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So if my plan worked, why do I feel like shit?
I think back to Friday. I enjoyed spending time with Raven, which is not to be overlooked because fun at a dry charity event is nearly an impossibility, and she was able to meet some heavy hitters. I hope those connections hold steady in the wake ofwhatever rumors might be swirling as word spread of our actions, but that’s out of my control for the moment. And the sex was phenomenal. Her responsiveness, her complete surrender to pleasure, and her beautiful body have permeated my dreams all week.
But then there was the after—when we were spotted, when she wouldn’t meet my eyes, when she left.
She did respond to my invitation for dinner, though, I remind myself. That’s a good sign.
Unease churns in my stomach. It was my game, and I set up all the pieces on the board, but I feel like I might be the one getting played. By Raven? I don’t think so. By Evan? Perhaps. By my own weakness for Raven? Unwilling to admit the hold she has on me, I don’t answer myself, not even in my mind.
I glance at the words on my phone once again, reading and then deleting them. I don’t want that ugliness on my device where someone else might see it.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, composing myself. A wounded part of me from the past is elated that Evan knows exactly what Raven and I did, and there’s a sick sense of triumph in knowing that it pissed him off. The more mature part of me worries about the ‘dealt with it’ part of his message. As much as I hate to admit it, he does hold some sway in the district with his family’s power. Does he mean that? Or is he referring to something he did Friday? Maybe something that had Raven riled up and ready to hop on my dick with a sudden urgency she hadn’t shown all evening.
Fuck. I should’ve asked what happened when I stepped away. But I was too desperate for her. Regret churns in my stomach. Not for fucking her, but for not considering why she might want to fuck me. I narrow my eyes, staring into my own hard gaze as I mentally chastise myself.
Quickly, I text Raven.
Still on for dinner?
A moment later, her reply begins.I’m looking forward to it.
Me too. I want you to know, I don’t regret a single minute of what happened.
I hitSendbefore I can doubt my words, because there’s more honesty to them than I normally show. Raven’s silent for a long time, and I wonder if I’ve been too forward when she replies,Me too… mostly. I wish I’d accepted your ride home.
It makes me smile.That won’t be a problem this time, Miss Hill.
Her reply is much faster this time.Then I’m eagerly waiting for the details, Mr. Sharpe. See you at dinner.
I sigh in relief, slipping my phone into my pocket. Head clear of the lovely distraction of Raven, I mentally return to the other thing I need to deal with.
I go back to the conference room, where Geno and Denise are in deep discussion. “I trust you’ve had enough time to consider my proposal and are ready to sign,” I comment, coming back around the table to push the contract their way.
“My father has one request,” Denise says when Geno hems and haws for a moment. “A namesake.”
“Namesake?” I ask, and Denise nods. “How so?”
“The minerals we mine,” she says, “the copper, the silver, the lithium and palladium, goes into the technology that keeps the world running. We’re quite proud of the fact that the copper for the wires that bring electricity throughout our home state are mined in our mines.”
“You should be.”
“But nobody remembers where the damned wires come from,” Geno says hotly. “I’m not saying I want a college named after me or a town or some shit. But as an old man, I’d likesomethingwith my name on it.”
He’s old school, thinks his legacy is written in his last name. The truth is, legacy is in what you possess and who you share it with, like his mine and his daughter. The way Denise grits herteeth, looking at me like ‘I know, I tried to explain it to him’, lets me know that she is better suited than I first thought to be the future company leader.
I nod, confident in my ability to make anything happen. “How about a Miller Hall of Mining at Nevada State? Their campus goals of sustainability go hand in hand with the technology that Miller minerals will provide. Or perhaps the Miller Technological Mineralogy Scholarship?” I offer. “A handful of full-ride scholarships a year, in your name?”
Geno looks at me like I’m insane. “How? That’s not in the budget.”
“It helps when you own the bank, Geno,” I reply. Opening the folder on the table, I turn it around. “So, how about we get this thing handled?”
The two share a look. It’s everything they could ever want, and when Geno reaches for his coat pocket, I know I’ve won. Five minutes later, we’re all professional smiles, shaking hands and clapping shoulders as brand-new joint business partners. Including Denise, who’ll serve as the incoming CEO of Miller Technological Minerals when Geno’s ready to step back.
After a bit of casual conversations, the meeting is adjourned. All the while, my mind is elsewhere. I open the door to escort them on their way, already thinking of the next meeting and the other projects that require my attention. Tamara is at the end of the hall, and I know she’ll see them out. “I’ll be in touch.”
Paperwork firmly in hand, I head back to the office. A few moments later, Tamara appears in my doorway, ready to do her part to wrap up the meeting.
“Tamara, get this to legal,” I tell her, handing her the folder. “Miller signed the letter of intent. I want the rest of the contract signed, sealed, and delivered by next Thursday.”
