Aspen

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

LUCIAN

T he click of her heels across the hardwood warned me of her impending arrival. I even heard it over the employees having a conversation outside the office door. Each tick, tick, tick tugged my lips a little higher, imagining the defiant scowl she’d round the corner with. I hadn’t been back to Quinn Music Group offices since our last encounter, and I had to admit, part of me looked for reasons to return in the hopes I’d see her again.

Only because I wanted to watch her walk away again. My motivation came from wanting to admire her lush ass.

And maybe her antagonizing attitude that I couldn’t help but see as a challenge.

Except, she wasn’t a challenge, I corrected, knowing myself well enough that finding her as a challenge could lead down a slippery slope. She was an entitled little girl. One that possibly stood in the way of me eventually owning the majority of Quinn Music Group. One that created more of a headache in this purchase.

No matter how much her curves called to me, I wouldn’t let a woman ever stand between me and my business ever again.

Not a challenge, I repeated, reinforcing the reminder.

“Lucian, thanks for coming,” Hank Quinn greeted, stepping into the small seating room. The deep grooves around his smile showed the years of use.

I stood and shook his hand before turning to find the complete opposite beside him. Not a single hint of a line dared mar the smooth curves of Aspen’s face. While creases dipped around Hank’s green eyes, Aspen’s golden depths scowled without moving a muscle. I wondered how far I’d have to push before a groove appeared between her perfect brows.

The thought had more than my lips twitching.

Not a challenge.

“Miss Quinn.”

She ignored my outstretched hand and barely tipped her head in acknowledgment.

“Well.” Hank clapped his hands. “Let’s get started. I hope you don’t mind that we picked one of the more casual meeting areas.”

“Of course not. I was enjoying the couch before you arrived. The leather is a nice touch of sophistication, but surprisingly lush.”

“Aspen picked it out. She actually helped redesign the office a few years ago. She’s got an amazing eye for making the most out of space and created a more modern, relaxing environment,” he gushed like the proud dad he was. “It was her idea to convert these smaller rooms into a more personal and intimate area to hold meetings with fewer people.”

“It’s good to know her skill set includes shopping for top-of-the-line items.” I kept my insinuation about her spending subtle enough to not alert her father, but strong enough to push her buttons.

The arch of her brow barely twitched before her features returned placid, but I took the reaction as a win.

“HR compared numbers from before and after the redesign, showing a twenty-two percent increase in productivity and thirty-four percent increase in employee satisfaction,” she boasted.

“Who knew colorful chairs, beanbags, and modern décor could do so much?” Hank exclaimed.

If it were anyone other than the Ice Princess, I might have complimented the use of glass walls and unique collections of furniture in different rooms, but she sat there like she had a whole tube full of pride shoved up her ass. She didn’t need any more compliments, boosting her ego.

“Shall we get started?” she asked.

“Of course. Did you have time to review the contract together?” I asked Hank.

His eyes slid to Aspen and his smile dipped. “Unfortunately, not. Aspen was very busy every time I tried to set a meeting.”

“How mature,” I muttered under my breath.

“What was that?” Aspen and Hank asked at the same time. Hank obliviously and Aspen with a knowing gleam.

“You know, Mr. Daire, you should always speak clearly when you’re attending a business meeting,” she reprimanded with sinister joy.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Miss Quinn.” I gave a tight smile before moving forward. “Why don’t we go over the details?”

“Yes,” Hank agreed. “I’ve got someone from accounting bringing down an extra copy for Aspen, but it is also in your email.”

“Unfortunately, I must have completely missed it before coming to the meeting,” she explained, full of false innocence.

It was more likely that she saw it and sent it to the trash. “Thankfully, I’ve got mine we can look at now.” I gestured to the empty spot beside me on the couch, offering she move from her chair where she sat poised on the edge with a rigid back.

“I’m fine here,” she declined.

With a shrug, I flipped open the contract.

“Lucian’s company, Daire Holdings, has purchased forty-seven percent of Quinn Music Group,” Hank began. “I am passing on forty-seven percent of the company to you, Aspen.”

“Why would you sell him an equal share to mine? It’s like you’re trying to shut me out.”

A hint of a line dipped between her brows, and I held my breath for more. Unfortunately, it never came. However, my brows furrowed easily. This was the part of the contract I didn’t like. It left too many unknown variables about which way my future control of the company could fall. Not something I usually accepted when making a purchase.

Her father sighed and ignored her question, continuing to read through the bullets of the contract. “I will retain six percent of the company. That six percent will be available to purchase once Aspen turns thirty. She will have the first priority to buy out my shares. However, if she is unable to purchase them, then the option to buy will be passed on to Lucian.”

“What?” she gasped. “Six percent of QMG is an astronomical amount to raise in less than five years. And if the company’s profits increase as they are projected to, it will be even more. How am I supposed to keep up with that?”

