Everything He Wants: Claimed by The Billionaire Read Online Free Page A

suggested,"Let's eat. I'm famished." She hoped that the meal would provide a welcome reprieve from his questions as well as her capricious emotions.

                                                 ***
         After dinner the band began to play. The soft notes of a love song had barely began when Roderick asked,
        "Join me for a dance?"
        Laila had never even considered that accompanying her boss would include such intimate contact. But she did what her heart commanded and simply said, "Yes."
        As Roderick held her close, she could feel his heart beating. It sounded like a thousand wild horses galloping. She felt the exact same way. His strong arms encircled her and her head rested just below his firm jaw. She inched even closer and closed her eyes .
      It felt so good, so  right being in his arms. Laila had to stifle a moan.  He smelled of cologne that was as a delicious elixir, handmade solely for him: Potent. Virile.  Handsome confident, powerful. It just made him all the more attractive, irresistible. Yet Beyond that, there was a connection that had been forged between them, that was real. She felt like when they were together she never wanted that moment to end. And when he left, her mind was enthralled with when they would meet again. Butterflies, the quickening pulse,wayward thoughts. In a short time,  he had managed a devastating effect upon her emotions. But how did he feel about her ?  Laila sensed the mutual attraction but was it more than that? Did he care for as she had begun to care for him. Did it even matter? Laila had to keep her emotions under control . Dating the boss was off limits. Or she had to find a new assignment.  She would rather not find new employ. It wouldn't look good to abandon assignment. Moreso, Laila had grown rather fond of Sarah, and Sarah in return. But these feelings for Roderick were dangerous, how long could she keep them stifled, unfulfilled? Tonight she wasn't the nurse Laila McKay. The daughter. Or the sister. She was Laila McKay, the woman falling head over heels, against her better judgement, for Roderick Channing.

Chapter 5
         Laila had been working at the Channing estate for nearly six months. She had quickly taken to Sarah Channing and truly enjoyed interacting with Roderick's delightful mother. But then Mrs. Channing's health began to take a turn for the worse. She was unable to walk more than a short distance and became increasingly confined to her bed. But Sarah insisted that she maintain her most cherished activities, such as her annual tea that benefitted local arts programs.
        Laila had assured Roderick that it might do his mother good, that he could hire a planner to organize the event, alleviating any potential stress to Sarah.
        “Even in her state, she still needs to be active, involved, in her own way,” she suggested.
         Roderick's eyes had angrily flashed, his response adamant. “I know my mother rather well and what's best for her."
         Laila sighed. "Well then you know how important this fundraiser is to her," she argued.
        "Sometimes, my mother pushes herself too far. Last year, she was clearly overwhelmed and her health was far better. No, I won't have her taxing herself. And that's the final word."
         "Well you are the boss," Laila proclaimed, with more than a hint of attitude, not caring that he noticed.
         She exited hastily, not bothering to close the door. Normally Roderick would have fired an employee for being so impetuous. But not in this case. He actually admired Laila and her willingness to stand up for what she believed in, even to him.
         He smiled for a moment then grew serious again, as he continued to reflect. He supposed that if his mother had an organizer and per Laila's suggestion, if she was on hand, with his mother's physician on call, it would probably be fine. It would make his mother happy,