Everything He Wants: Claimed by The Billionaire (2 page)

    
"Yes. Yes, I am. I have two brothers and two sisters. We're a pretty close bunch and we all look out for my father, especially with with Mom gone."

    
"Oh, I'm so sorry. It's always difficult to lose a mother. Or a father. My Roderick took it pretty hard when Jean-Luc, his father, died. What I want most for my son now is to have a family of his own."

    
"Well, I'm sure that he has no lack of options."

     
Laila was certain that there thousands, if not millions, of women more than interested in snagging one of the world's most eligible bachelors.

    
Sarah Channing's brow furrowed.

    
"Too many harlots and gold diggers to count. But there hasn't been any woman worthy of the Channing name. At least until now,” she stated in a near whisper, as if she had just resolved a puzzling enigma.

    
Laila was unsure who her client was referring to but reasoned that whoever the woman in question was, she just might be the most fortunate woman on the planet.

                                                                                                              
***

     Laila enjoyed her evening
walks around the sprawling compound. It had been six weeks since she arrived at the Channing estate and she often found herself in the lush rose garden located south of the mansion. Laila was rounding the rows of colorful flowers when Roderick's rich baritone voice interrupted her thoughts that fall evening.

    
"Hello Laila."

    
Laila, surprised, spun around and nearly tumbled into her employer.

    
"H-hi."Laila quickly regained her composure. "What are you doing here?"

    
Roderick chuckled, a low, hearty sound.
Even his laugh was magnetic
.

    
"I do live here."

    
"Right. Of course. I thought maybe you needed something? Is Mrs. Channing still resting?"

   
"Mother is fine. I looked in on her just moments ago. It's a beautiful evening. Thought I'd go for a walk. Clear my thoughts.       Mind if I join you?"

    
Laila wanted to say
No
.
Did he realize the effect that he had on her
? He was wearing that cologne again, spicy, uber masculine, no doubt heightened by his own delectable infusion of pheromones. The cream slacks, v -necked wool sweater and Italian loafers were molded to his body, heightening his appeal even more and Laila suddenly felt warm, though it was a crisp autumn night, the sun shifting in anticipation of the moon's debut.

    
"Sure," Laila evenly responded, hoping he hadn't noticed her hesitation.

    
As they began to wind through the expansive garden, Roderick's mind was racing. He had so many questions of the dark haired beauty beside him. He began with,

    
“I take it that you have settled in. Is there anything else that my staff can help you with?"

    
"No, everything is perfect, thank you."

   
She heard a buzzing just then and he pulled a small silver phone from his pants pocket. Quickly glancing at the screen, he replaced it.

   
"Pardon me," he offered. "No problem. I know that you're a very busy man.".

   
"Yes, well business never sleeps."

   
"Laila asserted, "Your dedication has certainly made you very successful."

   
"I enjoy it immensely. The creation of a new business, watching it grow, prosper. There are few things more stimulating."

   
Although he could think of one. He would begin by taking her in his arms, tracing his tongue over her luscious lips, kissing the nape of her neck, then moving lower to...

    
"Mr. Channing?'

   
"Yes," he asked huskily, Laila's question interrupting his sensuous thoughts.

   
"I was asking if you always had an interest in business?"

   
“Roderick. You have to call me Roderick."

   
"Alright. Roderick, Were you always interested in business?

    
"Hmm. I suppose so. I grew up watching my father and uncle open a small shipping business then transform it into a national corporation with extensive assets. Dad wanted me to have experience as well as a solid academic background. So off to Harvard I went. Then Wharton for Business school."

   
"Before becoming the head of a highly profitable, international corporation with a variety of worldwide holdings,” added Laila.

   
"I'm impressed. Perhaps you should be working in my PR department." Roderick smiled widely, revealing two rows of perfect white teeth.

   
"According to the reports, that is. I like to do background on my clients, before I even consider taking a job," said Laila.

   
He nodded his head.
Could she be anymore attractive
?

   
"Very astute. But, enough about me. Tell me something about yourself. I already know your academic background from your file,” Roderick implored her.

