My Boss’s Whim Read online

  My Boss’s Whim

  The Billionaire’s Whim Book 1

  Liliana Rhodes

  My Boss’s Whim, The Billionaire’s Whim book 1

  Copyright © 2020 by Liliana Rhodes

  Cover Design by CT Cover Creations

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Contents

  My Boss’s Whim

  About My Boss’s Whim

  I. His Every Whim

  I. July

  1. Ashley

  2. Xander

  3. Ashley

  4. Xander

  5. Ashley

  6. Xander

  7. Ashley

  8. Xander

  9. Ashley

  II. August

  10. Ashley

  11. Xander

  12. Ashley

  13. Ashley

  14. Xander

  15. Ashley

  16. Xander

  17. Ashley

  18. Xander

  19. Ashley

  II. His One Desire

  20. Ashley

  21. Xander

  22. Ashley

  23. Xander

  24. Ashley

  25. Xander

  26. Ashley

  27. Xander

  28. Ashley

  29. Xander

  30. Ashley

  III. June

  31. Ashley

  32. Drake

  III. His Simple Wish

  33. Samantha

  34. Drake

  35. Ashley

  36. Samantha

  37. Ashley

  38. Drake

  39. Samantha

  40. Drake

  41. Ashley

  42. Samantha

  43. Drake

  IV. His True Fortune

  IV. Drake and Samantha

  44. Samantha

  45. Drake

  46. Samantha

  47. Drake

  48. Samantha

  V. Xander and Ashley

  49. Ashley

  50. Xander

  51. Ashley

  52. Xander

  53. Ashley

  VI. New Beginnings

  54. Samantha

  55. Ashley

  56. Samantha

  Epilogue

  Bonus Chapter: Samantha and Drake's Wedding Day

  Excerpt - Playing the Game

  About Playing the Game

  1. Cassie

  2. Gabriel

  Also by Liliana Rhodes

  About the Author

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  My Boss’s Whim

  About My Boss’s Whim

  "I couldn't let her disappear from my life like that. I wanted more of her."

  When down on her luck curvy Ashley Monroe takes a waitressing job at an event at the Boone Art Gallery, she's told one thing — stay away from the mysterious and brooding man sitting by himself. Easier said than done for Ashley who finds herself inexplicably drawn to the gorgeous stranger.

  She decides to spend the evening doing things she normally wouldn't--like letting herself be seduced by this enigmatic man she only knows as Xander--and unknowingly opens her world up to the lavish lifestyle of beautiful mansions, fast cars, and expensive clothes, because whatever billionaire Xander Boone wants, he gets.

  Meanwhile, Samantha Mayfair has known billionaire playboy Drake Winslow her entire life and despises him... mostly. Growing up as the daughter of his nanny, they lived in two different worlds under the same roof. Samantha knows Drake would never fall for a girl like her, but when she catches his eye, are his plans to add another notch to his bedpost, or is he really ready to change his ways?

  This novel was originally published as The Billionaire’s Whim, it is now book 1 in The Billionaire’s Whim series.

  Book 1: My Boss’s Whim

  Book 2: Playing the Game

  Book 3: Tailored for Love

  Book 4: Won’t Fall Again

  Book 5: Love to Hate You

  Book 6: Better as Friends

  Part One

  July

  Chapter One

  Ashley

  "Ashley, wait! You forgot your tie!"

  I turned around when I heard Jackie call me. Taking the black clip-on tie that was part of our uniform from her then clipping it in place, I looked at the other girls in their pressed white shirts, black slacks, ties, and vests. Had anyone told me I'd graduate from college and become a waitress, I would've told them they were full of shit. But there I was, dressed and ready to serve cocktails at the famed Boone Art Gallery, the largest and most prestigious gallery in the city of Canyon Cove.

  "Do I look alright? I can't believe you have to wear this outfit whenever you work."

  "It pays the bills while I'm in school. Besides Ash, you look great. It really shows off your curves."

  I rolled my eyes. She was just trying to make me feel better. I looked like a penguin, and I knew everyone thought the same. I glanced over at Jackie with her dark brown hair up in a ponytail just like mine. That's where the similarities ended. Dressed alike, we looked like the before and after photos of a diet ad.

  "Thanks for getting me this job, Jackie. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

  "No sweat. I know you'd do the same for me. Plus when I heard this party was at the Boone, I knew I had to get you in. Maybe you can see if they’re hiring."

  I nodded and hoped she'd drop the subject. I needed to put my best foot forward and get through the night. I didn't need to be reminded of my inability to get a job because I "only" had an Art History degree and no "real" work experience.

