Page 5 of Undercover Billionaire

Kaitlyn exhaled pure relief. Perhaps it wasn’t too late to get this fixed. Maybe they could switch actors, find someone more suitable. Even though this one started to show a reasonable side, she could never keep him. There was just something about him, something nerve-wracking and powerful and unconquerable. She’d ordered mellow and small, and she meant it. "Thank goodness it's you." Kaitlyn smiled into the phone. "Your actor is here with me right now."

Once more, confusion tinted the man’s expression. Taking her lips away from the receiver, she whispered, "It’s the Association."

He appeared no less confused, as the receptionist regained Kaitlyn's attention. "He’s there with you now?" Surprise, loud and clear, came through the line.

"Yeah, I can’t believe he made it in this weather either. But listen…" Kaitlyn lowered her voice, even as the actor loomed too close not to hear. "He's not what I expected. I thought you understood my description. Small, timid, a little geeky."

"You don’t think I’m geeky?" an indignant voice spoke. Kaitlyn turned to the actor, who wore an expression of feigned pain. She snorted.

"What I meant..." Kaitlyn couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from lifting upward. "Is I want a nice, mellow guy. This man is not at all what you promised."

"In that case, I’m afraid we can’t help you." The receptionist sounded truly regretful – and confused. "He's the closest we have to what you described."

"Are you serious?" Kaitlyn gaped at her guest, somewhat surprised he hadn’t yet brandished a sword. He smiled wickedly. "Are you sure you have the right file? It's Kaitlyn Owens. I can pay extra to fly someone else out–"

"No, honey, that’s not the problem," the women interrupted gently. "We simply don’t have anyone more docile than the actor right in front of you."

Kaitlyn blinked as thedocileman gazed not-so-innocently around the room, undoubtedly eavesdropping on every word. No one would classify him as small, quiet, mellow or unassuming, and, from the few sentences he uttered, timid and non-aggressive were not within light years of his demeanor. Could he possibly be any different than he seemed, a gentle, agreeable person? Perhaps, but pigs could also be flying outside her window, enjoying the weather. She didn't have time to find out.

"He is really very sweet," the receptionist repeated. "He’s..."

"Kaitlyn, can we talk?"

The docile, sweetman loudly interrupted her phone conversation. His next words interrupted her entire existence. "Is there somewhere I can get out of these soaking wet clothes?"

Get out of those soaking wet clothes!?

Yes, please.

In an instant, her mind conjured an image of the powerful man dripping wet, without the little technicality called clothing. He would have smooth, tanned skin, well defined muscles and– "I'm sorry?" she managed a breathless whisper.

His lips quirked up. Had he guessed every wicked thought in her mind? "Is there somewhere I can change out of my wet clothes and into the dry ones I have in my bag?" He pointed towards a small duffel in the corner.

Kaitlyn flushed. Of course, that’s what he meant. Of course, she wasn’t really, really, really, really disappointed. "The bathroom is that way, and the towels are under the sink." She pointed towards the end of the hall, exhaling in relief when he didn't hesitate before walking away.

She didn't hesitate either. Holding her hand over her mouth, she spoke in a hushed whisper. "I need another man! This actor won't work. Have you seen the size of his…" She breathed out. "Nevermind."

"I’m sorry, I wish I could do more. I–" Click.

Click? Click? Click!?!

"Hello? Hello?" Kaitlyn listened for signs of life, but only a vacuum greeted her. She extended her arm to peer at the handset. The woman hadn't hung up; the signal had died, undoubtedly due to the storm still raging outside. She dropped the phone to the counter. There wasn't time to hire a new actor from another company, and admitting her lies to Cynthia wasn't an option. Her only choice was to proceed with the man currently undressing in her bathroom.

She notched up her chin, fortified herself. She could handle the overconfident, overgrown actor. Steeling her resolve, she plopped down on the couch to await her guest. As soon as the "timid man" returned, she would show him who worked for whom.

Cameron hadno trouble finding the single bathroom, which was tinier than the smallest of twelve that graced his mansion. Yet despite its modest dimensions, the room boasted the same charming style as the rest of the home. Good taste had transformed the space into a svelte mixture of elegance and practicality, an admirable and innovative design.

When he first saw the furious woman so flustered, so flushed, so beautiful before him, his well-ordered world had become suddenly unbalanced, a not-so-subtle rearrangement of reality. Perhaps he had been a little harsh about the door... she had, after all, attempted to close it. Usually he acted civilly, but the disaster of an evening had frayed his nerves and piqued his temper. Through it all, one thing loomed as clear as the lightning in the velvet sky:

There was something about this woman.

Something striking, something passionate, something rare, and it hit him like an 18-wheeler. Sure, she was beautiful, even wearing slept-in clothes, but attractive women pursued him all the time, both in a figurative and literal sense. He had long ago grown accustomed to such maneuvering, and even immune. For some reason, this woman was different. Whether by the spark in her deep blue eyes or the way she talked, her fiery personality or her fearless retorts, she captured his attention. Whatever the reason, he needed more information, and as a successful lawyer, he would get it.

After peeling off the soaking clothes and hanging them in the shower to dry, he used a pink towel emblazoned with sparkly cupcakes to dry himself. Actually, the water probably jumped away in fright from the so-sweet-its-scary towel. Thank goodness none of his associates could see him now.

He reviewed the facts as he changed into a tee and Levi's. The woman had hired an actor for some yet-to-be-determined reason, and somehow assumed he was her man. Obviously, he didn’t quite match the ordered goods, and this didn’t please her at all.

He smiled. No doubt he would be getting a good talking-to when he got back. From the phone conversation, she obviously wanted someone she could control on a six-inch leash, a puppy who would obey her every word. He must have surprised her!

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