THE BILLONAIRE'S SECRET BABY

CHAPTER 2

His name alone suggested the type of devil he was. But it didn't accurately reflect the man he was in reality, with his vile mouth and eyes like the

deepest hellfire. Oh, how he might scorch the unprepared. Fortunately, her father didn't pay much attention to such unimportant things as his only

daughter's disposition or emotional state because she had flushed. For the first time, he wanted more from her than just a gorgeous smile, which he

typically reserved for his party-cheating business associates. What is he aware of his family?Although it took a lot of willpower to stop Kylie from

putting her hands on her burning cheeks, she was pleased of herself for sounding more calmer than she felt. "He can be at war with his brother, but I

do not suggest anyone else try it," said the person who said, "I thought he and that brother of his were engaged in some kind of civil war." They are

still in charge of the same organization. "I'm sure I read an article that claimed they had splintered the company so that none of them had to work

together," Kylie recalled her father telling her. And they had been staring at one another across the breadth of his great desk, which he said one of his

ancestors had bet Andrew Carnegie on and won.

Kylie excused her error by assuming she misheard him. Or misinterpreted it. She could feel her heartbeat all over because it had been

thumping so loudly. her talons. arms' wrists. She has a neath collarbone. She had managed to maintain her composure. But just as she was leaving her

father's study, Kenny caught up with her, dispelling any uncertainty she may have had about what her father might have meant by that. He was waiting

for her as she reached the corner, grinning broadly as if he were trying to be charming. Kylie understood better. It had been a while since she had

thought him charming. even, ever. She would have remarked that it was only a benefit of knowing him. Not that she had ever been questioned. He had

glared at her with scorn, saying, "Don't tell me you're wearing that," and raked her from head to toe. You appear to be a secretary. Not really what

we're aiming for here," Kylie had retorted snarkily. "No need to thank me for dashing off to rescue you."

Kenny had tightened his hold on her arm, saying, "The sacrifice is its own reward." She had believed that it was done on purpose, but she

had long since learnt not to let her guard down around him. He glared at her, "I don't know what Dad told you." However, there is only one escape

from this. We need to be sure Sally won't attempt to accuse me of anything. I'm going to appeal to his feeling of family, Kenny. And that's not going to

happen with you in this dowdy, forgettable clothing." She'd ignored his comments about her attire because there was no point in disputing with him.

He was always nasty and low. Always. Kenny chuckled. In a way that caused torrential waves of cold water to surge down her spine. "Zain Sally despises

his relatives. Sis, he's not looking for a nostalgic stroll down memory lane. "You can't mean...," her brother had said, shaking his head. "But word has it

that he's always looking for a new mistress. Then her as well, seeing as how he was still holding her arm. "Kylie, you only have one chance to show that

you are not useless. Hours later, she was still in shock. "If I were you, I wouldn't waste it."

The executive elevator's inside was modern and mirrored, and Kylie could see the dread spreading across her own face alongside the

scattering of freckles her mother detested. More than anything, she wished to portray her father's intentions as being different. That Kenny was simply

being himself. She however knew better. A sinking sensation inside told her as much. What exactly is the difference? As the elevator sped higher, she

wondered to herself. A mistress or an unhappy union? Since her mother had been attempting to marry off Kylie for years even before Kenny asked her

to become his mistress.

Why Kylie didn't receive an engagement ring after she graduated from college baffled Lily Cabot Connelly. Additionally, she

had a negative opinion of Kylie's attempts during the previous three years to persuade Ken to offer her a job at the business when that was the only

way to find a suitable husband. The previous time the subject had come up, Kylie had objected, "I don't want to get married," a few weeks prior as they

were heading to a dismal tea party for one of Lily's favorite charities. No one wants to get married, darling. As a result of your position in life, you have

certain obligations. And specific recompenses for the decisions that must be made," her mother had chuckled. What is desire related to anything?Kylie

was aware that her mother had high expectations of her. marry to protect her possessions, and as a return, live a leisurely life she could make

meaningful in whatever way she chose. Charities. Foundations. She could even "forget" to return home if she so chose, just like her great aunt who is

the black sheep of the family.

If Kylie were to think about it that way, she would assume that having a short-term relationship with a man like Zain Sally

would be very similar to becoming his mistress. The goal was the prize, not the connection. Kylie wanted to create her own prize, but nobody seemed

to care. The leaden ball that was her stomach remained behind and was buried in the ground because the elevator rose so quickly. She was relieved to

see a security camera there because it was blinking its red light at her from one corner. She was reminded to maintain her composure. She was dressed

professionally for a business meeting, wearing a pencil skirt, sensible shoes, and a dark, silky shirt that gave her the impression of the vice president of

the family business she hoped to someday hold. Looking in the mirror, she thought to herself, "I don't look like a secretary." She didn't, however,

appear to be a woman applying to be Zain Sally's mistress.

She kept telling herself that the man wouldn't remember her. He must attend a thousand parties, and if the sudden heat that occasionally roused her in the night was any indication, it must have had the exact same effect on at least a thousand women. Her cheeks turned red as she

watched. No matter what her father or Kenny said, she had to carry out the task at hand. And she had to think that taking a calm, collected approach

—not denouncing Kenny's wrongdoings nor striving to see past the man's rough edges—was the proper course of action. Unless, a sly voice inside her

muttered, he remembers you.