  In a matter of days, my world had come crashing down around me. When my graduate school loans got denied at the last minute, I had to scramble to find a job to keep my apartment. Now, two months later, not only was I still unemployed, but I was sleeping on Jackie's pull-out couch. I really didn’t want to think about it.

  As if she read my mind, Jackie put her arm around me and gave me a quick hug. We each grabbed a small tray of champagne-filled glasses and headed out of the break room and into the crowded exhibit area.

  The Boone Art Gallery buzzed with excitement. The event was invitation only for the grand opening of the Pedro Escamino exhibit--the hottest young sculptor in years. Only the elite of Canyon Cove society made the list. Everywhere I looked, beautiful people posed in their expensive clothes. Men strutted by in perfectly tailored suits and women glowed in couture gowns. It reminded me that being a waitress was the closest I'd ever get to being at this kind of event.

  The gallery's large, open, modern space was white and simple in order to allow the artwork to pop and be the focus. Partial walls throughout the room governed the flow of traffic and gave the viewers either the surprise of the next piece or showcased another. Throughout the gallery, cozy alcoves with sleek, low European-style couches and cocktail tables invited the guests to relax.

  As I walked around the room with my tray, offering the passing guests a glass of chilled champagne, Jackie rushed over to me, her voice filled with alarm as she whispered even though she had a fake smile in place.

  "See that guy over there? In the alcove to the right. Sitting by himself. Don't be obvious about it."

  I casually glanced towards the alcove she mentioned and saw a man sitting by himself. His legs were
stretched out in front of him as he leaned back on the couch. While he was dressed like the other men in a perfectly tailored suit, he definitely wore it much better. I never realized before how sexy a man could look in a suit.

  He looked to be in his forties since his light brown hair had some grey in it, especially at his temples. He wore his hair a little on the longer side, almost shaggy but not unkempt, and he had a closely trimmed beard which made it hard to see his face well. Regardless, it was obvious he was a very handsome man.

  Complementing his charcoal grey suit, he wore an ice-blue tie. I couldn't help but wonder what color his eyes were or how rough the hair of his beard would feel against my cheek. With one glance, it was obvious to whoever looked that he refused to enjoy himself, but for some reason I felt myself drawn to him.

  "You mean the grump?" I asked.

  "Shh! Yes!" she hissed. "He's always at these things. I've never seen him mingle or talk to any guests. He just sits there." She paused for a moment as she snuck a quick peek at him. "Stay away from him. He always yells at the wait staff whenever we offer him anything. I think he likes to make people cry."

  "Who is he?"

  "Damned if I know. Just some rich asshole I guess, but I wanted to warn you."

  Jackie disappeared into the crowd while I stood near an appetizer display taking it all in. I couldn't help it, what she said intrigued me. I regularly darted my eyes over to the man in the alcove. Later, even after I made my way through the crowd again, I still checked to see if anyone spoke to him. He remained completely alone and never once left his seat.

  As the evening went on, I started to convince myself that he couldn't be all that bad. I told myself that maybe he was an asshole because no one ever offered him a drink or was nice to him. All Jackie said was that he made everyone cry. If that was the worse he could do, then why not go over?

  I hemmed and hawed over it, making sure to walk past his alcove every so often to see if anyone spoke to him. I wasn't the kind of girl to be outgoing, normally I kept to myself and was shy and quiet, but eventually I couldn't help myself. I shoved away the old Ashley and like a moth to a flame, I went over to offer him a glass of champagne.

  Chapter Two

  Xander

  Yet another event at the Boone Art Gallery. I only attended these functions out of some bizarre sense of obligation, so there I sat again by myself in my favorite alcove. At least it gave me the chance to people watch and if I hadn't been doing just that, then I wouldn't have seen her.

  She stood out from the crowd with her black almond shaped eyes, bee stung lips, and dark brown hair. I imagined she would be even more beautiful with her hair down around her shoulders. Even in that ridiculous catering uniform, she was gorgeous. If all women had curves like that, I'd be a happy man.

  It was one of the things with society I didn't understand. We pushed health and eating properly yet the image of beauty that was shoved down our throats was a thin twig of a woman. I preferred women to look healthy, to have some meat on their bones, not be a bag of bones.

  So for once I was glad to be at the Boone and alone. It gave me the opportunity to keep admiring her as she walked around offering champagne. I hadn't been this attracted to anyone in a long time. It was a shame I couldn't do anything about it. If this was any other place and if I hadn't hired the caterer, things could be different.

  But those were excuses. I chose to not look, to not get attached to anyone. Life was too complicated to bother.

