Chapter 10
10
COLE
Six months later.
Connor walks into my office and tosses a glossy file on my desk. I barely look up. I’ve been slammed with work for weeks and I don’t see an end in sight.
“We have a problem.” He doesn’t mince words, just gets right to the root of it.
“I was supposed to speak at that Mergers and Acquisitions conference in Boston that starts tomorrow, but the Sacramento merger just went sideways. I have a flight booked to Cali later today.”
My temper flares. It’s been doing that a lot the past few months, but I try not to dwell on the reason why. I raise my eyes from the screen in front of me and lock them on his. “So, what are you doing in here? Talk to Chris. I don’t have the time for this shit right now. Daniels is almost ready to jump ship. We are his first choice. All I need is a few more days and the shares will be ours. We’ll be majority stakeholders. The company will be as good as ours.”
Con sighs as he drops into the chair across from me, looking just as exhausted as I feel. We’ve all been burning the candle from both ends for months now. Business is booming. None of us are complaining, but we could all really use a break.
“I started with Chris. The conference is four days. I’m the keynote speaker. Chris can be there tomorrow, but he has to fly to London tomorrow night for meetings with the Knight Media people. He’s willing to get things started in Boston, but we need you to pick up and run things after he leaves.”
“ Fuck .” I slam my laptop shut and glare at him.
He glares right back at me. “Yeah. My sentiments exactly.”
I run my fingers through my slightly too long hair. I need a trim, but fuck if I can find the time right now. My eyes move to the folder he dropped on my desk. I slide it over and open it up so I can scan the itinerary. Hendrix Equity has the first slot every morning, which will require about an hour of my time. I can skip out on the rest of the day. I’ll still have time to get this deal done.
“Do you have the presentations done and ready to go?” I ask without looking up.
“Yes, everything you will need is in there. I’ll be emailing PowerPoints for each presentation to their admin people today. They’ll take care of setting everything up. We just need a body to do the presentations.”
Finally, I look up at my brother. His head is leaning back against the chair. His eyes are closed.
“You look like shit. Maybe you need to tack a couple of extra days onto this Cali trip. Get some sun. Have a little fun.”
His eyes slowly open. He sits up and rests his elbows on his knees. “Fuck, that sounds like a really good plan. If only I had the time.”
“Make the time. I’ve got this covered. I can work from Boston. I’ll do the presentations and still have time to close this deal on my downtime. Once you put out the fires in Sacramento, take a few extra days. I’m going to make the same suggestion to Chris. I’ll hold down the fort until you guys are back.”
He slouches back in his chair and raises his chin towards me. “What about you? You’ve been working just as hard as we have the past six months, probably harder. When do you get to take a break?”
“Don’t worry about me.” I grin back at him. “I have ways of dealing with my stress.”
“Oh yeah? Do tell.” A wry grin flashes across his face as he starts moving his fist up and down in front of his groin. “Does it involve the five fingers of your right hand? Because I haven’t seen you in action for quite a while, and you sure as hell haven’t been the best wingman lately.”
“Fuck off,” I growl. I open my laptop and get back to work. This conversation is officially over.
He cackles as he stands and walks out of my office.
Asshole! He’s not wrong. It’s been a while since I’ve seen any action. My grand Get Under Layla’s Skin plan blew up in my face. It’s not like I haven’t seen her over the past six months. I have. Every-fucking-where. That’s part of the reason why I’ve been working so hard. I don’t want to run into her if I can help it. She’s fucking infuriating.
Layla sticks to her plan, whatever the fuck that is on any given day, and I stick to mine. Apparently neither one of us wants to make the first move. We call each other by our last names and stick to business when we are forced to speak. The rest of the time, we simply do our best to ignore each other.
I thought by turning the tables, she would crack, but she hasn’t. She’s still a little liar. I see the way she sneaks looks at me. The chemistry is still there. The electricity crackles between us whenever we are near each other, but she’s so fucking stubborn. And I’m sure as hell not going to make another move on her after the last time. This whole situation is royally fucked.
I haven’t been a monk. I still love women just the way I always have, but it’s different now. All I see when I’m with someone else are dark eyes shooting daggers my way. Silky dark hair that I long to wrap around my fist, miles of golden skin that I want to lick and suck, and a body made for sin that I want to… A frustrated growl rumbles in my throat. Needless to say, Con is right—I’ve been spending a lot of time with my right hand. It’s just easier that way. Layla Bancroft is still under my fucking skin. My situation hasn’t changed, no matter what I do.
