Taming Her Billionaire

Chapter 3

Maximus pulled his blue Bugatti sports car in front of Art Gallery Twenty-One later that evening. He’d tried unsuccessfully to make it earlier so he could invite Tahlia out for lunch. His schedule had been an endless array of meetings as he tried to keep Knight Shipping clients calm. They were all worried with Arthur’s death about the status of the company. And quite frankly, so was Maximus. How was he supposed to run a company with only half the power? He needed to be free and clear to make decisions unilaterally. But those days were gone. He’d have to consult big brother Lucius as well as Tahlia on every major decision that he made. The machinery deal had stalled, but the luxury vehicle opportunity was still on the horizon. They had to strike while the iron was hot.

Damn his father for putting him in this position!

He’d always done everything that was asked of him and more. And this was how he was repaid, with a knife in the back? Or at least that was how it felt to Maximus. While Lucius and Tahlia were laughing all the way to the bank. Speaking of Tahlia...

Maximus glanced at the whitewashed stucco building. Inside was the woman who held the key to whether his running of Knight Shipping would go smoothly or whether it would be hell on earth. He needed Tahlia on his side. He could offer to buy her shares outright, but if she said no then that would cloud anything that transpired between them after that. No, better to wait. Maximus hoped that with a little schmoozing Tahlia would vote to effectively neutralize Lucius. Just how far he would go to make that happen remained to be seen.

He’d told Griffin he intended to seduce Tahlia, but Maximus was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Maybe Tahlia would see things his way and need very little convincing. Exiting his vehicle, he strode purposefully toward the door.

The gallery was well lit with vibrant paintings adorning the walls and several sculptures strategically placed throughout the open floor plan on pedestals or suspended from the ceiling. It was nearly closing time, so there were less than a handful of people milling about the room. Maximus strolled through the gallery, peering at several pieces of artwork. He’d come once before for an artist’s exhibition, but he’d hardly seen any of it. He’d come here that night to talk to his father because he’d left the office early before they’d closed a deal. He’d found Arthur hadn’t been interested in discussing business. So Maximus had stayed on his phone until the deal was finalized. But now he had time to look around to see what his father had seen in this place.

He stopped in front of a particularly intriguing painting.

“It’s quite complex, yes?” a soft feminine voice said from his side.

Maximus glanced sideways and saw that Tahlia had joined him and was looking at the painting. “Yes, it is.”

“I’ve told the artist that he should dig deeper like he did with this piece. I think he’s very talented.”

“Is there more of his work here?”

Tahlia shook her head. “At the time, I could only convince my boss to exhibit one.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem for you now,” Maximus stated, moving from the painting to walk toward another, “now that you own the gallery.” He noticed that Tahlia followed behind him.

“No, it won’t be,” she responded, “but why does that sound like an accusation?”

He turned to face her and offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend it that way. I was merely stating the obvious, which is you’re a wealthy woman now and the gallery is yours to run as you see fit.”

She eyed him suspiciously, as if she didn’t believe him. “Yes, it does, and I have some ideas.”

“Care to share them over dinner?” Maximus inquired. He glanced down at his watch. “It’s about closing time, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is, but I would need a few minutes to shut down.”

“That’s no problem,” he responded. “I can wait.”

“Why would you?”

“I thought it might be a good idea to get to know my business partner since we’ll be working together.”

She nodded. “Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”

“Then join me.” He trained his dark brown eyes on hers.

“All right,” she replied. “Give me a few minutes, okay?”

“Sure thing. I’ll just mosey around.”

He stared at her retreating figure. He shouldn’t want Tahlia, but he did on some elemental, visceral level. Every time he looked into her eyes, they sizzled with fire, blasting through every reserve in his arsenal. He had not felt anything with his previous lovers other than the physical release his body craved, but there was something about Tahlia that triggered an untapped need in him to care for her, guard her. He had to figure out what it was. He couldn’t afford any distractions, not if he wanted to keep what was his.

* * *

From the loft above, Tahlia stared down at Maximus as he moved through the gallery like a sleek panther hunting his next game. And was that her? Was that why he was here?

He’d said it was because they were going to be partners at Knight Shipping, but Tahlia didn’t believe him—at least not entirely. The way he’d looked at her told her it might be something more personal. She wouldn’t mind if it were. Maximus Knight was a gorgeous man. And tonight she’d been made increasingly aware of that fact.

She’d been stunned when after finishing up with a customer, she’d noticed him in her gallery staring at one of her favorite paintings. Since he hadn’t noticed her, she’d been able to soak him in. Power radiated from the man—along with a killer instinct, which she was sure served him well in the business world. But there was a sophistication and polish to Maximus that came from being born into money. And his looks—he was well-groomed with a boldly handsome face that appealed to her. The tiny curling tendrils encircling his head made Tahlia want to reach out and finger them. He stood proud and strong in an arresting dark suit that outlined his shoulders and towering presence.

He was, however, deep in thought, and she’d wondered what could have him so perplexed. And so she’d stepped toward him, eager to find out. His compelling gaze made Tahlia nearly lose her breath, but she’d put up a good front. She knew he wasn’t happy about her new role in his company.

