“Maybe you shouldn’t have quit your job.” The words hung in the air between us. When she didn’t say more, I added, “I hope you learned your lesson. That wasn’t a smart move.”
Her mouth dropped open, and for a few seconds, she appeared stunned. Fire sparked in her eyes, and I had a feeling I was in for it. I was about to see the real Aria.
“Yeah, maybe I should have stuck it out with my pervert boss who thought he could ask for special favors,” she said using air quotes. “That’s exactly what I should have done.”
The words slapped me across the face. I hadn’t anticipated that.
She glared at me. “Or I could have taken him up on his offer to live with him. That would have been a great idea.”
I tilted my head back and stared up at the ceiling, wishing I could take my words back. “I’m sorry.”
“I was homeless Lucas. Homeless. Yes, I’m sure it’s a word you’re unfamiliar with, but I didn’t cause it. He threatened me, and it just happened. I was faced with a choice: become someone I didn’t want to be or take my chances on the streets until I found another job. I had no one to help me, so I chose to take my chances.”
“Did he hurt you?” My voice was quiet, almost lethal. If he touched her . . . If he hurt her, I would track him down until I found him, and I would . . . I stopped myself. Why did I care this much? I needed to pull back a little. Get a handle on things. Aria was my employee, nothing more.
But when she didn’t respond right away, I had to know. I couldn’t rest until she assured me nothing bad had happened. And if it had . . . If it had, I would make that man regret the day he ever met her. “Aria, answer me. Did he hurt you?”
Her eyes widened. “No.”
“Did anyone else hurt you?”
“No.”
I blew out a breath and turned away, gritting my teeth. “Good thing. It’s a good thing no one hurt you because I would’ve . . .”
“You would’ve what?”
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
She cocked her head to the side. “You’re really worked up over this.”
“No, I’m not.” I crossed my arms and averted my eyes. Yeah, I was a little keyed up, but I wasn’t worked up. Maybe they were close in meaning but whatever.
“You actually care about me, don’t you?”
I didn’t respond. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer to that.
“You tried to tell me you’re not a nice guy, but everything you’ve done for me so far has been kind. I think you’re wrong, Lucas. You are a nice guy.”
Warning bells went off in my head again. I hadn’t controlled myself, and she was getting false ideas about me.
I looked her directly in the eye. “Do not mistake attraction for kindness.”
Her eyebrows flew up. “Are you saying you’re attracted to me?”
“I’m attracted to women in general.”
“So, you’re sweet to every woman you encounter?”
“Sweet?” I laughed bitterly. “No, Aria. I’m never sweet. I keep trying to tell you. I’ve been giving you hints this entire time, but you’re not taking them. Don’t get the wrong idea about me.”
“It’s not like I think you’re Mr. Rogers. More like Mr. T. He’s a tough guy, but underneath he’s a big teddy bear.”
I shook my head slowly, attempting not to smile, but she looked so cute smiling at me, it was hard to push her away. This was escalating beyond my control. Time to take a breather. I stood and stretched my arms. “Aria, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not Mr. Nice guy. I’m the kind of man you should be very careful around.”
Chapter 8
Aria
Lucas Armstrong was the most intense man I’d ever met.
I couldn’t stop thinking about our conversation earlier, and why he seemed intent on warning me that he was not a nice guy. But when I’d mentioned I was homeless at one time in my life, he got really worked up over it.
No one had ever gotten that upset about something that concerned me.
No one.
Except for my dad and brother back in the day.
It made me wonder if there was a softer side to him, a side he kept hidden from everyone else. The side I saw at the museum when he’d handed me the cookies and then later told me he was interested in my problems. The side I saw today when he offered his shoulder and placed his arm around me to calm my nerves.
It wasn’t a put-on. He wasn’t acting. I saw it in his eyes—he truly cared. If that was true, then what made him vehemently deny that side of himself? And what would I do when the cold, unfriendly Lucas showed up?
Sam said he was troubled, and it had something to do with his dad. He was a mystery, but I needed to be careful. Getting too close to him would backfire in more ways than one. When he’d hinted he was attracted to me, my pulse skyrocketed, and a rush of endorphins had washed through me, filling me with a giddiness that still hadn’t gone away. It was a high I couldn’t afford to have and a reminder that I had to guard my heart better.
He was not someone I could ever be with, and I couldn’t let myself think of him in any other way except as the man who hired me to clean his house. I was serious about wanting a relationship with a man who loved God. The Bible commanded believers not to be bound to an unbeliever, and that included marriage. That was where my heart was, and even though I was attracted to Lucas, I couldn’t let that attraction steer me in the wrong direction.
The plane had touched down about fifteen minutes ago, and we were now in a black Mercedes SUV, on our way to Lucas’s house in the mountains. Leslie and I sat next to each other, and she was a lot quieter this time around. I got the feeling she was offended I’d changed seats on the plane because she kept looking at me like I’d betrayed her or something.
I glanced out the window as we passed by the ocean and headed inland. For some reason, I assumed the home would be by the beach, but Lucas informed us that he preferred the mountain view and the solitude it provided.