    
"Yes, as you know, I graduated with my BS in Nursing. I lost my mother when I was 14. I have two brothers and sisters and a very stubborn father. That’s about it."

    
At the word
father,
Roderick's face became somber, his brow creasing. He suddenly appeared rather vulnerable and at that moment Laila had the unmitigated urge to draw him close, soothing him with her feminine embrace. Then just as quickly, he was amiable again, asking,

    
“Do you see them often-your family?"

   
"As often as I can. Zane is in grad school at Northwestern and Jaxon works in New York. So we usually see each other at holidays and summer. My sisters, the twins, are in their first year of fashion school. "

   
"Good. Family is priceless. Fallon and Mom are very important to me.

    
Thank you for taking such good care of my mother. Her happiness is of utmost concern."

   
Roderick
sat ensconced in a seat in his home studio. The scent of a freshly lit cigar drifted outside as Laila walked past the ajar door, returning from her evening walk. She heard Roderick murmuring and before she could talk herself out of it, decided to peek her head into the smoky room.

   
"Hi," she said the sweet scent of the thick cigar reaching her almost immediately.

   
Roderick was happily surprised yet intrigued by Laila's sudden appearance in the room. He placed his cigar in the Visol ashtray and smiled, feeling the unmistakable electric current that coursed through him every time he was near her.

    
"Hi to you. Out for your walk?"

   
"Guilty."

    
Laila  admired the snug fitting jeans and the black t-shirt that cling to his well toned biceps. It was the most casual she had ever seen her boss and perhaps the most tantalizing.

  
Noting that Roderick paused the movie, she asked,

  
"What were you watching?"

  
"Horror movie. Though it was so awful, it was more like a bad comedy. He motioned for Laila to take the seat next to him.

  
"Please have a seat."

   
Laila sank into the unbelievably soft leather, primally aware of Roderick, mere inches away.

   
"Do you like scary movies? I'm guessing you are more of a romantic comedy fan. "

    
From someone else the comment may have sounded condescending, but coming from Roderick it reflected the confidence that he wore like a second skin.

    
"Actually, I like all kinds of movies but westerns are my favorite. Blame my dad. Our special treat was staying up late on Friday nights eating homemade popcorn and watching spaghetti westerns."

    "Sounds like good
times.”

  
After Roderick turned the movie off, the screen dimmed and the room grew quiet. The talk about spaghetti left him thinking of more than food, rather Laila's mouth. How it would taste? He wondered how her mouth would feel pressed beneath his. If he kissed her now, feasted on her pouty lips, would she object?

    
Laila broke the silence.

   
"You know what I hate about horror movies?"

   
"No. Tell me." Roderick was enjoying the impromptu conversation while thoughts of ravishing her, lingered.

   
"Why is that the woman always takes off running in high heels? Or drops her keys and can't find them when they are right at her feet?"

   
Roderick joined in.

   
"Or the person hears a noise downstairs, calls out, but then continues downstairs though no one responds and its dark?"

   
"I never got that."

   
"So what would do, in that situation?” Roderick asked, playfully.

    
Laila laughed. "I'd close the door, kick off my heels and run for the nearest exit. Of course while maintaining perfect hair and makeup."

  
Roderick chuckled. Soon their eyes met, Roderick's stormy with passion.

  
"Well, I should be going." Laila started to rise.

   
"Wait." Roderick said, gently placing a hand on her forearm.

   
"Don't go. Stay with me. I suddenly have the urge to watch a spaghetti western."

    
His offer was tempting and Laila would probably just toss and turn if she went to bed anytime soon, thoughts of their encounter permeating her thoughts.

    
"Sure. But on one condition. The cigar has to go." Laila waited for his response.

    
Roderick hesitated, mulling over her request.

   
"Deal. But I pick the movie,” he finished with a grin.

