Beauty and the Billionaire (A Once Upon a Billionaire Novel)

by Cidney West

  He’d never been through them all, but he knew from his grandparents that there were valuable paintings in there. “I know. And I figure you’re the perfect person to help me. If you want to…”

  “Yes.” She caught his smile and flushed, her cheeks even brighter. “I mean, I’d like to. Though it may be tough to account for it all.” She bit her bottom lip, hands on her hips, like already starting the process.

  He shrugged. “We’ll do our best. But I’m positive if there’s anyone right for this job, it’s you.”

  Mira smiled, his heart skipping a beat as she came closer, taking his arm. “When can we start?”

  CHAPTER 15

  This was the weirdest, most interesting housekeeping job ever. Mira had never imagined her art background would come in handy. And then there was her employer, who got more attractive and interesting by the day, though she tried to push that thought aside.

  She’d spent some time in the library alone, just perusing the selection of books. She took a closer look at Hunter’s collection, without him watching her, noticing the array of subjects from classical architecture to landscaping, which amused her. She was pretty sure Hunter had never picked up a gardening tool in his life. But he seemed to like to know about things, anyway.

  When she talked to her father again, he sounded surprised by how excited she seemed. “So, things are going well?” he asked, sounding uncertain. “Your employer treats you well?”

  “He’s a little curmudgeonly sometimes, kind of like someone else I know.” She paused, smiling as her father grunted. “But he’s no beast. Hunt–Mr. Masseron–is nice. And I’m even getting to use my art knowledge a little.”

  “Really?”

  Without giving specifics, Mira explained that Hunter wanted her help with his art collection. Her father sounded impressed, and surprised, still pressing to make sure she was doing okay. She assured him things were going well, again, and he didn’t need to worry. He may not have believed her, but it was true. The only disturbing thing that had happened recently was getting another call from Victor, whom she ignored.

  Mira and Hunter spent off-hours pecking away at the paintings stash, Hunter and Penny trying to find anything they could about them in the archives. Mira had created a database on Hunter’s computer so they could properly log what they did know. It was clear he would need professional appraisals, but at least he’d have a clue about what they had.

  Hunter hauled out two more canvasses into the library a few days later, setting them down near Mira’s computer by a window. She coughed as dust clouds rose up, waving them away. “Sorry,” Hunter said, grinning sheepishly.

  The hidden stash was slowly taking over the library as canvasses, mostly unframed, leaned against anything that would support them. The more valuable paintings had been transferred to a more secure area of the house, including a Monet and Renoir. A few receipts and proofs of authenticity had been dug up out of the archives, which helped. But not everything seemed to have a record attached to it.

  “Do you know how any of these would have been acquired?” Mira said, aiming a flashlight at a signature of one of the paintings.

  Hunter let out a breath, hovering behind her. “From what I understand, many came from galleries, or the artists themselves. But I know some of what’s here is older than the house, so who knows?”

  Mira frowned, going back to the laptop and typing in the artist’s name. It was unfamiliar to Mira, but her friends back at the museum might know. She checked the back of the canvas for any other information, like a gallery name, but it was blank.

  “I know not everything is going to be famous or necessarily valuable now.” Hunter rubbed his chin, bending down to examine the landscape scene.

  “Is anything in there yours?” Mira motioned toward the hidden door currently propped open.

  “No. I’ve added books but no artwork.”

  “You should.” Mira typed, hoping Penny would manage to find more information to fill in the many blank spots in the database. “That’s a part of the legacy.” She paused, glancing at the unknown painting nearby. “Even the less valuable works say something about the person who left them behind.”

  Hunter squinted down at the painting. “So, this one says the buyer loved cow fields?”

  Mira laughed. “Or that they preferred the countryside.”

  “And what about the well-known artists, like Monet. What do those say about the purchaser?” Hunter gave her a challenging eyebrow raise.