We drove for quite a while until we came to a dirt road and hitched a left. In the distance, I spotted an enormous house overlooking a cliff. Everywhere I looked there was greenery. Green grass. Tropical green trees, swaying in the warm breeze. Green mountains so high I had to stretch my neck to get a good look. They were huge—like giant monsters reaching for the sky, majestic and grand.
I was used to a duller green, having been born and raised in Southern California where the climate was hot and dry and it scarcely rained. The bright, exotic green of Kauai was a whole new experience for me.
Sam drove up a long driveway and parked outside the home. We all slid out of the vehicle and the warm air encased me, moist and balmy. A cool, refreshing breeze blew through my hair.
The house was one story, but the length seemed to go on and on, commanding views from every vantage point. It looked more like a resort than a home, and never in my life had I imagined staying in a place like this. The exterior was a combination of various shades of warm brown woodwork that appeared like it had been stained and polished to perfection. Tiki torches and tropical plants lined the pathway to the entrance. Exotic flowers in colors of white and fuchsia and lavender beckoned for me to touch them, but I resisted though the perfumed scent was nothing short of heavenly.
Lucas unlocked the double doors, and we followed him inside. My mouth dropped open as I took in the expansive ceilings, stone floors, and spacious rooms with modern furniture that actually looked comfortable. We walked to the back of the house and Sam opened up a large floor-to-ceiling window that spread the length of an entire wall, creating an indoor-outdoor experience. The backyard had gardens and a gazebo, and beyond that, an infinity pool went all the way to the edge of the cliff, making it appear as if you could swim right off the end. The view was dramatic with a light green valley below and tall, sculpted mountains surrounding us from all sides. Tears sprung to my eyes because I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life.
Lucas glanced at me and Leslie.
“Sam will take you on a tour and then show you to your rooms. Leslie, once you’ve settled in, I’ll have Sam drive you to the closest grocery store so you can stock up.”
She nodded. “Sounds good, Mr. Armstrong. I’ll get right on it.”
Sam showed us the rest of the house, and it was equally impressive. I especially liked the sunroom with recliners facing the view over the cliff. The window in that room slid to the side as well, giving it an open appearance, as if you were steps away from your own personal garden. Sam informed us that the master bedroom was to the left, and our rooms were to the right.
We walked down the hall and Sam pointed to a spacious room. “This one’s for you, Aria, and Leslie you can take the room next door.”
My new bedroom was huge, with wood paneling and a ceiling fan. A couch and coffee table sat on one side of the room with a desk and computer nearby. A king-sized bed sat on the other side, and a sliding glass door opened up to a view of the mountains. There was even a small porch outside with garden furniture and a hammock. Glancing out, I didn’t see a single building in the distance. We were truly on our own out here.
I unpacked, and that took all of about five minutes because I didn’t have much. Leslie knocked on my door and announced that she and Sam were leaving. I wondered if Lucas wanted me to start cleaning immediately, but when I walked through the home, he wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
The outdoors beckoned to me, and though I knew I should probably hunt down the cleaning supplies, I grabbed my phone to take a few pictures and meandered outside instead. I hadn’t experienced anything like this before, so it was hard to deny myself a few more minutes of being outside. The warm air smelled fresh and clean. A light rain drizzled down, but I didn’t care. I wandered to the gazebo and sat in one of the chairs, staring at the surrounding beauty.
I had only been there a few minutes when Lucas walked over to join me. He sat in a chair across from me and rested his hands on the table. “All of this is something else, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Now I understand why you chose the mountains. The beach is amazing, but this . . . this is a dream. I feel like I’m in Jurassic Park and any minute a dinosaur will come running through the premises.”
He smiled just slightly. “I’m glad you like it.”
“It seems like I should be paying you, not the other way around.”
He chuckled but didn’t say anything, glancing down at the table.
My phone dinged, and I checked my texts. It was from Mason. Can’t wait to see you this evening for our special date.
I gasped. “Oh, no!”
“What’s wrong?” Lucas asked.
“I was supposed to have a date tonight, and I completely forgot. I feel terrible.”
My fingers typed a quick response to Mason. I’m so sorry, but I can’t go on our date. So much has happened, you’re not going to believe it. I got a job and I’m in Kauai! We’ll have to reschedule when I get back.
Lucas’s expression darkened, and he studied me with intense eyes. “Do I know this man?”
“No. I mean, of course, you wouldn’t know him. You don’t know any of my friends.”
“Is he your boyfriend?” he asked.
“No. He’s a good friend.”
“Friends don’t go on dates together.”
“Well, he likes me more than that, and I figured I should give him a shot.”
“But you aren’t interested . . .”
“I never said that.”
“It’s all over your face.”
“I can’t see him right now, anyway.” My phone dinged again, but I ignored it. I would answer when I had more privacy.
His shoulders tensed, and he leaned his elbows on the table. By the way he slumped forward, it seemed like the weight of the world pressed down on him. He glanced at me quickly and his jaw tightened. “There’s something I should tell you.”
The sadness in his voice caught my attention, and I sat up a little straighter.
“Maybe this doesn’t need to be said. I wasn’t planning on bringing it up, but now that we’re here . . .” He looked away.
