Free Maid for the Billionaire by Ruth Cardello Page B

this short layover in New York,
Dominic was seated at a conference table reviewing the contents of
several folders with Jake, a man Dominic had quickly introduced
then ushered away from her.
    She could hear parts of their conversation,
but not enough to make sense of their purpose for this emergency
flight to Beijing, other than that the officials would not
negotiate with anyone besides Dominic and the governments of both
countries were counting on him to remedy the situation.
    Jake's pristine business suit and
conservative hairstyle made Dominic's casual attire and wind blown
appearance look a bit wild in contrast.
    Abby stood to join Mrs. Duhamel when she
arrived, followed by a young man who was carrying several bags.
"I've stored the majority of the luggage below, but it's a long
trip, I thought you'd want some sleepwear, some toiletries for when
you shower, and a change of clothes for tomorrow. With the change
in time zones, you'll be arriving there about noontime, their
time."
    "Thank you, Marie." Abby wasn't sure what to
say.
    "I gave your passport to Dominic," Mrs.
Duhamel said.
    "Shouldn't I have it?" Abby asked.
    Mrs. Duhamel shrugged in place of an apology.
"Where do you want your overnight bag?"
    Falling back on caution, Abby directed the
young man to place her things in one of the spare bedrooms, easy
enough to discern from the huge master bedroom. She felt the heat
of Dominic’s attention on her as if he'd heard her instructions. A
shiver of anticipation ran down her back at the intention she read
in his eyes. She could put her luggage where she wanted, but she
doubted she'd be sleeping anywhere but beside him tonight.
    The idea was both tantalizing and mouth
drying scary. Sure she wanted to step outside of her predictable,
staid life for a day; but she was being swept into a world where
she had little to no control and that was more terrifying than
leaving the country for the first time.
    How crazy would everyone think she was if she
politely excused herself and ran for the nearest taxi? Her eyes
darted to the open door and then back to Dominic who seemed to
tense even though she'd made no overt move toward the open
hatch.
    He pushed out of his chair and strode over to
her. Mrs. Duhamel excused herself to join Jake at the meeting
area.
    Surely, he couldn't read her thoughts?
    Dominic nudged her chin up gently with one
finger, until she met his piercing gray eyes. "Jake is half
convinced that I've kidnapped you. Are you going to bolt out the
door and confirm his fears about my sanity?"
    "No," she said with less certainty than she'd
attempted.
    Dominic's hand moved down the curve of her
neck, caressing the tension he found in her shoulders. "You don't
sound sure."
    Abby's fears poured out of her. "China! I've
never even flown until today. I don't know what kind of business
you're in or who we're going to meet or where we'll even land." Her
hands shook as she continued. "I don't know what my role is on this
trip. Am I some form of entertainment you keep in the background
and cavort with between business deals?"
    "Cavort? Do people even use that word
anymore?" he joked.
    Angry tears filled her eyes. "Do not mock me,
Dominic." She turned and picked up her small purse, the only thing
of hers that was on this plane anyway, with every intention of
following her initial instinct getting off the plane now while it
was still possible. "I knew this was a mistake."
    Some of Dominic's arrogance faltered. "Stay,"
he said.
    Abby took a step toward the exit. "I'm not a
dog. I don't do well with one word commands."
    He stepped in front of her. "What will it
take for you to stay?"
    Abby bristled in memory of a similar
conversation they'd had the day before. "I swear to God, Dominic,
if you offer me money I will belt you."
    He put his hands up in mock defense, but
there was nothing but determination in his expression. "What do you
want, Abby? Just say it."
    Put on the spot like that, her requests felt
ridiculous but something told