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One word: brutal.
No, scratch that—brutal doesn’t even come close.
That dismissal was utterly ruthless, as if it were just another routine for him, as if he carries out such acts every day without a second thought. It sure doesn’t add any sweetness to the bitter pill.
I breathe out, trying to calm myself, and sit back down. Sadness starts to well inside of me. The last thing I want to do is cry in front of him.
Quickly, I tell myself that Norman is not leaving for good right this second. Besides, it’s not like now that he’s retired, I’m never going to hear from him again. I hear Bali is a hoot this time of year. Sunny. Breezy. Cocktails galore. However, it still tugs on my heart. After all the long nights and hard work we’ve put into this place, it won’t be the same without him.
My sentiments are pushed to the side when it dawns on me that I’m now alone with Sean Blackwood.
I turn to face him, only to find him already staring at me.
8
SEAN
Well, fuck. Didn’t see that one coming.
I’d say I’m surprised to see who Jessica Summers is, but the word “surprise” is a damn understatement.
My neighbor is the last person I expected to run into this morning, at least not outside of our apartment building.
The taste of her sweet pussy still lingers on my tongue.
Her pert nipples under my palms remain etched in my memory.
I still hear her plea for a goodnight kiss, and her disappointment when I opted not to grant her that wish. She slumped back, snoring peacefully.
But the moment she walked through the conference room’s door, and I registered who she was, I was pissed.
There’s no way this is a coincidence.
Okay, her being my neighbor might be. But everything that happened last night? The revealing outfit, the bedroom eyes, the flirting, the fooling around—it’s safe to say she knew who I was when she spotted me at the bar. If she indeed was aware of who I was—of which I’m certain—then I have every reason to believe that her advances were part of a rather unconventional business strategy.
It took everything I had to bite my tongue. I’m nothing if not professional, and I wanted to avoid discussions in front of Norman that may disclose information about our acquaintance. It wasn’t the time, and it definitely wasn’t the place. What happened between us should stay that way.
However, that doesn’t mean I’m going to let her think whatever scheme she’s orchestrating is working.
“I know you have questions,” I say, once Norman is gone, leaving any trace of emotion out of my voice. “This is all a lot to process.”
“You could say that.”
I rest my clasped hands on the table. “Before we get into all of that, I want to give you the opportunity to sell to Blackwood. We’re willing to pay a generous sum if you?—”
She doesn’t give me a chance to finish. Her answer is quick and sharp.
“No.” She shakes her head. “Not going to happen.”
She’s got a backbone, good. Usually, I appreciate a worthy opponent—one who doesn’t crumble in my presence or bend to financial temptation at the drop of a hat. However, with the board and my father watching my every move, there’s no room for games. “You know, it’s a professional courtesy to let someone finish talking before you shoot them down.”
“I don’t care,” she snaps, her breathing quick, her face flushing with irritation. “I already know the answer to your question.”
I raise my eyebrow. “You don’t even know how much I’m offering.”
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to sell.”
I’m prepared for this. Over half the co-owners we plan to buy out turn down the offer when it’s first presented. They all try to make it seem like it has to do with integrity or some bullshit like that. It never does. It’s all about the money.
