The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Lorelai POV

I step out of the bathroom uncertainly, towel wrapped tightly around me and inhale sharply as I become dangerously aware that Knox is present in the room and that the bed is littered with bags and accessories that have been piled haphazardly on the bed. "Sorry" Knox apologies swiftly as I hesitate, "but everything you need is here" he points at the bed as I nod tightly, avoiding his eyes.

Part of me is angry at him and how easily he was able to manipulate me into agreeing to go to this gala. If it had been for anything else but innocent children or animals, I wouldn't have hesitated to tell him no. But he'd played with my heart and I'd been unable to refuse. Or maybe I was fooling myself because a very small voice inside my head whispered you just want to find an excuse to be close to Knox. It doesn't matter what the reason is. Stop lying to yourself Lorelai.

I clutch at the towel, watching as his eyes smolder and narrow, glancing down toward my cleavage which is barely covered. I s**k in a breath, suddenly feeling as though my body is aflame. Why is it so hot in here? Why do the walls feel like they are closing in? I feel like I'm struggling to breathe as I take in his rigid stance, his gorgeous hair covering part of his eye as he tries to look away from me.

"I'll leave you to get ready," he says in a strangled tone.

Before I can protest, or utter a word, he's gone, the door shutting with a loud click behind him and I'm left alone in the room, staring at the door bemused. I sigh.

I put on the undergarments provided, trying not to blush as I take in just how lacy and tight-fitting they are. I don't know how Knox was able to guess my size so accurately but the dress is next and it fits perfectly. It's stunning. A champagne-colored dress that is strapless, ruched at the waist, and then flowing smoothly down to the ankles. This book has many missing chapters and scenes if you're not reading it on Jo b n I b.com. There's a zip at the back and I zip it up before finding matching shoes to put on, the heels making me appear at least two inches taller and making my legs look leaner and slimmer. The clutch is a basic white color and I am careful to put everything I might need in it, all my cards, IDs, and money, before doing my hair in a messy chignon that somehow manages to look both elegant and seductive at the same time. My makeup is light and natural. I've never been heavy-handed when it comes to improving my looks and even now, I only improve what I already possess, rather than change my look completely. I'm satisfied. I glance at myself in the mirror and give myself a sarcastic smile. I wonder if I'll even match up to this mysterious Abigail Stevens who was so desperate to get to Knox. I doubted it. She was a wealthy heiress and likely to be looking like a supermodel. The most I could hope for was to not embarrass Knox in public. I touch up my lipstick, pursing my lips, and then sigh, grabbing the clutch just as there's a tentative knock on the door.

"Are you decent?"

Knox's voice is low and cautious. "Yes," I say a little snappily.

I'm still irritated with him. The door opens with a long creak and Knox opens the door, his mouth parting open slightly in what I can only hope is awe. I have to look away before my own mouth opens in shock. He's gorgeous. There's no other way to describe it. His hair is neatly groomed back and he has on a tuxedo, his shoes neatly shined. His stubble is gone and he's now clean-shaven. The dark circles under his eyes have magically disappeared and his jaw seems more chiseled and he seems taller somehow. I try not to salivate as I glance towards him.

This was just a favor, I reminded myself. It wasn't a date and it wasn't two friends going out. Knox had made it abundantly clear that all he required from me was a professional relationship. But my knees were going weak at the sight of him and my heart was racing inside my chest despite my objections. It was so hard to resist him. Even his cologne, a mixture of sandalwood and something else earthy was enough to make me want to swoon. He had no clue just how badly he was affecting me as he took a deliberate look at his wristwatch and frowned.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked glancing back at me.

Disappointment floods through me. I guess I was expecting at the very least that he would compliment me on the outfit or how I looked. I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and told myself to stop being so foolish. So what if he didn't comment? Did I need his approval to have a good time? Did I need him to notice me to lift myself up? Hell no, I told myself with determination. I lifted my chin and tucked the clutch securely beneath my arm, nodding quietly.

"I'm ready if you are," I told him fighting back my bitterness.

