Everything He Wants: Claimed by The Billionaire by Jade Maxwell Page B

Furthermore, Laila had never mixed business with pleasure. Nor she didn't intend to start.
          Unbeknownst to Laila, Roderick Channing had felt the same irrefutable connection. He had felt it from the first moment that he gazed at Laila. At her shoulder length mass of long, sable hued hair, amaretto skin, pert nose, copper eyes and luscious lips. Her modest blazer, tank top and slacks couldn't hide her full curves and narrow waist. Her confidence, that too, was unmistakable. Roderick had seen many beautiful women in his day. Yet by far, Laila was the most exquisite woman he had ever laid eyes upon.
         After they had discussed her qualifications for the job, he had determined to double the original offer he had submitted to the agency. She was more than competent for the job and he could sense that she would take excellent care of his mother. But he had also felt something in the lower region of his body. He felt an aching in his loins that made him want to do very naughty things to Laila McKay. But he stifled the thoughts for the time being and proceeded to make her an offer, an offer he hoped that she wouldn't refuse.
                                                                    ***
        Laila was experiencing a delightful time getting to know Sarah Channing. She regaled Laila with stories of her younger days as a model, of an international photo shoot in Toronto, where she had met Mr. Channing, he of French Canadian descent. After a whirlwind romance, the two soon wed. She later worked in a museum while her husband built a successful shipping business. After his tragic death two years earlier in a mountain climbing expedition, Sarah had moved into the opulent estate of her oldest child, Roderick.
          “You know my son is very dear to me," she explained to Laila, soon after Laila began her employ. “He's my heart. Roderick has always excelled at everything he's done. School, sports, business. But he’s a good man, very devoted to myself and his sister."
         "You must be very proud and your son has certainly accomplished alot."
         "Yes, but I worry about him. Worry about when I'm gone. My daughter, his sister, Fallon, lives in Australia and Roderick is not particularly close to any of his cousins. Are you close to your family, dear?"
         "Yes. Yes, I am. I have two brothers and two sisters. We're a pretty close bunch and we all look out for my father, especially with with Mom gone."
         "Oh, I'm so sorry. It's always difficult to lose a mother. Or a father. My Roderick took it pretty hard when Jean-Luc, his father, died. What I want most for my son now is to have a family of his own."
         "Well, I'm sure that he has no lack of options."
          Laila was certain that there thousands, if not millions, of women more than interested in snagging one of the world's most eligible bachelors.
         Sarah Channing's brow furrowed.
         "Too many harlots and gold diggers to count. But there hasn't been any woman worthy of the Channing name. At least until now,” she stated in a near whisper, as if she had just resolved a puzzling enigma.
         Laila was unsure who her client was referring to but reasoned that whoever the woman in question was, she just might be the most fortunate woman on the planet.
                                                                                                                   ***
         Laila enjoyed her evening walks around the sprawling compound. It had been six weeks since she arrived at the Channing estate and she often found herself in the lush rose garden located south of the mansion. Laila was rounding the rows of colorful flowers when Roderick's rich baritone voice interrupted her thoughts that fall evening.
         "Hello Laila."