Slade allowed the idea of more than their prescribed three weeks together to filter through his mind. What would it be like to have her with him all the time, with no expiration date looming in the near future? Was that something he wanted? Would she even considerit?
Slade remained fixed in his far corner of the lab, continuing to watch Mandisa move from section to section. His mind was still attempting to process this unexpected realization when his senses detected the sour smell of burnedcigar.
Slade’s body instantly tensed against the repugnant odor. He knew no one was stupid enough to light up a cigar in the lab. It was the remnants of a recent moment of indulgence in a disgustinghabit.
He didn’t need to look to see who it was. Only his father would think it appropriate to walk into a place of business reeking of his vice. “What do you want, Bull? How did you know we were coming heretoday?”
Bull remained silent for more than a beat before he stepped close, leaning against the same wall that was currently holding Sladeup.
“Slade, I keep telling you, boy, there’s nothing you can sneak past me. I have eyes and ears everywhere.” Slade could feel his anger rising inside of him. If the amused look on Bull’s face was any indication, Bull noticed too. “You might want to check that attitude of yours. You can’t kick me out ofhere.”
Slade swallowed hard. There was truth in Bull’s statement. The high-rise building housed several subdivisions of Logan Industries, including Venus Cosmetics, and its labs. Slade couldn’t run him out of this building the way he could theranch.
“Is that Dr. Avery? She’s a pretty thang, ain’t she?” Bullnoted.
Slade tracked his eyes across the room when he realized Bull’s distraction had caused him to lose sight of Mandisa. When he found her again, she was back in the anteroom, removing the protective gear and exchanged her lab coat for the blazer she’d arrivedin.
Slade left Bull where he stood and headed for the anteroom to catch up with Mandisa. Protective gear removed, he was turning around to lead Mandisa out of the labs and away from his father when he heard Bull’s rough voice coming from behindhim.
“Ms. Avery,” he called, grabbing Mandisa’s attention. “Might I have aword?”
Mandisa turned around, giving a brief smile to Slade as she looked around him to see the source of the voice calling toher.
“Hello. I’m Bull Hamilton, Slade’s daddy and the CEO of Logan Industries. It’s such a pleasure to meetyou.”
Slade watched as Mandisa graciously accepted the hand Bull offered in greeting. He could feel his blood begin to boil as he watched the exchange. When the old bastard pulled Mandisa’s fingers to his lips and pressed them against her knuckles, Slade had to grip the doorknob to keep from closing his fist and slamming it into Bull’sface.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Avery,” Bull cooed when he finally releasedMandisa’s.
Mandisa nodded and watched Bull carefully, as if she were taking in all his attributes and assessing himcarefully.
“Actually, it’s Dr. Avery,” she countered. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mr.Hamilton.”
The side of Slade’s lip curved into a sinister smirk. Gracious and the epitome of class, she still managed to check Bull on hisshit.
Thattagirl.
“Doctor, please forgive me. In my experience, doctor means someone who has attended medicalschool.”
Slade’s body relaxed as he watched Mandisa cross her arms against her chest and lift a perfectly arched brow inquestion.
“The original etymology of the word doctor is ‘one who is learned, or who has learned the most in their discipline. One who is qualified to teach.’ There’s no mention of the practice of medicine at all. With a PhD in chemistry, I’d say that I’m definitely afforded thatdesignation.”
Slade almost hurt himself trying not to laugh. Bull’s face was turning an uncomfortable shade of pink. Obviously shaken by Mandisa’s ability to both put him in his place and remain perfectly professional at the same time, Bull simply swallowed hard andnodded.
“Well, I did not know that,Dr. Avery. I guess you learn something new everyday.”
“If we’re lucky,” Mandisa countered, “we indeeddo.”
Bull cleared his throat, obviously still uncomfortable with Mandisa’s ability to handle herself. Slade just shook his head. This wasn’t even heavy lifting as far as he was concerned. This exchange with Bull wasn’t even something this brilliant woman had to work hard at. She was the perfect mix of kick-ass sassy and smart that made her a threat in the boardroom and bedroom. Too bad Bull hadn’t known that before he stuck his foot in hismouth.
“Is there something we can do for you, Bull?” Slade hoped he normalized his tone enough to keep the obvious hatred he had for his father out of his voice. Mandisa didn’t need to know the history Bull and Slade shared. She didn’t need to become involved or tarnished in any way by his father’s blacksoul.
“Well, I’m staying in Austin for a few days. I was hoping to convince Ms….” Bull stumbled over the word as he took a quick look at Mandisa. “I mean, Dr. Avery, to join me fordinner.”
There was a familiar gleam in Bull’s narrow eyes. It made Slade’s pulse beat in an erratic rhythm. Slade felt himself take a step closer to Mandisa, crowding her, needing to make some form of contact withher.
Slade didn’t take his eyes off Bull when he spoke. “Dr. Avery’s calendar is very busy. I don’t think she’ll have time to have dinner withyou.”