She exited the elevator quickly when it reopened. And if she had any doubts about her location, the lobby she was in

served as a reminder. The corporate name was carved into the smooth marble throughout. Sons of Sally. Although the late Demetrius Sally had once

been the richest man on earth, they often act as though their business is a small, charming family operation. When he passed away, his two sons had

assumed control of the international firm, which had branches in numerous industries. Everyone had expected that they would destroy the company.

Instead, during the first two years of ownership, the two of them had more than doubled the wealth of their family. They were all now significantly

wealthier than their father had ever been. Despite reading countless articles about the Sally family, none of them ever mentioned the following. Son

Zain was the oldest. He was regarded as the more responsible of the two brothers and divided his time between the company's Athens headquarters

and significant subsidiary offices like this one.

Due to his love of race cars and models, Constantine was the more outgoing of the two and spent more

time in the London office. They supposedly hated one another. The Sally brothers' private lives, however, were never the subject of rumors. Given that

eight o'clock that night was the only moment the great Zain had found in his jam-packed schedule, Kylie had anticipated finding the office empty.

Instead, she could hear the buzz of activity and saw people rushing back and forth as if it were still early in the morning as she moved into the

reception area. The receptionist's waiting coworker grinned opportunistically. "Ms. I believe in Donovan.The woman tapped a few buttons after Kylie

nodded because she appeared to have lost her voice sometime during the drive from her automobile. "Mr. She up and led Kylie through the large

glass doors behind her desk into the rest of the office. "Sally is on a call, but she'll be with you soon. Then she moved quickly while wearing heels that

were completely unnecessary, giving the impression that she was floating in midair. Kylie felt immediately inadequate as a result. But there was nothing to be done but obey the woman's directions.

The receptionist led her in the opposite direction rather than heading toward the commotion and crowd. Where there was simply a lengthy,

sparkling marble hallway, one of which was devoted to an exquisite art collection that gave Kylie dizziness. Floor to ceiling windows on the opposite

side showed Manhattan spread out at her feet. While envisioning herself in the Dark Ages didn't help, she couldn't help but feel as though she was

marching along the ramparts of an ancient castle, being forced to offer herself before a horrible monarch for the benefit of her community. The front

desk agent escorted her into a different room at the end of the hallway that was clearly also a waiting area but much more exquisite. and quiet. She

was informed by the woman that this was Mr. Sally's personal waiting room. "Please adjust your comfort. The secretarial staff will be pleased to help in

any way they can if you need assistance, so please proceed across the hall.

Kylie is left all alone with her growing anxiety. Because she was scared of bursting out of her skin, she could not stand to sit. Instead, she

stood and looked out the windows. She firmly, if under her breath, assured herself, "There's nothing to be afraid of." The underlying issue was that she

remembered everything all too well. "He won't remember anything about you." She couldn't remember what charity event her mother had cited that

summer as justification. Kylie, who had recently received her degree from Mount Holyoke, was confident that it would only be a matter of months until

she could assume her proper position in the family business. She had assumed it was her responsibility to portray the businesswoman she frequently

transformed into.

She may not have adapted well to the world of business, much preferring a good book and a peaceful setting to read it than the constant rounds of negotiations and cocktails and guys in their golf shirts, but who said life was all about what felt good? Without a doubt, it had to

do with actions rather than fantasies. She had been putting herself out there, appropriately. She might not have felt as giddy and bubbly as her

mother had always advised, but she could pretend. She did this while waving a cocktail around, laughing and mingling until she was so totally

exhausted that, after dinner, she snuck away for a brief break. The portion of her parents' lawn with the best views of Long Island Sound was covered

by a large tent, under which the dancing was about to start. The upset woman who rushed past her in a rush of tears and silk on the trellis path

leading to her beloved gazebo, erected above the rocky shoreline, received no attention from her. It was a lovely evening, and the aromas of salt,

grass, and flowers filled the air. As she walked, she could hear the band playing behind her, and she appreciated the dim light of the evenly distributed

lanterns along the road because it was much less obtrusive than the bright light within the tent. She might lose her smile. She had air to breath. He

was standing against the far rail, nearly hidden in the shadows, until she descended the steps to the gazebo. He then pondered how she could have

escaped his sense of presence given how tense he had become. He punched me. Kylie had a dizzy feeling. He was dressed in a black suit that should

have made him blend in with the other men at the party. However, she was instead taken aback by his broad shoulders and casual athletic ease. His

eyes were intensely set and thundering, and his mouth looked stern. His hair was thick and dark, and it appeared as though he had been running his

fingers through it.

However, she suddenly realized that it probably hadn't been his fingers. She suddenly felt as though a summer storm had come in off the

Sound despite the fact that it had been a clear, bright evening. as if there were several low-lying clouds. Threatening. He did little more than raise an

indignant brow while also being brutal. It didn't make sense to say, "I don't think I sent for a replacement." Later, she would tell herself that it was

because of the way he had looked at her like if he had created her. It was unlike anything she had ever seen. That much fire. So many warnings. And

more things that she was unable to describe. He lured her closer by lifting his two fingers. She had not considered defying orders. Kylie drew nearer,

becoming more self-aware than she had ever been. In the bodice of her garment, where she typically forgot they were there, her breasts felt thick and

heavy. Rich whispers appeared to be coming from between her thighs. She too felt herself warm up between her legs before melting. However, she

was powerless to resist this mesmerizing man's commanding gaze as she was forced to approach him. He said, "So eager," as she got closer.