Her voice cut through the noise, sharp and precise. “You can’t afford to keep these assets. The longer you sit on them, the more they devalue. Taxes are mounting, and once liens hit, you’ll be lucky to unload at pennies on the dollar.”
The heir blinked. “That’s not entirely accurate.”
“Yes, it is.” She slid a folder across the table with the kind of confidence that made my pulse jump. “Numbers don’t lie. Either take the deal and walk away with something, or keep dragging your feet and watch it all implode. It’s your choice, but this is our final offer.”
I should’ve been thinking about strategy, about how to back her up. Instead, I was busy watching the way she owned the room, the way her eyes sparked like she’d been born for this exact moment. My brain was a carousel of entirely inappropriate thoughts about how I would like to handle her, and none of them had to do with this deal.
Ten minutes later, pens hit paper and the deal was sealed. We’d won. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Once Kingsley and his attorneys were gone, I turned to her, adrenaline buzzing in my veins.
“Are you free for lunch? We should celebrate. That was awesome.”
She rose gracefully, sliding her chair back with a finality that gave me her answer before she even responded. “I’d love to, but I’ve got a flight to catch.”
Somehow, her bag was already over her shoulder, and the next moment, she was halfway gone. “We’ll talk soon, though. Once my commission clears, I’ve got other deals in mind. Maybe we’ll work together again after the holidays.”
She walked out, leaving me sitting there with my heart hollow like I hadn’t just closed a multimillion-dollar acquisition.The truth, however, was that I didn’t just want to work with Aurelia again.
I wantedher. Every sharp edge, every knowing glance, and every word that rolled off her tongue like a dare. And I had no idea what the hell I was supposed to do about it.
I would have to figure it out later, though. For now, CC was blowing up my phone and it was time to prepare to be the baby of the family again. With a deep sigh, I stood up and headed to my office, moving in the complete opposite direction as Aurelia, and I had no idea when or evenifI would ever see her again.
CHAPTER 12
AURELIA
Our luxury condo overlooking Central Park seemed like Christmas had exploded inside it. Garlands had been draped across every railing, string lights framed the windows, and a twelve-foot tree glittered in the corner like it’d been decorated by actual elves.
I tugged on the thick wool coat I’d left slung over a chair, then slipped into my boots, and grabbed a cute, fashionable hat my mother had picked out, jamming it onto my head.
“Aurelia!” her voice floated down the hallway, commanding despite her holiday cheer. “Darling, the driver is here. We must get going.”
Of course, we must.
With Regina, there was never any other option. We’d come to New York to shop, and shop we would. Until we dropped, if we had to. We’d already been out in the streets for most of the day, but clearly, she hadn’t had enough.
Minutes later, we were pulling up to Bergdorf Goodman. The store sparkled like a jewelry box with all the holiday displays, totally leaning into the idea of over-the-top charm. I followed my mother from department to department, nodding, smiling,spinning obediently in front of mirrors while she pursed her lips and issued verdicts about the gowns I tried on.
“This one washes you out.”
“That one makes your hips look wide.”
“Oh, no. No sequins at Christmas, darling. It’s much too tacky.”
After the fourth gown, I was done with her picks. Clearly, this wasn’t working. I changed out of the dress I’d had on and back into my own clothes, then turned to face her. “I’ll try one more, but my choice this time.”
She tilted her head like she was skeptical but waved a gracious hand toward the evening wear section as if granting me permission to do it anyway. One dress in particular had caught my eye from the moment we’d walked in and I made a beeline for it, browsing for my size before I plucked it off the rack and took it to the dressing room with me.
It was Christmas red and bold, covered in crystals that shimmered under the lights. The kind of dress that said,Eat your heart out, Jessica Rabbit.
As soon as I pulled it on, I knew this was the one. The fabric hugged every one of my curves like it had been made with me in mind, as if it was daring me to step into the spotlight and let the upper crust stare.
For once, I didn’t care what my mother would think. This was the one I wanted. Squaring my shoulders to prepare for the argument I knew was coming, I straightened up and pushed the curtain aside.
Smoothing my hands over the crystal-studded bodice, I stepped out of the dressing room, but then I nearly squeaked in surprise. Right there on the husband chairs in the middle of the department, looking insanely bored, was none other than Harrison Westwood.
He was splayed out like he was seconds away from dozing off, one ankle propped on his knee, his tie loosened, and his whole posture screaming that he’d been forced into retail hell against his will but refused to be awake for it. Frank Sinatra belted out Christmas hits from the sound system, but Harrison didn’t even seem to notice it as he looked up like he’d felt me appear. His eyes locked on mine across the distance between us.
Outside of arching an eyebrow at me, he didn’t move, just blinking like he wasn’t sure I was real. Then slowly, deliberately, he straightened in the chair, unfolding those long legs. His gaze swept across the dress in a way that made my pulse trip.
