by K T Grant
“I don’t give a shit what Verner thinks. Along with my resignation, he’ll also be retiring.” Verner would rant and rave. But she had her own special arsenal to get him to do what she wanted. Everything would run smoothly for her and for Konrad when he became the new CEO. She would ensure Verner did not cause any drama or attempt to force Konrad back into his lab.
Konrad’s eyes widened. “I’d love to know how you plan to make Verner go quietly into the night. But maybe it’s for the best I don’t know, so I can plead ignorance.”
“I won’t let him attack you.” She fisted her hands at her sides as a wave of protectiveness for her brother flared.
“I can handle Verner. His taunts and digs haven’t mattered for years. Actually, I should thank him. His bullying helped me become stronger, and I’m certain I can take over this company like you did and not run it into the ground.” He lifted his chin, and his nostrils flared as he exhaled. “I’ll prove to you and everyone else I am my father’s son and can run a multi-million-dollar company and make it better than ever.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “I’ve always been proud of you. If Mama and Papa were alive, they would be also. Reif, too. Watch you end up making Landvik a billion-dollar company.”
He chuckled and rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. “It may just happen after we sign this deal with Segal.”
She lifted his wrist to check his watch. Less than ten minutes until she saw Kennedy again. She released him and studied her silver rings.
“Did I say something wrong?” Konrad asked. “You stare at your hands when
you—”
The loud knock on the outside wall made them both jerk. Verner appeared in the doorway. “Our guest from America is here. Miss Segal is in the waiting area near reception.” He invaded the small space, brushing up against Svana’s back. “Am I interrupting something?”
“Just typical brother-sister bonding.” She looped her arm through Konrad’s and tugged him out of the room. “Let’s go meet Miss Segal.”
Verner rushed past them to open her office door. “Ready to pad our bank accounts more?”
His lips lifted in small smile. She snuck a peek at Konrad who also kept a pleasant expression in place, but his eyes showed a different story. His angry glare aimed at Verner didn’t surprise her. He no longer hid his contempt for Verner like he had in the past.
“Settle down, my adorable puffin man.” At her whispered childhood endearment, Konrad coughed.
As she and Konrad left her office with Verner trailing behind, she lengthened her stride, her heels clicking on the vinyl floor. Ignoring the jitters in her stomach, she turned the corner and out to the main area where Kennedy sat. When Kennedy noticed them, she rose, her jaw dropping upon spotting Svana.
“Hello, Kennedy. It’s wonderful to meet you here.” Svana held out her hand to the stunned woman, who she had seen naked and had kissed and licked all over less than forty-eight hours earlier.
CHAPTER FIVE
On a break from the meeting, Kennedy viewed the framed picture across from her with bemusement. Despite the piss poor mood she’d hidden ever since Svana shook her hand a few hours ago in a fake introduction, she couldn’t help but snicker at the inventive yet somewhat shocking advertisement on the wall. This one would have been banned in America since it showed a smiling pre-teen girl with a Landvik beer. The ad had to be some type of joke, much like her life currently.
Svana Landvik, aka Marella, had played her for a fool.
When the woman who gave her the most erotic night of her life had acted as if they met for the first time, Kennedy had almost swallowed her tongue in shock. Svana’s “nice to meet you here” might be a strange choice of words in the situation, but not to Kennedy. Svana had known they would see each other again. That was why in the note she had written, hopefully see you later. She had planned this from the beginning.
Now, almost four hours later, stuck in a conference room with Svana and her brother and uncle, along with her smart and stylish vice president and legal representatives, she had to act professional and pretend she had just met Svana that morning. The woman didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. She took pride in her deceit, constantly addressing Kennedy by name. She had been close to snapping back a few times and calling Svana, Marella. But because Svana’s middle name was Marella, everyone in the room knew Svana’s past as a pop star, aka Madame M.
