by Chelle Bliss
“So…” She brings the glass to her lips and gulps it down before wiping her mouth. “I assume this could get messy?”
“Ugh,” I groan. “So much worse than messy.”
“I know I’m not a business gal, but explain it to me. How can a romp in the sack lead to such catastrophe?”
“Gal?” I ask, gaping at her. “What decade are we in?”
“Just answer and stop being Ms. Know-it-all.”
“There’s a clause in my contract that if Interstellar is purchased by another company, I’ll receive a big pay day. It’s called a golden parachute.”
“Better than a golden shower.” She giggles, and clearly, the alcohol has clouded her filter. “Sorry. It’s not funny.”
“Jesus.” I scrub my hand down my face. I need serious Tara. But instead, I have shit-faced and playful Tee.
“Okay.” She straightens and pulls her lips into her mouth, wiping her smile away. “You’re going to be rich, but your career will be ruined?”
I don’t have to look to know he’s still staring at me. I can feel it. I can’t let him know how he affects me. I’m sure from where he sits, I’m showing just how much agony he’s putting me through. I need to pull up my big-girl panties and throw on my Wonder Woman cape and brush him off. Him and his beautiful “pecker,” as Tara would call it. “It’s built into my contract to make Interstellar less desirable. The cost to buy out my contract is so large that it should make Cozza run away, but with the new invention about to become public, they’re chomping at the bit to take us over.”
Her eyebrows draw together, and her lips scrunch. “I don’t see the problem here.”
“If word got out that I slept with Cozza’s CEO and made twenty million off the deal, how would that look?” I ask, quirking one eyebrow and crossing my arms in front of my chest.
She gasps loud enough that half the bar looks in our direction. “Oh, shit!”
“Yep.”
She scoots her stool closer, leans in, and her eyes darting around the bar. “I’ll really kill him for you. I don’t see any other way out of it.”
I cover my mouth to hide my smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I think that would just draw more attention.”
“Offer is always there. I’d go to prison and go lesbian for you.” She smiles, glancing toward Antonio before looking back at me. “He really is an asshole if he did this shit on purpose.”
“I know. I want to believe it was innocent.” I fist my hands tightly in my lap. “But I feel like someone is trying to ruin me, and Antonio is just one step on the ladder to my demise.”
“Who else is messing with you? One more of these bad boys—” she lifts her martini in the air “—and I’ll become a serial killer for you.”
“Down girl.” I laugh. Tara always brings me back to earth and helps make light of every situation. “I’ll handle them all.”
“Is Trent being an asshole too?”
“He’s being the number one asshole. I don’t want to talk about him, though.”
She hops off the barstool and holds up her finger. “Hold that thought. I have to visit the ladies’ room.”
My belly flips because I’ll be alone with him so close. Maybe he won’t take the opportunity to talk to me. A girl can hope, right? “Hurry, Tara. Don’t leave me here with him over there.”
“Just glare at him,” she says, rubbing my back. “Drink and glare. Show him you’re mad, and he’ll stay put.”
“Yeah,” I say sarcastically. “I’m sure he’ll stay over there.”
She walks away, keeping her eyes glued to Antonio as she strolls toward the bathroom. I glance in his direction, glaring at him as I take a sip of my drink, but I don’t let my eyes linger. I sit up a little straighter as I down my martini and stare at the television screen to the right that’s showing mindless chatter from CNN and the next overhyped news story.
I won’t allow myself to look in his direction. Looking means interest, and I most certainly am not into him. Sleeping with the enemy is not me. I won’t be the victim, and I won’t let Antonio be the predator, slowly stalking me to ruin my life for a small piece of ass.
“Lauren,” he says in a low, sultry voice from behind me…that accent doing wicked things to my insides.
I don’t turn around, just toss back the last bit of liquid courage left in the glass. My face tingles and my legs feel like jelly, and I’m thankful that the stool’s underneath me so I don’t collapse.
