Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
I close by sliding a copy of the agreement and a pen to their side of the table. The investor picks up the pen and clicks it. The pen hovers above the paper when he lifts his gaze to me. “Why don’t you have your girl come in and refill the water?”
“I’ll be happy to fill it if you’re thirsty.”
“But water isn’t the only thing I’m thirsty for. I’d like to get another look at her.” He elbows his attorney, and they both chuckle.
I snatch up the water pitcher and take it to the sink. I squeeze the handle so hard it’s a wonder it doesn’t just break off in my hand. I return, setting the pitcher down on the table, and start to take my seat, but my investor stops me cold. He says, “Everything appears to be in order here but maybe you could sweeten the deal a little for me.”
Taking a deep breath, I flatten my palm on the table. He’s pushing my buttons. “The deal is going to make you millions. What more do you want?”
“Well, how about a night with your secretary? Call it a perk. I bet a man would sign just about anything to get inside her.”
That’s fucking it.
My head pounds and all I can see is red as I lunge across the room and grab him by his throat. His legs kick as the chair rolls underneath him before it tilts backward, spilling him onto his back on the floor. He looks up at me with a stunned expression and claws at my hand on his neck.
“Are you fucking crazy? I’ve heard all the stories about you but I didn’t want to believe them. You’re a fucking animal!” he cries.
“You’ve got no fucking idea, man,” I snarl as I apply pressure to his windpipe to shut him up.
The attorney rises from his seat and attempts to help the man to his feet, but I point my finger at him. “Sit the fuck down or you’ll be next.”
I grab the man by the collar of his suit jacket and lift him off the floor, holding his feet just inches in the air. “You think you can come in here and disrespect my girl like that? Looks like you need a good lesson in manners, shithead.”
“I’m going to have you arrested!”
“No, you won’t. If you call the cops, this is going in the paper and everyone you work with will know that you were trying to make a deal behind their backs. You’re not gonna commit career suicide over this. Now, if you apologize, we might be able to secure this deal and you can go on your way. If not, I’ve gotta tell you, I might just put your face through that wall over there. So, what’s it gonna be, partner?”
He tugs frantically at his suit. All of the color has left his face, and he looks like a fidgeting corpse. He lowers his eyes to the floor, then raises it to the attorney who shrugs his shoulders. After a few seconds, he clears his throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense. I had no idea you’d be so upset by it.”
I reach over to the table, slide the pen on top of the contract, and point to it. “What’s it gonna be?”
He scrubs a hand across his face and huffs. “Alright, yes. I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I could make money with you. I’ll sign.” He tries to settle his shaky hand and scribbles his name on the dotted line.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “Pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen. You know the way out.”
The attorney scoops up a copy of the signed deal and stuffs it into his briefcase. I see Beth rise to greet them when they exit the room. I don’t want her anywhere near them, so I call out to her, “Beth, come in here.”
She watches the two men scurry past her and looks back at me with her brows pulled together before coming my way.
She steps into the room, and I grab her by both arms and press her against the wall. She opens her mouth to speak, but I slide my tongue between her lips before she can get the words out. Damn, Beth tastes as sweet as I remember.
With her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, she melts into my embrace. I’m firing on all synapses, having her this close. My body is taut with tension. One more kiss and I might just snap.
“Are you okay? You seem angry.”
“You stood me up last night, Beth.”
“I know. I said I was sorry and you said you’d give me another chance.”
“That’s true but I don’t think I can just let it slide. I’m going to have to discipline you for misbehaving that way.”