Bossy Billionaire

by Deborah Garland

  “You got it, baby.” She mewed at him and hung up.

  He shook his head and trudged back to the bar hoping his book was still there. He needed more of Gray’s scotch and his brother’s get-blasted method to fall asleep. Fast.

  Tomorrow Luke was launching his retaliation strike in what was now the war of the century.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Luke

  “I’ve decided I want oral.” Luke stood over Lexi’s desk while she typed away on her computer. She wanted a war, she was getting one.

  He stared up and down the back of her red satin blouse with buttons dotting her spine. Damn, why did he like that? The challenge of taking it off her, perhaps. He’d rip the fucker off and buy her a new blouse.

  Lexi turned around slowly and glanced over at Jessie’s cubicle before meeting his eyes. Tristan and his assistant were in the conference room with Laney. “What changed your mind?” She sat back and crossed her legs, pausing for a second to torture him.

  Damn, that black skirt was short. Her smooth legs stretched down to a pair of very high heels.

  “I enjoy torturing you.” He leaned against the edge of her desk. “But I know my endgame.”

  “So do I,” she said on a lusty breath and gathered a folder against her chest. “I spent several hours yesterday typing up my notes.”

  “You’re getting paid. Who cares?” He crossed his arms, bearing down on her to make her as crazy as she made him.

  “I’m not sure how long you’ll stay a billionaire if you throw away your money,” she sneered, not looking at him.

  “Watch me,” he blurted. He had a week of making it rain ahead of him.

  Lexi’s chocolate brown eyes shot to him and her jaw twitched. Before she came up with a retort, he turned and marched to his office. Given his long legs, she jogged to keep up.

  Holding the office door, he stopped to think what would he have done if he were meeting with Carly or Lucy. Jeez, he couldn’t remember. He kept it open, reserving the right to get up and slam it closed in case Lexi pissed him off by making him want her.

  “What were you reading last night?” she asked, throwing him off.

  “A book.” He hated how riled up he got from one damn simple question.

  She tilted her head. “I saw that. Which book?”

  “Why?” Why had he dragged her into his office where the smell of her floral perfume hit him square in the chest, instead of being an errant breeze lingering in the corridors outside?

  She shrugged. “I like to read. I’m always looking for a new book.”

  “I’ll drop it off when I’m done.” He took a seat at the round meeting table near the door.

  “I’ll hold my breath.” She sat down without looking at him and opened up her laptop.

  With her hair up, he saw hints of shiny bronze at the nape of her neck disappearing into the bright pink. She’s really a brunette. He should have guessed by her warm brown eyebrows, but down below, well, she was smooth as a polished hardwood floor.

  “You put your notes on the computer?” he said to stop thinking of her sweet pink pussy.

  Oh hey, it does match!

  “I’m a very copious notetaker. I don’t want to add to the deforestation of the planet.”

  He laughed to hide the frustration building in his throat. “All right. What do you have for me?”

  She raised her eyes to him, except, she kept her lips tightly pressed. Was that...purple lipstick? Sitting back, she said, “How far did you get with this?”

  “Not very far. I’ve been busy catching up with Tristan,” he admitted.

  “The main agreement was all boilerplate language.” Her fingers made circles on the touch pad, showing off newly painted red nails. Shiny and tempting. His chest grumbled, not liking that. He wanted her just the way he found her. Simple. A quiet beauty. “I read through the whole thing,” she prattled on while staring at the laptop screen. “While I don’t have real-world experience, nothing looked crazy. The meat was in the exhibits. That’s what you need to worry about.”

  He leaned forward, snapping out of his filthy possessive thoughts. “Worry?”

  “You may have taken a very nonchalant attitude toward this thinking you were in a position of power. But they probably won’t sign you as a partner unless you comply with their amenities standards.” Any hint of frustration, or flirting had vanished from her voice. This was...lawyer Lexi.

  Damn, he liked her more.

  He relaxed and let the flow of a normal conversation unfold between them. “I thought the whole concept of their business was offering guests a unique experience.”