My heart pounds in my chest so wildly I’d be worried he’d hear it if it were any quieter in here. “I’m busy.” I keep my eyes forward and don’t dare turn around. He sits down, uninvited, and I curse Tara for leaving me alone. “That seat’s taken.”
“Not at the moment.” He sets his drink on the bar and faces me, his legs caging me in. “We need to talk.”
I motion to the bartender, and I point to my drink and pray it comes quickly. “No, we don’t.”
“Listen…” He touches my hand, and although I want to pull away, I close my eyes instead and relish his touch. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you need to know that I had no idea who you were. I didn’t set you up. If anything, the entire thing could blow back in my face too.” His fingers sweep across the top of my hand, sending tiny shock waves through my system.
“How?” I turn toward him. “How exactly could you come out looking bad in this entire situation, Antonio? I’ve never heard a male CEO being accused of fucking their way to the top and earning millions. It happens every day to women in business, but never to men. So, explain to me exactly how you’re going to be ruined?”
He continues to rub my hand. “I’ll agree there’s a double standard, but in no way will I let this ruin you.”
“Are you going to drop the bid for Interstellar?” I feel a moment of hopefulness that maybe he has had a change of heart.
“Will you spend another night with me?” He grins, bringing his eyes to mine.
I snatch my hand away. “Absolutely not. Go back to your seat before my friend comes back.” I scan the room but don’t see Tara anywhere.
Antonio invades my personal space and brings his face close to mine. “It’s not over between us, Lauren. I’ll let sleeping dogs lie, but one way or another, I’ll have you and your company.”
“You’re a dreamer.”
He leans forward, his chest nearly flush against mine and whispers in my ear, “The only thing I dream about is hearing you moan my name again.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to ignore the ache between my legs. “Just go,” I say in a defeated voice because no matter how hard I want to deny it, he affects me.
He brushes the hair off my shoulder and touches his lips to my neck. “Nothing tastes sweeter against my lips than you,” he murmurs against my skin.
“Not even owning Interstellar would taste as good?” I squeak and curse myself silently for the girlish sound to my voice.
“Nothing.”
I can feel his smile against my flesh. “Please leave me alone, Antonio.”
“For now,” he says, backing away and straightening. “I’ll let you get back to your friend.”
“Excuse me,” Tara says, sliding back onto her stool. “We’re kind of in the middle of something.” She looks at me and smiles.
“I’ll let you ladies get back to your night,” Antonio says, grazing my back with his palm as he starts to walk away. “We’ll talk soon, Lauren.”
“Is he gone?” I ask, frozen in place and staring at Tara.
She looks over my shoulder. “Yes. He’s walking out the door.”
I gasp for air because I’d been trying to control my breathing with him so close. “Fucker,” I hiss.
“That looked so damn sexy across the room.” She smirks and picks up her martini. “Sexy as hell, in fact. It’s too bad he’s our enemy.”
My eyes widen. “Were you watching us?”
She licks her lips and wipes the corner of her mouth with her finger. “I walked out, and
he was just getting up, so I thought I’d give you a minute to tell him off.”
“Thanks,” I say in a snarky tone.
“When he bent down and kissed your neck… Girl, I had to fan myself, but I marched right over to rescue you.”
I drag my hand down my face to stop myself from reaching out and smacking her for putting me through that. “I needed it,” I say into my hands.
“You looked pretty fine to me. Your face was all red, your eyes were closed, and your lips were parted. I thought you might spontaneously combust right there in your seat.”
“Shut up.” I laugh and smack her arm playfully.
“Right. Right. Figured as much.” She laughs. “He’s hot though, Lauren. Like seriously off the charts, ripping my panties off, drop-dead gorgeous.”
“Let’s change the subject…please,” I beg.
“Not a chance, my friend.” She winks. “Drink up because we have some plans to make.”
