“If I sign tonight, when can we have marketing up and running?” Patrick asks. He seems to be sobering up quickly. I glance at the contract lying in the middle of the table.
The Edward Corporation agrees to handle marketing for Kemp Global at two and a half million for the first year agreeing to re-negotiate in the start of each fiscal year.
I slap my hand over my mouth, my wine threatening to spew all over Patrick across from me. I hazardously gulp it down and start coughing like a raging idiot. That kind of money is life-changing, and every single person around this table is acting like he just said milk costs three dollars.
James reaches over, patting my back and rubbing circles. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I…just went down the wrong pipe.” I cough a few more times before I get myself under control. I want to crawl inside my sweater that’s draped across the back of James’s seat with everyone at this table now watching me.Kill me.
James continues to watch me for a full minute, ensuring I am in fact okay before turning back to Patrick. “As long as payment is received, we will have a designerfor this location hired and ready to start within this month.”
“Two at the max.” Ryder jumps in discreetly shooting daggers at James. “We recently secured the office space, but two should be more than sufficient.”
Alester remains quiet, with his hands clasped in his lap.
They watch Patrick, waiting to see his next move. Patrick puffs up his chest, makes eye contact with me, then bends down, snapping the pen into his hand and scribbles his signature on the line. “I’ll have the money wired tomorrow.” He points to James. “Two monthsmax, and I want to see this prestigious marketing everyone is talking about.”
The look that passes over James’s face can only be described as a lion cornering its prey. It would make me nervous if I hadn’t been watching Patrick’s horrendous behavior earlier.
“Perfect.” James stands and holds his hand out for me while his other picks up my sweater. “Ryder and Alester will take good care of you tonight. Enjoy the club, on us.”
I place my hand in his as I stand, never taking my eyes off of him.
“We have another event to go to,” James says.
My eyebrows scrunch involuntarily, and James winks at me.
Patrick’s obnoxious laugh echoes in the small VIParea, “Perfect! You boys can learn something from me tonight.”
I glance around the table as James leads me from this area. The look that crosses Alester’s face as we abandon them is downright murderous. He doesn’t seem like the type who wants to sit in Club X all night either.Poor guy.
James keeps ahold of my hand all the way through the club as we make our way out the front doors. The brisk pre-winter air whips through to my bones. I wrap my arms around myself, trying not to freeze.
James looks down. “Shit, here.” He opens my sweater and slips it over my head. I quickly stuff my arms through the holes and curl in on myself.
James slides his suit jacket off and hangs it over my shoulders.
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him. “I don’t want you to be cold. I’ll be fine.” The warmth from his body heat is still attached to his jacket, and I never want to take it off.
“I love that you care, but I don’t get cold easily.” He tucks his jacket tightly closed and pulls me into his arms for added warmth. “Thomas is just around the block.”
I feel his phone vibrate against my stomach. “Are you going to get that?” I ask.
He looks down at me, tucked in by his chin. Our lips are so close, and all I want to do is taste him again. “No need. I know who it is.” His eyes dart back to my mouth, and I have a feeling he wants the same thing.
I push myself onto my tiptoes, stopping when mymouth is hovering just before his. I can smell the lingering scent of whiskey on his breath.
I hear a door open somewhere behind me and a man calls out. “Sorry I’m late, sir. I was around the block when I got your text.”
James’s eyes never leave mine when he responds. “It’s not a problem, Thomas. Eventually you’ll have to give up thesir,though.”
“Never, sir.” Thomas chuckles.
James rubs his nose against mine slowly. “I guess we should get you in the warm vehicle.”
I close my eyes, wanting to stay in this moment. “Come with me?”
He sighs, squeezing me closer. “Under one condition.” I look into his eyes full of conflict. “I’ll keep you company in the car and walk you to your door, but that’s where our night ends.”
