A Tree for the Billionaire (Southern Billionaire Romance Book 4)

by Michelle Pennington

  But this was something he had to figure out on his own and figure it out fast.

  He always did his best thinking on his feet, so he stood and paced from one end of his office to the other, before finally settling in front of the window. A few minutes later, he heard the door open and glanced back over his shoulders to see Kate come in. He looked away again to hide his grumpy expression until he could force it away. Chris knew how important it was to hide his feelings when entering into negotiations.

  “Would you like to approve these earrings I bought, Mr. Warren?”

  Ready to have a showdown, Chris turned and strode back over to the desk. He sat down and took the blue Tiffany box from her, dropping it negligently into his desk drawer. “I trust your judgment.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Kate said without even the flicker of an eyelash.

  “On all counts,” Chris continued, “except for this irrational decision you’ve made to leave your employment here.”

  Kate tilted her chin up. “It is completely rational. I’ve thought long and hard about it, I promise you.”

  “I’ll raise your salary by…” Chris realized that he had no idea how much he paid her, since he only told HR when to give her a raise and didn’t track it himself. “Twenty percent.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s very generous, Mr. Warren, but the salary isn’t an issue.”

  “Then what is?”

  For the first time since he’d known her, Kate shifted awkwardly. She even refused to meet his eyes. “The pace is proving too demanding for the lifestyle I want to have.”

  Chris sat forward. Now they were getting somewhere. “And what lifestyle is that?”

  She met his eyes then, and he watched with amazement as a faint blush spread upward from her neck to her cheeks. “I want to get married and have a family.”

  Her words hit him with the force of a bullet to the chest.

  Chapter Three

  Kate glared at Mr. Warren. Why was her answer so surprising? Did she seem like such a frigid, self-absorbed career woman that she didn’t have room for anybody else in her life? Or maybe he just didn’t think anyone would want to marry her. Just because he didn’t notice her didn’t mean nobody else did.

  He stood up then, as if he couldn’t be restrained behind his desk a second longer, and came around to her side. She turned to face him and waited.

  “You’re engaged?” he asked.

  “What? No. I’m not even dating anybody. And that’s just the point. I don’t have time to date anyone. I don’t have time for anyone or anything but you.”

  The smirk around his mouth should have warned her that he was going to say something outrageous. “That suits me just fine.”

  “Yeah? Well, it doesn’t suit me just fine.” Kate paused, appalled. She’d never talked to him in this tone of voice before.

  “So, you aren’t in love with someone, you just want to be. And you think quitting is going to somehow bring the right person into your life?”

  “No, I don’t. I just know that if I met him now, he’d never put up with my schedule.”

  “Would you want him anyway? He sounds too selfish to be someone you’d like.”

  Kate opened her mouth to defend this fictional man but then clenched her teeth. She was not going to point out that it was a selfish boss that was causing her problems, not a selfish boyfriend. After a few deep breaths, she said, “This a stupid argument. I have a lot of other reasons, one of them being that I want to take time off for Christmas but you never let your employees take vacation at the end of the year.”

  “We have too many international business interests in countries where they don’t even celebrate Christmas for my whole staff to just be gone. But I pay double time even on Christmas Eve and give generous bonuses. I think that’s fair for some gluttonous, over-hyped holiday.”

  “That gluttonous, over-hyped holiday puts every retail industry in the black for the entire year. Including a third of your holdings.”

  “See? So why would I let my staff take off?”

  Kate rubbed her temples. “Because you care about people. I know you do, somewhere in that hyper-focused ticker machine you use for a brain. I know you haven’t been close to your family, even your mother—”

  “It’s kind of hard when she’s always off on her yacht somewhere and only calls me to check on her shares in the company.”

  “But,” Kate continued, “most people want to spend time with their families. And so do I. So, regardless of what you do with your staff, this year, I won’t be a part of it. I’ll be going home for Christmas.”

  Mr. Warren folded his arms over his chest and looked at her, amused. “Yes, this is definitely a side of you I’ve never seen before.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m just really stressed out, and I didn’t expect you to push back about my resignation.”

  “Why wouldn’t I? You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had, and more than that, I…like having you around. We’re a good fit, and I want you to stay.”

  His words were so close to what she longed to hear from him that they stung. “Well, I don’t want to. Perhaps it would be better if today was my last day.”

  With his eyes widening, Mr. Warren stepped forward and gripped her elbow. His touch sent spirals of awareness through her, and she felt her resolve weakening at the anxious and remorseful expression on his face.

  “No, it wouldn’t. Stay for the two weeks. Please?”

  Kate looked deep into his eyes and found that she couldn’t resist him when he asked in that deep, sincere tone. “Two weeks. But this is the end of the discussion. Agreed?”

  “I’ll agree not to talk about it unless circumstances make it necessary.”

  Kate narrowed her eyes. He was too good at negotiations. He’d never close out all his options. And what circumstances could change that much in two weeks?

  “Fine. We have a deal.” Kate didn’t dare stay so close to him another moment, not when the barrier of formality had crumbled into sand between them. “I’ll be at my desk if you need me. I need to start training Mindy to take over for me.”

