed deep in her heart as she stared at him. Taking him in, in his beautiful glory. To him, Olivia was nothing but her brother’s little sister. Someone who was way out of his league and would never bother to look at her.
So choosing to harden her heart and mind in spite of her whimpering, she pasted on a fake smile and nodded her head in an obligated manner. Playing the obeying secretary of a notorious womanizer.
“Sure. Just tell me what time, the location and the dress-code. I’ll be there,” she said nonchalantly. Wanting and needing to appear cool, calm and collected as she gathered the paperwork she had on her table.
“Formal dress but fancy. Don’t worry about driving there yourself. I can pick you up and we can go together.”
“Okay.”
Seeing as there wasn’t anything much to say, Corbin walked off and she was left standing there. Looking after his retreating back as a sinking feeling gripped her. It should have been easy—considering that he played no interest in her whatsoever.
Backing away from the dangerous zone of her thoughts, she went ahead and busied herself with the workload she was given. Busying herself with the paperwork that continued to stack up high and by the time the clock hit five o’ clock, Olivia was more than ready to drop and go home.
Dropping everything for tomorrow, she gathered the spreadsheet she had on her desk and grabbed her handbag. Saying a quick goodbye to the closest co-worker and she was strolling out to the parking lot. Her car key trapped in her fingers as she made her way towards her automobile. After landing a place in her brother’s best friend’s firm, Corbin had insisted he paid the debts she had going on and said that she could pay for it later when her salary came. More than happy to do that, she had eventually agreed and promised him with great force that she would pay back no matter what happened.
Hopping into her car, she started the ignition and soon, she was driving through the busy road and reached out to crank up the radio. A lurid sound of country music blasted through and filled in the miniscule booth. Banging her head to the rhythm of the song as her lips moved in synchronization as the artist sang the words. Basking in the soothing mellow of the harmony, Olivia leaned back on the chair and took a left turn. Nearly weeping in relief as she saw that no one was parked on her parking space.
Jumping out and locking the door to her car, she ran up to her apartment and unlocked the door. Smelling the immediate odour of food as her stomach rumbled with hunger. She had not realized that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast and after shooting a quick look at her watch, she saw that it was half past five and she was clearly needing a good dose of sleep and a full-hearty meal.
“I see that you’re home,” her brother’s voice breached through her thoughts and brought her attention at his way. He was wearing her favourite apron, the straps wrapped around his waist as he prepared the nice smelling food.
“I could get used to you coming over and cooking dinner, George.” She teased and dropped her bag to the nearest sofa. Pulling up her sleeves to help out but only found herself being dragged to a vacated stool and dropping down onto it.
“Seat,” her brother commanded. Placing a full-meal in front of her.
“Do you want some help?” she asked in spite of the loud and continuous rumble of her stomach. She was dying to tuck in and eat but good manners stopped her from doing what she wanted.
“No, I don’t need it. I’m finished anyway,” George answered and flopped down opposite her. Digging into his own meal as he gestured for her to do the same.
Through the first bite, a strong spice of chicken bloomed inside her tongue. Her taste buds coming to life as she took another mouthful. She was in the middle of eating when he spoke.
“I heard that you work for Corbin now,” he stated.
Swallowing the sudden great lump in her throat, Olivia nodded. “Yeah, I am. He was very generous of it though and the job isn’t as hard as I thought it would be.”
Her brother nodded in approval. “That’s very n
ice to know. Although, I’ve been wondering why you quit your old job. I thought you liked working for Kaitlyn.”
Dropping her fork, she looked at him and made a face. Scrunching her nose in disgust as she said, “I did like it at first. But she turned out into a full-on bitch and that is why I left. And then Corbin offered me another job.”
The lie rolled off her tongue so easily that she almost believed it herself. Though, George seemed to bite every words she was feeding him.
He laughed. Throwing his head back in merriment and she grinned. Then suddenly, George fixed her a serious glare and said, “I don’t mind you working for her Liv. But you need to remember that Corbin is a player. He’ll do nothing but cause heartache to every woman who will come at his way.”
Just like that, her stomach dropped and she lost her appetite. “Why are you saying this to me?”
Shrugging, he responded, “I don’t want to see you hurt, is all.”
She felt suddenly guilty for immediately biting down at him. “I know, George.”
Chapter Four
In the crowd of blazing skirts and dresses that surrounded her, Olivia peered through the dark-purple velvet that enveloped about them. A horde had formed into a circle and danced their way around while some chatted continuously, their hands clasped around a flute that wounded around their drinks. Biting down on her lower lip, she stared down at the massive slit of her dress and examined the creamed-coloured exposed skin. Loving the way the garment hugged her curves and petite form, showing a thigh that was slightly plump and tightened around her waist.
The blue dress she wore for tonight revealed a hint of cleavage. Her average breasts lifted up in a graceful manner as she scanned the throng, tempted to pull up the hem of her dress and run away like Cinderella would in a ball. Taking a deep breath, she mustered as much courage and pushed from the heavy curtains and darted her eyes everywhere. Corbin was nowhere to be seen and she was growing more and more anxious as bystanders looked at her—giving her a strange gaze that must read craziness.
BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: The Unforgettable Southern Billionaires: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Young Adult Rich Alpha Male Billionaire Romance) Page 144
