Chapter 4
Chandler
I did my best to hide my surprise, as I looked up in amusement at the woman I never thought I would see again.
Her hazel eyes looked as if they were on fire and I wondered if there was a good chance I would see smoke come from her ears.
I leaned back in my black leather chair and crossed my arms, studying her face that was pinched into a pissed-off expression.
I took this opportunity to study her face more closely.
She had a sprinkle of freckles over the bridge of her nose that barely kissed just under her eyes.
Her lips were full and shiny from a glossy lip product, emphasizing their rosy pink color.
Her nose was slender, tipped up at the end in a small point.
Her features were dainty, yet prominent at the same time.
She seemed uncomfortable under my gaze, but held her ground as best she could.
She was still wearing her coffee-stained outfit, but she had buttoned up the blazer out of modesty I was sure.
A disappointment, but probably best to not be distracted by the white lace of her bra at this moment.
I wondered what she was doing here. Maybe she was Mr. Howard’s assistant.
Lucky dog. Although I remembered I got shown in here by an elderly woman who was sitting just outside his office.
If she wasn’t his assistant, then an employee.
Still, that surprised me because she was so easily able to drop a curse word in front of the boss.
No one seemed to bat an eye either. I wondered if she was always this fiery.
My intrigue was growing. I couldn’t figure out what she was doing here.
And clearly, she couldn’t figure out the same about me.
Her eyes were still on me, as if she was willing something awful to happen to me.
I had to bite back a laugh at her blatant disregard of giving a shit.
But there was also something else in her eyes.
Something distrusting. I bristled at that of all things.
Not the scowl on her face or the daggers she was shooting my way.
I hated that she was wary of me. She had no reason to doubt me. She didn’t even know me.
Although, I probably didn’t give her the best first impression this morning. I never really did leave a good impression on women, so it wasn’t surprising. I was an asshole. Admittedly so. But how was I supposed to know I would run into her again? And here, of all places.
I picked up my clear plastic cup of espresso on ice and took a long, slow slip, fully entertained in the fact that I was in a fresh suit drinking my cup of coffee that had gone unscathed.
After swallowing down the semi-sweet, strong liquid, I tilted my head slightly.
I was not about to break the strong eye contact she was still bringing.
I was aware that this thing between us was on full display in this full conference room, but I refused to back down. I wondered who would break first.
She finally let out an exasperated sigh and shook her head slightly, her long brown hair swaying with the movement.
She turned to Mr. Howard, who sat at the head of the table curiously observing the two of us during our stand-off.
My eyes fell momentarily to her ass, which I hadn’t gotten a good look at earlier.
Perky. Plump. Perfect. The three Ps.
That blue skirt did wonders for her. I noticed no one else was looking. Were they all blind?
“What’s he doing here?” she asked loudly, making my eyes snap back up.
I jerked my chin back, taken aback by her brashness. I couldn’t believe she was making a big deal out of nothing, and in front of the board of one of the largest companies in New York. Hell, on the East Coast. She had balls, that was for sure.
Everyone in the conference room shifted in their seats slightly as they looked from her to me and back to their boss. Surely, they hadn’t expected this sort of entertainment when they woke up this morning. Them and me both.
“You two know each other?” asked Mr. Howard, pointing between her and me.
“Hardly,” she said with an exasperated laugh, looking over her shoulder at me. “This is the asshole who—”
“Gabriella…” he said in a warning tone.
Now I knew her name. It suited her.
Her mouth snapped shut and she turned her head back to Mr. Howard, who looked at her with a judging raised brow. She put her hands on her hips, but I could tell she was losing her ground. Her defeat was clear.
“This is Chandler White,” said Mr. Howard, gesturing to me.
“He has owned a handful of Fortune 500 companies, earning them enough recognition and profit to land in Fortune magazine more than once. He has saved three failing businesses from going bankrupt, and catapulted each of them to success, earning them the highest figures they had only dreamed of…”
It was really four, but I wasn’t about to interrupt this listing off of my accolades.
I stared smugly at the back of Gabriella’s head from my seat, leaning back and fighting the smile that was about to spread across my lips.
I wasn’t going to lie, it felt good to hear all my accomplishments listed off.
They were impressive, and I had worked my ass off to achieve them.
That was why I was here at this meeting.
It felt even better to hear how good I was in front of my new friend, Gabriella, who now had a confused expression on her pretty face as she turned to glance in my direction, listening to my impressive résumé.
