LUCY

 

It was bright and early on Monday morning. I was excited, nervous, and optimistic as I got into the elevator. Butterflies swirled about, making my fingers tingle and toes curl and uncurl.

I could do this. Mr. Luis and Mr. Victor spent the weekend pepping me up.

“You’re a strong, good girl, Lucy. If anyone can help that man turn over a new leaf it’s you.”

“I’m going to try my best, Mr. Luis.”

Mr. Victor paused in straightening out the bread to say, “Lucy, óyeme—listen. Don’t you run off and get married to this Killian and leave us.”

I laughed at that one. The odds of that were about one in a billion. Knowing it’d work him up though, I said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Victor. I’m going to stay unmarried until I’m forty.”

He crossed himself and pleaded, “Don’t say that, Lucy! I want to see you married before I pass. I can’t wait another twenty years!”

Mr. Victor’s grandson, a lawyer, entered the shop. All smiles as he greeted us. I liked Victor—named after Mr. Victor naturally. He was a good guy, always quick to help around the shop even if he was dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit.

(I knew that because Mr. Victor proudly told me, along with the eye-watering price tag. How anyone could justify spending that kind of money on one piece of clothing…well, I’d never know. I’d rather see my cash accumulate in a bank account and not hanging in my closet.)

Victor had reviewed the NDA with us. There was nothing in it that was over the line. Standard. I didn’t feel worried at all about signing my name with a flourish.

And now here I was.

Smiling, I exited the elevator and greeted Martha. “Good morning! How are you?”

“Oh just fine!” She got up from her desk and met me. Touching my arm briefly, she said, “I’m so happy to have you working with us, Lucy. Really I am.”

Her enthusiasm was lovely. Her audible relief—not so much. Just how bad was this Killian King?

I was about to find out.

“Mr. King is waiting for you. Please go right in.”

Nodding to her, I quickly made my way into the office. I’d barely made it two steps before I drew to a halt.

Wrong King.

“Well, well, Miss Lucy Martin. You are indeed a surprise.”

It was him. Killian King.

He sat at his grandfather’s desk, feet propped up on the surface while slouched in the chair. Dressed all in black, even his tie, Killian looked like a fallen angel.

Beautiful. Dangerous.

My heartbeat sped up. I resisted the urge to wipe my palms down the front of my skirt. Pictures were one thing. Seeing a man this physically imposing and perfect was quite another.

Especially when I was square in the focus of his deceptively lazy stare.

“‘Good morning, Mr. King. My name is Lucy. It’s nice to meet you.’ Isn’t that the normal greeting between the employee and employer?”

His low drawl did unmentionable things to my awakened senses even while it pricked my temper. I definitely didn’t do well with handsome men. Their arrogance didn’t mesh with my pride.

“I don’t work for you.”

Nice. Great way to get started with the man you’re supposed to be helping.

Killian slid his feet off the desk and stood up. Holy Mother of God he was tall. He was at least a foot taller than me and since I was 5’4” in heels…

“That’s right. You don’t work for me, do you? You work for Granddaddy King.”

The scorn in his voice was unmistakable. Poor Mr. King!

“You should show more respect when addressing your grandfather.”

Hands in pockets, Killian rounded the desk slowly. “I will speak of my grandfather in whatever goddamned tone I please, Miss Martin.”

His cursing set me on edge. There were a multitude of words one could choose. Expletives were rude and demonstrated a terrible lack of manners.

“You’re irritated. I wonder what it was I said…hmm… Could it be the word ‘goddamned’, Miss Martin?”

I flinched and he smiled.

“It was. You don’t like cursing. Well, that’s too fucking bad. I curse. A lot. I damn well love it in fact. There’s no fucking feeling in the fucking world like saying the word ‘fuck’.” He stopped in front of me. “At least it makes a good substitute when it’s not being actively used as a verb.”

I took a step back and then locked my legs. Where was this coming from? I didn’t back down from anybody. Not when they had a bat, a pair of brass knuckles, or even a gun.

Nervous? Yeah. Scared out of my mind sometimes? Absolutely. Back down? Never.