  “I’m not entirely sure I want Mindy to be your replacement.”

  Kate spun back around. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know. She just doesn’t feel right.”

  Sighing, Kate closed the door she’d just opened. “Who would feel right?”

  Mr. Warren shrugged. “You.”

  Kate didn’t stay a second longer.

  ***

  During the lunch hour, when almost everyone else was out for lunch, Kate arranged to have sandwiches delivered for her and Mindy and then pulled her assistant into a private conference room. As they sat across the table from each other, Kate smiled, hoping to ease the worried expression on her assistant’s face.

  “Relax, Mindy. This is good news for you.”

  Mindy’s shoulders dropped, and she sighed in relief. “Oh good. Your message seemed so formal.”

  “Sorry, I’ve been more stressed than usual today. I gave Mr. Warren my two weeks’ notice.”

  Mindy’s eyes widened. “You’re quitting? Why?”

  Kate considered Mindy a good friend, but there was no way she was going to reveal her reasons to anyone. “Personal reasons, but nothing that will trouble you when you, hopefully, take over the position for me.”

  If Mindy’s eyes had been wide before, they were bulging now. “Me? Be Mr. Warren’s personal assistant?”

  “Sure. Why not? I’m working to arrange it, and believe me, you’re up for the job. I certainly don’t have time to train anybody else.”

  “But I don’t even think Mr. Warren likes me much. Not the way he likes you.”

  Kate clamped her mouth shut as she felt her face begin to flush. After a few seconds, she was back in control. “Mr. Warren and I get along quite well, but there is no reason to think that you won’t establish a good rapport with him as well.”

  Mindy leaned back in her chair and smiled like she knew something
Kate didn’t.

  “What?”

  “Mr. Warren was asking about you this morning.”

  Kate’s pulse picked up. She told herself not to be stupid. “What about?”

  “He wanted to know what he should get you for Christmas. Then we started talking about where you came from.”

  That was not only unusual, it was completely weird. Not only had Mr. Warren never given any of his employees a gift beyond their yearly bonus, but he’d rarely asked any personal questions at all. But it only took a moment of consideration to work it out. “He’s just trying to figure out how to get me to change my mind.”

  Mindy nodded. “No doubt about that. But I’ve never seen him look so…unsettled.”

  Kate chuckled. “You’ll learn really quickly that Mr. Warren may be cutting edge when it comes to technology and industry, but when it comes to his personal comforts, he doesn’t like to try new things. Which is why I have a long, long list of things to go over with you. Everything from dry-cleaning instructions to the temperature he prefers his office to be at different times of the year. So, get comfortable, Mindy, and pay attention.”

  Over the next hour, they got through most of the list, but couldn’t finish it entirely because Mr. Warren had scheduled a staff meeting at one-thirty, and he always wanted Kate to sit in on them in case he needed her.

  “I hope you aren’t too overwhelmed, Mindy. Why don’t you take a while to go over it all and make note of any questions you have.”

  Mindy looked a bit dazed. “I’m sure I’ll have plenty.”

  Kate smiled, remembering how overwhelmed she’d been when she’d first taken this job over. As she walked to the big conference room on the other end of the building, she felt a wave of nostalgia as memories overtook her. There was no doubt she was going to miss this office and certain aspects of this job. She hoped that whatever she found to do next would be just as challenging and rewarding professionally. And, of course, easier on her heart personally.

  As she walked into the conference room and made her way to her usual seat in the corner behind Mr. Warren’s seat, she looked up to find that Mr. Warren was watching her with obvious concentration. She paused before sitting down and raising her eyebrows. He raised his own in response and a slight smirk twisted up the right corner of his lips. Then he turned back to the room full of employees.

  The room immediately settled down into waiting expectancy. Mr. Warren took his seat. “Before we get to the agenda for today, does anyone have anything they’d like to bring up for discussion?”

  Kate picked up her phone and went into her meeting mode, half-tuned in and half-checked out. These things could get extremely boring.

  “Can we discuss the fact that all requests for vacation over Christmas have been denied?”

  Kate zoned back in. She’d never heard the issue raised in a board meeting before. The atmosphere in the room shifted, becoming awkward and tense as the silence drew out before Mr. Warren finally replied.

  “It has been my long-standing policy to keep a full staff on for the week leading up to Christmas. However, there have been some discussions within the executive team that have led me to consider making some vacation allowable during that time. Would any of the department heads like to weigh in on this matter?”

  By executive team, Kate knew he meant their discussion from earlier that morning. Her mind spun. This was so unexpected and amazing…and suspicious. Sure enough, as some of the department heads shared their thoughts, all in support of granting vacation to their staff, Mr. Warren picked up his phone and spent a few seconds typing. Her phone then vibrated with a notification.

  Do you want them to have vacation?

  Kate pressed her lips together and responded. You know I do.

  I have certain terms you’ll need to agree to.

  This was madness. I’m not taking back my resignation if that’s where this is going.

  Not at all. You need to arrange for me to go on vacation as well.