That’s code for trouble. Tara already has the wheels spinning, and I figure by the time I crawl out of here, she’ll have a way for me to make them all pay. I’m game for anything, especially saving my company and my name.
Chapter Nine
I wipe my palms down my perfectly pressed black skirt, glancing around the launch pad and soaking in the excitement around me. There are so many people waiting to watch our new engine soar into the sky that I can barely breathe. Maybe they’re here to watch us fail, but I push that thought aside and try to rein in my thoughts and control my anxiety.
I know the engine will work. If Trent, although he’s an asshole, says it’s perfect, I have to believe him. His reputation is on the line as much as Interstellar’s. If the engine crashes and burns, literally and figuratively, so does his future in this industry.
“Ms. Bradley,” a reporter from the most watched cable news network calls to me from the press area.
I look in his direction and give him a smile. He’s beautiful with his silver hair and chiseled jaw. I’ve always had a thing for him, often watching the news just to catch a glimpse of his pretty face, even though he often takes on hard hitting issues. Sometimes when I want to tune out the world, I put the television on mute just to have him in my living room.
“Yes.” My smile widens as he pushes through the crowd, and his gaze lingers on my calves. “It’s nice to see you, Carter.”
“It’s completely my pleasure.” The words roll off his tongue before his lips turn up in a sinful smirk. “Would you be interested in sitting down for an interview later today?”
I want to leap across the red velvet rope and do the interview now because escaping the craziness around me doesn’t sound like a half-bad idea, but I remain firmly planted in my spot. “I’d be honored, but let’s see how the test goes.”
His ice-blue eyes bore into me. “Are you expecting it to fail?”
I shake my head, knowing it’ll go off without a hitch…or at least, I pray to God it does. “No, sir. I don’t want to promise something I’m not sure I can deliver. When the engine works perfectly, and it will, there will be a lot to do afterward.”
His face softens, and the devilish smile returns to his handsome face. “I just need ten minutes.”
I’ve fantasized about getting Carter alone for ten minutes. I figured I’d climb his six-feet-seven-inch frame with the skill of an Olympic gymnast and have him ravage me in record time. There’d be nothing slow about our first time as I memorized every inch of his muscular body.
“Ms. Bradley,” Carter says, pulling me out of my perverse fairy tale.
My face heats as I clear my throat. “Find me after the press conference, and if I have time, I’ll give you ten minutes.”
His smile widens. “I look forward to it.”
I finger the necklace around my neck and wonder if the blush has remained contained to my face, because my skin feels like it’s on fire. Carter is more handsome in person, and I’m sure ten minutes alone with him will make me a blubbering mess of verbal dribble.
He disappears back into the crowd of reporters currently vying for my attention, but there’s no more time left for idle chitchat. We’re under thirty minutes until takeoff, and I have an entire team to meet with and verify that everything is on track and in working order.
I’m halfway across the tarmac, the airplane fashioned with our new engine sitting proud and ready to show the world Interstellar is no longer number two, when a hand wraps around my arm and hauls me backward.
“Lauren,” he whispers as his chest pressed against my back.
The way he says my name sends chills down my spine and steals my breath. For a moment, I forget we’re in public and that he’s the enemy. I crave his touch, his warmth, and his calmness, but then my sanity returns, and I start to pull away.
“I need to see you tonight,” Antonio whispers in my ear.
I spin around on my heel as he releases me, glaring at him. “Antonio.” Saying his name leaves an acidic taste in my mouth.
I know he’s here for one thing…to watch Interstellar fail. I want so badly to drink him in, like I did the night I spent with him before I knew he was my archenemy. But I somehow keep myself grounded in the moment with the realization that he isn’t to be trusted.
“I’d appreciate it if you kept your hands off me when we’re in public.”
The corner of his mouth tips upward. “So, in private…”
I instantly regret my words.