  “Amenities are standard, though. Gyms. Spas. Pools. Wi-Fi. Celebrity dining.”

  “We don’t have a pool and what the heck is celebrity dining?” He suddenly felt out of his depth.

  “When a celebrity chef puts his or her name on your restaurant,” she answered, finally looking at him.

  “We don’t have a restaurant.” He worried if that would be a deal breaker.

  “If you push Chevalier to remove those requirements, my instincts tell me they’ll pull the offer.” She gripped her pen and sat back.

  “Instincts?” God, it was impossible to sit there and not think of taking her on the damn table.

  “My gut,” she said and narrowed her eyes. “In Schedule C, they give you twelve months to be up to the standard. I suggest we ask for eighteen months.”

  Damn, she was good. Nodding, he said, “Ask for twenty-four.”

  “I don’t think they’ll double their timeframe.”

  “No, but if you ask for eighteen, they’ll give you fifteen. It’s about negotiating.” Sharing strategy with her exhilarated him. A flash into the future and he saw the two of them eating take out Chinese in his chef’s kitchen going over briefs while lowering his.

  Had to fuck up the nice normal thought, didn’t you?

  “Good point.” She typed into her laptop. “I’ll mark that in the schedule.”

  “Anything else?” He tugged at his tie, heat crawling up his neck.

  “I found a checklist Tristan had made. I updated it and put it on the shared drive so you can see the progress.” She took out a piece of paper. “In his notes, he listed three hotels he and Laney were planning on visiting.”

  He remembered his brother had mentioned a fact-finding trip. “Which hotels?”

  “Salem House in L.A. Dama Diablo in Austin.” She scanned her notes. “But I say, we skip those and head straight for The Dynasty in Chicago.” She pushed a glossy brochure at him.

  “Is this a joke?” His heart took a jolt seeing how the outside of The Dynasty looked identical to his own hotel.

  “I did some research and the same architect designed both The Sterling and The Dynasty. And with further digging, I found out they did a big renovation as well to become a partner. Their owner can give us a wealth of information. If you agree, I’ll set it all up including a meeting with their management team.”

  “Agreed.” He was really enjoying this meeting. The excitement that had infected Tristan about this place over the holidays had found its way to him.

  “And Tristan had said I was supposed to go with you.” She blinked at him, her dark eyeliner more pronounced.

  “No. I can handle it. Myself.” Now, he pinched his slacks to loosen the tightness in the groin area.

  “There’s an extensive checklist for each amenity space. Something tells me you’re not into details. Maybe when you were a lawyer.”

  “I’m still a lawyer,” he growled. “And do you think I don’t know how to check out a gym?”

  “Oh, I know how you check out a gym,” she said, making notes.

  He rolled his eyes, expecting the snarky comeback. This meeting had been going so well. It proved beyond the uncontrollable lust that made them mindless fools, they worked well together. Cruel fucking irony.

  “You walking around with a notebook will draw too much attention.” She waved her hand like she’d decided and did
n’t want to hear anything further.

  Oh yeah? “No. You’re not going with me. I won’t be alone with you like that.” I don’t trust myself.

  She ripped The Dynasty brochure from his grasp so swiftly, he barely saw her move. “Visiting the hotels was not my idea. I’m your assistant on this. I have to work out the terms of this deal. I don’t want to be alone with you, either. But I want to get my job done.” She stood and began swiping things off the meeting table.

  “Okay, lower your voice, please.” He tried to grab her flailing arms. He loved her passion and fire, but not if it dimed them out to Tristan.

  “Do you think I enjoyed what happened?” she said between clenched teeth. “Being brought to my knees and left feeling that I threw myself at you. Only to get rejected by you this time?” She sniffed. “Do you think this is fun for me?”

  Shit, he never imagined they shared the same mental torture. No one had desired him like this. For just him, even the asshole version. Chased, sure. For his money and his power.

  Lexi pursued him for no other reason than she...liked him. He’d met her as just Luke. And she was just a law student he wanted to what? Boss around? Use as his little plaything? He shook that thought away. He wanted to mentor her. Be a source of strength for her.