I hoped she couldn’t. In fact, the main reason I agreed to the stipulations was because I was banking on her not being able to. That and the allure of venturing into a different kind of business. I’d acquired all kinds of companies over the years, but never music. I looked at it as more of a fun purchase over my usual investments. Also, the projected income she ranted about held amazing appeal. Even at forty-seven percent.

“If you want this company as much as you say you do, then you will find a way,” Hank explained without remorse.

If anything, Aspen’s face became more glacial—a frozen sculpture of rage. Her mouth didn’t move, but I saw the sparks and glares behind her eyes. Her mind worked overtime and a part of me wondered if maybe I might have underestimated my opponent.

I mentally laughed. More than likely, she was pissed because she had to actually work for something.

“The contract prevents Lucian from selling his shares within the first seven years. If he chooses to do so after that, then Aspen will have the first priority to purchase them,” Hank finished explaining. “I will become the chairperson of the board. Dennis’s decision to retire from the position offered me the opportunity to take this step.”

Aspen muttered something that sounded a lot like stupid Dennis , but Hank continued before I could call her on it.

“The CEO position will remain vacant until the remaining six percent is purchased.”

“And then I will become CEO?” Aspen asked.

“If you choose that as the role you want, then you will have to be approved by the board. But there won’t be anyone to contest you. The decision will come down to if you’re ready to run the company.”

“I will be,” she promised with her chin raised.

“In the interim, we will create a Chief Operating Officer position and start interviewing candidates within and outside of the company immediately,” Hank said.

“What about James?” Aspen asked. “He’s the vice president.”

“James has a fourth kid on the way and doesn’t want to commit to such a time-consuming role.”

Once upon a time, I’d been like James—or I’d wanted to be like him. I’d dreamed of a life with a wife and a house full of kids. Now, after the harsh realities of life, I only dreamed of being in the office as much as I could.

“Understandable,” Aspen agreed. “When is the baby due? I want to make sure I send Sara a gift, and maybe we can get a food train started for them after the baby arrives.”

“I believe three months, but I’ll check with James,” Hank said. He smiled like a proud father—probably surprised that his daughter knew or cared about his vice president’s wife.

Or maybe you’re wrong, a voice whispered. Maybe you’re allowing past experiences to color your image of her.

In the end, it didn’t matter what I thought because I didn’t care. She believed she had a right to this company because her name was on the building, and she stood in the way of increasing my profits. So, she could know everyone and their wife, but business was business, and I fought my way to the top. I wouldn’t let a spoiled little girl like her change that now.

“I’d like to start interviews next week if that works for you, Hank.”

“You?” Aspen sneered.

“Yes,” I beamed. “It’s in the contract your father tried to go over with you to prepare you for this meeting. Due to my investments in the company, we agreed I should join him in the process of hiring who will be acting as the lead.”

“But—”

Hank cleared his throat to halt Aspen’s argument. He hesitated, glancing between me and his daughter. “Actually, I was thinking Aspen could take my place and help with the interviews.”

“What?” she exclaimed.

My jaw clenched, biting back the same shock. The last thing I wanted was to spend however long it took with her fighting me every step of the way.

Although…

Another part of me liked the idea of taking that time to push every button she had. My length twitched behind my zipper, wondering how far I could push before she snapped. It more than twitched when I imagined the eruption when she did.

“That sounds great,” I agreed, pulling her shocked gaze to me.

“Fantastic,” Hank cheered, ignoring Aspen’s opposition. “I’ll have Tanya put together a companywide email notifying everyone of the changes. No doubt, many of our qualified employees will be applying.”

“And I can speak to my contacts to expand our search,” I offered.

“What contacts do you have?” Aspen asked. “The last company you bought was a tech company specializing in cell phones—nothing to do with the music industry.”

I met her hard glare with a smirk. “Following my company, are you?”

She returned my smirk with a tight smile—glare still in place. “Just doing my research so I know all your weaknesses when the time comes for me to buy you out.”

“That’s enough,” Hank reprimanded.

Without missing a beat, she dropped the innocent smile and snapped her attention to her father. “It would be if we weren’t in this situation. If you could just wait a couple more years…”

“Then what?” her father asked, all traces of his good nature gone. “Another five? Then five more? Until what? I’m dead?”

“Stop,” she pleaded.

“I’m serious, Aspen. I spent the best years of my life with your mother. She showed me what true happiness and freedom was.”

“Yeah, dating someone twenty-five years younger than you will do that,” she muttered.

“Damn right,” Hank agreed without remorse. “She was the pure definition of life, and I miss it—I miss her . The least I can do is live the life she wanted to live, and I don’t want to wait until it’s too late.”

