Page 22 of Seduced By a Billionaire

Ella gulped wondering where this was leading.

“Apparently Mr. Bennett has taken a shine to you and wants to make use of yourskills. He has requested that you be allowed to take an extended leave of absence to be his personal home healthcare nurse.”

Ella let out a breath in relief, “Yes he asked me the other day and I told him no, in no uncertain terms.”

“Did you now?” she replied looking smug.

“Is that what this is about? I would never leave you in the lurch like that. I told him the hospital would make recommendations but that I was needed here.”

“He didn’t take no for an answer apparently, and now I have no choice but to work with one staff member down.”

“But why? I said no!”

“As you are probably aware, the Bennett’s are very generous donors to this hospital. It’s important that we keep benefactors happy… I’m sure you understand what I’m saying.”

“No, I don’t! I certainly have a say in this.”

“About as much as I do,” she replied scowling. “I don’t know why you’re complaining. You’ll be paid well, you’ll get points for helping out one of our biggest contributors and you’ll have landed the big fish you’ve always been hoping to catch.”

“I am insulted by your insinuation that I have ever been anything but professional.”

“You’re young and beautiful. I’ve had my eye on you and have seen your flirtatiousness with the doctors on staff. We both know about your affair with Dr. Shelby. You blatantly pursued him and look where that got you.”

Ella recoiled like she’d been slapped. Her face paled and her voice shook as she said, “Ms. Henry that was uncalled for and ugly even! You have no right to assume you know anything about me or my intentions. For the record you have that one completely wrong! As it appears, we are both stuck between a rock and a hard place, given that I hardly have a choice in the matter, I will doyouthe favor of deciding on whether or not I will submit to Mr. Bennett’s demands.”

“Ha! A favor for me, nowthat’spriceless,” Delores said derisively.

“If I decide to do the hospital this favor, just remember you now owe me. And if you ever try to sully my reputation again, I will go to the administrator and place a formal complaint. Do we understand each other?”

“You better watch your step Ms. Palmer. You can’t intimidate me. I run a tight ship here and no one is indispensable. Doweunderstand each other?’

Ella stood up, cheeks pink with rage that she kept under tight control, “Yes, completely.” Without another word she stormed out of the office and headed straight for Mr. Bennett’s room.

Ella felt like steam was coming out of her ears just like in cartoons, she was so infuriated. Her energy practically crackled as she burst into Kyle Bennett’s room.

“How dare you!” Ella said with quiet fury.

Kyle sitting up in a chair, looked at her innocently, completely unimpressed with her obvious distress. “Hello to you too,” he said.

Ella turned and closed the door behind her and marched over to him. “What gives you the right to force someone to work for you against their will? Does it make you feel all macho and powerful?”

“Calm down. It’s not that dramatic.”

“Really? Don’t even go there Mr. Bennett. Who do you think you are? You barely know me. I’m a professional yet somehow you act like you’re entitled to my services. If you say jump, I’m supposed to ask how high? You’ve got the wrong girl.” She was fuming and sparks were practically spitting from her eyes.

“I don’t know why you’re so pissed off. You’ll be paid more than you make here in four months, you’ll have a change of scenery, and you’ll get to return to your job here.”

“I just had to sit through an ugly meeting with my head nurse who implied that I had led you on with the intention of snagging you as my prize! I was completely humiliated. Do you even care?”

“What she assumed was beyond my control. What would you like me to do about it? I can have a talk with her, or Joe,” he said referring to the administrator.

“NO! Don’t you get it? You can’t manipulate and get your way with everything. I can handle Ms. Henry all by myself. I simply want to point out that your highhandedness was out of line and put me in an incredibly awkward position. If you talk to Joe, God only knows what the fallout could be.”

“So you just need to vent. I’m all ears,” he said calmly.

His demeanor only stoked her fire. Eyes blazing, with steel in her voice she replied, “Vent? This isn’t venting, this isElla furious! Your arrogance and entitlement are beyond the pale. You think your money can buy anyone or anything.”

“Are you done yet? Listen I thought I was doing you a favor and helping myself at the same time. My bad. I’m sorry if your boss has the wrong idea. I’ll be happy to correct that with her. Other than that, what would you like me to do?”

---