Ch 7: I do need you

The mention of his sister's name had her worried, "What's wrong with Alice?" She added with alarm. He lifted a shoulder of indifference and glanced out at the passing scenery.

"Owen?" she prompted letting her worry rise. Raising his hand to quell her concern, he gave her a solemn look, "Don't worry, its teenage things."

She almost laughed and he must've sensed it because he gave her an uneasy smile. Lord, he was even more appealing when he did that. For a man in such a position as he was, it made her laugh that he couldn't handle one girl when he was an experienced male in a field of women.

"See? I know nothing about teenage girls. When she's not screeching at me for something she wants, she dissolves into a fit of tears. I'm no good with that."

He did sound helpless. "Now she has an interest in this boy at school." His features darkened, "Some typical testosterone-filled boy…a jock of all things" Like he was at that age, she thought.

This time she couldn't help but giggle despite the tragedy of the day, "I supposed you threatened him?" "Not yet." He stared at her pointedly and inclined his head slightly, "Yet." He added. "Owen.

Don't you know by doing that, you'll just push her further away? She'll rebel and then she'll do what you don't want her to." She knew all too well what that was like, and it was Owen that saved her then also.

He waved a hand with a slight smile as if he made his point, "See. I told you, I need you."

How wonderful that sounded! However, she just wished it was in a different context, that he needed her for her, not to help with Alice. S

he studied his striking face as questions coursed through her mind, "I love Alice, and you know that.

However, I can't help but think that you are just doing this out of respect for my cousin." His brows went up, "Is that what you think?" She nodded.

"You're the wrong cheetah. Yes, I made a promise, but I have reasons for my offer." Oh boy, the nickname again. Somehow he always made it seem like a caress and it ended up making her insides melt. Still, she wondered how long he worked out the reasoning for his requests.

The man never did anything spontaneously. He'd pay for her college degree and she'd work for him, he'd give her a free room to stay in and she would help out with his little sister.

The man was too smart of his good. It was like he'd already worked out all of her protests in his mind and found a way to eliminate them. Now that only left his reasons.

"What reasons?" Something odd flashed in his expression. "I do need you. Alice, so help me Lord, needs you to. I can arrange it that you can stay with us in my penthouse in the city, so you would be there for her, and you can transfer to the local college which is only about twenty minutes by car."

He lifted his chin slightly, "Do you have a boyfriend? Is that why you don't want to…" "What? No. When do I have the time?"

Oddly enough, she has seen something akin to relief cross his handsome profile before it was gone. Did she imagine it? "It's not that. I mean you…" she waved a hand in his direction, "Area media's dream most days.

I--I don't know if I can handle it. People will—" He scoffed, "What? Talk? I'm no stranger to gossip and I give my word that I'll fire anyone in my employ that dares say a word about you."

"Not just your employees." She released a frustrated breath, "You may be used to publicity, but I'm not. What about the classmates I'll have? They don't know the friendship we share. I don't think I could handle being harassed about living with a playboy billionaire."

He chuckled with that statement. And what about his girlfriends? Could she handle him parading those women back and forth in front of her constantly? Not.

Then what he said next answered all of those questions. He studied her for a long moment, "We could dispel with the gossip if you married me."