What a Girl Wants by Selena Robins Page B

don’t meet Uncle George’s expectations? My uncle seemed concerned about me taking this assignment.” She put a hand to her dizzying head. “I’m becoming neurotic, obsessive and out of control about work. Like you. I can’t let that happen.”
    He grinned. “You’ll be fine. How many times have I said that you’re an excellent travel writer? I enjoy all your work.”
    “You read all my articles?” She was surprised at his admission.
    “Every single one.” He quirked his brows. “Wait a minute, don’t you read all of mine?”
    “Mostly. Except, when you get on your soap box ¾ ”
    “Okay. You’re back to your old self. Let’s hit the road.”
    His hand rested on the small of her back. A fresh batch of goosebumps erupted.
    They left her suite and headed to the Hollister mansion.
     
    Maxwell Hollister held a firm grip on the telephone as he listened to her pleas.
    “I can’t believe you’re going to do this,” she shouted over the phone.
    Her sultry voice, though fuming, projected her image into his mind. A picture of her sprawled in bed with her mass of chestnut hair and a body that should be labeled “flammable.”
    “Believe it, darling,” he drawled. “Because it is going down.”
    “What about everything I did for you? I was loyal to you. How could you do this to me?”
    “You? Loyal?” He let out a raucous laugh. “You did this to yourself. You and the others who conspired against me.”
    “I had no choice. Why can’t you understand that?” a tear-smothered voice whispered in response. “All you’ve ever done is ruin my life.”
    At one time, the thought of her exotic brown eyes filled with tears would have crushed him, and he would have punished the person who had dared caused her distress.
    At one time, she was the only woman who had thawed his stone-cold heart.
    At one time.
    But not anymore.
    “Ruined your life?” He injected a heavy dose of scorn. “You were one step from turning tricks on the street before I came along.”
    “Oh my God. You’d use that against me?” Her voice lowered. “Please, I’m vulnerable—”
    “You’re about as defenseless as a cruise missile.”
    “You cruel bastard. What’s next, ordering a hit on me?”
    “If I was going to kill you, I’d be stepping over your body right now.”
    “I hate you.”
    “So far you’ve made that work for you.” He stood and looked out the window. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
    “I’ll tell you what. Go to hell.”
    “Is that the best you can do?” Bored with the conversation, he pressed his thumb on the “End” button and disconnected.
    Curses fell from his lips at the thought of how her mouth had formed the vile lies and contrived the hideous plan.
    How dare she betray him? How dare they all betray him?
    The need for revenge was now his priority.
    At the sound of voices out in the foyer, Maxwell buttoned his suit jacket, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, curving his mouth into a cynical grin that he was sure rivaled that of any villain, real or fictional.
    Not only was he going to reclaim what was rightfully his, he’d also take pleasure in ruining a few lives along the way.
     
    “Mr. Donovan. Miss Saunders.” Hollister’s valet had a subtle Gaelic accent. “Welcome.”
    Alex nodded and returned his press pass to his wallet. He noticed the valet’s ruddy face melted like butter when he smiled at Maddie.
    “Mr. Hollister has requested the pleasure of your company in his study.” The valet led them through a green marbled floor hallway with two Jackson Pollock paintings adorning the walls.
    They entered the austere study. A carved oak roll-top desk occupied the center of the room. Two black onyx leather chairs were placed beside glass-topped pewter tables.
    Everything in the room was large and expensive: the floor-to-ceiling oak bookcase, the furniture, the man.
    Maxwell Hollister strutted with authority and held his head high with pride. Alex thought the tall and