The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Knox

POV

She tastes like heaven. Her lips are so soft, so gentle, and yet I can't get enough of them as I deepen the kiss and explore the inside of her mouth. She feels perfect in my arms. Like she belongs there and I forget about everything, including where we are as I hold her tightly against me. Time ceases to exist. For a moment it's just the two of us and I could have stood like that forever, but as we pull back, she stumbles away, stammering about needing the ladies' room and leaving me standing there watching the back of her like a grade A moron.

I touch my lips as I quietly make my way through the crowd. I can still picture her wide eyes, the terrified look on her face as realization dawns on where we are, and the hastened footsteps as she hurries to the back of the room. I no longer care about this gala, all I care about is getting her alone to talk. She takes a long time before she comes out of the ladies' room and I'm about to get somebody to help me when she finally exits.

I swoop in, grabbing her arm and yanking her out the side exit, whirling around and pinning her to the building while looming over her.

"What the hell was that?" I spat out "And why did you run away?"

It stung that she had left in such a hurry after such a moment. Did she not feel the same way? Was I imagining things that weren't there? She licks her lips and I'm distracted momentarily before she swallows hard.

"It was supposed to be a distraction," she says unconvincingly "so that Abigail didn't ask you to dance."

It might have started out that way but it sure as hell didn't feel like that by the time we'd finished the kiss. I stared at her, while she shifted uncomfortably on her feet, no longer able to meet my eyes.

"If that's the case, why did you run away?" I bite out.

She looks nervous "I um, needed the ladies' room" she squeaks.

I almost laugh at her blatant lying but then narrow my eyes and then take a step backward. "Very well," I say icily as she blinks at me confused "I believe that you're plan worked to our advantage" I give a nonchalant shrug, trying to ignore the hurt on her face "Abigail turned tail and ran just like you did. I don't think we'll have any more problems with her."

I feel like a bastard now as I spot her eyes turning shiny with unshed tears, forcing myself to become ruthless. "There's not much more to do now unless you wish to continue eating or dancing?" I ask with a raised brow.

Don't think about the kiss too much or you'll lose your composure, Knox. Just because no other woman has ever made you feel this way, doesn't mean that she's the one. She couldn't wait to get away from you afterward, what does that tell you? “Oh, no, is there something you need to do?" she asks quietly.

She looks upset now but is doing a damn good job of trying to hide it. I glance away before my own emotions give me away.

"I've already given a cheque to the organizer while you were busy," I said pointedly, making her flush "and there's no need to continue staying here now. The hour is growing late and I think it would be best if we got you home don't you?"

My tone is slightly derisive. I'm hurt and lashing out even though she doesn't deserve it. She wounded my pride when she chose to run like that and now I'm behaving like a lout in return. I'm an asshole, but I can't bring myself to stop. I just want to go home and lick my wounds. A girl like Lorelai is never going to want to be with someone like me anyway, I'm too weird and unusual for somebody as steady and beautiful as her. The notion stings. I grit my teeth.

"I guess if that's what you want," she says uncertainly, biting her lip and fluttering those eyelashes of hers.

I inhale sharply. Turn away slightly so I don't have to look at her big eyes and fight back the urge to kiss those luscious lips of hers again. I scowl. "Perfect, then let's go back to the car" I suggest smoothly.

She gives a small nod, looking weary. This time I don't reach for her hand. I'm afraid if I touch her, I'll lose what little revolve I have and do something unforgivable like try to take her in the limo. It's not becoming of a Grant, but god, Lorelai makes me want to forget all about my status and my wealth. I can feel my lip twitching and I grunt, moving ahead of her, as she walks slowly behind me, carefully in her heels.

I open the door to the limousine and she slides inside. I get in and sit across from her. She smooths her dress down while I clench my jaw.

"I hope I didn't ruin tonight for you," she says softly as the limousine begins to roar to life.

