Thirteen
Page 12
“I agree with Ian,” Kody said. “We were talking about that. We’re already the largest, but we can’t allow any of our competitors to pick up Regent’s market share.”
Evie took her phone from her pocket and settled against the back of the couch to start typing into it. Was she even listening? Did she care?
“We can put together a solid plan fast,” Ian said. “I think we might be able to undercut the others. We have the personnel to make this a speedy takeover.”
Confidence suggested optimism, but they had to be sensible not hasty. “Have you looked at Regent’s books?” Oak asked, relaxing to rest his arms along the back of the couch. “Do we know why they’re selling?”
“Personal reasons,” Kody said.
Oak didn’t like that and sneered. “That’s a huge red flag.”
“Charley’s mother has been sick,” Ian said. “We think they want to spend time with her before… you know.”
Ok. If it was genuine personal reasons that was ok, but he’d want to verify that before he jumped to any conclusions or subscribed to gossip. Taylor wasn’t saying anything, she was looking at Evie, who was still buried in her phone.
Bending his elbow, he rubbed the pad of his thumb against Evie’s crown. “What do you think, Thirteen?”
Evie glanced at him, then over at Ian and Kody before returning to her phone. “Oh, me? I think it’s an awful idea.”
She said that like she was making passing comment on current events and not on a significant business decision that could alter the makeup of his company. “Mind filling us in on why?”
Again, she looked at everyone before moving her focus to her phone. “I’d rather not.”
“Why?” he asked.
Shifting forward, she sat upright. “I can leave if you don’t want me in the meeting.”
“I want you in the meeting,” he said. “I want your opinion.”
But her tight smile made him nervous. “Then it will cost you extra.”
Rolling his eyes, he sighed. “Fine, bill me, now tell me what you think.”
“Taylor knows what I think,” Evie said, slouching into the back of the couch again, angled slightly more toward him. “She’ll tell you for free.”
“I think it’s a bad idea too,” Taylor said.
“Shit,” Kody said, flopping back and folding his arms.
“Now, now, Kody, dear, don’t have a fit,” Evie said. “Oakley will listen to everyone’s opinions and decide on what he thinks is best for the company.”
“He listens to Taylor,” Kody said. “And he likes your tits.”
Thrusting them forward, Evie presented them for everyone. “Thank you… I don’t think you’re averse to them either.”
She shimmied a bit and Oak felt another pang of jealousy. “Ok,” he said, pulling her back into her seat. “Why is it a bad idea?”
“Because Regent doesn’t fit with the MatchMate brand, though it’s not different enough to be classified as a diversification. If you expand your brand too far you’ll make it unwieldy and you’ll lose your appeal, which is the personal and safe approach. Regent has had twelve reported cases of assaults on agency arranged dates in the last two years.”
“We can quash that,” Ian said. “We’ll review their members and educate them on the MatchMate ideology.”
“Perhaps,” she said and lifted a shoulder. “But their regressive approach has left them in the Stone Age while other brands try to be forward thinking. They’re bogged down in bureaucracy, they’re not dynamic or adaptable. They’re slow and stretched thin. Their personnel are inexperienced because they’ve suffered a cash flow issue over the last few years and can’t afford to pay decent salaries. They have a vast number of under-utilized assets, but little cash on hand. They believed that recruiting a higher number of members and marketing themselves as the low-cost, high-class option would lead to increased gross profit, which it briefly did. But they had an IRS problem and have back taxes owing which severely impacts their bottom line. And, they spend a huge amount of money on ineffective marketing that does not provide a decent, or even acceptable, return on investment and attracts all the wrong kind of members.”
“No one who is actually high-class is interested in low-cost,” Taylor said.
Evie continued, “Their campaigns have drained what little equity they have, plunging them into the red while their high business rates owed in their city center locations and contractual obligations to vendors leaves them with a negative reputation in the business community as they continue to build up arrears with most of their creditors.” She scanned everyone and shrugged. “In my opinion.”
“You can’t just—”
She cut Kody off by elevating her finger. “But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I would support you buying them, as is, if they dealt with lay-offs prior to finalizing the deal.”
“Who would they lay off?” Ian asked.
Inhaling, she bobbed her head in a nod. “Absolutely everyone,” she said. “Their only appeal is their fixed assets. If you could negotiate settlement figures with every creditor prior to sale of all fixed assets you might, might make a profit… but it would be marginal. The effort would be for sport rather than smart business. You have a relationship with the CEOs, talk to them, help them out with advice and personnel support… don’t bail them out or you’ll find yourself going down with someone else’s ship.”
Sitting back, she typed into her phone again. “How do you even know all of this?” Kody asked.
While still typing into her phone, she pushed her shoulders back to accentuate her breasts. “Have you met Thelma and Louise?” she muttered, still typing. “They have fun getting what they want or they’ll die trying… I did research, Kody. When I heard Regent wanted to get out of the game, I talked to people to find out why.”
God, he wanted to kiss her. It didn’t even matter whether they bought Regent or not. It was her confidence that got him; that woman, that one right there, was his.