  If the floor had opened up and she’d dropped thirty- two floors into the basement, Kate would not have been anymore surprised than she was right then. But there it was, the word “vacation” staring up at her in black letters on her phone screen. She could only respond one way, but she did so warily, sure she was heading into a trap.

  I would certainly be willing to do that.

  Mr. Warren glanced back at her. She bit her lip to keep her emotions from showing on her face. He typed for a second on his phone then looked at her as he hit send. You have to come with me to manage everything.

  You only have me until the 23rd.

  Understood. So, we have a deal?

  The room was quiet. The department heads had all stated their quick opinions, and now the entire room waited for Mr. Warrens decision. And he waited on hers.

  With a tremor of dread because she knew he was playing her and because going on a trip with him was the last thing her heart needed right now, she sent her response. Deal.

  Chapter Four

  Chris put on his crisp, white dress shirt and began buttoning up the front as he thought about the way he’d strong-armed Kate earlier that day. He could, of course, have simply told her she was going with him, since she was still on his payroll, but he wouldn’t have put it past her to quit on him if he had. In all the time she’d been working for him, they’d gone on many business trips, but he’d never taken a vacation. He knew he was a work addict, but nothing in life—and he could command the luxuries of the world—gave him as much satisfaction as success in the stock market or a profit-and-loss report. But he was one hundred percent dedicated to convincing Kate to change her mind, and getting her alone seemed like the best way to do that. With no distractions and endless opportunities for private conversation, he was sure he would be successful.

  But there’d been a subtle change in Kate throughout the day that concerned him. Clearly, he needed to tread carefully with her.

  He fastened his cuff links, picked up his suit coat, and went out to the living area where he knew she’d be waiting to touch base with him before going home for the day. He was still adjusting his collar, but froze with his hands awkwardly behind his neck at how long her eyelashes were as she stared down at her laptop.

  She looked up at him and set her computer aside. “Here, let me help.”

  Chris turned, glad for the chance to school his expression. He felt her fingers slide along his neck as she smoothed the crease in his collar. The light, faint touch sent a jolt down his spine. His eyebrows drew together. That was…odd.

  “There. Now let me see your tie.”

  The last thing he needed right then was for Kate to touch him again. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but he couldn’t chance any more strange reactions. “I can see to my tie.” As he spoke, he walked over to the mirror behind the sofa, which reflected his prized Monet, and carefully adjusted his black silk tie so that the Windsor knot was perfectly centered and straight.

  “Well, unless you have anything further for me, I’ll be off,” Kate said. “And you had better be leaving too if you’re going to make your eight o’clock reservation.”

  Chris fiddled with his tie more as he tried to think of how to say goodnight to her when he still felt so rattled. He hated that what had once been so easy, requiring no thought at all, now seemed more complicated than the stock market. As he floundered, Kate’s chuckle surprised him.

  “What?” he asked, turning to look at her.

  She shrugged. “I was about to tell you to enjoy your evening, but since I know you’re breaking up with Gemma, it would be a rather insensitive thing to say.”

  His eyes widened. “Kate! I forgot the earrings in my desk at work.”

  She stared at him: a blank expression that he knew all too well hid seething frustration. “Would you like me to go and get them?”

  He hated to put her out, but he really did need that gift for Gemma. “I would appreciate it very much. I will make it up to you.”

  Kate s
hook her head ever so slightly. “There’s no need. It’s my job.” She shrugged elegantly. “For now. I’ll leave the gift with the maître d.”

  As she left, Chris winced at the feeling of disappointment that swept him when he realized that he wouldn’t see her again tonight. What was wrong with him today?

  Forty-five minutes later, he sat across from Gemma in a private room at Oliver’s. Her auburn hair gleamed like copper in the low lights, and the cut of her black dress showed off her creamy skin. Her makeup, her hair, her expression—all were flawless. Chris had to force himself not to stare at her. Not because he was attracted to her, but because he was astounded that such perfection left him unmoved.

  “So, you’re quiet tonight,” Gemma said, taking a sip of her wine.

  He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve had a difficult day.”

  “I’m sorry.” She stretched a hand out to him. “Maybe I can make it all better.”

  Chris looked down and realized he couldn’t stretch this out another moment longer. He still hadn’t gotten the earrings from the maître d, but he just couldn’t keep up the pretense a second longer.

  “Gemma, actually, I’m afraid that this is our last dinner together. I don’t wish to waste any more of your time when I know this isn’t working out for me.”

  Taking a longer drink of her wine, she set her glass down. Her fingers were just a little unsteady. “It’s kind of you not to use all the old clichés. Nothing like a straightforward breakup to clear the air.”

  “Gemma, I have enjoyed our time together.”

  She smiled slightly. “Just not enough to force yourself through it any longer.”

  Chris looked at her, hating every painful moment of this. He couldn’t do this anymore—the benefits of dating someone in no way outweighed the horrible experience of breaking up with them. He hated to hurt women just because he wasn’t capable of giving them the love they deserved. This should be the last time he tried it. He just needed to accept that there would be no romance in his life. “I don’t want to keep you from dating someone you’ll be happier with.”