I shake my head. She has no idea just how much fun she made tonight. She was the only thing that made tonight bearable. I glance out the window moodily. At least after tonight, it was the weekend and I would have two days before I had to see Lorelai again. Somehow the prospect did not cheer me, instead causing my mood to go even darker. "Is something wrong?" she asks and reaches out to touch me gently on the arm as my eyes slide over to her.

I want to laugh. Is something wrong? I almost scoff at her. Of course, there's something wrong. There's a gorgeous woman sitting opposite me in the limo, wearing a fetching dress that my hand itches to rip off of her and a body to die for and I can't do anything about it. Because that woman is meant to be my maid and we're supposed to have nothing more than a professional relationship. Images of ripping her dress off and showing her just how much she affects me flood my mind and I inwardly groan, awkwardly crossing my legs so she can't see the effect herself.

"No" I deny harshly "nothing is wrong."

She swallows, looking apprehensive "It's just you seem angry" she ventures.

Angry? Try sexually frustrated I wanted to admit to her, knowing I couldn't voice such a thing without freaking her out. I grit my teeth and slide my eyes away.

"I'm simply tired," I tell her dismissively and she looks relieved.

"Where to?" I ask suddenly and she looks confused.

"Where to?" she repeats dumbly.

"Your address? I need to drop you off first" I say impatiently "before I go home. I can't make you drive from the house, you're tired and you've had a bit to drink. It wouldn't be appropriate. Your safety is still my priority until you're safely back home." "You can just drop me off at the corner of **** and *****" she instructs the driver tiredly "I'll walk from there."

"Why don't you just give the address?" I snarl "Are you worried I might follow you or stalk you?"

My temper is almost out of control. I force myself to keep it tightly leashed.

She glares at me "No, I just feel self-conscious about where I live" she denies, shifting on her seat as I stare at her "And it's none of your business anyway."

I open my mouth to protest and then shut it. She's right. It's none of my business. But the street corners she'd given were in the less busier parts of the city and I sighed, waiting until the limo paused at the address she'd given. "I'll have the dress cleaned and given back to you..." she began.

"It's all yours" I interrupted "The designer was clear. You're to keep them with my thanks for tonight's help."

She looked a little bewildered but I meant it. She sighed and then nodded stiffly. I help her out of the limo and look at her uncertainly "Perhaps I should accompany you home?" I suggested and she shook her head.

"It's a safe enough part of the city," she said shortly as I scowled at her "And I reserve the right to my privacy" she added, staring hard at me.

I debated following her but she was staring at me and I sensed she wasn't going to move until I got back in the limo and it had gone. I felt more than a little frustrated with her by this stage.

"Well anyway," I said gruffly, putting my hands in my pocket and still feeling out of sorts but forcing myself to smile at her "thank you for tonight."

She smiles and nods. I slowly climb back into the limo. She waves as I put the window back up. The driver glances back at me. "Do a drive around the block" I instruct.

Maybe I'll see where she goes, I thought mulling it over.

But by the time the limousine has completed its turn around the block, Lorelai is nowhere to be seen and I sigh with disappointment. Cinderella was gone for the night, I thought morosely. "Where to now Mr Grant?"

"Home," I said miserably "Just home Gyles," I said, leaning back against the chair "and I would appreciate it if you took the back way. I'm in no rush to get there."

He nods and looks back out the window. I sigh and lean back against the chair, closing my eyes.

"You two make a beautiful couple," Gyles says suddenly and my eyes shoot open.

He winks. I've known Myles a long time and he's never spoken out of turn, not like this.

"Thanks but I don't think she's interested," I said faintly "She's not the type to put up with someone like me."

"There's nothing wrong with you Mr Grant. You have your uniqueness" a polite way of saying how eccentric I was and how weird "but the right girl will appreciate that. I'm guaranteeing you" he nods at me as he drives and I listen "She's the right girl. You look like you belong with each other." "Thanks, Gyles, but we both know that in real life, the beast never gets the princess," I say stiffly as he looks at me sadly "let alone a neurodivergent technological genius."

"Just don't rule it out Sir," Gyles told me as I looked away "Sometimes love comes along when you least expect it. No reason you shouldn't find it too."