  Mira tapped her finger on the keyboard. “That is a little trickier to answer.”

  “Why do you say that?” His mouth twitched, almost smiling.

  Mira tilted her head toward him. “You know perfectly well what you’re asking and I’m not taking the bait.” He could say his predecessors bought those paintings purely for status, but she wasn’t saying it.

  He let go of the smile he was withholding. “Fair enough. Maybe they liked the blobs of paint that may look vaguely like something in nature if you see it from far away and squint.”

  Mira bit back a smile. “I take it you don’t care for Impressionism.”

  “Not really.”

  “Then what do you like?”

  Hunter looked up at the ceiling, rocking back on his heels. “Truthfully, I don’t know. I’ve been to plenty of museums around the world, but I guess I never paid very good attention.”

  “Too busy flirting?” Mira said it in jest, but for some reason, she didn’t really want an answer. She knew Hunter had a reputation and she…well, she didn’t want the reminder or the gory details.

  Hunter didn’t answer, sitting on the floor in front of the canvasses. “I might have paid better attention if you’d been there.”

  Mira tried to hide how she flushed, focusing on the laptop screen. “Oh, I’m sure.”

  “You were obviously a better student than me, so I’m sure you could’ve taught me a thing or two.”

  When she dared to look over her shoulder, Hunter’s eyes danced wickedly. Mira turned back around, moistening her lips. “I think you did just fine on your own, Mr. Top-of-His-Class-At-Yale.”

  Hunter tilted his head. “Did Penny tell you that?”

  Mira nodded, feeling brave enough to face him again. “She also mentioned that, on top of your success, you managed to save your friend from flunking out.”

  Hunter hugged one of his knees, resting his head against the side of a couch. “Cedric had his father breathing down his neck, so I didn’t have much of a choice except to help.”

  “Is this the same Cedric who…rescued you?”

  “The very same.” Hunter stood, shaking one of his legs out. “I think it’s time for a break, don’t you?”

  Mira saved the document and shut the laptop, pushing up to her feet. She gazed out the window, the sky a crisp blue with wisps of clouds passing by. “Let’s go get some fresh air. Maybe grab a scone on our way out.” Mira winked. Penny chided her for the disappearing pastries, though she noticed the stash kept being refilled.

  Hunter’s eyes tightened, his smile fading.

  “What?” Mira blinked, unsure what she’d just said to dampen his mood. “We can skip the scones…”

  “It’s not that. I…” He swallowed, rubbing the back of his head. “I don’t go out during the day usually.”

  “Oh…” Mira scanned his face, realizing that made a lot of sense. He was afraid of being seen. “You could put on a hat and some sunglasses like celebrities do. And all this property is yours, so…no one will be out there except us.” Mira shrugged a shoulder. Hunter needed to leave that house sometimes. He was practically becoming a fixture instead of a resident.

  He met her eyes, worry creasing his brow. Mira took one of his hands, tugging him along. “We don’t have to stay out long. And you can show me the ruins that are supposed to be out there. I haven’t found them yet.”

  After a few beats, Hunter seemed to acquiesce, letting her lead him into the hallway. He disappeared into his rooms for a few
, to the point that Mira feared he wouldn’t come back out. But he finally emerged, sporting a baseball cap and aviators.

  Mira grinned. “See? I would never know it was you.”

  Hunter’s mouth twisted to the side. “Very funny.” Despite that, he took her hand and willingly followed her outdoors. She slowed down to help him ease out, but once they were outside for a few minutes, he picked up the pace and started guiding her instead.

  CHAPTER 16

  Mira skipped along behind him as they crossed the lawn and entered a wooded path. The path had been clearer in the past, but now they dodged roots and rocks as Hunter pulled her along, more sure of himself once they left the open space. They finally came to a clearing, sunlight spotlighting a set of deteriorating stone walls. Just as he remembered them. Part of Hunter feared they might have toppled over completely by now.

