Logan immediately makes a beeline for the bar, ordering two scotches. When they arrives, he slides a glass my way.
“Fuck,” he curses, giving the restaurant a cursory glance. “Maybe we shouldn’t have let Thane stay at home tonight with Julia and the kids. We might need some cooler heads when it comes to Richard Castellano.” He pauses, regarding me for a second. “You know this guy a hell of a lot better than I do, Don. Should I be worried?”
My jaw works as I grip the glass tightly. “Guy’s decent enough. And he’s also bringing his business partner. We need this deal.”
“Right. The deal,” he drawls, like I’m not fooling anyone. “That’s definitely what’s making you white-knuckle that scotch.”
“You’re right. Thane definitely should be here. Someone needs to temper that slick-ass mouth of yours.”
“Oh, let’s face it. You fucking love being stuck with me and my devastating charm.”
“I prefer anyone who doesn’t constantly give me shit.”
“Then maybe don’t bring your sexual repression to work dinners.”
Before I can threaten him properly, I catch movement by the dining entrance.
Fuck. I swallow thickly.
She’s looksgorgeous.
Emma steps through the arched doors, Carmen at her side, Richard Castellano not far behind as he makes conversation with the Director of Strategy.
I force myself to look anywhere but at Emma.
I fail.
The dress she’ s wearing tonight is black. Simple. Modest by design.
But it hugs every inch of her curvaceous body, cuts just low enough at the collarbone to tease, and clings like it knows what it’s doing.
Her chestnut-colored hair is left down tonight, soft waves cascading over her shoulders.
She’s not wearing much makeup, but her full lips are a sexy blood red, seemingly designed by the universe to test my limits.
Logan lets out a low whistle. “Oh,shit. You’re fucked.”
“Logan.”
“Right. My slick ass mouth. Tempering it.” He sounds about as convinced as I feel. “But just saying—for a man obsessed with control, you look dangerously close to losing it.”
I don’t answer, and Emma walks toward us with Carmen at her side.
It doesn't help.
"Richard, Michael," Carmen says warmly. "I'd like you to meet Emma Sinclair, our lead strategist on your account. And this is Logan Malcolm, one of our board members."
"Emma." Richard's face lights up. "I've heard excellent things about your work."
"Thank you, Mr. Castellano." Emma shakes his hand, completely composed, then turns to Logan. "Mr. Malcolm."
"Please, just Logan." He takes her hand with a practiced charm that makes me want to punch him in the face. "And let me say, that pitch deck you put togetherwas exceptional. Best market analysis I've seen in years."
Emma's smile is genuine. "That's high praise coming from a board member."
"It's earned praise." Logan releases her hand, then shoots me a look that I ignore.
We're led to our table—a corner booth with a view of Central Park.
