Chapter 10
Christian
“We have a meeting with the president of Barchella Hotel Group next week. He’s bringing his lovely wife with him into Miami for the meeting.”
Hearing my father’s voice on the phone at barely nine in the morning on a Saturday didn’t bode well for my already shitty mood. “I didn’t authorize the meeting.”
“No, son, you didn’t, which prompted a call directed to my office late last night.
Andres Lopez is particularly interested in visiting the location for the proposed resort.
Something we discussed with him weeks ago.
Now, I must admit when he contacted me directly, I was surprised that he seemed concerned he hadn’t heard from you. ”
“He called me yesterday morning. I had a busy agenda, unable to return his call.” I gritted my teeth. Hearing his condescending tone when I’d been the one to break us out of the old mold of destroying companies into something potentially more lucrative required strict control.
I was ready to tell him off, something I should have done years before.
I remained outside the gym, glaring at the bright morning sky. There should be no tension in my body whatsoever after the night of rough sex, but here I was, angry and eager to work off my increasing anger.
“Need I remind you that if Barchella decides to pull out of the agreed upon but unsigned contract, we’d be out millions of dollars. Now, unless you’d like for that to be taken from your salary, I suggest you get your priorities straight.”
“They are very straight, Dad. You don’t seem to recognize there are several equally large balls in the air.”
He laughed. “Since you’re so intent on proving this idea of yours is plausible, I suggest you think twice about putting this or any of the other two contracts on the back burner.
Something else. Since they are a family-owned business where their wives are heavily involved in day-to-day business activities, it would behoove you to bring your fiancée with you to the meeting.
After the meeting, you can enjoy a night out in South Beach. ”
Was he fucking kidding me?
“I doubt I’ll find a wife in a little over a week.”
My father exhaled. “I have faith in you, son. You can work magic when you put your mind to it. I took the opportunity of contacting your assistant this morning so she can begin working on the particulars for the Lopezes’ arrival.
Confirm with her early next week the name of your fourth guest. You have until Friday when the meeting is scheduled. ”
My father had never minced words. When he ended the call, I squeezed my iPhone and hissed.
Yes, obtaining Barchella as a client had been a coup since several other firms from across the country had bid on the project entering the United States.
I’d spent four months in conversations, two flights to Madrid, and a few Zoom meetings on the project.
Yes, I’d known they were a family-run organization, but since we were technically one as well, I’d never thought marriage was a key factor. It still infuriated me.
I stormed into the building, nodding to one of the gym rats I knew before heading into the locker room.
I’d given the lovely Ms. Blair until Monday morning to make her decision.
Even if she agreed to work with me, obtaining a suitable fiancée by the end of the week wasn’t something I’d bet on under the best of circumstances.
And working with Vanessa would certainly be push and pull the entire time spent together.
Not that the thought was all bad. Quite the contrary, which was part of the problem.
What in the fuck had possessed me to seduce her?
Her.
As if I couldn’t think of her name. As if I couldn’t still taste her sweet pussy on my lips or gather a whiff of her perfume that had permanently stained my skin.
Vanessa Blair, the woman determined to crucify me for everything I’d said or done in my life.
I stormed into the gym with my jaw clenched, my attitude as piss poor as it had ever been after sex.
Not just any sex either. The night had been amazing, cathartic in a way few could understand. I’d enjoyed more than just the physicality of spending time with a woman. That annoyed the hell out of me and I wasn’t certain why.
Maybe because she was more of an equal than a subordinate, my specialty. Not that I fucked women from the company. But the passion I’d shared with her had been close enough.
Not that I’d ever worried about rules in the past.
I headed to the locker room, throwing open the metal door with enough force it was driven into the one next to mine.
“You’re in a shitty mood today.” The deep voice held a chuckle, which annoyed me even more.
The trouble with owning a company gym was that I was forced to deal with people I’d prefer having time away from.
Including my best friend.
“Yeah, well, both yesterday and last night weren’t what I thought they would be.
” I shoved my wallet, keys, and sunglasses inside.
When I slammed the door, the sound echoed.
I shot a glance toward Michael while fisting my hand to keep from slamming my palm against the metal.
The frustration also confused the hell out of me.
