I enjoyed our evening.
I apologize for leaving early. You looked so peaceful I couldn’t bear to wake you. You’ll find breakfast in the galley and Mike, a member of my crew, will be happy to take you back to your vehicle. You have my number. I expect a call on Monday so we can finalize details.
Christian
I glanced out the window, noticing several other boats. During the night, the captain had brought us back to shore. After glancing at Christian’s words again, I was annoyed. The expectation of a phone call felt as if he’d used me. My God. How could I have been so stupid? Had everything out of his mouth been a ploy? Was he that desperate to obtain a wife that he’d gone to such drastic lengths to prove his worth?
Or had he simply wanted to dominate me?
Hissing, I grabbed my clothes.
Fuck the man.
I refused to play his disgusting game.
CHAPTER 10
Christian
“We have a meeting with the president of Barchella Hotel Group next week. He’s bringing his lovely wife with him into Miami for the meeting.”
Hearing my father’s voice on the phone at barely nine in the morning on a Saturday didn’t bode well for my already shitty mood. “I didn’t authorize the meeting.”
“No, son, you didn’t, which prompted a call directed to my office late last night. Andres Lopez is particularly interested in visiting the location for the proposed resort. Something we discussed with him weeks ago. Now, I must admit when he contacted me directly, I was surprised that he seemed concerned he hadn’t heard from you.”
“He called me yesterday morning. I had a busy agenda, unable to return his call.” I gritted my teeth. Hearing his condescending tone when I’d been the one to break us out of the old mold of destroying companies into something potentially more lucrative required strict control.
I was ready to tell him off, something I should have done years before.
I remained outside the gym, glaring at the bright morning sky. There should be no tension in my body whatsoever after the night of rough sex, but here I was, angry and eager to work off my increasing anger.
“Need I remind you that if Barchella decides to pull out of the agreed upon but unsigned contract, we’d be out millions of dollars. Now, unless you’d like for that to be taken from your salary, I suggest you get your priorities straight.”
“They are very straight, Dad. You don’t seem to recognize there are several equally large balls in the air.”
He laughed. “Since you’re so intent on proving this idea of yours is plausible, I suggest you think twice about putting this or any of the other two contracts on the back burner. Something else. Since they are a family-owned business where their wives are heavily involved in day-to-day business activities, it would behoove you to bring your fiancée with you to the meeting. After the meeting, you can enjoy a night out in South Beach.”
Was he fucking kidding me?
“I doubt I’ll find a wife in a little over a week.”
My father exhaled. “I have faith in you, son. You can work magic when you put your mind to it. I took the opportunity of contacting your assistant this morning so she can begin working on the particulars for the Lopezes’ arrival. Confirm with her early next week the name of your fourth guest. You have until Friday when the meeting is scheduled.”
My father had never minced words. When he ended the call, I squeezed my iPhone and hissed. Yes, obtaining Barchella as a client had been a coup since several other firms from across the country had bid on the project entering the United States. I’d spent four months in conversations, two flights to Madrid, and a few Zoom meetings on the project.
Yes, I’d known they were a family-run organization, but since we were technically one as well, I’d never thought marriage was a key factor. It still infuriated me.
I stormed into the building, nodding to one of the gym rats I knew before heading into the locker room.
I’d given the lovely Ms. Blair until Monday morning to make her decision. Even if she agreed to work with me, obtaining a suitable fiancée by the end of the week wasn’t something I’d bet on under the best of circumstances. And working with Vanessa would certainly be push and pull the entire time spent together. Not that the thought was all bad. Quite the contrary, which was part of the problem.
What in the fuck had possessed me to seduce her?
Her.
As if I couldn’t think of her name. As if I couldn’t still taste her sweet pussy on my lips or gather a whiff of her perfume that had permanently stained my skin. Vanessa Blair, the woman determined to crucify me for everything I’d said or done in my life. I stormed into the gym with my jaw clenched, my attitude as piss poor as it had ever been after sex.
Not just any sex either. The night had been amazing, cathartic in a way few could understand. I’d enjoyed more than just thephysicality of spending time with a woman. That annoyed the hell out of me and I wasn’t certain why.
