The Arrogant Artist : A Billionaire Boss Romance (International Bad Boys Set Book 2)

first day at a job I’ve ever had, and I have had a few. His hand comes out and wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs, and my stomach somersaults when he touches me.
“Yes. It was an accident.”
“I don’t know if I’d be upset if it wasn’t. He can be a dick.” Daniel makes me smile. “Gabriel told me about the party last night, I’m sorry. I had no idea he was coming here until I got back to Paris.”
“No, it’s fine. This is his house. If he wants to party, then I just have to deal with it.”
“You don’t have to. I know what he’s like when he parties, he gets out of control. You can always call me, and I can arrange a hotel room for you to stay in. You should be able to feel safe here.” I give him a small smile because Daniel is a nice guy, and I wish he were my boss. He kind of is, but I mean, I wish I got to go to work with Daniel every day instead of some self-destructive egotistical artist.
“I’ll let you know if that ever happens.”
He gives me a nod and marches off toward Louis’ studio.
I wish I could be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

9
Louis
Motherfucker, that hurts.
It hurts so damn much.
Is my skin peeling?
“What the hell is going on?” Daniel surprises me as he enters the studio, looking pissed off, which is nothing unusual. “Why is your assistant in tears?” I can hear the accusation in his voice. His eyes widening as he notices me shirtless. “You didn’t—”
I don’t let him finish his words. “Are you fucking serious? You think I’d ever force myself onto a woman?” My chest is heaving with adrenaline. “She poured fucking coffee over me.” I pull the rag away from my stomach, which is bright red from the scalding liquid.
Daniel doesn’t react. Dick.
“Why was she bleeding?” That bit of information gains my attention. “Her knees… they were bleeding.”
How did that happen? Oh! then I remember. “She tripped over, hence the coffee all over me, but I didn’t notice she was hurt. I was preoccupied trying not to get third-degree burns.” Daniel eyes me again, suspiciously. “What are you doing here?” I keep dabbing the cool material against my skin.
“I wanted to make sure you were behaving.” Daniel arches a brow at me.
Dammit! He knows about the party. Fucking Gabriel.
“You know what? Fuck you! If I want to party in my own goddamn house, I’ll have one.” Throwing the rag at him, I hit him square in the jaw. “I never wanted an assistant, especially not a totally incompetent one like her. She can’t even serve me a coffee without fucking it up. You hired her because she’s beautiful, not because she’s any good at the job.” A smile falls across his face.
“I knew you noticed her.”
I stalk angrily toward him. “I don’t give a shit if she’s a fucking Victoria’s Secret model, she is still fucking useless.”
“Your studio is a mess. There’s shit everywhere. I nearly tripped over a bucket when I came in.”
I roll my eyes at my brother like a petulant child. “This is my space. Everything is where I need it to be.”
“Give her a chance before you write her off,” Daniel tells me.
“I don’t need an assistant. I’ve told you this.” Grabbing a spare T-shirt from my pile, I slip it on, my skin still a little delicate as the cotton touches it. I grab the bottle of tequila from the shelf and take a sip.
Daniel’s eyes narrow at me, the disappointment coming off him in waves, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Okay then, tell me this… are you going to be in control of your social media? Are you going to answer the million and one messages you get on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter?” I grunt, I know he knows the answer to these questions. “Are you going to sort through your mail? Answer your emails? Check your voicemail?” I don’t like where this is headed. “Exactly, you want to be able to paint, even if it’s this demonic shit.” He waves his hand at my creations. “So, trust me when I say you need help. Remember, Elisabeth did all this for you.”
“I told you not to mention her name,” I growl at my brother. He’s really working my very last nerve.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, grow up, Louis. You need to get back into the real world and stop living in this self-centered bubble you seem to be sheltering in because of this shit? It’s getting old.” I ignore him. “The longer you keep going on this destructive path, the longer they win.” I take another swig of tequila between his rants. “As much as I hate to say it, the woman was a brilliant brand maker.” I sneer at Daniel. “I don’t want to compare the two of you, but Yves is everywhere. She’s turned him into the biggest celebrity the art scene is witnessing right now.” That little bit of information jabs at me like a knife to the heart.
“But that isn’t me.” I take another swig of tequila.
“I know, but his art is selling and for a lot of money.” I frown at my brother. “I know, I know, it’s not about the money, it’s about the art.” He mocks. “But your art has given you a great life, Louis.”
“And it took it away as well.”
Daniel places his hand on my shoulder. “You could have been anyone, and Elisabeth would still have done what she did.” I hate that he’s right, I know she’s an opportunist. I may have sunk into an alcoholic funk, but I’ve heard the chatter, the rumors, the gossip. I now know Yves wasn’t the first man she slept with while we were married. She was simply less discreet with him. Maybe she could see his star qualities, and that’s why she didn’t care that she got caught. I loved her with every