When I was with a woman, the few hours spent were either at her home or when circumstances required, at a hotel. I always paid for the location, leaving in the middle of the night to ensure there wouldn’t be pointed questions when we were forced to spend time together in the morning.
When can we see each other again?
Are you going to call me?
Wasn’t I good enough?
The few times I’d fallen asleep, waking to find a woman beside me, the questions had turned into accusations, the ugly, biting words left for seconds before I walked out.
You’re a motherfucking asshole and terrible in bed.
“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath and why? Because I’d broken almost every rule in being with her. Worse, if I was forced to look myself in the mirror and admit the truth, I wouldn’t have minded waking up beside her.
“Jesus. Does that mean you took my advice and took Ms. Blair to Caroline Manor?” Michael’s actions were casual, taking his time to change clothes into gym gear.
“Yeah, I did.”
“And? Don’t leave me waiting with bated breath.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think she was impressed.”
“Maybe it was your presentation.”
I turned and leaned against the locker. “I don’t know, but she’s tough. My guess is she’s not going to be cooperative.”
Michael laughed. “She’s not one of your assistants you can order around like she should ask how high when you say jump.”
“I don’t do that.” An image of Vanessa swaying her hips as she provided me with a sultry peep show continued running in my mind. Just thinking about her made me uncomfortable. The shorts were suddenly too tight and too confining.
I’d left her sleeping, typical behavior for me, but I’d been the one to walk away from my own floating home away from home. That wasn’t anything like my usual behavior. Hell, I’d set out fucking muffins and fresh fruit. I scrubbed my jaw, uncertain why I’d gone to the lengths.
“Bullshit. I’ve seen it, Chris. You’re my buddy and all, but you’re a hard ass and not in a good way. You need to remind yourself that you sought out Ms. Blair and not the other way around.”
“Yeah? Well, she needs me. Her bank account is bleeding in red and there wasn’t a single soul in her office when I went there.”
“You were seriously checking up on her.” He grinned as he tugged a shirt over his head.
“That’s what good businessmen do.”
“Uh-huh. Are you certain you’re not interested in her?”
When I snorted, he opened his eyes wider, staring at me in such a way I knew he could easily read right through me. “What? Don’t fucking say it.”
“Hey, I watched her marketing video after you made such a big deal about your meeting. She’s gorgeous. Just your type.”
“I don’t have a goddamn type.”
“Yeah, as long as blood pumps through their veins it’s fine with you.
I obviously didn’t spend as much time on investigating her skills as you did, but from what I could tell, her firm is highly reputable and should be able to provide you with that perfect Barbie doll wife you’ll covet and never want to annul. ”
“Fuck you. Speaking of which, you need to prepare a contract in case this shit works out.”
“I’m shocked you’re agreeing to this fascinating if not ruthless game.”
That’s exactly what this was. Ruthless as fuck. What would happen if Mr. Lopez or anyone else realized it was a scam? I half laughed. “My father nailed down a meeting with Andres Lopez for next Friday. With his wife.”
“Here?” Michael grimaced.
“Here. I was strongly encouraged to have my fiancée by my side.”
“O-kay. This is getting good.” He laughed until I glared at him. “Hey, I need to find some enjoyment out of this. You don’t think that’s possible?”
“Not a chance in hell. Vanessa is going to be a problem, but I’ll figure out a way to handle her.”
He grabbed his tennis shoes, plopping down onto one of three benches in the room.
“I’m sure you will. Let’s see here. You say you’re not at all bothered by the woman except when discussing your meeting, you practically inhaled two drinks and that was before you ran into her in the hallway.
By the way. You never fully explained what happened when you did. ”
“Nothing.” My answer was too clipped and too quick.
As he lifted his head, wearing that same shit-eating grin he always had when he’d caught me in some fucking lie, I turned my head. “Come on. I know you too damn well.”
“Don’t start with me.”
“Okay then. You like the girl and not just because of her sexy marketing video, although I’m certain that grabbed your immediate attention. It would any red-blooded male.”
“Hell, no. She’s a pain in my ass. She grilled me for hours about my likes and dislikes. She even had the nerve to ask boxers or briefs.”
He pretended like he was choking as he stood. “Oh, the horror of her trying to ascertain the perfect wife material for you.”