CHAPTER 3

Elliot was having a difficult time not staring at the beauty across from him. Her long honey blonde curls fell about her shoulders, with one dangling delightfully over her left breast. She was wearing a short black skirt that showed off her endlessly long legs. Her flowy top was somewhat sheer and low cut enough to showcase her fantastic tits. Not that he was looking, but let’s face it, they were glorious.

Her top also revealed that Mandy Johnson was pregnant, and far along at that. Elliot had known Ms. Johnson was expecting, his friend Dr. Alan Robert’s had already filled him in on some of the finer details.

While Elliot wasn’t running a charity house, he did have a soft spot in his heart for single mothers. His own had worked three jobs to keep a roof over their heads when Elliot was a child. Once he was one of the most successful billionaires in the city, his mother had worked tirelessly to help other women who were in the same situation.

It wasn’t often to find someone in Elliot’s position that truly knew what hunger and poverty were like. From what Alan had expressed, Mandy needed employment and possibly a place to live. Elliot had almost turned him down. But there had been something in his friend’s tone that had Elliot pausing. He didn’t need anyone currently, and he couldn’t run a successful business helping every sob story that came his way.

Alan insisted that all he had promised was an interview. Rather than bother his secretary, Elliot had texted the girl himself. He had just had an opening on his schedule and knew that he could squeeze in the interview, turn the woman away, and be on with his day.

But all of that went out the window the moment he saw her.

No, it wasn’t just that she was hot as sin, he reasoned.

Then he had to reconsider the thought. His cock had certainly taken notice of the beautiful woman. There was something familiar about the curve of her cheek.

Elliot shook the thought away. It wasn’t likely that he knew this woman. They came from completely different worlds. However, Elliot could have sworn that there was a flash of recognition in her eyes the moment she saw him. Maybe it was wishful thinking? He couldn’t be sure. But one thing was certain. He needed to know more about Mandy Johnson.

Elliot watched as she glanced around his office. He knew what she would see. The floor to ceiling windows, showcasing the city below them. A fireplace on the interior wall with a cream-colored sofa across from it.

Doors leading to a private bathroom with a walk-in closet. One never knew when you would get stuck at the office, and Elliot liked being prepared. A small bedroom that nobody entered except Elliot and the cleaning staff. Which left his massive desk and the two chairs facing it where Mandy currently sat.

Elliot couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was lovely beyond description. He wanted to touch her again. The moment their hands had connected his pulse had raced to life, blood pumping in his veins, his mind sharper and brighter than before.

Whomever this woman was, he wouldn’t let her slip between his fingers.

“Are you feeling better?” Elliot asked after handing her a water bottle and watching her take a long sip of water.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Brand,” her husky tones had his dick, who was already aware of her allure, hardening in his slacks. “I must have gotten lightheaded.”

He nodded. “I’ve heard that can happen during pregnancy.”

Her eyes shot to his in surprise.

“What is it?” he asked.

“It’s just, most people ignore the fact that I’m expecting.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you?” he said hurriedly.

“You didn’t,” she replied with a smile.

Elliot felt it like a kick in the gut. He didn’t think she was aware of just how attractive she really was.

“Unless they are elderly,” Mandy continued. “Then they come up to you and touch your stomach like they know you. It’s weird having strangers touch me.”

Elliot wanted to touch her. He swallowed that thought and said instead, “I can imagine how uncomfortable that would be.”

“Yes.” Mandy nodded. Then she winked. “I suppose that’s normal.”

**

Mandy watched as Elliot’s face broke into a wide smile. That smile was one of the things that had first attracted Mandy to Elliot. Only she hadn’t had known his name back then. In reality, she hadn’t even seen all of his face.

Mandy had been with her best friend Shay, working a private party downtown. They were serving drinks for a corporate event. Mandy had spent the entire day at her regular job only to race over to the party, slip into the skimpy uniform and black mask, to serve business moguls various alcoholic beverages.

Rent was expensive in the city, and Mandy had often filled in as a cocktail waitress when Shay needed it. Her best friend ran a successful catering business, or at least she’d until the accident.

Mandy shook her head to clear the past away, Shay’s car accident had been yet another tragic accident with terrible consequences. Mandy hated to say it, but she hardly even recognized her best friend anymore.

“You do look familiar to me,” Elliot was saying as he peered closer at Mandy.

She held her breath terrified that he would remember her from that night. It had only been the one night. But she supposed that it only took once.