Mr. Howard was still rattling things off when he stood up and rounded the table.
Her eyes followed his every move as she turned her body to face me again as Mr. Howard came up behind me and placed a firm hand on my shoulder, giving me a pat.
I looked up into the old man’s face, which looked at me proudly, before looking back at her. She looked on in silent mortification.
“You’re a hard man to strike a deal with, Mr. White, but I’m glad I brought you on board.”
I looked back up at Mr. Howard, who gave me an assured nod.
“Happy to be here, sir,” I said, returning the nod.
It had been a long negotiation process. I wasn’t one to give in so easily.
I liked to be courted, but I also liked to see a business deal from every single angle.
Dissect it. Manipulate it to benefit me.
Business was very much like getting into bed with a woman, although usually they spread their legs before I even asked.
I guess business was like getting into a relationship with a woman, for the average guy.
Not me. I could easily be in a relationship.
Women often tried, hoping to spend the night after sex or suggesting dinner again after I had already seen them the night before.
I usually was one and done, unless they really impressed me.
A flick of the tongue. A bite of the lip.
A sweet taste as they rode my face. It was rare, but I had taken the same woman to bed more than once.
Anyway. Back to business. Getting into business with someone was like dating for the average guy.
You had to wine and dine a woman. You had to work for it.
You had to make yourself seem worth it. But you also had to play the game.
You couldn’t be too available. Too eager.
It was a delicate balance that I had perfected.
I made Mr. Howard work for it, and in turn, he did the same to me.
I hadn’t expected any less. He was one of the biggest billionaires on the East Coast, above me by a slim margin.
That was why I was here. He was the best of the best, but I didn’t let him know that right away.
I had to play hard to get, and that was exactly why I was here in this boardroom. It had worked.
I watched as Mr. Howard walked back to his seat at the head of the table. He smoothed his suit before he sat down, commanding the room with just one look. I admired his power. It was the same power I emulated. I knew I had gotten into bed with the right businessman.
“Now, let’s go around the room and make introductions,” said Mr. Howard, turning to his left.
He began rattling off names of the men around the table and I did my best to memorize them, even though they all looked the damn same.
I found it hard not to be distracted by Gabriella, who, out of the corner of my eye, I saw had now taken the seat beside Mr. Howard.
She sat rigidly, her hands folded overtop of each other on the large glass table.
She was looking down, thoughts clearly swarming her brain.
I wondered what she was thinking. I still wondered who she was.
Why she was here. I also wondered why I cared so much.
Maybe it was because she was out to get me after one shitty chance encounter. Or maybe it was because I kept envisioning her soaking wet blouse.
Names continued being rattled off and I gave a nod of acknowledgment to each board member around the table.
They were men of all ages. Some were younger, and some had probably been here for years and years.
Yet every single one looked at me with the same intimidated expression.
I liked the feeling. It was one I had felt often.
As the introductions rounded the table, almost coming to an end, I realized I was about to find out who Gabriella was. I straightened up in my chair slightly, eager to get a small morsel of information about her.
“And last, but certainly not least…this is Gabriella Howard.” Mr. Howard motioned toward her with his hand, a look of pride on his face.
My mouth dried out as I replayed his words in my head, and I tried to swallow.
“My daughter,” said Mr. Howard as he placed his hand on hers briefly.
She was his daughter?
The same woman I had told she couldn’t afford my dry cleaning bill was a billionaire’s daughter. I was such a dumbass. I mentally slapped myself. Me and my stupid mouth.
Things rarely surprised me, but this had me reeling.
I kept it together as I gave her the same nod I did everyone else.
She looked completely disinterested, her lips curling up in distaste.
As I looked at her now, I could see the resemblance between her and her father.
The same hazel eyes, olive skin. She was obviously a much prettier version, but I could see it plain as day as they sat next to each other.
I knew he had a daughter based on what I read up on him, I just didn’t realize she was a sex pot.
She would be a whole lot prettier if she wasn’t glaring at me.
When she finally looked at her father, settling into her seat, the top button of her blazer came loose.
I could see the white blouse was still slightly damp against her skin, the top of her ample breasts barely visible.
I licked my lips as if I were in some sort of drought.
I had an overwhelming desire to get to know her in ways she would never let me.
Maybe that was the reason. She was hard to get. Stubborn. Borderline bitchy.
A challenge.
I wondered how I was going to get through this meeting when she was sitting just a few feet away. I tore my eyes from her chest and looked back at Mr. Howard.
Her fucking father.