                            ***

     Each evening Laila dined with Sarah and on occasion, Roderick when he wasn't away on business. The three dined on the chef, Alain's, delectable creations while discussing a wide array of topics. Though Laila was from a working class family and in addition to Roderick's wealth, Sarah's family could trace their lineage to the Mayflower, the three enjoyed a warm interaction imbued by their mutual passion for sports, arts and literature. Laila's mother, Lydia, had always encouraged her children to read a wide variety of books, from the time they could read, always extolling the virtues of education. While she hadn't finished college, instead instructing dance until she grew ill, Lydia had wanted more for her offspring and Laila had set the example for her younger siblings, beginning college just after her seventeenth birthday.

     Though he was a very busy man, who seemed perpetually focused on his business empire, Laila couldn't help but notice that Roderick seemed so unreserved engaging, during those intimate dinners, particularly in his mother's presence. Laila wondered if any of his other employees got to see this intriguing side of him. But she doubted it. In the business world, he had a well known reputation for being guarded to all but a choice few, and unquestionably indomitable. She supposed it must be due to being in his castle, not imagining that her presence
had already ignited a remarkable effect upon the tycoon.

“Boom. Crack. Boom."

Thunder and it
’s electric twin, lightning. Laila tossed and turned. Finally she reached over and flicked on the light. The alarm screamed out 3:32 in large red digits. It was time to check on Sarah, though no alarms from Sarah's room had gone off. 
Laila had on a cotton chamise. Quickly she paired it with its matching sunflower hued robe and slippers. 
She headed to Sarah's room next door. The oak door was slightly cracked and she quickly slid in. The soft glow from a single lamp showed that Sarah was fast asleep,rhythm of her breathing  even and strong. 
Laila retreated and returned to the hallway. She was thirsty so she decided to make the kitchen her next destination. She wound the steps and was soon surrounded by  state of the art oven, large commercial refrigerator, gleaming stone countertops. It was as opulent as it was modern. But Sarah had insisted on adding a homey touch with bursts of orange, sky blue and various plants. It was beautiful and here  chef,   flourished.
After pouring a glass of water, Laila heard a noise on the nearby veranda. 
She finished her water, placed the glass in the behemoth of a dishwasher and as she exited the kitchen, she saw a familiar sight that immediately elicited excitement.
Roderick, solely in pajama bottoms, stood on the veranda. A slight mist remained in the air, as the moon provided a luminous silhouette over his gorgeous face and chiseled frame. She thought about heading straight back to her room but as if sensing her presence, Roderick turned and stared at her, his eyes suddenly dancing.
"Hello," she offered, approaching.
"Hello yourself. He turned to face her."
"Spectacular isn't it?"
"It?"
"The thunder and lightning."
"Well , it's certainly not to be ignored.I  couldn't sleep."
Roderick huskily  shared,
"I  love the sound, the current. It's always fascinated me. Current. The coming together of elements." He stated at Laila, his enigmatic eyes seeming to convey much more than his perfect mouth was saying.
"When I was a girl, I would crawl into my parents bed, soon the other kids too. It would become a slumber  party. Crowded but cozy. ". Laila smiled at the memory. 
Roderick asked, " Do you think about her often, your mother?"
"Every day. For awhile, I was so worried about my father, they were so close. We all were. But he says having us kids, is what helped him make it. It was definitely hard,though, losing his soulmate."
" Yes, my mother is still grieving my father. I guess we all are."
He grew pensive then quickly shifted. Roderick walked a step closer to Laila. She could almost feel  his breath. He drew even closer and they were almost touching. Was he about to kiss her? Laila smoothed her hair as he drew closer, feeling heat even in the night's cloak of  cool air surrounding them.
Her eyes slightly closed. She waited. Expectant. After a heartbeat, nothing.
Roderick's arm reached up and gently removed a tiny feather nestled in Laila's hair . 
"There.From your pillow."
"Thank you," Laila said, slightly embarrassed that she had been anticipating a kiss. Fantasizing about finally tasting his mouth.
"Soul mates," Roderick quizzed. Do you believe in soulmates?" He stared at her intensely. She looked
so beautiful
. Every day it was getting harder to conceal his emotions, the highly charged attraction, the burgeoning love he felt for his newest employee.The swell he felt at seeing her everytime she entered a room.