So what if this spoiled, devilish brat used a series of common cuss words in front of me? I heard them all the time and in far cruder ways. I didn’t like cursing for personal reasons—not because I couldn’t take it. Or because I didn’t know how to sling it when necessary.

I could set this man on fire with my tongue. I didn’t have to wonder if he’d learn it the hard way. It was simply going to be a question of time.

“Are you finished, Mr. King?”

He canted his head an inch or so to the left. “Hardly.”

I crossed my arms. “Go on then. Tell me more. I’m all ears.”

The faint smile faded from his mouth. “Your idea of a showdown is trite. Besides, you signed the NDA over the weekend. You’re hardly going to say anything publicly so there’s no threat if I drop a series of fuck bombs, is there? Let’s switch over to something a tiny bit more interesting. Why are you here?”

Okay. This part might not turn out so bad.

Yeah. Right.

“Your grandfather would like me to help make your life easier by managing your appointments—”

He cut me off. “You’re not here to be my assistant. You’re here to babysit the chico malcriado. Keep me in line… Isn’t that right?”

Show no weakness.

“Yes.”

“Hmm…it usually takes longer for the truth to come out.” Killian King circled about me, eyeing me from my feet all the way to my head. “Don’t you feel it’s an insult to your dignity to take this job? Or maybe you’re just that hard up for cash. I do believe it’s the second option. The clearance rack must still be a challenge to buy when you don’t have two nickels to your name.”

Slow breath in. Hold it. Slow breath out.

He was trying to get under my skin. I didn’t have to make it easy. Besides, I was poor. The finest people I knew were poor. Last time I checked, a lack of wealth wasn’t a crime in this country.

Not yet anyways.

Therefore, I wasn’t even going to acknowledge his nastiness. No matter how much it got under my skin.

“Don’t you feel it’s an insult to your dignity that the job exists in the first place?”

“Not a bit.”

“Why?”

I tried to keep him in my sight, but he dipped behind me. When I turned around Killian already moved to the front. I’d get dizzy trying to keep up with him. I was sure it wasn’t by accident.

“Because without managing me, Gramps would have to retire. He’s far too much of a control-freak to do that. Hence, I do my part.”

“That’s not true.”

Killian stopped in front of me. His cold blue stare sent a jolt of something uncomfortable down my spine.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Lucy Martin. Don’t make the same mistake twice.” He resumed his pacing, lazier this time. “Otherwise, it’d be boring.”  

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. This was nothing like confronting hungry or angry kids on my block. This was worse because Killian King was a ticking time bomb.

“It’s not true.”

“I told you not to bore me,” Killian whispered suggestively in my ear. “Didn’t Gramps warn you that boredom is the root of all my evil?”

Slow breath in. Hold it. Slow breath out.

He affected me in a way I’d never experienced before. I’d had men try to pick me up since I was a teenager. I knew my way around them, but this…I’d never, ever felt this kind of interest. My entire body lit up like a Christmas tree and I didn’t understand why.

Killian wasn’t flirting or trying to hook up. He obviously couldn’t stand the sight of me. But no one this handsome walked through life oblivious to his looks or without knowing how to use it as a weapon. Even against someone he hated.

Don’t make eyes at the boss’s grandson. Especially not this one. He knows he’s sexy and he’ll end up using it as a tool against you. Don’t fall for it. Make a stand now. He’ll drop the tactic if he doesn’t think it’s working.

Good plan.

Keeping my eyes straight ahead, I pretended as if I wasn’t going under. As if he wasn’t setting every nerve ablaze. The last thing I needed was for Killian King to think he’d just earned another crush.

Which he didn’t.

“You don’t have to be here. You’re independently wealthy, aren’t you? You can bum around Europe all year long and never be in the same place twice and never have to look at your bank account. You’re here for a bigger reason than annoying your grandfather.”

Killian blew softly in my ear. Fisting my hands, I tried to keep the shiver from running down my spine. Barely.

The heat of his stare burned me, but I refused to turn my head and look at him. He wanted me to and because of that I wouldn’t give into him.

He was already far too cocky of himself.

For good reason.