  Mira grinned, jogging over to see it up close. “What was it?”

  “We think it may have been a hunting lodge or something.” He followed her into the middle of the three partially standing walls. “It was a ruin when my family bought it, so I don’t think anyone knows when it was built.”

  Mira took the withering blossom of a climbing rose in her palm, lifting it up. He wished she had been there in the warmer months when they would have been in full bloom. “I can’t believe roses are growing out here.”

  “An addition of someone in my family. They were here before my time.”

  Mira smiled, sniffing the rose anyway. “Well, it’s beautiful.”

  Hunter’s eyes were fixed on Mira–the way her cheeks glowed as she took in the space–and he almost said something corny like, “Yes, it is,” when he caught himself, taking a breath instead.

  “Do you know any stories about this place?” Mira wandered along one of the walls, running her hand across the stones. “You know, stories you manufactured?” Her eyes, bluer at that moment, twinkled.

  Hunter did like a challenge, so he rubbed his hands together, happy to oblige her. Mira had been flirty and sparkly as they worked, and he didn’t want to lose that. “I know this was a popular spot for servants to carouse a long time ago.”

  Mira arched an eyebrow. “Carouse?” She stopped, dropping her chin. “Did someone end up murdered here too?”

  “Not even close.” He half smiled. “But someone did plan to elope here, and they may have run away together.” He knew he had her hooked, even if Mira did think he was just making it up.

  “Why would they have to run away?”

  “Well, typically people didn’t want their servants fraternizing–”

  “People as in you?” Mira inclined her head sweetly, sniffing another rose, hiding a smile.

  Hunter cleared his throat. “If you like. But this scenario was a little more serious. A daughter of one of my predecessors fell in love with a valet. That was definitely frowned upon, but they stole time in these ruins, and eventually, plotted to elope.” Hunter paused on purpose, and when he didn’t continue, Mira glanced up from her reverie.

  “Then what?”

  Hunter suppressed a smile, taking a breath. “According to family folklore, they took off into the night eventually and were never seen again.”

  Mira leaned against a wall, fingering one of the vines. “So, they could have been killed.”

  Hunter blinked back at her. “It was supposed to be romantic, but…okay…I can roll with that.”

  Mira shrugged. “I’m just saying…two people planning to elope disappear…that sounds like the opening to a classic murder mystery to me.”

  Hunter took his cap off, dragging his fingers through his hair. “Or they lived happily ever after.”

  “Oh…is that what I was supposed to get from that story?” Mira’s eyes sparkled, teasing him.

  He ventured closer, and Mira turned her back against the wall. “You didn’t like it? I added a twist and everything. I had a rich girl in love with a male servant instead of the other way around.”

  Mira dropped her eyes, hiding a smile. “Are all the stories you tell about this place made up? Or do you have some that I can actually believe?”

  “I do, but those stories aren’t any fun.”

  “Humor me.” She leaned her head back, waiting for him to start.

  Hunter folded his arms, feigning annoyance. “All right…there is one story about my great-grandfather running outside naked.”

  Mira scrunched her eyebrows together. “I’m not sure I should believe this.”

  Hunter raised his palms. “I swear I’m not making this one up.”

  Mira studied him, then shrugged. “Okay. So…grandpa streaked across the lawn…” She waited a few moments for him to continue. When he didn’t, she said, “And?”

  Hunter sniffed. “That’s it.”

  “That’s your grand story about your ancestor running around in the nude?”

  “I warned you the real stories aren’t as interesting.”

  Mira broke into a smile, then laughed. As she tilted forward, she yelped, snapping her head back. She reached for the back of her hair. “I’m stuck.”

  Hunter pulled her hand away, gently disentangling Mira’s light brown hair from a thorn. He glanced down, her face so close. She lifted her eyes up shyly, her blue-gray irises peeking through long lashes. He froze there for a few seconds, wishing he could read what was going through her mind at that moment. She could see him–all of him. What did she think? He knew she wasn’t repulsed by him but was she–could she be–attracted to him? Hunter dropped his hand with some difficulty, backing away.

