The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(12)

Steffi laughed. ''You have a wild imagination, Mr. Jacobson.''

If only she knew the real truth, he thought. ''I'm going home. If you need me, you know where I am.''

The Black Rolls Royce drove to Beverley Park and pulled into a gateway. The security guard came out of his hut and opened the gate. As Ryan's car passed, he waved and closed the gate.

Ryan loved his home. At just thirty-five, he was the youngest resident in the area. At an average price of thirty million dollars, the houses in the immediate area were owned by business people and Hollywood stars.

Getting out of the Rolls, he pulled out his cell. ''Party time,'' he shouted into in. ''Spread the word. Starts at seven, let's make it a pool party.''

When he walked into the house, he was greeted by John Frazer, a man he'd hired in London. John was one of the few real butlers the world still possessed. ''John, it's pool party time. Starts at seven, can you organize?''

John was tempted to roll his eyes in disgust, but Ryan paid him ridiculously well to turn the other cheek. ''Of course sir. Leave it to me.''



*****

''Hi mom,'' Alina said. ''Yes.....yes......yes. Mom, don't worry I'm fine. Nothing to worry about I'll be there soon. Yes, mom, the flight was great. What? Yes, of course, I've got enough money.''

''Moms huh,'' the young man sitting next to her in the train said.

''Yer. She's worried about me.''

''First time away from home?''

''Yes, I suppose it is. I went to college in New York, but lived at home because it was so close.''

'Where are you headed?''

''To downtown LA. My first job.''

''Wow. Such a long way from home too,'' he said looking at her. He really liked what he saw. Her long legs were covered by a pair of faded jeans which showed off her slender thighs. Her white blouse had one button too many open, and he got a glimpse of her lacy bra with its overflowing contents.

''Yes it sure is a long way from home, but I'm looking forward to it.''

''What are you going to to?''

''I'm going to be PA to a real estate dealer. I'm so excited. I never dreamed I would get the job.''

''Was there a lot of competition?''

''Well, if I tell you the name of the guy you'll know the answer.''

''Go on then.''

''Ryan.....''

''Jacobson,'' he said.

''How did you know?'' she said.

''He's famous. Not for the right reasons either.''

Alina turned her head to him. He was about her age but dressed older. He was wearing a tweed jacket and a pair of highly polished black shoes. ''What do you mean by that?''

''He's got a reputation for treating tenants poorly.''

Alina had no idea whether what he'd said was true or not. All she knew was that she was terribly excited about the future. It had started with an ad she'd seen in the national press. She'd never heard of Ryan Jacobson or his company, but she wanted a job, and she'd always wanted to work in the warmth of California. When someone told her Ryan was a billionaire businessman, the like of which America had never seen, she'd consigned her hope of success to the trash can. A week later Steffi had called and told her Ryan would be in New York and wanted to talk to her. He'd interviewed her the St. Regis, where he was staying in a fifteen thousand dollar a night suite.

She'd worn her best dress and a pair of really chic, but extremely uncomfortable heels. She was sure she'd made a fool of herself when she'd shaken his hand because she just stood open mouthed with her hand in his, unable to say anything. It was the moment Alina found out what a powerful aphrodisiac the combination of good looks and wealth could be.

Her interview went by in a flash, and she knew she hadn't listened to him as well as she should have. His blonde hair, bronzed skin, angular jaw and dazzling blue eyes prevented her from doing so.

''Why would he treat tenants poorly?'' she asked.

''He buys buildings and increases rents. Then he kicks people out if they can't pay.''

Ryan didn't seem like that kind of guy, she thought. He'd been pleasant to her, more like a friend than a potential boss.

''Well, here's my stop,'' he said. ''Good luck.''

Alina began to think about Ryan. Was she perhaps on the way to work for an ogre? Maybe he was rich because he was ruthless, maybe he even broke the law.

The taxi stopped outside the gates to Ryan's mansion at ten past eight. The security guard had drifted off to sleep and didn't see the beautiful young lady peering through the railings. There was no bell or intercom, so she waited. After a short time, she picked up a small stone and threw it at the cabin. It hit the window and to her horror cracked it. The guard woke up with a start and ran out brandishing a baseball bat.

''What the hell are you doing?'' he shouted. ''Look, you've broken the window.''

''Sorry, I.......didn't mean to. I thought maybe.......you were.......''

''I'm calling Mr. Jacobson.'' He assumed Alina was late to the party. Ryan and his friends often invited beautiful women like her to their parties. ''Mr. Frazer, there's a young woman at the gate. She threw a stone at my cabin and broke the window.