* * *
At the stunned look on Maximus’s face, Tahlia knew she’d said the wrong thing. She’d thought her words would give him comfort, but they were having the opposite effect. “I’m so sorry, Maximus. I don’t know why Arthur wasn’t honest with both his sons about his true feelings. I only know he wanted to claim his other son. But he never revealed it was Lucius. Just that it was his wish that both of you would run the business together one day.”
Maximus snorted. “For an outsider, you sure do know a lot about my family. Or should I say my father? It appears as if maybe you did know him better than any of us.” He signaled the waiter over.
“I’ll have another scotch.” He turned to Tahlia. “What would you like?”
“Nothing for me.”
The waiter departed, leaving them alone again. Tahlia noticed Maximus was silent as he pondered her words. Arthur Knight was a mix of contradictions. He was outwardly cold to Maximus and his mother, Charlotte, passionate with Jocelyn Turner and a father figure to her. And now Maximus would never know the answer to the burning questions he must have.
“Max,” Tahlia began. “What can I do?”
He frowned. “I’m not sure you can do anything, Tahlia. You’re in the middle of this mess, and we’ll have to navigate our way through it.”
Tahlia didn’t like his answer, and she wished she’d never told him just how much Arthur had shared with her. She hadn’t meant to hurt Maximus, but it was clear she had. His father had been open with her and not him. That had to sting.
She tried to change the subject. “I never got to finish my story,” she said. “You asked me about myself.”
“Hmm... I did, didn’t I?” Maximus sipped his scotch. “Why don’t you tell me how you got involved with the gallery?”
His question brought a smile to Tahlia’s face. “Actually, I’m an artist.”
He peered at her with intensity. “You are? Then why are you working at the gallery and not exhibiting?”
Tahlia shrugged. “I wasn’t very successful at getting my own art displayed, so I thought what better way to stay in the field than to help other struggling artists?”
“And your own art? What became of it?”
“I still dabble.”
“Would you show me your work sometime?” he inquired.
A smile of enchantment crossed Tahlia’s lips at the request. “Yes, I would like that.”
“It’s a date,” Maximus said. His look was so galvanizing it sent a tremor through Tahlia, and her heart began hammering loudly in her ears. She wanted to respond and tell him she’d love to go out with him again, but a knot rose in her throat and all Tahlia could do was nod.
The waiter brought their entrées and they both dug into their French meals. The food was rich and decadent, but delicious. Tahlia had no qualms about finishing the meal, and Maximus commented on it.
“You enjoyed your meal?” He inclined his head to her empty plate.
She blushed. “I’d think that was obvious.” She wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
“I love this place and come here often,” Maximus said. “It might be small and quaint, but I believe in quality over quantity, and the food is best—thus why I have a special table.”
“Thank you for the invite.”
“You’re welcome. Would you care for dessert? Coffee?”
She patted her stomach. “Oh, no, I couldn’t eat another thing.”
“All right, I’ll get the bill.” He motioned the waiter over.
Once the bill was settled, Maximus and Tahlia made their way back to the valet station. And once his Bugatti was procured, they were on their way back to the gallery, where Tahlia’s car was parked. Conversation continued until they arrived at the deserted parking lot. Maximus pulled up alongside her VW Bug. Next to his Bugatti, her car looked like a relic, but because she’d been a struggling artist, it was all she could afford at the time. Though now, she could afford much more. But Tahlia was determined not to be frivolous. Robert had offered to help her, and she suspected she’d need all the help she could get, starting with an accountant and a financial adviser.
“I enjoyed tonight,” Tahlia said, once Maximus had opened the passenger door and walked her to her car. She stood at the door ready to glide in, but something in the way he was looking at her held Tahlia back.
Was he going to kiss her?
If he were, she wouldn’t stop him. She’d welcome it after the wonderful night she’d spent in his company. Last year, when she’d seen him from across the room looking so deliciously handsome, she’d secretly wondered what it would be like to be with Maximus, but for now she’d settle for a kiss.