“No,” I say quickly and stop him from finishing the sentence. I glance around, but no one seems to be paying us any attention since we’re at a distance from the hustle and bustle of the press, public, and Interstellar team. “I can’t be seen with you.”
“Come to my penthouse at eight. I’ll have a car pick you up and bring you in the private entrance under the hotel.”
I take a step back and gawk at him. He can’t be serious. He was the best fuck I’d had in years, but that doesn’t erase the fact that he’s trying to steal the company right out from under me. I straighten my back and raise my chin, putting up my sexy-man force field to prevent me from saying yes. “While I appreciate your offer, Mr. Forte, we must keep our relationship inside the boardroom.”
“I’ll do you anywhere you want.” He smirks.
I fist my hands at my sides and grunt my disapproval. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m about to crush Cozza—and you, for that matter. Stick around and watch as I top you.”
“Baby, you can be in control,” he says as I start to walk away. His words do funny things to my insides, and I turn my back to hide my face because I know he’ll be able to read me like an open book. “Just be ready at seven thirty when my car picks you up.”
I wave him off over my shoulder, but I’ve agreed to nothing. The man has the biggest set of balls on him if he thinks I’m going to throw myself at him and beg to keep my company. It’s not my style, and I haven’t made it this long and this far by using sex. I’m not about to start now.
The only way I’ll crush Cozza and Forte and send them packing will be a successful test flight, along with finding the loophole that’ll have them running for the hills with their tails between their legs.
I avoid turning around and giving him one last glance as he sits on his high horse, still thinking he’s in control. I don’t feel bad knowing that I’ll be pushing my stiletto heel into his chest and piercing what little heart he has within the next thirty minutes. I feel more alive than I have in years, knowing that the company I helped build will overtake him and become the new number one in the aerospace industry.
Trent’s standing about thirty feet away from the airplane, staring up at it and stroking his chin.
“Everything okay?” I ask as I come to a stop next to him and look up to see what has his attention.
“It’s perfection,” he says with a softness that’s so unlike him. “I actually created this magnificent beast.”
“I always knew you could do it.” I turn my head and gaze at the man I once thought I loved.
For a second, I remember how good things were before he became a creep but a necessary evil I put up with for the sake of the company.
“I did it for you, Lauren.”
I can’t hide my expression as I stand here surprised by his answer. Trent isn’t a giving person. He’s all about number one, and I don’t believe for a moment that he invented the engine for me. It was purely ego.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, Trent. We’re never going to be a couple again. You created that.” I point toward the rocket but keep my facial expressions soft so I don’t set him off before the launch. “Because you could. You’re the most brilliant man I know when it comes to technology, but not when it comes to relationships. Let’s not ruin today with an argument. There’s too much good today to taint it with our past.”
“Ms. Bradley,” Cassie interrupts.
I almost breathe a sigh of relief at her timing. “Yeah?”
“It’s time for you to address the shareholders and board of directors before it’s go-time.” She smiles, and her gaze wanders along the exterior of the airplane as it reaches toward the clouds.
“Thank you, Cassie. It’s time to get this show on the road. It’s the day we’ve all been waiting for, and there’s no need to delay it any longer than necessary. Is your team ready, Trent?”
“They are. We’re right on schedule, and all systems are a go,” Trent says before I turn and follow Cassie toward the entrance to the hangar that’s filled with Interstellar investors and other VIPs.
I’ve been to events like this for other companies, and I’ve never seen so many people in attendance. The buzz almost makes me high and amps up the excitement that I can already barely contain. Every news channel and newspaper in the country, maybe the world, is talking about our test flight and how it could change the future of aviation and space exploration.
“Ah, Ms. Bradley,” Mr. Grayson welcomes me as I enter the VIP shareholder area.
I slide my hand into his as he holds it out to me. “It’s so wonderful to see you again so soon, Mr. Grayson.” I can’t contain my smile when I speak.
He gently pats the top of my hand. “I knew from the moment you took over that you’d do amazing things.”