I spin my chair around and gaze out the window at the city below as I prop my feet up on the window ledge. Maybe Boston is just what I need. A change of scenery might do me good.
Twenty-four hours later, I’m in Boston. Chris is in California, and Con is on his way to London. Despite my initial reservations about taking on this conference, I’m actually looking forward to it. It’s a bright sunny day, which has to be a good sign, right? Because this is Boston, and more days than not, it’s cloudy if not rainy here.
This is a national conference. No expense has been spared. It’s being held at the swanky Mandarin Oriental, which suits me just fine. Since I’m the keynote speaker I’ve been booked into one of the penthouse suites, which also suits me just fine. The cute brunette behind the desk smiles and blushes as she checks me in. At least it’s nice to know some women still find me attractive. I breeze through check-in and wave off the porter who tries to assist with my luggage. I only have one bag and I can carry it myself.
I’m waiting for the elevator when a hot blonde notices me standing behind her. “Oh, hi. Are you here for the conference?”
“Yes, I am.” I give her one of my signature sexy smiles. “Are you?”
“Yes.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Nina.”
“Cole Hendrix,” I say as I shake her hand.
Confusion mars her pretty face momentarily before she shrieks. “Oh. My. God.” Her grip tightens but I manage to pull my hand free. “As in Hendrix Equity Cole Hendrix?”
“That would be me.” The elevator doors slide open. She is still gawking at me so I try to step around her, but she blocks my way.
“Sorry, I must have looked stunned for a moment there. I could have sworn the presenter’s name this morning was Christopher Hendrix.”
I finally manage to step around her this time and make my way into the elevator. “Chris is my brother. He got called away to deal with other business so I’m filling in. I hope that’s not going to be a problem for you, Nina.” I wink and it has the desired effect.
She flashes me a bright smile. “No problem at all, Cole. I’m looking forward to seeing you in action.”
You wish.
Just as the doors are sliding shut, I catch a glimpse of a perfect ass in a tight red skirt, and silky long dark hair, and my good mood suddenly turns sour. No. It wasn’t her , I tell myself, but the sudden churning in my gut tells me otherwise.
Fuck.
I don’t even notice when Mina or whatever the fuck her name is, exits the elevator. I’m so caught up in my head. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What are the fucking odds? I wonder as the elevator doors slide open on the top floor and I storm down the hall to my suite.
Once I’m inside, I drop my bag and head straight for the bar. They are always in the same place in these suites, so it doesn’t take me long before I have a glass of Scotch in my hand. My throat bobs up and down a couple of times as I down the contents. When I’m done, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and refill the glass.
Stop being such a drama queen, Hendrix. You don’t even know if it was her. If it was, this could work to your advantage. You could reinvoke the Get Under Layla’s Skin plan. She’s here for the conference, so she can’t avoid you anymore.
My mind whirls as I take a much smaller sip from my glass this time and savor the burn. I smile wickedly as a plan starts to take shape. I want her gone, and there’s only way to get Layla Bancroft out of my system. I need to get her under me first.
Setting my drink down, I grab my laptop which is still in the front entry next to my suitcase. It only takes me a moment to locate the conference organizer, someone by the name of Geoffrey Miller.
“Good evening, Mr. Miller. This is Cole Hendrix,” I say smoothly into my cell when he answers.
“Hello, Cole. Please call me Geoff. Thank you for taking over for Christopher on such short notice. We are happy to have you on board. What can I do for you?”
“Not a problem at all, Geoff. I’m happy I could help out. Do you think you would be able to email me a copy of the attendees list for the conference?”
“Ah, sure,” he pauses. “There are five hundred attendees, I hope you weren’t planning on memorizing all of the names.” He chuckles.
I chuckle with him. Nope, there’s only one I’m interested in and it’s already stuck in my head.
“I have a good memory, Geoff, but it’s not quite that good. I’ve been in this business a while, know a lot of people. When I’m at these types of functions, I like to make a point of getting around to at least say hello to all the people I do know, on top of meeting as many new faces as possible. It’s good business practice. The list will ensure I don’t miss anyone.”
Too bad I won’t have time for that this time. There’s only one person I’m going to be focusing on.
“Of course, Cole. I completely understand. I guess there’s a reason why Hendrix Equity is one of the top firms in the country. The list should appear in your inbox in a few minutes. Let me know if you need anything else. If not, I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow before the conference starts.”
