C2 An Offer For The Bad Billionaire

CHAPTER 2

" Why don't you let us give this a day or two to think things through? " Gableton went on. " I'm pretty sure we'll come up with something nice. "

Jake ignored him. He stood from his chair, picked up his jacket wore it. He opened one of his drawers and took out his hairbrush. He combed his hair neatly, tossed the comb into the drawers, and snapped it shut. His movements were swift and final.

" Don't tell me you are going over there now? " Gableton said, standing up from his chair.

" It's now or never, Mike, " Jake said. " Tell Carl to get the Rolls ready."

Gableton looked dismayed. He knew to press Jake further would be a waste of time. He walked out of the study, a gloomy expression on his face.

A few minutes later, Jake, dressed in a navy blue shirt, tie, and loafers, walked into his vast living room and out of the house. He headed over to the garage, which housed A Rolls Royce Wraith, G-Wagon, Bentley Continental, and an Aston Martin Porsche. A powerfully built black man, wearing a gold-colored uniform with a peak cap, stood beside the Rolls. His name was Carl Kindle, and he was Jake's valet. He was also a good cook, and he takes care of all Jake's meals. He was discreet, efficient, and indispensable to Jake. He smiled and bowed when he saw Jake.

" She's ready, sir," he beamed, his teeth white and even " I just gave her a swift, good washing. "

" Thanks, Carl ! " Jake replied. He regarded the glittering body of the Rolls and inclined his head. "I won't be back until late in the evening. Prepare something light for dinner, alright, Carl ? "the valet nodded his head, smiling ruefully. Jake got into the Rolls and drove out of the garage. Outside, he saw Gableton, his arms akimbo, waiting for me. He stopped the car and rolled down the side glass.

" I'm not going to take long," Jake said. " Will you wait for me till I get back? "

" Of course I'll wait! " Gableton. " I want to see how you wanna swing this."

Jake smirked.

" I'll swing it, alright! Just watch me," and he pressed a button beside him, and the side glass rolled up. Then he stepped hard on the pedal, and the car surged down the ranch, long dusty driveway and was out of sight.

Lisa stroked the body of Fiery gracefully, loving the way its soft, brown-black hair glistened. It was a beautiful mare. It was big, brown, and sturdy. Lisa had raised Fiery from when she was born to when it grew to be this beautiful mare. As she continued to stroke the mare, she raised her muzzle at Lisa. Lisa laughed softly and kissed the side of the mare's mouth. Then she fed Fiery more hay, moved out of the stall, and rested her body against the wooden stall door. The mare shuffled forward, half-closed its eyes, and pushed out its muzzle as if to sniff her. Lisa smiled to herself. Fiery was telling her she enjoyed Lisa's company and wanted her to stay awhile longer. Lisa shook her head.

" Another time, Fiery, I've got things to do," She said softly, patting the mare softly on its head. She looked around the stable and heaved heavily. It was massive, clean, and tidy. All the horses in each stall were in good health condition. Lisa loved all the horses. They were her family. Since her father died, she had no one to talk to. She had no friends or close relatives. She's a loner. The only people she ever talked to were Sally, her housemaid, and the wranglers who come in during the weekdays to care for the horses. For that reason and for the fact that her father had left all these horses in her care, she had come to see them as her families.

Lisa regarded the stable for a long moment, a feeling of pride and happiness surging through her, then she walked out into the patch of the late afternoon sun. She entered the house, walked into her bedroom, and took off her clothes. Naked, she walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Then she dried herself thoroughly and put on an opened neck red striped shirt and tight-fitting pants, and brown boots. She left the room, and just then, the sweet aroma of sizzling meat hits her nostrils. She hastened her steps and entered the kitchen. Sally, the housemaid, was bent over the gas cooker.

" Hey, Sally," she said. " What here we have this afternoon? "

"Fried chicken with mashed potatoes," Sally replied in a thick Creole accent. She was big and black, with silver onyx hair, liquid eyes, and a warm, sultry smile that could make even the coldest heart melt. She had been born in New Orleans and had worked as a maid for the Wolfe family since the time Lisa was little.

" Wow! I can't wait to eat it," Lisa said breathlessly.

" Don't worry, missy, " Sally said. " It won't take any longer. Just go wait outside, alright? " she beamed at Lisa.

Lisa nodded happily and sashayed out of the kitchen. She walked into the living room and headed towards the bar. Just then, she heard the sound of a car. She crossed the room to the window and lifted the chinks. A car was coming up the dusty driveway at a breakneck speed. Her face creased up into a frown. What is that damn lawyer again? She wondered.

From behind the curtains, she waited, watching the car drive through the gateway, and pulled up right in front of the house. There was a brief pause then she saw the car door opened and she felt a sudden sexual stab went through her when she saw the most magnificent man she had ever seen stepped out of the car. It was not the lawyer, she told herself. But who is this man? What does he want? She thought, angry with herself to feel so sexually moved.

He was looking around the ranch house now, a sardonic, arrogant expression on his handsome face. She studied him closely. By the hard set of his mouth and the bold features of his ruggedly handsome face, She knew that he was going to be a hothead. A man who would like to have his say, whatever it was, and whether or not the listener would like to hear it. Well, we'd see about that. She said to herself. She remained motionless until she heard him walked up the porch, then she turned slowly away from the curtains when she heard the sound of the knocker.

Jake lifted the knocker, regarding the old oak door, the wooden reclining chairs on the porch, and grimaced. How could the richest woman in this town be living in an odd-looking place like this ?. He wondered.

The door opened. He looked at the woman who stood in the doorway, regarding him with large, hard blue eyes, and he felt his blood move through him like a man moved through an empty house. The woman was of medium height; she had broad shoulders, a small waist, heavy, solid hips, and straight legs. Her big breasts pointed under her from the shirts she wore, and her auburn-colored hair was caught back with a strip of blue ribbons. Her complexion was cream-white, and it blended well with the color of her hair. She was the most sensational and sensual-looking woman he had ever come across. And at that moment, he felt blood rushed into his loins, but his face did not reveal any of those things he was feeling at that moment. For a long moment, they regarded each other, then Jake pushed the wandering thoughts out of his mind and became all businesslike.

" Good afternoon! I'm here to see Lisa Wolfe. " His voice was deep, and Lisa had to admit very pleasant.

She rested her hips against the door, her arms akimbo, her eyes on him in a hard searching stare. She examined his well-tanned complexion, his eyes, the shape of his well-proportioned body the way any farmer will look at a cattle he was thinking of buying. He was so goddamned attractive, she thought, her heart was beating hard against her ribs. She saw his face turning slightly red under her scrutiny, but she didn't care.

" And who are you? " She replied in a toneless voice.

The question hit Jake across the face like a punch. He had expected her to answer him right away. The harshness in her voice irritated him.

" I'm Jake Courtland! " He said.

" Oh, the billionaire? " There was an undertone of mockery in her voice that infuriated him. " So you finally showed up? That's nice. So happy you graced us with your presence. " the spite in her voice was noticeable.

" What do you mean? " Jake replied, hating the way she was controlling the conversation.

" I mean, you are the one who has been bothering me for the past two months to sell my horses," she said sharply.

Jake stared at her for a long moment, bemused; then, understanding crept up his face.