Killian chuckled and resumed his dizzying pace. “Say that I am independently wealthy. What’s it to you, Lucy Martin?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s right. It’s nothing. So why don’t you mind your business and go away? Hmm? Wouldn’t you like that, Lucy Martin? If it’s the money I can triple the bonus Grandfather paid you. That’s a lot of cash there. Imagine all the shoes you could buy.”

“I have shoes.”

Killian paused. “Ah, my fault. I should’ve been more distinct. Imagine all the good shoes you could buy.”

“It makes you feel superior to talk down to me, but you’re wasting your time. I’m not ashamed of what I don’t have because I live my life honest and with meaning. Can you say the same?”

Killian’s mocking smile hardened. He stared at me unblinkingly for several seconds before giving me his back. “What will it take to get you to leave, Lucy Martin?”

The gall of this man! He may have been beautiful, but at the end of the day, he was indeed a chico malcriado. A spoiled brat. And I knew how to handle brats.

Never give an inch.

“Listen up. I’m going to be your companion, Killian King, whether you like it or not. I suggest you figure out a way to like it because you will be seeing me for as long as it takes. I’ve given my word to your grandfather and it’s as good as gold, understand?”

“Is that so?”

“That’s so.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Yes, we will.”

Killian thumped his grandfather’s desk once. “Isn’t it everything you’ve dreamed of? We’re getting along fabulously, don’t you think…Gramps?”

I whirled around to see Rafael King standing there in the doorway, a frown heavy on his lined face.

“Killian, already? Didn’t I ask you to wait for me?”

“What did you expect? Obedience? Gratitude? No. Failure? Yes.”

The elder King’s gaze snapped with fury. But before that I saw sorrow.

I was here for a reason and I’d fulfill it. I’d given Mr. King my word and no rude, nasty behavior from Killian would make me break it.

Stepping into the charged silence, I waved at Killian’s grandfather. “Mr. King, how is your morning? Good I hope.”

He looked between us, obviously trying to decide if he wanted to be polite and greet me or tear into the source of his worry and frustration.

“Yes, Grandfather. How is your morning? Splendid I hope.”

Mr. King growled his name, stare sharp, and anger palpable. If I hadn’t seen his worry myself I would’ve sworn he didn’t like or care for his grandson at all.

“You’ve been harassing Miss Lucy.”

“Have I?” Killian sank down into his grandfather’s chair. “I thought I was simply welcoming her to King Cosmetics. Wasn’t that what I was doing, Miss Lucy?”

Right. I knew what he was doing. He expected me to get flustered enough to complain or fake a denial. Not going to happen.

“Mr. Killian and I were getting to know each other, Mr. King.”

Truth bomb. In your face, boy!

Before he could answer, Killian kicked his feet back on the desk again and drawled, “See, Grandfather? We’re nearly on a first name basis already. Doesn’t that just tickle your heart?”

 Mr. King’s brows snapped over his nose. A flush of obvious fury reddened his neck. I hurried over to Killian. “Weren’t you going to take me on a tour?”

“No.”

This brat! Killian deliberately re-sparked the blaze I was trying to smother.

Mr. King took an aggressive step forward, but I held up my hand. Thankfully, he listened.

“Okay, where are you going to go next?”

Killian stared at me, icy blue eyes challenging me to stand down.

Not gonna happen.

Abruptly, Killian rose to his feet and walked past us both. He stopped at the door. “Well, aren’t you coming along?”

Relieved, I nodded to Mr. King, showing him an optimistic smile, and joined Killian.

He opened the door and exited first. Killian swept past Martha without a word. I hurried after him, giving Martha a little wave. As soon as we got to the empty hallway, Killian turned on me.

“Your job is to babysit. Not be my therapist or bodyguard. I don’t need your protection from my grandfather. Don’t interfere again.”

I wasn’t prepared for his fire. His scorn, but not his fire. It didn’t intimidate me. Rather it made me feel…alive?

I needed to find a way to keep professional distance. Fast.

“Your grandfather doesn’t need your hate, Mr. Killian. He’s hired me because he cares about you.”

“Mind. Your. Business.”

I wished I could smack him in the back of the head for being so stubborn. His height was the only thing that saved him. Still my hand itched.

“Killian King, you are my business.”