Elliot had been sitting at a table with three other men. But Mandy couldn’t have told you anything about the others. His gray eyes had caught hers and lingered on her figure. With a saucy smile, Mandy had flirted and teased with Elliot most of the night. It had started as a game, but the heat was palpable between them.

Later, when Elliot had come across Mandy as she waited outside. Was it any wonder that things escalated to a point where they were headed for his hotel room? She’d fallen for every smile, every kind word, and his temptingly hot body. It was a combination that she couldn’t deny.

When he had pulled her close for a kiss. His firm lips captured hers in a way that no other man ever had. Any resistance that she could have possibly had melted away. Her hands sank into his thick dark hair and it had felt like silk against her skin. She cradled his head and held on while he kissed the ever-living shit out of her.

“Spend the night with me,” he had growled against her lips, grinding his thick arousal that had been burning her through her clothes.

“Yes,” she whispered, and he had scooped her up as if she weighed nothing at all.

And this was true. They hadn’t been introduced all those months ago. She hadn’t even known his name when they stumbled into that room. Hands, ripping each other’s clothes off as they desperately searched for bare skin.

The first time had been against the door. Her back sliding up the cool wood as his cock rammed into her with lightning speed.

The second time had been in his bed. It was slower, mind-melting as he slid his length into her depths, heedless of her moans of ecstasy.

The last time she’d been leaving, almost to the door when he caught her arm and bent her over the couch. He had demanded her name, but she wouldn’t give it.

The night had been magical, one that she would never forget. Mandy didn’t want to confuse reality with fantasy. Rich men did not fall in love in one evening, especially not with the help.

And so, as he fucked her heedlessly over the couch. Mandy had savored every moment, knowing that this had been an opportunity of a lifetime, one she would never forget.

She wasn’t stupid enough to suppose that it was anything other than a regular Friday night for her tall, handsome lover. And when she kissed him that final time, she knew it was her last.

He had begged to at least see her home and Mandy hadn’t been strong enough to say no. All the way to her west side apartment that she shared with Shay. They had held each other’s hands.

“You won’t tell me your name, Beautiful?” he tried one last time.

Mandy smiled. She hadn’t removed her mask all evening. It was better this way.

“Beautiful works for me,” and then she raced out of the car not looking back. Once it pulled away, she doubled back three blocks to her real apartment. It was then that she noticed Shay still wasn’t home.

It would be three more hours before Shay’s parents would call and tell Mandy that there had been a car accident. Shay was going to be okay, but she’d broken her leg and several ribs.

“No,” Elliot frowned, “I would have remembered if we had been introduced. My name is Elliot Brand, and I’m the CEO of Elliot Enterprises. Have you brought a resume along with you Ms. Johnson?”

Mandy nodded and reached for her bag.

She pulled it out and handed it over to him.

His nose wrinkled as if he smelled something.

Shit, Mandy knew the light scent he had discovered.

“I don’t smoke!” the words flew out of her, “I know that smoking is bad for the baby.”

Elliot’s brow rose, “I didn’t say you did.”

Mandy flushed hotly, “I saw your face, as you took the paper. You had to have smelled it on me. It’s my mother. I’m staying with her for a while until I can find better arrangements. It is she that smokes.”

Elliot’s brow furrowed, “I see.”

Mandy could have kicked herself. There had been no reason to bring up the smell or her mother. She was ruining this every time she opened her mouth.

“Perhaps, this wasn’t the best idea,” Mandy mumbled as she prepared to rise to her feet.

“You’re that sure my company wouldn’t be a good fit for you?” Elliot’s words were calm and assured.

Mandy swallowed, “What is it you’re hiring for?”

Elliot blinked, trying desperately to come up with something.

“I’m in need of a personal assistant to help out with my domestic affairs,” he was lying through his teeth. “I will need this individual to reside in-house. I own an apartment building on the east end where I live. This individual would be given their own apartment near mine and a living stipend as well as their salary. We have excellent paid maternity leave here at Brand. From the looks of your resume, I would say you’re more than qualified. What do you say, Ms. Johnson? Shall we give it a trial run?”

Mandy stared, not quite believing that he had offered her the job. Not only would she be able to move out of her parents, but she would have a living stipend so that the peanut could have a crib maybe even a swing.

“Yes, sir,” she couldn’t accept fast enough, “Thank you, for the opportunity, Mr. Brand. I won’t let you down.”