If she’d had her pick, it wasn’t the role Tahlia would have chosen, either. She’d have wanted Maximus to notice her because he’d found her attractive. And maybe he did, but she suspected he was spending time with her now only to try to figure out where she stood. And exactly where was that?

Tahlia wasn’t sure, but maybe she’d figure it out tonight.

* * *

Maximus watched Tahlia saunter toward him. His eyes roved over her figure, and he missed nothing. Not the way the drape of the skirt hugged her curves or how the sleek sweater showed off her naked shoulders. His tongue flicked out to moisten his parched lips. Tahlia was mighty fine. And Maximus had to admit, he would enjoy his dinner companion for the evening.

“Ready to go?” he asked when she made it to him. Her large expressive eyes were alive and glowing, and Maximus liked what he saw there. She was most certainly interested in him, which could play into his game if he decided to go there.

“Yes, let’s do it.” She headed through the doors. He stayed close behind her as she locked up, so when she turned around her face was mere inches from his.

“Oh.” She stepped back for a moment and nearly stumbled, so Maximus reached out and circled his arm around her waist.

“Careful.”

They stayed that way for several seconds, both of them staring at each other. Maximus looked her over seductively, and when his gaze went to her full lips, he felt her tense almost immediately and she stepped away.

“Where to?” she asked, moving toward the sidewalk. “I’ll follow behind you.”

“We should take my car,” Maximus said. “I don’t mind driving.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I insist.”

In the end, Maximus won out and he opened the passenger door for Tahlia to his Bugatti, and she slid inside. He came around to the driver’s side, hopped in and started the engine. Tahlia seemed uneasy beside him as he drove to dinner despite the fact that she looked damn good in the red leather bucket seat. After several long, excruciating silent minutes, Maximus patted her thigh. “Relax, Tahlia. I don’t bite.”

“Are you sure about that?”

He grinned. “What have you heard? Or should I say read?”

“You have a reputation for being determined.”

It seemed like she’d thought that word through very carefully. “You mean ruthless?”

“That word has been used.”

“And you’re wondering how it applies to you?”

“Shouldn’t I?” Tahlia asked. “I know I stand in the way of something you want.”

“Who’s to say you’re not what I want?” Maximus said as he pulled into the valet area of a well-known French bistro. He glanced at Tahlia and saw the stunned look on her face, just as he exited the vehicle and handed his keys to the valet.

He was at her door in no time, grasping her hand and pulling her from the vehicle. He liked touching her and that when he did, her reaction to him was purely physically. He planned to keep on touching her. With his hand at the small of her back, he led her inside the bistro.

“Jean George,” Maximus greeted the maître d’.

“Mr. Knight,” Jean George replied. “It’s a pleasure to have you dining with us again. Your same table, I presume?”

“If it’s available.”

“For you, of course. Please allow me.” He led Tahlia and Maximus to a quiet booth away from the bustling interior.

Tahlia slid inside the booth, and Maximus eased in beside her. When their thighs began to touch, Maximus felt his skin prickle and heat up in awareness. Or was it the playful scent of her peony fragrance that permeated the small space they shared? They both peered at their menus for several moments, but Maximus didn’t need to look; he knew what he wanted.

When Tahlia glanced up, she found his gaze was riveted on her. “What are you doing, Maximus?”

“Call me Max. All my friends do.”

“And is that what we are, friends?”

“We don’t have to be enemies,” he stated firmly.

“I guess that depends on you,” Tahlia stated, and his eyebrow rose. Tahlia wasn’t as naive as he imagined her to be.

A waiter came over and took their drink orders, a scotch for Maximus and a club soda for Tahlia. Once he’d gone, Maximus responded to Tahlia’s comment. “All right, I’ll bite. I didn’t anticipate having you or Lucius to answer to when running my company.”

“Don’t you mean our company?” she responded quickly.

He was about to correct her when he saw the smile in her eyes. She was teasing him. “All my life I’ve been groomed to run Knight Shipping, so imagine how you would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and interlopers came in to tell you how to run it.”

“I can only imagine that you feel slighted, as would I,” Tahlia said. “But this doesn’t have to be a battle between you and your brother, Lucius.”

“And how do you foresee this going, Tahlia?”

He liked how her name rolled off his lips.

Tahlia shrugged. “I’m not sure. We’ll have to make it up as we go along.”

At her words, he frowned. Maximus didn’t leave anything to chance. He was all about facts and figures and making a well-thought-out educated decision before proceeding in life as well as in business. It was why he’d been so successful.

“Listen, no one said this was going to be easy. I think your father put me in the middle to help negotiate a peaceful truce between the two of you.”

“You don’t resent that he’s put you in the middle of an untenable position?”

“At first, I did,” she answered honestly, “but then I began to see it as an honor and that I could make a difference.”

“Are you always this positive?” Maximus inquired, steepling his fingers and staring at her. “Because that’s sort of a Pollyanna way of thinking.”

“That might be so, but I’m here and I’m not going away.”