I studied him, the firm outline of his jaw, the mess of hair blowing in the wind. I wanted to run my fingers through it and make it behave. Of course, the fact that it didn’t made him seem all the more handsome. He didn’t say anything more, and I was about to ask what he’d meant when he finally settled his gaze on me again.
“I like you, Aria.”
My eyes widened, and I grew still, almost afraid to move, my heart beating an unsteady rhythm. I hadn’t expected him to say that, and it was a little unnerving, truth be told. “You do?”
He nodded. “It’s messing with my head right now—not that it’s your fault. It’s not.”
“How is it messing with your head?”
His brow pulled. “There’s this thing I need to do, but every time I look at you, I don’t want to do it.”
“Okay . . .”
He pressed his lips together as if wanting to hold back, but then he sighed as if resigned. “I’m here to win over a woman named Hillary Fineman. I have to convince her to marry me.”
I almost gasped. Almost. Somehow, I caught myself before I made a fool of myself. Even though I knew he and I were not a possibility, it still hit me straight in the gut. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.
“My father’s health is failing. He’s made it clear that I have to be married in order to inherit his fortune. If I want a piece of his wealth, I have to go along with this plan. He has a list of preapproved women, and Hillary is number two on that list.”
Before I thought about it, I asked, “Who is number one?”
“Alexa. I already asked her to marry me and she refused. It’s the reason there’s so much tension between the two of us. But that’s another story.” He glanced away, looking pained.
I shouldn’t ask. I knew I shouldn’t ask, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Did you love Alexa?”
He shook his head. “There was never any love between us, on her end or mine.”
“And Hillary . . . How do you feel about her?”
He wouldn’t look at me. “I feel nothing. This is strictly business.”
I frowned. “You’re going to try to win over a woman you feel nothing for?”
“It’s what I have to do.”
“How is that fair to her?”
“I’ll be upfront with her about my intentions. My father wants me to pretend, but I can’t do that.”
“Why are you telling me this? I’m just the woman who’s going to clean your house.”
He let out a bitter laugh. “I asked myself the same thing. It’s no one’s business but my own.” He leaned back and settled one arm on top of the chair next to him. “Thing is, it’s bothering me, and I feel like I need to explain.”
I stared at him, confused. “You’re not making sense, Lucas. Why do you need to explain this to me?”
“Because I can’t let you affect me like this. It’s getting in the way.”
Oh, no. He was going to fire me. This couldn’t be happening. We’d barely just arrived. “Please, I really need this job.”
“I’m not getting rid of you if that’s what you think.”
“Oh.” Relief and confusion swept through me. If he wasn’t planning on firing me, why was he telling me this?
“I plan to keep my distance. If it feels like I’m ignoring you, it’s not because I’m upset with you. It’s just something I need to do right now. I can’t pursue Hillary if I’m distracted.”
I jerked my head back. He was distracted by me? Butterflies swirled in my stomach at his confession, infusing nervous excitement throughout my body in a way I’d never felt before. The thought that this man liked me that much was hard to believe. If I hadn’t just heard him say it, I would have dismissed it entirely.
My heart pounded restlessly in my chest. “I’m surprised you shared that with me. You don’t seem like the type to open up.”
“I’m
not,” he said, voice gruff. “But I didn’t want you thinking you did something wrong. I want you to enjoy this place without worrying.”
A warm sensation flooded over me. “That’s kind of you.”
“I’m not kind.”
“Your actions say otherwise.”
“That’s enough,” he said, standing. “I’m not what you think. I’ve done terrible things, Aria. Things you would despise. Whatever notion you have in that head of yours, let it go.” He strode a few paces towards the house but stopped and glanced at me over his shoulder. “From now on, you’re going to see the real me, and don’t get upset if you don’t like it. I gave you fair warning.” He paused. “Just remember, it has nothing to do with you.”
And then he was gone, and I was left wondering what that was about. He liked me . . . was even distracted by me . . .
He planned on ignoring me and didn’t want me to feel bad about it. Okay, that was nice of him to care about my feelings, but now that I understood it was because I affected him . . . that definitely did not help. It was easier thinking he wasn’t interested.
I had to put his words out of my head.
He was about to pursue another woman, and he was the last man I could ever be with. Whatever he’d just admitted to, I needed to tuck it away somewhere . . . Somewhere I wouldn’t look or see or even think about.
I checked Mason’s latest text. Kauai? What happened??? For the next few minutes, I sent him a long explanation, leaving out Lucas’s most recent declaration.
Mason: You didn’t need to go all the way to Kauai. I would have helped you out.
Me: I know you would have, but I didn’t want to take advantage.
Mason: I want you to take advantage . . . haha.
I really didn’t know how to answer that. One way led to hurting his feelings, and the other led to encouraging something I wasn’t sure I wanted.
Me: Anyway, I don’t know how long this job will last. It’s temporary, but Mr. Armstrong hasn’t given me an exact time frame. Thanks for understanding and for being such a good friend.
The Ruthless Billionaire: A Clean Billionaire Romance (California Elite) Page 6