She rubbed the sides of her throbbing head, wishing she could go back to her hotel room, take out her contacts, and lie there in the dark for the rest of her time in Iceland. If only it was that easy. Omar was counting on her, trusting her to have everything lined up by the time he arrived tomorrow to seal the deal. God forbid he found out what she and Svana did together the first night she arrived. Disappointment wouldn’t even cover it. She had too much to lose, but Svana didn’t seem to care if Kennedy was upset or might announce at any time how she seduced her. Svana sat next to Vala, her vice president. Their shared smiles and light touches, gave the impression of being more than just work associates.
“I’m not jealous.” She glared at the picture of the little girl with the beer who seemed to taunt her with her happy smile.
“Miss Segal?” Konrad, Svana’s brother spoke.
She straightened and tugged down the hem of her wine-colored ruffle blazer. She’d paired it with her new V-back sheath dress and thought it was hip and stylish. Compared to Svana’s sexy ensemble, however, she felt plain and uninspiring. Even the vice president’s form-fitting number drew Svana’s attention more than Kennedy’s did.
“Has it been fifteen minutes already?” she asked, having left her phone in the conference room.
Konrad gave her a coy smile. “Svana sent me to find you. Lunch will be served soon, and, after we eat, we’ll contact your brother via video conference.”
“She’s concerned for my welfare?” Wincing, she held out her hands in apology. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to be so—”
“Don’t worry.” He shrugged and his smile grew. “I think you made quite the impression on my sister. When you left the room for our break, she almost followed you but then stopped when Vala asked her something.”
I bet Vala wanted to ask her something. Probably scheduling an after-work booty call. “It’s strange Mar…your sister would want to speak to me outside of the group.”
“She doesn’t chase, excuse me, go after anyone. She expects them to come to her.” The lines in his forehead deepened. “She’s very hands-on and enjoys one-on-one meetings. More personable that way. That’s why she and Vala work well together. Perhaps she feels the same with you.” He folded his hands in front of his stomach. “She gets along better with women. You’ve impressed her, as well as me, in the few short hours we have been in each other’s company.”
She tucked a few strands of hair escaping her clip behind her ears instead of bombarding him with questions about his sister that had nothing to do with their future business arrangement. “You think Svana and I can work closely together like she does with Vala?”
“I would like to think so, wouldn’t you? It bodes well for the future of our companies’ relationship. There’s no reason to be nervous about this business endeavor. You’re doing…how does one say? A bang-up job?” He nodded at her in approval.
“Oh! You thought the reason I haven’t returned is because I’m nervous I might screw up?” She rested her palm on her chest over her fast beating heart and relaxed her tense shoulders. What a sweet guy. “Thank you for your concern, it means a lot.” She wished she could explain one of the main reasons she was agitated and anxious. But she didn’t think it would go over well if she revealed how much private time she and Svana had prior to today.
Konrad beamed. He started to say something, but then a ping came from his pants pocket. He took out his cell, and his eyebrows arched high in his forehead as he scanned the touchscreen. “Svana is asking if I found you. I guess it’s her way of saying to come back.”
If she told him to tell his sister she needed a few more minutes, would Svana then come see her instead of sending someone else as a messenger? Perhaps the deceitful Madame M was ashamed after all and didn’t want to take the chance Kennedy would provoke her.
“Shall we get back to it, then?” She clapped, feeling much more confident and assured, ready to confront Svana and show her she could also play the game.
She tucked her arm through Konrad’s. He appeared befuddled by her bold move, as if a woman had never latched onto him in such a way, but when she patted his hand, he escorted her away.
“What’s the story behind the little girl in the parka holding a beer bottle advertisement? Is it some sort of joke?”
Konrad’s face brightened. “It’s one of many ads to show our strange humor.”
She slowed down to almost a snail’s place to hear his explanation, pausing when they reached the conference room. As he finished the tale of the controversial ad, she giggled, even going as far to flick her ponytail behind her as a not so subtle way of flirting. It wasn’t for Konrad’s benefit but for Svana who viewed the exchange through the conference room glass. The thunderous expression on her face was Kennedy’s reward.