“I think we need to look at their books,” Ian said. “To assess what their current position is. We can’t make any assumptions.”
“Agreed,” Oak said. The guys actually looked surprised. Evie didn’t flinch, and Taylor settled back wearing a grin as she crossed her legs. “We’re going to go around the room and we’re going to hash this out. I want to hear everything. Every voice. Every idea. Every opinion. Ian, go…”
Sitting back, he focused on his friend and listened to every word he had to say. It might take some time, but Oak would give everyone the respect of a chance to talk.
thirteen
Evie had heard every word that everyone had said. So had Oakley. He was still listening even though almost everyone was on their feet. Taylor was talking to Lana about taking her to the convention center to show her around, but they were looking through the welcome pack right now. Ian was going to make some calls and get some figures. Kody was busy on his laptop doing his own research.
Oakley was writing an email on his phone.
Evie touched his arm. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?” she asked, without hiding her request from anyone, though they were all too busy to care.
“Sure,” Oak said and kept typing as he walked around the couch toward the bedroom.
He went inside, and she followed, closing the door behind them. Grabbing his phone, she threw it onto the bed and then pushed him against the wall, right next to the door. “Ev—”
Putting her finger to his lips, she winked and dropped to her knees. Opening his pants, she didn’t even wait until the blood filled his cock before she took him into her mouth. Something about listening to him talk just did it for her.
Sitting beside him, so near to the man who’d said he had pledged himself to her, without being allowed to touch him, was enough of a tease. But listening to his patience. The way he’d questioned everyone like he was really listening, like he really cared… Oh, God, it got her hot.
“Shit,” he hissed.
This was Oak who was scooping her hair from her jaw to hold it on the top of her head. He was hot and hard, throbbing against her tongue, treating her with the great girth that made it difficult for her to keep breathing even through her increased suck and extract motion.
“Oh,” she said in a whisper.
Pushing her circled lips to the tip of his dick, she opened her eyes wide and lifted them to his.
Yes, she wanted that. Evie wanted him to look at her like that with those dazed eyes that fixated on her.
Opening wide, she pushed him as deep as he’d go and shook her head to take him even deeper; he swore again. She had to do this fast because she didn’t want them to be interrupted, but damn, she wanted to take her time tormenting her man…
Her man? Was that what he was?
Pushing him into her cheek, Evie rubbed her thumb over his head from outside and smiled at him before taking him from her mouth and running his head from her chin down her throat to her cleavage and back up before sucking him again.
Concentrating on going as fast as she could, Evie sucked, listening to him hiss and curse just before he spilled himself on her tongue.
The intense wash of satisfaction and power that surged through her made her proud of herself and proud of him.
Climbing to her feet, she tucked him away back into his pants. “Anything,” he murmured, his body draped against the wall. “After that, you can have any damn thing you want. No Regent. Make all the decisions, I can’t even care right now, that was so… Fuck, Sweet… I can’t even remember words.”
He tried to cup her face, but she ducked away from his hand, pushing it to his side then stepping in near again. “You want to know what I want for doing that?” He nodded, his head so loose, she knew he was still overcome. On her tiptoes, Evie got as close to his mouth as she could before she whispered, “Absolutely nothing.” She smiled and patted his chest as she dropped to her heels. “Take a minute before you join us, Oh.”
Leaving him there against the wall, she went back to the living room and took her place at the table. She still had some time before she was due at the speed-dating event that she was really looking forward to, and so while her man recovered, she’d do some work.
This wasn’t as fun as she’d thought it was going to be.
Evie actually found herself kind of paranoid and uncomfortable, but she tried not to let it show. This was a good exercise and some of the men were interesting, sort of.
The bell went, and she didn’t even offer guy number nineteen a smile. Turning her phone over as she picked it up from the tabletop, Evie began to make notes. She’d make this her last date. It had been her intention to stay for three hours, but two was proving to be as much as she could handle.
Dinner was in a couple of hours, she could go upstairs and take a shower before having a look at whatever Breen had sent to her.
“Get a lot of numbers today?”
Keeping her chin down, she forced herself to conceal her smile and to erase it before she looked up at the man seated opposite her. “Don’t you look proud of yourself, sir.”
Oak shrugged. “Paid your date ten grand to step aside.”
Her pulse kicked. “You did not.”
Though she’d prefer he’d done that than he’d been on nine dates before seating himself at her table.
“I did,” he said, leaning back in his chair. He slid his ass to the front edge of his seat and drummed his hands on the table in a brief rhythm and he nodded at her phone. “What is it you’re writing down in there after every date?”
“Oh, you know,” she said, putting her phone face down on the table again and folding her hands over it. “Estimated cock size, predicted fetishes, clues about income, upbringing, insecurities, anything that might make it easier for me to seduce my date.” His brow rose like he didn’t really know whether or not to believe her. Picking up her phone again, she unlocked it and turned it to him. “See for yourself.”