“Do you plan on finding another twenty-something woman, too?” Aspen sulked.

I watched the back and forth between father and daughter, soaking it in. My father told me the best way to know your opponent was to observe them, and right then, Aspen was proving to be exactly as I expected. A selfish, pouty princess. One who asked her father to put his needs aside so she could reach her own wants more easily. One who pouted when he stood his ground, and she didn’t get her way.

I also soaked up the personal details of the two. Hank never mentioned his wife, but I imagined her to be younger because of his age when Aspen was born. I assumed the woman was who Aspen got her darker looks from because she sure as hell didn’t have Hank’s green eyes or a single freckle dotting her face.

“Hah,” Hank barked. “Never, and you know it. Your mother was it for me, in life and death. I just want to do all the things we talked about.” He shook his head and smiled softly. “I have no doubt that if you truly want this company, five years will be the perfect amount of time for you to earn it, love it, and truly value it. I have faith in you.”

Aspen swallowed and looked away. Then it finally happened—a single perfect line dipped between her brows.

“I know,” she agreed. “I know I will win and keep majority ownership under the Quinn name.”

“It’s not always about winning,” Hank corrected.

Despite his fatherly advice, Aspen and I were on the same page with one thing—it was all about winning.

Not a challenge , I tried to recall.

She shifted her narrowed eyes to mine, and I smiled.

Fuck it. Challenge accepted, princess.

Knock, knock, knock.

Despite the interruption, I didn’t look away from the depths promising retribution, which was the only excuse I had for my raw reaction upon hearing a familiar voice.

“Lucian?”

Aspen and I turned from our staring contest to find a tall, leggy blonde in a simple pencil skirt, blouse, and heels that added to her already impressive height.

Emily.

Not that I’d use her first name. I clung to enough control to keep from revealing our familiarity. Which was more than she could say. Irritation shoved aside my shock, bringing my brain back online. Although it took me an extra moment to remember her last name. “Miss Green.”

“You two know each other?” Hank asked.

“Obviously,” Aspen muttered.

Emily’s smile warmed, and I answered before she could imply a more personal connection. “Acquaintances.”

Her smile dropped while Aspen leveled me with a doubtful side eye.

“Emily is on our financial staff,” Hank explained.

She glanced between the three of us and forced a smile back on her face. “I was just coming to drop off the copies you requested.”

“Thank you, Emily. Now that I know Aspen has a hard copy, I can be assured she can’t create any reason to not look over the contract,” Hank teased wryly. He accepted the stack of papers and passed the copy to a stoic Aspen, who did everything to avoid my gaze. Once Emily left, he sat back and slapped his thighs. “Well, I think we’ve gone over the important aspects of the contract, but I encourage you to read through the details. If you don’t mind, I have another meeting to attend.”

“Of course. Thank you for taking the time to break it down for everyone.” I glanced toward the thundercloud in the corner, hoping she caught the slight about her lack of preparation.

Hank stood and paused in front of a frowning Aspen. “If you have any questions, maybe we can discuss them over dinner this weekend?”

“I’ll have to let you know.” She busied herself with placing the contract in her tote bag, missing the disappointment her answer caused.

With a nod, Hank left, only for Emily to reappear just outside the entrance.

“Miss Quinn, could I see you in my office to discuss plans moving forward?” I asked, attempting to make a quick exit before Emily could reveal anything.

Aspen stalled and faced me with brows raised. “You have an office?”

“Yes, your father set me up with one that I could use over the next few months, while my attendance is required more frequently.”

“I don’t think your attendance is needed at all,” Aspen muttered under her breath. She turned away to grab her bag. The dismissal of further conversation leaving an opening for Emily to step in.

“Lucian, what are you doing here?” she asked, sitting in the spot I offered to Aspen earlier.

“I’m having a business meeting.” I stood and moved closer to the door.

“Well, duh, of course.” She laughed and followed.

I glanced to Aspen in time to catch her rolled eyes. I wanted to be irritated and call her on it, but they mirrored my own.

“Did you know I worked here?” Emily asked.

“I had n—” My words broke off when Aspen brushed between Emily and me, and I rushed to remind her of my request. “Miss Quinn, my office.”

She stopped and turned, looking between Emily and me. “Maybe later. After you’re done talking to your… acquaintance.”

“Miss Green can wait,” I dismissed, focusing my attention on Aspen, shifting my request to a demand. “My office. Now. Please.”

Both women reacted to the command in my voice, but only one caught my eye. I knew how Emily would react, but Aspen shocked me with her parted lips and the hitch in her breath.

Did Aspen Quinn—the always in control Ice Queen— like to be ordered?

As if it never happened, she snapped her mouth closed. “Fine,” she bit out. She spun on her stiletto heels and marched out, halting any further analysis of her reaction.