  Mira stood away from the roses, rubbing the back of her neck. “I suppose we should get back to the house before they think I’ve run away again.” She forced a smile.

  He wasn’t letting Mira do that again, he thought, stepping aside for her to pass. Even though she was joking, the thought stung. If he had it to do over again, no one would have to tell him to go after her.

  They went back in through the kitchen, chatting with Jimmy, who didn’t comment on the fact that they’d been outside. Though Hunter could tell he was intrigued. Mira slipped away, saying she wanted to clean up before dinner, and Hunter did the same.

  He needed to get his head together before seeing her again. He felt muddled, and he never felt like that. But this woman was messing with his brain. He could imagine taking her to all the best art museums in the world and enjoying every minute. She could choose what to add to the Masseron family collection, and if she wanted Monet all over the walls, he’d take everything else down to please her.

  Hunter took a breath, splashing water on his face in his bathroom. That was a new feeling. He’d never been that interested in making the women he dated happy. Sure, he did what they wanted, which usually involved dropping money, but he would never have changed anything to make them happy. And if they’d asked or demanded, well…they knew where to find the door.

  With Mira, though…she wasn’t asking or demanding, but he desperately wanted her to tell him what she wanted. Yes, she’d pointed out that he needed to wake up and make some changes, but she obviously expected him to take the next step. And it didn’t necessarily benefit her in the long run. He wanted to do things just for her, which was a weird thought.

  Weird and pleasant.

  What was happening to him?

  CHAPTER 17

  Once Penny knew that Mira was allowed into the private rooms, she wasn’t afraid to designate tasks that included that part of the house. And right then, Mira had a pile of mail that needed delivering to Hunter’s office, which sounded straightforward. Except that Penny didn’t give her directions and all the doors were closed.

  Mira blew air out between her lips, slapping the mail against her palm. After deliberating, she started with the room at the end of the hall, rapping her knuckles on the paneled door. Seconds later, it opened, and Hunter stood in the doorway–not a thing hiding his perfectly defined torso.

  “Yes?” he said, tugging on the waist of his jeans.

  Mira’
s mind went blank, her mouth dry as her eyes drunk in the Italian statue standing before her. Her eyes skimmed back up, realizing she hadn’t answered him. And realizing he knew why based on the deep glimmer in his brown eyes. Flushing, she held up the mail. “I’m looking for the office.”

  The door creaked as he opened it wider. “This isn’t it.” His mouth twitched slightly.

  She glanced behind him and saw a bed. Nope. This definitely wasn’t the office. “Obviously. I’ll just–”

  Hunter motioned for her to step aside and swept past her. He may have been concerned about showing his face, but apparently had no qualms about showing her the rest of him. Not that she had a problem watching his back muscles flex as he moved. But he probably knew it.

  Hunter pushed open the office door, then stood there, waiting for Mira to pass him and go inside. She was hoping he’d step away. But, no. He wanted her to have to slip past him. Mira’s blush deepened as she squeezed her back against the doorframe and slid into the room, trying not to make physical contact with him. Or stare as she came to eye level with his pecs.

  Hunter held a hand out toward the desk. “Just throw it on top of that tray there.”

  He still didn’t leave, but at least Mira had an excuse not to look at him. Not that she didn’t want to look at him, because she did. But she didn’t want him knowing she wanted to look at him.

  Mira shook her head. This job was a lot more complicated than she’d expected.

  She found the tray–and the pile she was supposed to add the mail to. The stack slid over the side of the tray in different directions. Some fell onto the desk and some of it onto the floor. Mira hesitated.

  “Don’t worry,” Hunter said behind her, closer than she expected. “Nothing important comes in here.”

  “I hope not,” she muttered.

  “I don’t come in here very much.” He shrugged.