  Chapter Three

  Ashley

  Loading my tray with freshly poured champagne, I made my way towards his alcove. As I approached, I took a deep breath and reminded myself the worse he could do was make me cry. I was a big girl, I could handle a few tears if that was what happened. I needed to get closer to him. I entered his alcove and smiled.

  "Champagne, sir?"

  He grunted and looked up at me. He didn't say a word, just stared. I wondered if I should leave. The old Ashley would've left, but the old Ashley wouldn't have been in his alcove to begin with. I figured I had nothing to lose and set a glass of champagne down on the small table in front of him.

  "Did I say I wanted champagne?"

  His voice growled and I immediately regretted being there, but I was too stubborn to run away. I summoned up all my courage, stood up straight, and challenged his gaze.

  "No, but you didn't say you didn't want it, either."

  The brief silence lasted forever, but then he cracked a smile and picked up the glass I had set down. For a moment I was even more frightened of him, thinking he was a wild card and absolutely crazy, until I noticed his eyes. They were ice-blue, like his tie, and cold, but I saw a flash of warmth behind them. I never saw such amazing blue eyes before. I wanted to lose myself in them.

  While I braced myself for the worst, he leaned back into his seat and crossed his legs with his ankle resting on his knee. When he took a sip of champagne, I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to head back into the crowd.

  "I'm not done with you."

  I stopped dead in my tracks. His voice was menacing and sent chills up my spine. Oddly though, I still found myself drawn to him. I couldn't help it. I turned back around to face him and saw the slightest smile playing on his lips.

  "Is there anything else I can get for you, sir?"

  "Sit."

  At first I moved towards the couch. I wanted to do whatever he said, but then I remembered I was working.

  "I'm sorry sir, but I need to continue making the rounds."

  "Sit. No one is going to say anything to you about it. Join me."

  "But--"

  "No buts. Sit. You're a waitress, right? I need you to wait on me."

  I looked out at the crowded room. I wanted to get back to work and earn some money. I needed to earn money. Again, the old me would've done the responsible thing and returned to work, but I still wasn't ready to do things the old Ashley way. Old Ashley got me nowhere, and it was time to change that. I set my tray of champagne down on the alcove's cocktail table and sat on the couch with him.

  "Is there anything I can get you, sir?"

  "Don't call me sir, call me Xander. And you are?"

  "Ashley."

  "Pleasure to meet you, Ashley." He extended his hand to me and I shook it, letting my hand be engulfed by his and overwhelmed when the warmth of his hand penetrated deep into my core. "Didn't they warn you about me?"

  I couldn't help it, I giggled and nodded as my cheeks turned hot. It never occurred to me that he might know of his own reputation. I wondered how much he did to maintain it.

  "They did. I guess I don't listen very well."

  "We'll have to change that," he said.

  His voice returned to its menacing tone again and I began to worry. Was he going to turn into the jerk Jackie warned me about? Maybe he planned to report me to the catering manager, Mr. Smithfield.

  I was working with Jackie for just the one night but hoped to do it regularly. Being the only recent prospect I had to earn money, I didn't want to mess it up. I kept an eye out for Mr. Smithfield, who Jackie earlier convinced to give me a chance.

  "Have you been waitressing for long? I don't think I've seen you here before."

  "No sir, tonight is my first night."

  "Sir? What did i say?"

  "Sorry...Xander."

  "And on your first night, you decide to bother the one person they warned you about? Interesting." He was quiet for a moment. "What did you do before this?"

  I didn't answer him right away. I didn't know why he asked so many questions. His face was stoic. I couldn't tell if he was trying to be friendly or was simply interrogating me. I didn't think I had a choice, I had to answer him.

  "I just graduated college."

  "Ahh, so you just graduated college and you're waitressing? What did you major in? A waste like Art History?"

  He laughed at his own joke, but I didn't find it funny. I folded my arms in front of my chest. Great, this is how he's going to make
me cry.

  "It's none of your business, but yes."

  He laughed even harder, the sound boomed out of him and I knew everyone heard it, but no one reacted. He took a glass of champagne from my tray and handed it to me.

  "I think you need this."

  "No, I'm working, I can't."

  "Don't make me tell your boss that you refused a simple customer request."

  He had a stern look on his face, and I couldn't tell if he was joking or not but based on what Jackie said about him before, I wasn't going to take any chances. I picked up the glass but as I took a small sip, I saw Mr. Smithfield enter the room.

  There I sat, the girl Jackie begged him to let waitress, resting and drinking champagne with a guest. I couldn't risk him seeing me and both of us losing our jobs.