“So did I. And I’d like to see you again.” He leaned forward toward her, pressing Tahlia backward into the driver’s door. “Perhaps you can come to Knight Shipping? I could give you a tour of the facilities. You can see for yourself what you’ve inherited.”
“You’d do that?” Tahlia asked softly, looking at his sinful lips. She ached for them to brush hers.
“For you, yes.” His mouth was so very near hers.
“But not for Lucius?” she inquired. The ire on Maximus’s face at the mention of his older brother’s name had Tahlia immediately regretting her choice to bring him into the conversation.
Maximus straightened and took a step backward. “I extended the invitation to you, but I suppose I might as well get it over with, so fine, invite him. Have a good night, Tahlia.”
He turned on his heel to leave, which meant he wasn’t going to kiss her tonight. She’d put her foot in her mouth because of her do-gooder ways.
“I will,” Tahlia said to his retreating figure as she watched him get into his sports car and drive off. She clicked opened her car and slid in. Then she slammed her fists on the steering wheel. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut? Her hands flew up to her lips. If she had, she was certain Maximus would have kissed her, and now she wouldn’t know the feel of his mouth on hers. Would she ever?
* * *
As he drove away, Maximus realized he had Tahlia exactly where he wanted her. Or did he? Tonight hadn’t gone exactly as he anticipated it would. The impending deals that would lead to expansion and going public had been far from his mind. Instead, his purpose had been to find out more about Tahlia, and he had. She’d grown up fatherless, a struggling artist needing someone to look after her. There was a certain naïveté and innocence about her that intrigued Maximus and apparently his father, too.
Arthur Knight had been the father Tahlia no longer had, but then their relationship had changed and she’d become his confidante. He’d shared secrets with Tahlia about his wishes that he could never share with his own family until his death. But she didn’t appear to be using that knowledge with malice or avarice. Or at least none that Maximus could see. She also seemed steadfast in her intent to ensure that he and Lucius formed a brotherhood, as if that were possible.
It wasn’t.
Maximus may not fault Lucius for his existence, but he didn’t share. Knight Shipping was his and his alone because he’d earned it. Lucius and Tahlia stood in the way of that. Maximus had to neutralize Lucius’s power. The only way to do that was to get to Tahlia. And tonight he had.
She’d wanted him to kiss her as much as he’d wanted to. And he might have, if she’d had the good sense to leave Lucius out of the conversation. Instead, she would have to wait, wait until Maximus decided it was time. He didn’t relish seducing Tahlia and the potential of ruining the positive bubble she lived in, but there was no way around it.
He would have to be smart about it, though. Slowly court Tahlia until she didn’t notice that he had her under his thumb. But at the same time Maximus would have to keep his heart locked up tight because something told him if he wasn’t careful, he’d fall under Tahlia’s spell.
“You own this place?” Tahlia’s mother, Sophia, said when she and Kaitlynn returned from taking Tahlia out for lunch several days later. It was her mother’s day off from the hospital, and she’d finally had the time to come by and see Tahlia’s new venture.
“I do,” Tahlia said with a wide grin. She’d already made some small changes by rearranging the artwork throughout the rooms and reaching out to several artists she’d recommended to Bailey, who’d dismissed them without ever reviewing their work. Tahlia was looking forward to showcasing their talent at a future exhibition.
“Will you show your own work, too?” Kaitlynn asked, turning around to face her sister.
“Max asked me the same thing.”
“Max?” Kaitlynn’s brow furrowed at her use of his nickname.
“Maximus,” Tahlia repeated.
“As in Maximus Knight of Knight Shipping?” her mother stated. Apparently, even her mother had heard of him.
Tahlia nodded. “Yes, that’s the other part of the surprise I have in store for you.”
Her mother folded her arms across her bosom. “Tahlia Ann Armstrong, you better start talking.”
“Come to my office.” Tahlia led them toward the back offices. They passed Faith on the way.
