Page 11 of Undercover Billionaire

Only she hesitated once more. Despite the necessity of sharing personal information, it seemed strange telling her life story to a stranger, especially a man like Drake Alexander. She hadn’t a choice, however. She couldn't fabricate a life story Cynthia already knew in full detail.

"My name is Kaitlyn Leeann Owens," she started. "I’m 28 years old, birthday October 31st– not a word please." The sides of his mouth quirked up, but he wisely stayed quiet. "I have a degree in Business Administration, which I used to open this store six years ago."

"That’s impressive," Drake commented. "You were pretty young to pursue a business venture, but it’s obviously paying off now. By the size of the crowd downstairs and the professionalism of the entire set-up, I’d say you’re doing pretty well."

Kaitlyn couldn’t stop a flush. "I do all right."

"You're doing better than all right." He pointed through the window to where customers had pooled outside the shop. "Have you thought about opening another?"

Kaitlyn hesitated. They’d wandered off topic, yet she found herself sharing more. "It has been on my mind," she admitted. "The store has been profitable for a long time, and soon it’ll reach its potential. I believe another store could be just as lucrative, plus an old-fashioned confectionary is a wonderful asset to a town. I would love to bring that to more people. But that’s sort of the problem. Greenfield is too small for another candy store – I would have to open it somewhere else."

"Is that a challenge?" queried Drake. "I passed a lot of small towns on my way here, one right after the other."

"That’s true." She nodded. "Several close towns are suitable, but I'm worried about what would happen if I opened another. Would I neglect this shop? Would I become overwhelmed by trying to do both? Of course, the money would be nice, but it’s not really a necessity in my life. I’m not sure I want to take that chance."

"I understand your concerns.” His voice was warm and genuine. “Opening the store must have been a challenge, and now that it’s a success, you don’t want to jeopardize that. But think of all the rewards.”

"Of course," she conceded. "But I’m worried it might be a little too much for me to handle myself."

"That’s why you have employees, and besides, you don’t seem like the type of woman who would let 'too much' or 'too risky' stop her from anything." He gave her a gentle nudge. "Right boss?"

Kaitlyn chuckled. It was true – she didn't let challenges rein her in. "I’m not the type to be stopped," she agreed softly. “Thanks for the advice." An actor seemed an unlikely candidate for a business advisor, but his commonsense responses gave her much to ponder. She rubbed her hands. "We'd better get back to the learning session.”

“You’re in charge.”

Even as she smiled again, it didn’t quite ring true. Clearly, this wasn’t a man who surrendered control, which again raised the question of why he was in this position. It was something to consider later. “I grew up in Greenfield with my parents and two brothers, although they now live a couple of hours away. I always wanted to run my own business. My favorite movie is..."

Kaitlyn spokeabout her life in animated detail, capturing Cameron despite every attempt to remain unaffected. The vibrant woman was alluring in a thousand ways, authentic, down-to-earth, and yet somehow infinitely fascinating. He’d never met such a captivating woman, even among the successful entrepreneurs, actresses and socialites, rich and powerful ladies who commanded power and position.

None could compare to the beautiful candy maker.

He smiled inwardly, remembering her announcement of his role as "personal assistant." She'd been lying. After years as a successful lawyer, he had developed an excellent sense for the truth, and he'd bet the firm she hadn't told Cynthia any such thing. His "job" was simply payback for being difficult.

He didn't mind being her assistant. An assistant knew his employer – what she did, and even more, who she did it with. It would give him the chance to discover all about the woman with the mysterious effect on him. He couldn't have concocted a better plan himself.

He still didn't understand his own behavior when it came to her, starting with this morning. He had barged into a woman’s room without an invitation. Actually, it was more than without an invitation – he clearly wasn’t welcome in the sleeping woman’s private sanctuary. But when he heard the alarm, he hadn’t been able to stop himself. And then once he got there, it just seemed natural to joke with the sleepy temptress.

What he hadn’t expected was the spell she immediately cast on him. Of course, the sight of the beautiful brunette would have made the strongest of men weak with desire, yet far more than creamy skin and delectable curves attracted him. She was charming and clever, lively and delightful, and she made him want to learn everything about her. And this was after knowing her for a single night.

He’d had a close call when he accidentally mentioned his personal chef. Thank goodness he hadn't brought up the gardener! Of course, a traveling actor wouldn’t employ a household staff. Good fortune had prevented Kaitlyn from reading too much into his slip. She had accepted his excuse, but hesitantly, and more mistakes would not go unnoticed.

She affected him in ways he dared not explore. Their short conversation made him practically nostalgic, the discussions about cooking whispers from the past. He didn’t think about his childhood often – it represented an entirely different lifetime from his fast-paced life. Yet the pensive insight was not entirely unpleasant. And it occurred by grace of his new employer.

His employer was as sharp as the top minds he sparred against, and just as savvy. He would have to watch himself around the woman who was proving to be far more than a beautiful smile. She was intelligent, wickedly so. And the one thing sexier than a great body was a great mind. Kaitlyn possessed both.

She thought he was there to pretend to be her boyfriend. Instead, he was there to discover why she affected him.

Then he might just pursue somethingmore.

Chapter 4

"Are you listening?" Kaitlyn touched Drake lightly on the shoulder.

His head snapped up. "Of course."

"So by the time I got to high school, I–" A shrill ringing interrupted her, and she started. She relaxed a moment later. "That’s the doorbell. Excuse me for a moment."

Who was calling at such an early hour? Perhaps it was one of her workers, even though they typically used the inside entrance. Only when she peered through the peephole, a small, thin man with a balding head stared back through the tiny portal. She opened the door and smiled. “Can I help you?”

---