He only hesitated for a second before he took it and leaned forward to rest on a forearm. “Underestimated my dependence on MatchMate protocol,” he read, his tone went from fed-up to surprised. His eyes flicked to hers, concern written all over them, but she smiled and nodded at the device again. “Can’t relax. Don’t feel safe. Too noisy. Not enough security presence… Wish Oak was here…” He sighed and put the phone down. “Baby…”
He tried to reach for her, but she picked her hands off the table in surrender. “Ah, you’re not allowed to touch,” she said and grinned. “It’s ok. Not a big deal. It’s something I started a long time ago. Noel encourages me to record my thoughts and feelings. I take notes about me. About how dates make me feel about myself. What did I like? What didn’t I like? It’s all about identifying my weaknesses and triggers, so I can concentrate my efforts on improving.”
“If you feel unsafe, what are you doing here? You could’ve got up and walked away.”
“No,” she said, trying to make him understand. “I went through a phase where everything made me uncomfortable… Pushing through, making myself do difficult things is what’s helped me to get to where I am. This is my second hour. I knew I hated it as soon as the first guy sat down, but I stayed, I did it.” Pride made her smile and correct her posture. “Now I have positive emotions about my day because I’m proud of myself. I’m confident. If I’d scurried away and hidden in my room, I’d have been so angry at myself. I’d have felt like shit. Like a failure… and I hate failure.”
“But, Sweet, if you wanted me here, you should’ve texted me or called.”
“I knew you’d come,” she said, letting her foot slide up his leg. “You can’t stay away from me, Oh.”
Watching his concern melt to an infatuated smile, she kept her demeanor cocky, but really wanted to sigh and return that look. Oak had been on her mind all day, he seemed to be on her mind a lot and when she lost herself in him she felt better about herself and her life.
“Doing my bit to ensure fidelity,” he said. She tipped her head, hoping this was part of the flirt and not an accusation. “You’re a valued MatchMate member; I wouldn’t want you to be poached by another agency.”
Opening her mouth in a silent, “Ah,” she hooked her chin on the heel of her hand and rested her elbow on the table. “You might think about reducing my membership fee then. You know, MatchMate offers no incentive for loyal members. New members get all the great deals. Us old hags who are left on the shelf get gouged.”
He didn’t actually laugh, but he was close. “Old hags. Yes, Miss Dewar, unfortunately that is your official classification on your sealed membership records.”
Sticking out her bottom lip, she feigned sorrow. “Oh, no,” she whimpered. “What will become of me, Mr. Orion, if not even the best agency in the world can find a match for a lost cause like me?”
Bowing even closer, Oak took some time to admire her cleavage before he spoke. “Well, Miss Dewar, I maybe shouldn’t tell you this, but there is a very exclusive position available to you.”
Glancing away, she brought her ass off the chair when she looked back at him. “Mr. Orion, this position… it wouldn’t happen to be on your cock, would it?”
It amazed her how serious he stayed. “Yes, Miss Dewar, an exclusive opportunity offered only to you.”
Pretending to consider it, she sank into her chair again and folded her arms. “Does it come with other member benefits? Like reduced rates or preferred parking?”
With a slow nod, he remained studious. “Those options could be considered as part of the package. Though your fidelity to MatchMate would have to be assured.”
“I don’t do commitment,” she heard herself saying.
But the words jarred. Did she…? Did she want to do commitment with this man?
“Come up to my suite and we’ll see if we can n
egotiate you into a position more comfortable for you.”
“Oh, I’m perfectly comfortable on your cock, Mr. Orion,” she said, enjoying the smolder that built in his gaze. “Unfortunately, current restrictions forbid me from making carnal appointments.”
“Current restrictions?”
Lifting her hands to their environment, she reminded him where they were. “We’re on a speed-date. We’re not allowed to make dates outside the scope of this event… You should feel free to take note of my number and add it to your comment card.”
Pushing her breast toward him, she let him look. If he’d paid off her date, Oak had no comment card; he wasn’t supposed to be here. It didn’t matter anyway, he knew she didn’t stick around to fill in her own card because there was never anyone she wanted to see again… until him.
The buzzer sounded, indicating the end of the date and that was it, the end of her hour. Rising, she picked up her purse from the floor and dropped her phone inside. Oak stood after she did.
“You need to change that shirt,” she said, sidestepping from her chair and prodding his chest with a single finger.
His chin fell to check out his apparel. “What’s wrong with my shirt?”
Edging sideways around the table, Evie didn’t slow as she murmured and let her eyes drift up to his as she squeezed past him. “Ding. Ding.”
She couldn’t make plans to meet him during their date, but technically, the date was over. To change his shirt, he’d have to go to his room, and she’d just rung the bell, so it was on.
fourteen
Spending the rest of the day in bed with Oak was a great plan, until it came to concentrating through dinner.
In these close quarters, Evie was sure she could smell herself on him, even though she knew they’d both taken showers. But Evie wasn’t so worried about anyone suspecting what they’d done, she was more worried about herself and how enamored she was becoming with the man sitting opposite her.