“Hello, Mrs. Armstrong.”
“Hello, my dear.” Sophia gave Faith a hug. “So great to see you again.” Tahlia had had Faith over for dinner at her mother’s, and the two women had hit it off famously.
“You, too,” Faith replied.
When they were behind closed doors, her mother stared back at her in anticipation. “Well, I’m waiting, young lady.”
Tahlia stared back at her mother. Even at forty-six, her mother was still a knockout in her book. Her brown skin was bright and clear with no signs of aging. Meanwhile, thanks to her schedule as a RN, her mother was constantly on the go, keeping her body fit and trim—although you couldn’t tell from the baggy jeans and tunic she wore now.
Now that Tahlia had a little money, she and Kaitlynn would have to take their mama on a mommy makeover. In the meantime, she responded to her mother. “I didn’t exactly tell you the whole truth a few days ago.”
“What did you leave out?”
“Well... In addition to leaving me this place, Arthur Knight gave me two percent ownership in Knight Shipping.”
Sophia jumped up from her seat. “He did what?”
“Mama, please sit down.”
“How can I sit down? Do you have any idea what that stock is worth?”
“I’ve some idea, but listen, there’s more,” Tahlia continued, taking a seat. When she did, her mother did the same.
“So there’s a catch?” asked her mother, reaching out for her hand. “What is it?”
“I’m the deciding vote between Maximus Knight and his illegitimate brother, Lucius Knight.”
“Oh, dear,” her mother exclaimed. “I’ve seen the news reports about their father. But how did you get involved? Why would he put you in the middle?”
Tahlia shrugged. “I don’t know, Mama. I think Arthur thought I’d help bridge the gap between them. You know how much I believe in family. I mean, look at the three of us and how tight we are. I think Arthur thought I could do the same for his family.”
“That’s a tall order,” her mother replied. “I’ve seen the news reports. Up until recently, Lucius Knight was a bachelor playboy, but I believe he’s engaged now, yes?”
Tahlia nodded. “I met his fiancée, Naomi. She’s amazing and so talented. She started Brooks & Johnson.”
“I love their products.” Her mother touched her cheek.
“Mama, that’s not the point,” Kaitlynn intervened. “I don’t trust Maximus. I don’t put him above using Tahlia to get his own agenda through.”
“I disagree. If you got to know him, he’s a really nice guy,” Tahlia stated. “We had dinner the other night, and he invited me to tour Knight Shipping and he invited Lucius.”
“And whose suggestion was that?” Kaitlynn raised a brow.
“His,” Tahlia responded. “But listen, until he does something to make me think otherwise, I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Isn’t that right, Mama? You’ve always taught me to see the good in people.”
“That’s right, sweetie,” her mother said. “You should, but you also need to be cautious. You wear your heart on your sleeve.”
“I’m surprised that’s still possible after Paul,” Kaitlynn replied.
Tahlia frowned at her sister’s mention of her ex-boyfriend, Paul Archer. “Did you have to bring him up?” They’d dated on and off for the better part of five years. Paul was the only serious relationship Tahlia ever had and the only man she’d ever loved. It had been hard accepting that they weren’t meant to be like her parents.
It had been love at first sight when Sophia and Darryl Armstrong had met in the hospital. Her father had been a promising surgical resident who could have gone on to do great things, but his life had been snuffed out way too soon. Tahlia had always wanted a love like that one day. She’d thought she and Paul were meant to be, but in the end she’d learned they didn’t want the same things. She wanted to be a wife and mother, and Paul didn’t even want kids. When she’d been late and thought she was pregnant, even though she hadn’t been, it had cemented that their relationship was doomed, and they’d parted ways soon after.
“I’m sorry, sis,” Kaitlynn apologized when Tahlia’s expression became downcast. “I just don’t want a repeat of Paul. You and Maximus, Max, whatever he calls himself, are on two different playing fields. It’s best you don’t get your hopes up for something more.”
