Taming Her Billionaire. Yahrah John St.

and a financial adviser.

      “I enjoyed tonight,” Tahlia said, once Maximus had opened the passenger door and walked her to her car. She stood at the door ready to glide in, but something in the way he was looking at her held Tahlia back.

      Was he going to kiss her?

      If he were, she wouldn’t stop him. She’d welcome it after the wonderful night she’d spent in his company. Last year, when she’d seen him from across the room looking so deliciously handsome, she’d secretly wondered what it would be like to be with Maximus, but for now she’d settle for a kiss.

      “So did I. And I’d like to see you again.” He leaned forward toward her, pressing Tahlia backward into the driver’s door. “Perhaps you can come to Knight Shipping? I could give you a tour of the facilities. You can see for yourself what you’ve inherited.”

      “You’d do that?” Tahlia asked softly, looking at his sinful lips. She ached for them to brush hers.

      “For you, yes.” His mouth was so very near hers.

      “But not for Lucius?” she inquired. The ire on Maximus’s face at the mention of his older brother’s name had Tahlia immediately regretting her choice to bring him into the conversation.

      Maximus straightened and took a step backward. “I extended the invitation to you, but I suppose I might as well get it over with, so fine, invite him. Have a good night, Tahlia.”

      He turned on his heel to leave, which meant he wasn’t going to kiss her tonight. She’d put her foot in her mouth because of her do-gooder ways.

      “I will,” Tahlia said to his retreating figure as she watched him get into his sports car and drive off. She clicked opened her car and slid in. Then she slammed her fists on the steering wheel. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut? Her hands flew up to her lips. If she had, she was certain Maximus would have kissed her, and now she wouldn’t know the feel of his mouth on hers. Would she ever?

      * * *

      As he drove away, Maximus realized he had Tahlia exactly where he wanted her. Or did he? Tonight hadn’t gone exactly as he anticipated it would. The impending deals that would lead to expansion and going public had been far from his mind. Instead, his purpose had been to find out more about Tahlia, and he had. She’d grown up fatherless, a struggling artist needing someone to look after her. There was a certain naïveté and innocence about her that intrigued Maximus and apparently his father, too.

      Arthur Knight had been the father Tahlia no longer had, but then their relationship had changed and she’d become his confidante. He’d shared secrets with Tahlia about his wishes that he could never share with his own family until his death. But she didn’t appear to be using that knowledge with malice or avarice. Or at least none that Maximus could see. She also seemed steadfast in her intent to ensure that he and Lucius formed a brotherhood, as if that were possible.

      It wasn’t.

      Maximus may not fault Lucius for his existence, but he didn’t share. Knight Shipping was his and his alone because he’d earned it. Lucius and Tahlia stood in the way of that. Maximus had to neutralize Lucius’s power. The only way to do that was to get to Tahlia. And tonight he had.

      She’d wanted him to kiss her as much as he’d wanted to. And he might have, if she’d had the good sense to leave Lucius out of the conversation. Instead, she would have to wait, wait until Maximus decided it was time. He didn’t relish seducing Tahlia and the potential of ruining the positive bubble she lived in, but there was no way around it.

      He would have to be smart about it, though. Slowly court Tahlia until she didn’t notice that he had her under his thumb. But at the same time Maximus would have to keep his heart locked up tight because something told him if he wasn’t careful, he’d fall under Tahlia’s spell.

       Chapter 4

      “You own this place?” Tahlia’s mother, Sophia, said when she and Kaitlynn returned from taking Tahlia out for lunch several days later. It was her mother’s day off from the hospital, and she’d finally had the time to come by and see Tahlia’s new venture.

      “I do,” Tahlia said with a wide grin. She’d already made some small changes by rearranging the artwork throughout the rooms and reaching out to several artists she’d recommended to Bailey, who’d dismissed them without ever reviewing their work. Tahlia was looking forward to showcasing their talent at a future exhibition.

      “Will you show your own work, too?” Kaitlynn asked, turning around to face her sister.

      “Max asked me the same thing.”

      “Max?” Kaitlynn’s brow furrowed at her use of his nickname.

      “Maximus,” Tahlia repeated.

      “As in Maximus Knight of Knight Shipping?” her mother stated. Apparently, even her mother had heard of him.

      Tahlia nodded. “Yes, that’s the other part of the surprise I have in store for you.”

      Her mother folded her arms across her bosom. “Tahlia Ann Armstrong, you better start talking.”

      “Come to my office.” Tahlia led them toward the back offices. They passed Faith on the way.

      “Hello, Mrs. Armstrong.”

      “Hello, my dear.” Sophia gave Faith a hug. “So great to see you again.” Tahlia had had Faith over for dinner at her mother’s, and the two women had hit it off famously.

      “You, too,” Faith replied.

      When they were behind closed doors, her mother stared back at her in anticipation. “Well, I’m waiting, young lady.”

      Tahlia stared back at her mother. Even at forty-six, her mother was still a knockout in her book. Her brown skin was bright and clear with no signs of aging. Meanwhile, thanks to her schedule as a RN, her mother was constantly on the go, keeping her body fit and trim—although you couldn’t tell from the baggy jeans and tunic she wore now.

      Now that Tahlia had a little money, she and Kaitlynn would have to take their mama on a mommy makeover. In the meantime, she responded to her mother. “I didn’t exactly tell you the whole truth a few days ago.”

      “What did you leave out?”