  Man up, dude. Tristan had passed this off to him and Lexi, perhaps as some screwed-up test. Damn, he wanted to pass. Stop being the disappointment he saw in his perfect brother’s eyes.

  He wanted a re-set with Lexi and fast; he was ready to ask her to go to lunch like she’d suggested that first day, when the blonde bombshell swayed into the office in a fur coat. How the hell Candy got into the suite made him question the hotel’s security procedures.

  “Candy,” he said and shot to his feet.

  Lexi’s jaw hung open, comically. He one-upped her in a way she never could have expected. Except, he didn’t enjoy seeing her so traumatized.

  “Luke, baby. It’s so good to see you.” Candy lifted her skinny arms to lock him into a kiss.

  His body jerked violently at the slightest touch. Not her.

  “Hey now. This is my office.” He brought her hands down and refrained from shucking them away. “This is my assistant, Alexis.”

  “Oh, you’re my little pen pal from yesterday.” She snagged him by the waist. Was she always so handsy?

  He faked a smile until he looked at Alexis who had turned white gathering the rest of her things. Oh crap, what had he done?

  She smoothed her short black skirt, and in a shaky voice said, “Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you.”

  “Sure.” Candy gave Lexi one of her typical flimsy handshakes. She hung all over men and scorned other women. Especially pretty ones. Like Lexi. Candy spun back toward him and next she pressed her entire chest against his. “Where are we going for lunch? Upstairs?” She winked.

  Lexi gasped and made other strange noises. He watched her wobbly ankles carry her out of the office without even saying goodbye.

  God, he felt like a complete asshole.

  Revenge didn’t feel as good as he’d hoped. Because he cared about Lexi and didn’t enjoy seeing her hurt. She didn’t want him with someone else.

  That really sucked for her because thanks to her sly game, Luke had four dates next week.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Lexi

  The next ten days slogged by. With every passing sunset, Lexi dug more into the contract. And Luke kept his distance. By the time Friday came around, Lexi was in near hysterics having survived three excruciating nights knowing Luke had been out with other women.

  Candy.

  Lulu.

  Simi.

  Victoria, who got the prime Friday night VIP party slot, was now on deck.

  “Dumbass,” Lexi mumbled to herself, sitting at her desk Friday afternoon.

  “I wonder who you’re talking about?” Gray leaned against her desk.

  “Wonder, indeed. I hear you’re going to be doing some PR for the hotel.” She’d read Tristan’s email earlier.

  “Tristan’s hooking me up with the outside PR consultant.” He let his eyes linger on his brothers’ offices. The adoration there was palpable.

  She hoped they gave him a chance. “Jessie, is Gray in the system yet?”

  “I set him up yesterday after talking to Tristan,” she said, flipping through floor plans.

  “Can you, um, link mine and Gray’s calendars. I’m sorry I don’t know how to do that.”

  “Done,” she said after two freaking seconds.

  “Is it that easy?”

  “I’ve just been doing it so long,” she said over her shoulder with a simple smile. “Don’t worry. I’m not giving away all my secrets.” Smart girl. Job security.

  “I embrace that philosophy,” Tristan said, striding up to the cubicles. Clapping a hand on his brother’s shoulder, he asked, “Did you set up your office yet?”

  “No.” Gray drawled out and she swore he was ready to say, It’s not even noon.

  “Why don’t you go do that?” Tristan gave Gray a look that said, Stop flirting with the assistants.

  “I can give Gray a hand,” Lexi offered them both a go-getter cheery smile, wanting a little security of her own. Make her indispensable to one brother at least.

  “That would be great,” Tristan said, smiling back.

  Gray sauntered down the hall walking shoulder to shoulder with Tristan. Just like their penthouses high in the sky. The handsome Hart brothers lined up. Minus one-brother, nursing a hangover from another late night. With...Simi.

  Kill me now.

  She hated how her plan had backfired. She was an amateur at sabotage.