There was never a truer statement, Maximus thought. “No, you’re not, so we might as well get to know each other if we’re going to be spending so much time together.”

“At the office, I presume.”

The waiter returned and set both their drinks on the table.

After they’d ordered dinner, Maximus immediately reached for his drink and took a sip. “As a shareholder in Knight shipping, your presence, although not required, is expected at functions in town or around the globe if needed.”

“I only own two percent. You and Lucius have the lion’s share. You don’t need me there.” Tahlia reached for her beverage and drank liberally from her club soda.

“What if I want you there?” Maximus countered.

Tahlia looked up at him through thick lashes, and Maximus’s stomach lurched. He did want her around and not just for business. He wanted her for himself. He wanted to get to know her story and how she’d become this beacon of positivity.

“I—I’ll be there, if I’m needed.”

She didn’t rise to his bait, but that was okay. Maximus wasn’t sure where this was going, but there was an attraction between them. He felt it because his heartbeat was thumping at a rapid pace and he couldn’t take his eyes off her and vice versa. She was looking at him like she wanted to jump his bones. And if she did, Maximus wouldn’t mind at all.

“So, Tahlia, tell me your story.” He drank a bit more of his scotch and regarded her with interest.

“You mean you haven’t researched the interloper who just burst into your life?”

He stared at her long and hard until she looked downward. “No, I haven’t. I was hoping to do that personally.”

“All right,” she said. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

“That’s very vague. Hmm...” She paused. “I guess I can tell you that I was raised by my mother, Sophia Armstrong. It’s always been Mama, Kaitlynn—that’s my baby sister—and me. My mother is an RN at UCLA Medical Center, and my sister is an accountant.”

“And your father? You didn’t mention him. Where’s he in the picture?”

“He was mugged and shot one night coming home from work. He—he didn’t survive his injuries.”

Maximus noted how formal she sounded about losing her father so young. It had to have been devastating for her. “How old were you?”

“Ten years old,” Tahlia said. “Kaitlynn was only six. She barely remembers him, but I do. He was such a good dad. He taught me how to ride a bike, he helped me with my homework. He tucked me into bed at night and read us stories...” Her voice trailed off, and he could see the toll talking about it was having on her. Her eyes had become misty and wet with tears.

Maximus reached across the table, placed his hand over hers and squeezed. She didn’t move away. Instead, she let him comfort her, and he used his other hand to wipe away an errant tear that slid down her cheek. When she looked up at him, so soft and tender, all Maximus wanted was to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until the hurt went way. Instead, he just slid closer and wrapped his arm around her, and they sat silently for several minutes.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said.

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get emotional. I just get choked up talking about my dad sometimes.” Tahlia sniffed.

Maximus turned to her, offering her his handkerchief. “Don’t be, you loved him. And it shows. I don’t think I’ve even cried over my father since his death.”

She glanced up at him through lashes damp with tears as she dabbed at her eyes with the hanky. “You haven’t?”

“We didn’t have the sort of relationship that you and your father did.” He finished off the rest of his scotch and placed the empty glass on the table.

“You didn’t?” She sounded incredulous as she moved out of his embrace to look inquiringly at him.

“That surprises you?”

“If I’m honest?” she asked. “It does. Arthur was always so caring toward me. And I suppose losing my dad so young that having Arthur in my life was a godsend. We had a special relationship that went beyond a love of art, but was genuine.”

“Then I envy you,” Maximus said. “Because my father was never affectionate with me. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Whenever I seemed to be around, he was cold, distant and indifferent. Which is why I’m still boggled over why he stayed with my mother. And the only thing I’ve come up with is money. He stayed with her for money and the power that came with it.

“No.” Tahlia shook her head. “That can’t be. I can’t reconcile that with the Arthur I knew.”

“Then you didn’t know him at all. He was a master of lies.”

“But he loved you. He loved both his sons.”

“He did?” Now it was Maximus’s turn to be in disbelief. He’d shared so much with a stranger, but yet he hadn’t been able to tell his own sons those words? It didn’t make any sense. He was understanding Arthur Knight less and less with each passing day.

* * *

At the stunned look on Maximus’s face, Tahlia knew she’d said the wrong thing. She’d thought her words would give him comfort, but they were having the opposite effect. “I’m so sorry, Maximus. I don’t know why Arthur wasn’t honest with both his sons about his true feelings. I only know he wanted to claim his other son. But he never revealed it was Lucius. Just that it was his wish that both of you would run the business together one day.”

Maximus snorted. “For an outsider, you sure do know a lot about my family. Or should I say my father? It appears as if maybe you did know him better than any of us.” He signaled the waiter over.

“I’ll have another scotch.” He turned to Tahlia. “What would you like?”

“Nothing for me.”

The waiter departed, leaving them alone again. Tahlia noticed Maximus was silent as he pondered her words. Arthur Knight was a mix of contradictions. He was outwardly cold to Maximus and his mother, Charlotte, passionate with Jocelyn Turner and a father figure to her. And now Maximus would never know the answer to the burning questions he must have.