“Why shouldn’t I shoot for the stars?” Tahlia asked. “Unlike Paul, I knew the moment I saw Maximus that we’d have a connection.”
“Did he realize that?”
“No,” Tahlia admitted with a frown, “but he may now. Last night at dinner, I could have sworn he was going to kiss me.”
“Tahlia, really, must you always have your head in the clouds?” her mother asked. “I’m sure a man like Maximus is taken.”
“You don’t think I can catch his attention, either?” Tahlia inquired. “Thanks a lot, Mama.”
“It’s not that, sweetie. Sometimes, you’re a little too optimistic.”
“You’re wrong,” Tahlia replied. She hadn’t imagined that Maximus wanted to kiss her. She’d just put her foot in her mouth by including Lucius. But it was Arthur’s dying wish that his sons get along and run Knight Shipping. So Tahlia had to do everything in her power to see that happen. She owed it to Arthur.
And she was positive that Maximus Knight was interested in her, and she couldn’t wait to see him again.
* * *
“Tahlia Armstrong and Lucius Knight are here to see you, Mr. Knight,” his assistant, Elena Masters, advised him from the intercom on Friday afternoon.
Maximus pressed the speaker button. “Thank you, Elena. Tell them I’ll be with them in a minute.” Then he sat back in his executive chair and took several deep breaths.
He was happy to see Tahlia again. Unfortunately, the request came along with an annoyance: Lucius. He would have turned Tahlia down immediately when she’d asked, but if he did, he would have raised a red flag. He needed Tahlia to be pliable, and the only way to ensure her cooperation was to act like he was keeping an open mind when it came to Lucius, when that was far from the case.
Rising from his chair, Maximus walked to the double doors of his office and opened them. His gaze immediately went to Tahlia, who sat on the sofa looking delicious in a bohemian-style crinkle skirt and tank top covered by a black blazer rolled up to her elbows. He assumed this was her twist to make it professional.
Meanwhile, his brother, Lucius, who was at least two inches taller than him
, stood in what Maximus knew was a designer suit because he had the exact same one, although thankfully he wasn’t wearing it now. Lucius sported his signature crew cut, mustache and goatee. And he was talking to Elena and had the poor girl blushing several shades of red.
He and Lucius couldn’t be more different. Lucius was all flash and liked to be the life of the party, or so he’d heard, while Maximus was much more reserved and liked to observe and view the lay of the land before engaging. Their only similarity was the fact that they shared the same taste in clothing.
“Lucius.” Maximus came forward, extending his hand.
“Aw, here’s my little bro,” Lucius said when Maximus came forward, but instead of accepting his handshake, Lucius drew Maximus into an awkward and unwanted hug. Maximus glanced at Tahlia from the sofa, and she was beaming at the contact. He tried not to recoil as he lightly patted Lucius on the back and pulled away.
“That really wasn’t necessary,” Maximus whispered.
“Of course it was.” A faint light of amusement twinkled in his dark eyes. “We’re brothers.”
“I’m so glad you could join us, Lucius.” Tahlia stood to her feet. “Max.” She inclined her head toward him.
“Max, is it?” Lucius glanced in her direction, and his brow rose. “It’s like that now? How long have you know him, Tahlia? All of a week? Did I miss something? Do I get to call you Max now, too?”
Maximus forced himself to be polite when he’d like nothing more than to wring his older brother’s neck. He was purposely stirring the pot, trying to rile him up, but Maximus was used to loud, overbearing men like Lucius and knew how to handle them.
“That’s right,” Maximus responded. “Tahlia and I have been getting to know each other.” He gave her a wink and watched her eyes brighten at the action. “But no, I’d prefer you call me Maximus. Unless you’d like me to call you Luke or maybe Lucifer.”
At that comment, Lucius howled with laughter. “I like you, Max.” He slapped Maximus’s shoulder. “You’ve got a sense of humor. Why don’t you lead the way and show us our empire.”
Taming Her Billionaire Page 5