***
At five o’clock, as the day’s meeting ended, Kennedy realized she was out of her element and novice at payback. After lunch, Svana had moved to sit next to her, purportedly to be in the frame with her during the video conferencing.
If she was upset over Kennedy’s flirting with Konrad, which she did some more of during lunch, Svana got over it pretty quickly. Konrad had ignored her overtures, telling her about the types of beer and spirits Landvik produced instead. He explained all the particulars in such dry scientific terms she grew drowsy.
She had been silent for the most part once Omar took over the conversation, but it was difficult not to squirm while Svana brushed her arm against Kennedy’s or bumped her foot with hers. She also squeezed her knee under the table when Kennedy attempted to shift away from her.
Now she was hot and bothered, and her headache became a migraine.
She winced as everyone rose from the table, sliding back their chairs and fiddling with their things. She shut her eyes and caressed the bridge of her nose, hoping to relieve the pressure there.
“Are you all right? You’re sweating and pale.” Svana’s voice came from a distance.
She snapped open her eyes and pushed her chair back, away from Svana’s roaming hand.
Verner clapped, and everyone stilled. During the meeting, he’d interrupted Svana repeatedly. The few times Konrad tried to insert information, Verner had rudely waved him off. At least he hadn’t tried the same with her, although he had sent her grins and a few winks. He also had a bad habit of talking to her chest when he spoke to her. He took a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and dabbed his oily face while he tugged on the collar of his shirt with a shaky hand. Maybe she wasn’t the only one suffering?
“Just to remind everyone, we have dinner reservations at Huldufólk at seven.” He gave her a broad smile, his upper lip beaded with sweat. “Miss Segal, I assume you’ll join us? It will be a wonderful way to introduce you to Icelandic cuisine, and celebrate our two companies joining together in a great partnership. I think you’ll be pleased with what Huldufólk has to offer. Their amazing wine and mixed drinks are among the best in all of Reykjavik.”
She tried to smile back, at least politely, but black spots flashed before her eyes. She started to reply but Svana beat her to it.
“Verner, thank you for the announcement. Since we have some free time before dinner, I’ll take Miss Segal on the tour of the brewery. She can sample some of our beverages.”
“Why don’t I show Miss Segal around, since you’re busy?” Verner kept his attention on Kennedy. “I’m the best person for the job since I have a wonderful palate—”
“I’ll do it.” Svana stepped closer to Kennedy and set her hand on her shoulder.
Kennedy jerked out her seat as vertigo set in. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.” She darted down the hall to the women’s room and dropped into a chair in the corner, lowering her face to her lap and taking deep breaths. She needed to take some headache medicine and see if there was a place to lie down for at least an hour. If not, she would have to return to her room and forgo dinner. Not a great business move.
“Omar will just love that.”
As if he heard her, Omar’s ringtone sounded.
“Hello, Omar. I didn’t expect you to check up on me so fast,” she said, in what she hoped was a confident tone.
“I’m not checking up on you. I wanted to tell you I’m so proud of you. You did a great job from what I witnessed.”
Her lightheadedness lessened, and her shoulders released the tension that had been lodged there for hours. She was still overheated, but she’d suffer through it, especially if he was pleased with her performance.
“I think we’ve chosen well with Landvik.”
“This is going to be an extremely smooth process. By the time Fabian and I arrive, the deal will practically be sealed. We’ll have to celebrate tomorrow night. It will be my treat.”
“This entire trip is your treat. I’m joining Miss Landvik and her associates for dinner tonight.” She jabbed her thumb on the side of her head where it still throbbed. “I hope it’s not a late night, though.”
He laughed. “Live a little. Enjoy some drinks and eat something besides chicken for a change. I hear the grilled horse tenderloin and fin whale is incredible.”