“Thanks, Geoff.” I disconnect and toss my phone aside. I can’t wipe the smile from my face.
Let it be her.
I pull out my laptop, and by the time I’m logged in and have my email open, the email is already waiting for me. I love efficiency, and Geoff has not disappointed. I click on it and then open the attachment. It only takes a second or two to scroll through the names until my eyes land on Bancroft, Layla . An electric current runs up my spine and I think my heart actually fucking stops for a moment before a rush of erotic excitement courses through me.
“Fuck yeah.” I fist-pump the air. I haven’t felt this charged up in months. Game on, Ms. Bancroft. This is going to be so much fun.
I have to be smart about how I go about this. Right now, I have the upper hand. She doesn’t know I’m here yet. She still thinks Chris is running the show. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when I step up to that podium tomorrow morning. I just have to keep a low profile until then.
I’m up bright and early. I texted Geoff with some bullshit message that I am too busy to meet for breakfast. It’s not a total lie, I’ve already put in three hours of work. It’s eight forty-five a.m., I’m ready for battle. Dressed in a five-thousand-dollar navy Tom Ford suit. Fitted shirt. A pocket full of attitude and a sinfully wicked smile. I check myself in the mirror and see a hunter’s eyes. There’s only one prey that will satisfy me today. She’s been evading me for months, but it’s time I put a stop to that so I can get on with the rest of my fucking life.
Fifteen minutes later—after a little back and forth with Geoff who wanted to introduce me—I walk onto the stage and step up to the podium. I want to see her face when I announce who I am. I just have to find her first.
Everyone claps and cheers. I hold up my hands and smile broadly. They still think I’m Chris. I wait for the cheering to die down. My eyes roam over the crowd. I haven’t spotted her yet. Once I have everyone’s attention, I smile broadly again. “Good morning,” I say. My voice echoes around the room. I have a small microphone attached to my collar so I can move freely on the stage. I take advantage of it and start moving so I can get a better look at the crowd.
“Before we get started, I should probably introduce myself.” A few of the people I can see look puzzled. “I’ve been told my brothers and I can pass for triplets, so for those of you who may not have noticed the subtle differences, I’m Cole Hendrix, CEO of Hendrix Equity and older brother to Connor and Christopher.” Some people clap, some whistle but most stay silent, waiting to hear what I have to say.
“I know you were expecting Connor yesterday and then Christopher showed up in his place. You were expecting Christopher this morning, and now you’re stuck with me instead. However, I can assure you, I am the smartest and best looking of the three of us, so I promise you won’t be disappointed.” I smile and wink as I walk along the edge of the stage. People laugh and clap. I wait for them to settle down.
“In all seriousness. Our business is booming. I’m not complaining, but we’ve had to juggle our schedules in order to meet our commitments. One of those commitments was this conference. I promise you all, no matter which one of us is up here, you will still get the same level of commitment and expertise from us. If you came to see Connor, who was originally scheduled to be here all week, I apologize for his absence. We are out of brothers, so I promise I’ll be here for the rest of the week, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all.” I clap my hands. “Shall we get started?”
A deafening roar goes up as people clap. It gives me a moment to scan the crowd again. I don’t see her.
“Mergers and acquisitions…” A dark head rises near the back, our eyes meet, and I forget what I was about to say as I stare at her.
Fuck. It’s her.
I quickly recover. Clearing my throat, I begin again. “Mergers and acquisitions. Amalgamations, consolidations, asset deals, conglomerates, hostile takeovers. Regardless of the area you focus on, it’s an exciting world.” I keep talking, but my eyes remain focused on the dark-haired woman who has miraculously held my attention for more than six months.
She bends down and says something to the man next to her. Then she begins to shuffle past the people in her row.
“Am I really that boring? Or maybe you were one of those people I was talking about who was only here to see my brother,” I say from center stage. People crane their heads and twist in their seats to see who I am talking to.
Layla’s eyes meet mine. At first, she looks horrified that I singled her out, but that is quickly replaced with a roaring fire sparking behind her dark eyes.
“I’m just getting started. Why don’t you give me a chance, see if you like what I have to say,” I bait her.
She smiles sweetly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, which are shooting daggers my way. Then, with deliberation, she walks toward the door. As she disappears through the doors at the back of the room, I focus back on the crowd and shrug. “You can’t please everyone. As I was saying...” At least I now have her attention. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.