His eyes gleam as he glances at me and then he reaches over and grabs my clutch, holding it as I gape.

"What kind of man would I be if I didn't hold your purse for you?" he said with a shrug, before grabbing my hand, butterflies beginning to flutter wildly in my stomach. "The driver is already waiting for us. I have the invitation" he advised me, walking slowly so that I didn't stumble in my heels, which I was inordinarily grateful for "I appreciate you doing this for me" he finished as I looked up in surprise.

He sounded almost humble, I thought shocked. His jaw was clenched and he appeared almost anxious as we walked down the stairs and then out the front door to where the limousine was waiting.

The driver went to open the door, but Knox beat him to it, opening the door and gesturing for me to get inside. I smiled and graciously swept my dress up and stepped in, sitting down and smoothing the dress back out, before Knox got in and carefully placed the purse next to me. The driver shut the door. I leaned back against the seat.

"It's not too late to tell me no" Knox murmurs as I begin to peer out the window and the limousine's engine roars to life.

"I told you I would do it," I say evenly, trying not to roll my eyes at him "and it's for the children."

At least I was doing it for something worthy, I thought adjusting myself in the seat, and not for a stupid reason. I looked at my nails and began to idly pick at one, causing Knox to grab my hand. "Don't do that, you'll ruin them" he said as I raised a brow. I stopped and he let go. "Where is this Gala?" I asked quietly as the limousine pulled out of the driveway and we began to head out onto the road.

"At the Royal Hotel in the City," Knox answered easily, crossing one leg over the other, regarding me steadily "in their main function room. It's the most prestigious hotel there is, five stars. You didn't think it would be just anywhere did you?"

I give him a scathing look "Of course not. I'm merely curious to know where we are going" I say with a low growl "and making conversation."

Silence. "Why isn't lan coming to this?"

Knox blinks. "lan?" he asks.

I nod. lan was just as much a Grant as Knox and more sociable not to mention the face of the Grant family. Why was Knox going to this gala instead of him? Or better yet, why weren't the two brothers going together?

Knox looks a little surprised. "To be honest, lan and I have different interests and charities that we support" he explained slowly as I listened "This is one of mine. Some I do support along with lan, but this isn't one of them."

So that was why lan wasn't with us. I shrugged and glanced back out the window. It wasn't my business to pry but it did come as a bit of a surprise.

"You look beautiful by the way" his voice interrupted my train of thought.

What? Puzzled I looked at him and saw him studying me intently, his lips curving as he looked at me without hesitation. "Sorry, I missed that?" I said foolishly.

"You look beautiful" he repeated loudly as I blushed "and I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier, I was lost in my thoughts." "Thank you" I muttered ducking my head, my cheeks burning pink.

Just like that, all my anger at him faded and my heart skipped a beat at his compliment. A smile spread across my face as I began to relax even more. Who knows I thought a bit optimistically, maybe this gala was going to be more fun than I was expecting.

I was not expecting to be greeted by a large group of reporters and photographers as the limousine pulled up outside the hotel. I could see the flashes of lights from the cameras before the doors even opened and I began to feel anxious, while Knox looked calm, as though he'd known this would happen. He probably did, I realized angrily, as he smoothed down his jacket and adjusted his bowtie. He could have at least warned me. Bastard!

"Just smile," he told me as he began to open the door "That's all you need to do. Smile and take my hand. It's easy," he said, as the driver opened the door wider and got out, while I began to feel my body trembling and fear begin to take hold.

His hand tightened and squeezed my own as I moved, sliding over and getting carefully out, while he shielded me from the brightness of the lights, his arm wrapping around my waist as he began to lead me towards the door. "Mr. Grant, Mr Grant, is this your new girlfriend?"

"Mr. Knox, can you smile for the cameras?"

"Mr Grant you and the woman make a beautiful couple."

The reporters and the photographers were relentless. Knox's body pressed against me as we made it inside and I breathed a sigh of relief as they were forced to remain outside. I stiffened as I felt Knox's breath against my ear. "Well done, but that's nothing compared to what tonight's going to be like."

It felt like a warning.