Chapter 12 #2
“That won’t be good enough. I think Vanessa knows why I’m here and you should relay to her that it’s vital she take the time to see me. In fact, I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Mr. Elliot, I’m going to need to ask you to leave.” Amelia pointed toward the door, her expression stern. She was a tiny thing but tried her best to carry weight with me.
Laughable at best.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then I’ll need to call the police.”
“Don’t bother, Amelia. I’ll talk to Mr. Elliot.” Vanessa’s stern, but lilting voice floated in my direction.
I turned my head, momentarily mesmerized by the crimson dress she’d chosen for the day, the silky material hugging every curve like a glove. I was thrown by how much I craved ripping it off and touching every inch of her luscious body. Sadly, pleasure would need to wait. Business always came first.
That didn’t mean I wouldn’t spend hours, even days ravaging her.
“Are you sure?” Amelia asked.
Vanessa laughed, the sound haughty as she brushed her hair over her shoulder. Her long, gorgeous strands of hair that I longed to run my fingers through. No, that I longed to fist as I’d done before, fucking her long and hard. “Trust me, Amelia. I can handle this man.”
As she backed into her office, I casually walked toward her door after giving Amelia a curt nod. Once inside, I closed the door.
Vanessa was at her office window, staring out at the parking lot. She didn’t bother turning around, but I sensed her tension.
I waited, remaining silent, curious to see how she’d handle this.
“You received my email,” she said at least a full minute later.
“I did.”
The woman didn’t budge, refusing to take a back seat. She was more formidable than I’d originally thought. When I remained silent, she finally sighed.
“I apologize for it being over the weekend.” Her tone was clipped, but did I detect a hint of regret?
“A workaholic like I am. Admirable.”
She finally turned and I noticed for the first time there was a nervous tic in the corner of her mouth. Good. “We need to talk.”
That was my cue. “You’re right. We do. You are going to work with me, Vanessa. And do you want to know why?”
When she started to interject, I moved to her desk, sitting on the corner. The sudden authoritative move seemed to catch her off guard.
“Christian, let me finish.”
“No, you had your say in your email, but I must say I was surprised to receive it since it appeared we had a very good relationship.”
“We didn’t have a relationship.” Now, she bristled.
“Oh, but that’s where you are wrong. We had a very… enjoyable evening together.”
“Which you fucked up by demanding I contact you bright and early on Monday morning. You didn’t bother staying to see me off or dare drive me back to my car. Were you embarrassed you’d allowed your guard to fall?”
I’d learned to use various levels of ammunition in business. With her, as tough as she’d appeared, I’d seen the softer side. She was simply too nice, too forgiving. Was I a bastard for using her genuine care of others against her? Yes. Did I care? No. Business was business.
My laugh annoyed her and yet as I walked closer, she didn’t bristle. Instead, her eyes flashed in defiance and purpose. She had no idea how much I admired her resolve while longing to break every single defense.
When we were only inches apart, she stood even taller.
I happened to notice she was also wearing higher heels.
We almost stood eye to eye. Perhaps she’d anticipated I’d be dropping by for a chat.
“As I told you before, I’m not a man who handles rejection.
Or I should say,” I stopped and allowed my expression to highlight the intense desire we both felt, “I refuse to tolerate them.”
She took her time responding. “I’d ordinarily ask you to leave, or should I say…
” Her pause was purposeful, her smile and attitude rivaling my own.
There was more like a tennis match. I was eager for her next volley.
“That I’d toss you out myself physically if necessary.
However, that won’t be necessary. I spent some time rethinking the possibility I could fulfill your needs. I believe I can.”
Her element of surprise worked, which in turn squashed some of the shocking revelations I’d planned to use in forcing her to change her mind. Time to regroup.
She skirted around me, moving to her desk. Without sitting down, her fingers tickled her keyboard. “I’ve selected several women from those I employ from time to time I think might interest you.”
I turned toward her fully as I heard the printer near her desk.
Saying nothing, I enjoyed the moment of studying her from an entirely different perspective.
She wasn’t only beautiful and intelligent; she was elegant, graceful in a way that came naturally to her.
In those attributes alone, she wielded power, which I had doubts she understood.
However, it was her lineage that made her even more valuable.
And I planned on using everything she could offer me.
She grabbed the few sheets of paper, taking her time walking toward me.
When she placed them in my hand, I purposely allowed the tip of my index finger to brush across her knuckles.
She didn’t recoil or blink. There was almost zero reaction except the slight curl of her upper lip as if thoroughly amused I was bothering her.
“My personal favorite for you is Lisa Tompkins. She’s beautiful, a talented musician as well as an actress. But she’s only been seen in local productions so there should be no concern that someone will peg her as a fake.”
I didn’t bother looking at the paper, instead keeping my gaze locked on Vanessa’s eyes.
“Another is Katherine Willoughby. The name alone should provide you with some sense of royalty since her father is Kevin Willoughby, owner of the Miami Heat. She’s charismatic, a quick learner, and comfortable in posh surroundings.”
Exhaling, I took a step closer, crowding her space. The nervous tic returned. “And?”
She exhaled. “My third choice would be Margaret Jasper. She’s a model, mostly working in Europe so there’s a chance your clients will know her profession, but that also might work to your benefit depending on how you play it.”
“Mmm… So you think of this as nothing but a game.”
“Absolutely,” she answered while folding her arms. The look in her eyes was even more defiant. “A very ruthless game that could backfire on you.”
“Well said, Ms. Blair, and I can’t have anything backfiring on me, as I’m certain you can’t afford either.”
The quizzical note in her eyes was followed by a slow and easy laugh. “Most professionals can’t. At least those who play by the rules.”
“Ah. Rules are so boring.” I’d still yet to look at the pages because I just didn’t care.
“Perhaps for some, but for others, they keep life from turning to chaos. You can take today to make your decision, but all the women on the pages have other jobs pending.”
“Noted. I won’t take much time. And the terms? Are they acceptable?”
She dragged her tongue across her bottom lip and my cock twitched. I could sense she knew exactly what she was doing. “No. My fee is two million dollars.”
I took and held a deep breath while rubbing my thumb and finger across my jaw. “Unacceptable, as are the choices you’ve provided.”
At least part of my answer she hadn’t anticipated and her frustration with me was increasing. I could tell by the single bead of perspiration glistening on her porcelain skin. Funny how I craved to lick it off.
“You haven’t so much as looked over the list,” she countered.
“That’s because I don’t need to.” I closed the distance, tossing the papers on her desk. When she took a step back until she was only inches from the wall, I took another one, planting my palm on the wall and lowering my head.
“Why is that?” Now breathless, her eyes darted back and forth across mine.
“Because I’ve already made my choice and I’m happy to pay a five-million-dollar fee.”
“Who is your choice, Mr. Elliot?” She tipped her head once again in defiance.
Slowly, I folded my finger, brushing my knuckle across her chin. “You are, Ms. Blair. As of this time next week, you’re going to become Ms. Vanessa Elliot. My wife.”