  If she wanted to be a shark lawyer, she needed to step up her game. Big time. She went into the shared calendar and yup, there was Gray. “Is Gray’s mobile calendar synched with this?” she asked Jessie.

  “We did a sync, yes,” she answered.

  Poor guy. He had absolutely nothing planned. No auditions. No work. No meetings. She sat down and typed into his schedule for later that day.

  5:30 PM: Friday night happy hour drinks with Lexi.

  Do you want this to show on the following shared calendars?

  A pop up asked.

  L. Hart

  T. Hart

  L. Hathaway

  J. Ramirez

  A. Markham

  She X’d out everyone but L. Hart.

  He he, is it five o’clock yet?

  Lexi got to the bar first, ordered a glass of the same sauvignon blanc Luke had bought for her that night, and took out her phone. The humming of voices all around her, giggles, clinking of glasses made her feel empty.

  Until a husky voice with sweet smelling breath tickled her ear. “Is this seat taken?” Gray’s sports jacket over jeans reminded her of her professors.

  An image of Luke teaching one of her classes made her breath go still and a fire heat up in her belly. Although she’d have to crawl over every other woman in the class to get at him.

  “I just wanted you to have something in your calendar to look forward to.” She sat with her legs crossed, feeling sexy in her new wrap dress. “This isn’t a date.”

  “Don’t worry, I got an earful from Tristan about not hitting on any of the employees.” He moved the tall metal chair at the high-top out of the way and leaned on the table while standing.

  “How was your first day?” she asked, wondering if it would be inappropriate to offer a shoulder rub to ease his visible tension.

  “I had a conference call with the PR company. They’re coming in next week.” He set down a short glass of what smelled like whiskey.

  “Can I be part of that meeting?” She fiddled with her wine.

  He gave her a tilted smile. “Is this entrapment?”

  She stopped her sip. “No. I’ll put my cards on the table, though.”

  “Please do.” He motioned his hands like he was a Black-Jack dealer.

  “My mom owns a resort at the Jersey Shore. It’s not doing well. Sh
e’s trying so hard. If you think this place needs work, you should see her train wreck. I can use the hotel experience to help her.”

  “That’s sounds cool,” he said, nodding.

  “If she keeps spiraling downward, I’ll have to...” She stopped and sipped her wine.

  “Have to what?” His voice got deep, sensing her mood change.

  “I might have to work full time down at the shore. Help her out.”

  “Does Luke know this?”

  “Does he know what?” She scrunched her nose at him.

  “That after you graduate you might not be working in the city.”

  She shrugged. “I’m not sure he cares, Gray.”

  “I think you’re very wrong,” Gray said with a low throaty chuckle.

  “What makes you say that?” The last thing she needed was any false hope.

  “The way he’s looking at us right now. He’s barreling this way.” Gray straightened his back, no longer leaning on the table.

  Dressed in an onyx black tux, Luke was breathtaking. She did this and she had no one to blame, but herself. “Can I talk to you?” Luke asked her then gave Gray a tense once-over.

  “I’m not working right now. I’m having a drink with a friend.” She breathed him in. Fucker smelled amazing, too.

  “Excuse us, Grayson.” Luke took her by the arm and practically dragged her away.

  “Aren’t you going to be late? You don’t want to miss out on all that fun tonight,” she mumbled to him.

  He stopped short then lowered his mouth to her. “If I do have fun tonight, I have you to thank.”

  “Jerk,” she sputtered. “Not you. Me.”

  Once they were away from the bar and behind a column that soared into the cathedral ceiling, Lexi shot out, “What is wrong with you?” The sizzle coming off his body smashed into the easy feel of the music and lights in the bar. She snapped away from him, but his punishing grip held. A fiery sting of need shot straight to her core. “I’m off the clock. I paid for my wine.”

  “Tristan and I think Gray has a drinking problem.” He kept his hands on her.

  “Clearly, I didn’t know that.” She thought back to the night she saw all of them here in the bar area. Now, the Acqua Panna made sense. For Gray to live in a hotel with a bar he had to pass on his way out the door must be torture for the poor man.