Her stomach dipped unpleasantly. “You, Mister Vegetarian, want me to eat some strange meat or fish? I think I’ll stick to something FDA approved.”
He laughed again. “I may surprise you by trying some true Icelandic fare, even if it’s their local meat. Maybe we’ll end up celebrating something else as well? Something concerning you and Fabian.”
Had Fabian told Omar about his proposal? Her pulse pounded hard in her ears, and her fingers tingled. She couldn’t be having a panic attack—
The door opened, and Svana entered.
She licked her dry lips and stared at Svana “Um, Omar, I have to go. Miss Landvik, I mean Svana, has offered to give me a tour of their operations. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, have a great time. Love you.”
She whispered, “I love you back,” even though he had disconnected. Wincing at the shooting pain between her eyes, she turned her attention to Svana. “Ready to take me on the tour?”
Svana knelt next to her and cupped her warm cheek. She froze. Was the woman going to kiss her right here in the ladies’ room?
“What in the world are you doing?”
Svana set the back of her hand on Kennedy’s forehead. “You’re flushed and hot to the touch. And I don’t think it’s because you’re turned on.”
She grunted when Svana then cupped her other cheek, the coolness of her skin seeping into her own. “Even if I was turned on by you, which I’m not, I wouldn’t tell you here of all places. I have a migraine. It happens sometimes when I’m getting my monthly.”
“Monthly?” Svana pursed her lips and then snapped her fingers. “Ah, you mean your tíðir.”
“I’m learning the most interesting words. Good to know I can say ‘menstruation’ in Icelandic.” She leaned into Svana’s touch then lurched back. What the hell was she doing? “Please stop touching me and move away,” she said, swallowing the acid in her throat.
Svana settled back on her heels, concern on her face. “Are you going to be sick? Do you need me to help you to the toilet?”
“No. At least I don’t think so.” She gripped her phone in her lap. “If I didn’t feel so shitty, I would give you a piece of my mind, Marella.”
“Ah that.” Svana tilted her head back to face the ceiling.
“I should slap you for what you did to me.” She gripped her cell tighter. “Why did you do it?” Why did you give me a night of incredible mind-blowing pleasure I’ll probably never expe
rience again?
“You want to slap me for all the orgasms I gave you?” A clever smile appeared to erase Svana’s sheepishness.
“You’re a real piece of work,” A wave of nausea combined with fury exploded inside her.
“You want to know why I used my middle name and didn’t tell you who I was.”
“That would be a start.” She stared past Svana’s shoulder as the woman knelt before her in submission. Quite a switch for the domineering executive. “The only reason I’m not telling you to go to hell and storming out of here is business. If my brother ever found out I fell for your cruel act, he would end you.”
She couldn’t be sure of that. Her brother ruled his company with an iron fist and was very protective of her. But she really couldn’t say how far he would go to avenge someone he loved who had been wronged.
Svana stood. “We wouldn’t want anything like that to happen. I respect your brother and your company and want this deal to go off without a hitch.”
“But you don’t respect me. If you did, you wouldn’t have fucked me,” she snapped, biting her lip to muffle a groan of pain as her migraine arrived with a vengeance.
“Come with me to my office. I’ll give you some medicine for your head, and you’ll lie down on my couch and rest,” Svana ordered.
At this point, she would have signed a deal with the devil to stop her migraine. She rose on trembling legs and squinted, the ache in her head intensifying. She moved to the door, but Svana took her arm.
“You may be angry at me, but let me help you to my office,” Svana said in a kinder voice.
Thankfully, they didn’t pass anyone in the hall other than Svana’s assistant. Svana told her she didn’t want to be bothered for the rest of the day and escorted Kennedy into her office, easing her onto the couch. Kennedy rested her head on her knees.
“Why don’t you lie down? There are some comfortable pillows you can use,” Svana said from a few feet away. Kennedy heard the opening and closing of a drawer.