With a feeble farewell to Emily, I followed Aspen.

I tried to stay behind her to enjoy the view, but once we exited the elevator, she stepped aside for me to lead the way. However, I regained my position when I opened the door and watched the sway of her hips gliding into the open room.

“Not a bad space for being temporary. Or did you request the biggest office we had available so there was enough room for your ego?” she quipped.

“It’s not quite the corner office I’m used to, but thankfully, it’s just big enough for me and my ego.” I rounded my desk, watching her lips tighten. Not enough to pull any lines around her mouth, but I’d take it. “I guess I have you to thank for the design?”

She walked along the front of the desk, stroking burgundy nails along the wooden live edge. “Yup.”

I waited for details, but she continued moving without adding anymore. Her silence irritated me, driving me to prod for more of her buttons. “The chairs for guests have a nice look but aren’t very comfortable. The people I’ve met with looked stiff and awkward trying to find a position that worked.”

“Good.”

That’s it? I thought, my irritation rising. I insulted her hand-picked furniture, and all she said was good?

“How is that good? Didn’t you just go on and on earlier about all the facts of having a comfortable working environment?”

She stopped at the wall of shelves and looked back. “Do you sit in those chairs?”

“No.”

“Is your chair uncomfortable?”

I adjusted in the deep leather, sinking into the perfect curves. “No.”

“And if you sat in the other chairs or the couch over there, they wouldn’t be uncomfortable either.”

I raised my brow with growing annoyance. The demand for her to get to her point sat on the tip of my tongue, but I was determined to wait out any more of her silences.

“Because the chairs across your desk aren’t for employees. They’re for visitors, who are usually here to gain something from us. I picked those chairs because I want to make sure they don’t get too comfortable in our office. I don’t want them to lounge back and act as if they have a right to be on equal footing with us. I want them to be stiff and uncomfortable. Their discomfort adds to our upper hand, increasing our benefits. It’s a small act, but effective. And if there is ever a time we need them to be as comfortable as us, we have offices for that too.”

“Hmmm,” I murmured, at a loss for words. I hadn’t given a second thought to the design of my offices. It had been my father’s and when it needed an upgrade, I hired someone, giving them free rein after minimal instructions.

Meanwhile, Aspen made each decision with purpose.

Something other than challenging desire bubbled in my chest. Something like admiration.

I didn’t like it.

“I’m pulling up my calendar, and we can schedule times that work to begin interviews,” I said, shoving the sensation aside.

She turned back to the shelf, but not before I caught a twitch of her lips. Just like that, my irritation spiked, renewing my annoyance with the gloating princess. “Thursday at noon?”

“I can’t,” she answered without turning around. “I have to meet with a potential client.”

I sighed and clicked through the days, mentioning any availability. One after another, she turned them all down. “What about next Thursday?” I offered through clenched teeth.

“Can’t.”

“Why not?” I ground out.

She hesitated and tipped her head to the side, as if trying to think of an answer. It was then I realized that I could have tried to schedule something four years from now, and she’d already have “plans.” Probably the same “plans” she’d used as an excuse to not see her father to go over the contract.

“If you refuse to cooperate, I will be happy to pick someone on my own,” I offered, calling her bluff. “I’m sure Daddy would be thrilled to hear that the princess—who so desperately wanted the company—doesn’t even care who runs it now, as long as she gets it in the end.”

She turned with her lip curled, rewarding me with a slight scrunch to her nose, creating the faintest dips along the ridge.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Direct hit to her false, cold, unaffected stoicism.

“Next Monday or Tuesday,” she bit out.

I gave my biggest salesman smile. “Good. Let’s do Tuesday afternoon.”

“Fine.”

She headed toward the door, and my gaze trailed down her ram-rod straight spine to the plump curve of her ass. That sight mixed with the victory encouraged me to push at another possible button. “One more thing,” I called.

“What?” She shifted to look over her shoulder, keeping her butt in perfect view.

“Maybe don’t be so rude to the man who is basically handing you his empire. Maybe take the time to have dinner with him and show some gratitude. It’s one thing to be a princess and another to be a bitchy one.”

Her eyes grew wider with each word.

A hint of red colored her cheeks.

Her fists clenched, and I waited for the explosion.

I held my breath and anticipated the heat of it.

I prepared for the victory to wash over me as I imagined watching her expressionless face crease with anger.

“Fuck. You,” she snapped, her face wrinkle free. She whipped back around and stormed out, slamming the door so hard a frame toppled from the wall.

The reverberation wasn’t the flood of victory I expected, but it still stroked down my spine to my dick.

I tried to remember that Aspen Quinn wasn’t a challenge, but goddamn, did she make it hard to not rise to the bait. And now that I knew how good it felt to win these little battles, trying to ignore them was going to be impossible.