“That was a tough loss out there today,” Jamie Norman stated, staring at me, as the three men who accompanied him nodded in agreement.
So this is how it’s going to be tonight?I thought as I looked over the four men. Jamie was right, the Cougars had lost to the DC Titans earlier in the day. It was a tough loss only made worse by my already sour mood. And while I usually didn’t mind helping my family out by attending a charity or even business event that requested the Townsend name, I wasn’t in the mood that night.
“We’ll get ’em next time,” I replied to Jamie.
“We know you will,” another man standing to Jamie’s right added. I couldn’t quite remember his name, nor did I really care to either. I just needed to show my face for a little while and get the hell out of there. I was considering moving my flight up, to leave that evening instead of the following morning like I’d originally planned. Joshua’s wedding was the next day and I needed to be back home by mid-morning to make it on time.
“Tyler, we understand that neither Aaron nor your father could make this charity event tonight due to Joshua’s wedding. We appreciate you coming in their stead, since you were already in DC an all.”
“It’s my pleasure, gentlemen,” I lied and nodded.
“Tidas Industries is especially dedicated to renewing our commitment to green energy and we understand that Aaron is making a push to go green with your company’s products as well …”
Here we go,I thought, as Jamie began to make his push for Townsend Industries to buy-in whatever the hell it was their company sold. Aaron had sent me the company’s prospectus days before but I never bothered to read it. I couldn’t care less which way my brother decided to go on this project or whatever it was they were proposing.
“Jamie, before you get any further into your sell, I want to assure you that my brother does not take a possible joint venture with Tidas as a laughing matter. I’m sure Aaron is diligently weighing all his options, and—” I stopped the bullshit response I’d made up in my head the moment my eyes lifted and caught with Destiny’s.
For the first time in days I was able to inhale deeply, as we stared across the room at one another. I was struck, not for the first time, by her rich, dark skin, and high cheekbones that looked as if they were glowing. She wore her hair in its short style, curled coming down covering her forehead. The right side of her hair was held back by some sort of shiny butterfly clip. My eyes scanned lower—her petite frame was covered in a sleeveless black, three tiered ruffle gown, that displayed an acceptable amount of cleavage. I mean, not nearly as much as I’d like to see but acceptable enough for her to be adorned with this dress out in public.
“We appreciate that, Tyler, and any concern Townsend Industries might have …”
“Jamie, I will pass the message on. If you’ll excuse me.” I stepped around the group of men and was damn near halfway across the room in no time at all. It was then that I realized there was a male figure standing next to Destiny. I peeled my gaze from her to the imbecile who had the audacity to have his arm terribly close to my woman, and to top it off, it looked as if he was smiling at me.
I looked back to Destiny, who for the first time, since I’d known her, had a deer-in-headlights expression on her face. That look didn’t last too long, however, before she lifted her chin, staring at me defiantly.
My girl couldn’t help but poke the beast, could she? I grinned inwardly.
“Mr. Townsend, it’s such a pleasure to meet you,” the douche next to Destiny began just as I approached them. “I’m Charlie and this is—”
“Destiny,” I cut him off and stated, glancing from him to Destiny.
“You two know each other?”
I turned back to the douche. “You didn’t think you needed to introduce me to my woman, did you?” I glared at the man who was about three inches shorter than I was.
“Y-your …”
I looked back to Destiny when I heard her gasp.
“I-I wasn’t aware you two kn—”
“Now you are.”
“Destiny?” he questioned, peering down at her.
I squeezed my hands into fists, hating him for even thinking he could dare to speak to her.
“Mr. Townsend and I aren’—-”
“Careful, Destiny.Consequences,” I blatantly reminded her of the conversation we’d had on our first date.
Her mouth snapped shut, her eyes narrowing on me.
Such fire.She had no idea how much she was turning me on.
“Charlie, can you excuse us? It’ll just take a moment,” she added.
I cut my eyes towardCharlie.“No it won’t,” I stated, firmly, before taking Destiny by the elbow and pulling her away from the douchebag toward a nearby hallway that looked empty.
