Maid for the Billionaire(19)

―We've got a problem,‖ Jake announced. ―You need to get back to New York ASAP.‖

―That is a problem,‖ Dominic answered, ―because I have no intention of returning till next week.‖

Jake was not deterred by his refusal. ―I just got off the phone with a contact we have within the Chinese Promotion Investment Agency. He says you've offended the Minister of Commerce.

By missing his meeting, the Minister has lost face and is doubting your guanxi.‖

―My what?‖

―Your personal relationship with him. Your mutual trust. Whatever. I can't fix this without you. You're going to have to drop whatever you're doing and fly to Beijing to meet with him in person this week or the whole project is going to be tabled.‖

Beijing was the last place Dominic wanted to be. He wasn‘t ready to step back into his old life yet. He wanted a few more days of simply being with Abby. No pressure. No expectations.

With her, he was rediscovering who he was beneath all of his anger and ambition and he liked the man he saw reflected in her eyes.

―This contract will benefit them as much as it will us. What are they stalling for?‖

Dominic‘s voice revealed his growing frustration.

―We didn't take into account the level of importance the Chinese place on personal relationships. They aren't going to move forward until you go out there and talk to them. Our contact says, unlike the impatient Americans -- they have all the time in the world. We can't afford to have this project put on hold. Our investors are already getting nervous.‖

A group of children saw the deer that still lingered around Dominic and Abby and came screaming toward them.

―What is that noise, Dominic? Where the hell are you?‖

―At the zoo,‖ Dominic answered absently.

Jake grunted in agreement. ―Sounds like one. Where are you -- outside a toy store or something?‖

―No, I'm actually at a zoo.‖ Abby shouldered the blame with a shameless shrug and continued listening to his side of the conversation with undisguised curiosity.

Jake's voice rose an octave. ―A zoo as in with real caged animals?‖

―Are there any other kind?‖

―Huh.‖ For a moment that stumped Jake. Dominic could almost hear his thoughts, This is worse than I thought. ―Ok, then. Give the monkeys the rest of the peanuts and head for the airport. Your plane is fueling up at Logan as we speak.‖

Dominic hadn‘t become successful without learning how to adapt quickly to changing situations. He turned to his deer wise companion and asked, ―Would you like to see Beijing?‖

Abby‘s mouth dropped open. ―You mean in China? I don't have a passport.‖

Dominic addressed Jake again while he stood, pulling Abby up next to him. ―I'll be flying out of Boston in a little over an hour. Have a passport for Abigail Dartley waiting in New York along with the paperwork I need. Have Duhamel fly back before us and pack luggage for two.

She'll know what I'm talking about. We'll fuel up and fly over tonight.‖

―You‘re taking your housekeeper?‖ Jake asked incredulously.

―Just do it.‖ Dominic clicked his phone shut. He held onto Abby‘s cold hand despite her attempts to tug it free. Bringing her with him made sense and taking action made him feel calmer, more in control of the situation.

Abby held her ground when he tried to pull her with him along the path. She dug her heels in until he was forced to turn around and look down at her.

She was one stubborn woman.

―I can't go to China. I have responsibilities here. Lill is still sick...‖ Abby said in rushed tones.

Dominic brushed aside her concerns. ―Duhamel sent a nanny over to help her while you were out today. We'll just hire her to stay.‖

Simple enough. He tried to guide her forward, but she wasn‘t budging.

―China? I can't just go there...with not even a toothbrush,‖ Abby said. Her hand fluttered within his, giving him the first indication that she wasn‘t as confident as she appeared.

"We'll buy everything you need. Now come on,‖ he said in a voice that made most businessmen rush to action and most women try to appease him.

She did neither.

"I can't..." she said again, undaunted by his tone.

Now was not the time for her adorable stubborn streak to rear its head. He‘d already decided that he wasn‘t going to China without her. Still, outright ordering her had not been effective so far. He was going to have to try something else.

He reached for her, drawing her fully against him. Desire quickly replaced resistance and proved to be an effective bargaining tool. ―I want you to come. You know you want to come.

Just this once, don‘t play it safe.‖

"China?" she asked weakly, as if she was trying to remember the topic of their discussion.

Dominic swept down to taste the lips she‘d licked moist in anticipation. Her quickly indrawn breath brushed her excited nipples against his chest. It was the best yes she could have given him; leaving them both trembling with desire, and him looking forward to the long flight ahead.



Chapter Nine

A few hours later Abby was seated on a long, built-in plush couch that lined one side of the interior room of Dominic's private plane. Despite the fact that she'd had time to explore the whole thing a few times over during their flight from Boston to New York, she was still in awe of the sheer size of it. It was ultra modern with light green accent pillows and trim. There were multiple bedrooms, an exercise room, a shower, a small movie theatre and even a Jacuzzi. Why any plane would have such a tub was beyond Abby, but if she'd doubted Dominic's wealth before, there was no question of it now.