Maid for a Magnate. Jules Bennett

and motioned her in without a word. Will kept his eyes on Cat, on her petite, curvy frame tucked so neatly into her black button-down shirt and hip-hugging dress pants. His hands ached to run over her, sans clothing.

      She was sporting quite a smirk, though. She was up to something, which only put him on full alert.

      “I don’t always keep flowers in here, but I thought this bouquet was lovely.” She set it on the accent table nestled between two leather wingback chairs against the far wall. “I received these the other day and they just did a number on my allergies. I thought about trashing them, but then realized that you may want something fresh for your office, Mr. Rowling.”

      Will stood straight up. She’d received those the other day? She’d brought his bouquet into his father’s office and was giving it away?

      Apparently his little Cat had gotten feisty.

      “I didn’t realize you had allergies,” Will stated, drawing her attention to him.

      She tucked her short black hair behind her ears and smiled. “And why should you?” she countered with a bit more sass than he was used to from her. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

      As she breezed out just as quickly as she’d come, Will looked at his father, who was staring right back at him with a narrowed gaze. Why did Will feel as if he’d been caught doing something wrong?

      “Keep your hands off my staff,” his father warned. “You already tried that once. I hesitated keeping her on, but James swore she was the best worker he’d ever had. Her mother had been a hard worker, too, so don’t make me regret that decision.”

      No way in hell was he letting his father, or anybody else for that matter, dictate what he could and couldn’t do with Cat. Listening to his father’s instructions about his personal life was what got Will into this mess in the first place.

      “Once we’ve officially signed with the Cherringtons, I’ll be sure to send them a nice vintage wine with a personalized note.”

      Patrick came to his feet, rested his hands on his desk and leaned forward. “You’re changing the subject.”

      “The subject of your staff or my personal life has no relevance in this meeting,” Will countered. “I’ll be sure to keep you updated if anything changes, but my assistant should have all the proper paperwork emailed by the end of the day.”

      Will started to head out the door, but turned to glance over his shoulder. “Oh, and the next time Cat talks to you, I suggest you are polite in return and at least look her in the eye.”

      Leaving his father with his mouth wide open, Will turned and left the office. Perhaps he shouldn’t have added that last bit, but Will wasn’t going to stand by and watch his father dismiss Cat like that. She was a person, too—just because she cleaned for Patrick and he signed her checks didn’t mean he was more important than she. Will had no doubt that when Cat worked for James, he at least treated her with respect.