AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your father thought this through.”
“To a point. Regardless of whether I’ve convinced you or not, he demanded I get married or my brothers and I lose the company and our access to the family fortune. It would appear he had the same thoughts in mind about showing off that his son was taking over, becoming the next great leader. He and I do often think alike. For better or worse. Plus, if you think about this, we will be in the control seat, grasping the power away from whoever is behind this charade. Doesn’t that make it even juicier?”
“Juicier?” I chided. “You have a sick sense of humor.” I thought about his idea and groaned. Damn it. He really did have a great idea. “I’ll consider such a nefarious plan. However, I’d need a contract with an out clause for one thing and what do I get out of this?”
“You mean other than peace of mind?”
“Fine. Yes. What?”
How could he lean over so far that our lips were almost touching? And why was the sexual energy boosted to a million degrees? Damn if the look in his eyes didn’t remain mischievous.
“I will purchase you any building in the city of San Diego for your bakery and line your bank account with two million dollars to get your bakery started as long as we stay married for a year. Half will be deposited into a new high-earning account once the contract is signed but you’ll need to wait for the other half until a year has passed.”
Holy crap. That man was willing to put his money where his mouth was. I licked my lips and he growled, I eased my shaking hand through strands of hair and he cocked his head. I shuddered audibly and he grabbed my jaw, planting a hot, wet kiss on my lips.
Yes, damn the man and everything about him.
He pulled away and was grinning like some loon. “So, what do you think?”
I watched as he rolled the tip of his finger around the rim of his glass.
“I’ll need to think about it and give you a list of requirements.” I wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“I have no issue with that. It’s the professional thing to do. However…” He stopped mid-sentence, pointing his finger at me. “I’ve enjoyed our company and plan on continuing so there is something you need to know and accept right off the bat.”
“Fine, boy toy. What’s that?” I couldn’t help but grin. Playing with the man was far too delicious.
“First, as part of the agreement and the money you will make, you’ll be required to surrender to me when and how I like.”
The surrealness was increasing, a fog developing across my field of vision. “Surrender? As in sexually?”
“Yes. As far as business, we will be equals.” He took a sip of his bourbon, slowly lowering the glass to the table. He was studying me intently, testing me. Challenging me.
I was hot all over, tiny beads of perspiration trickling down both sides of my face. He reached over and slipped his index finger through one bead then the other. When he slid the same finger into his mouth, I clenched my jaw until it ached.
And I’d be damned if the action wasn’t sexy as hell.
“Let me guess. If I don’t, no money, no building, and heaps of punishment.”
“You’re very intelligent but I know you well enough already to gather you can handle anything, and I do mean anything that’s dished out.”
If he thought continuing to ply me with compliments was going to work… I tried to act nonchalant. “Yes, I can handle anything or any man, but you do realize this is blackmail.”
“Do you honestly think our master corporation would be worth billions if certain ruthless tactics weren’t used? Come on now. Even your father has used them. You can’t deny it.”
No, sadly, I couldn’t. I’d just chosen to ignore all the quirky, close to extortion acts my father had committed. “Two million, plus I get to choose the location and the building?”
“You bet. And if you don’t find a location you like, I’ll build you one. I won’t spare any expense either.”
I had to admit the deal was a damn good one. Still, I was fearful about how my father would react. “Are you really worried?”
His features softened. “The truth is, I am. I’ve never been close to my father, but for him to threaten me much like your father did you isn’t just unusual. It’s debilitating and could be disastrous. If this hostile takeover succeeds, it could crush everything he’s ever built.”
“And you think we can do this together, finding the culprit I mean.”
He lifted his drink in a toast, waiting for me to clink my wineglass with his tumbler. “I do. I think we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Another sigh was bubbling to the surface. “Well, I guess I could do it but there will be some of my rules and codicils put into place.”
