Her body language made it perfectly clear that I’d been dismissed. It was another first since even my father wasn’t as rude. He came close, but this woman took the cake and then some.
I had several urges blowing through my system from threatening to destroy her to learning all her dirty little secrets to something more carnal.
Like tossing her over my knee and spanking her for her insolence.
I would do none of the above simply because time was of the essence. She’d sensed it. She was like a viper on steroids and I was easy prey.
It was not a comfortable position for me to be in. Meanwhile, she was reveling in her position of power.
Damn the woman for crawling under my skin.
I took my time standing as if I didn’t have a care in the world. “Very well, Ms. Blair. I appreciate your candor.”
“I bet you do. Would you like me to show you to the door? I’m certain a man like you is used to having everything done for him. Including wiping his ass.” While the last sentence was said under her breath, I heard every word.
Now I laughed. “I assure you that I’m perfectly capable of finding the door.”
“Maybe with two hands and a flashlight.” Her spiteful statement seemed to surprise even her. Someone had done a number on her.
“You might be surprised, Ms. Blair.” I moved to the door, opening it. With only a slight turn of my head, I made a last-ditch effort by appealing to her bank account instead of jaded personality. “I did forget to mention I’m willing to pay your employee five hundred thousand, and of course she’ll be allowed to keep any items purchased during the marriage. In addition, of course there’s a fee for your firm. I believe your expert services will be worth one million.”
For once, she didn’t have a snappy comeback.
“I’ll give you until tomorrow, Ms. Blair. I can understand you might need to think about the offer, but as you’ve so abruptly pointed out, we’re both extremely busy people. I left my card with my personal number with your office manager. Give me a call before ten.”
That was the way to take control.
Now the ball was in her court.
Unscrupulous.
The woman had no clue what she was talking about.
Even though I continued to have filthy thoughts racing through my mind. Maybe I was the cad she believed.
“You crushed it in racquetball this afternoon,” Michael said just before we walked into our favorite bar.
“I played like shit. What are you talking about?”
“Not your inferior game skills, buddy.” He walked around me, heading to the bar.
I stopped long enough to glare at him before trailing behind. “Then what the fuck did you mean?” Sitting on the barstool, I glanced around the darkened bar. Tonight I needed a drink. It was different than simply wanting one or perhaps feeling entitled to one.
That’s exactly what Vanessa Blair would say. She so thought she had my number down cold. I had news for her. Damn it. She’d gotten so far under my skin I could feel her jabbing a rusty blade into my intestines. There was something so familiar about her.
“I’m talking about the fact you ripped a goddamn rubber ball in half. I didn’t even think that was possible. That was before you broke not one, but two racquets. Angry much?” Michael’s laugh irritated the hell out of me. He pulled the bowl of nuts closer, immediately grabbing a handful.
“So I’m pissed. So what?”
“Is this still about Ms. Blair, or as you mentioned to me prior to driving me crazy with all the reasons she needs you, she who shall not be mentioned by name.”
“I did not say that.”
“You all but did, buddy. My God. I’ve never seen you this flustered over a woman and I’ve seen you with or around plenty of them.”
“Go to hell.” The bartender walked in our direction. “Whiskey. Neat. Top shelf.”
“Yes, sir,” the kid said.
