The light caught the gold band on her finger, the vintage ring I’d chosen on instinct because it’d felt like her. At the time, I’d thought it was crazy. I hardly knew this woman and thinking I knew what she’d like on her finger for the rest of her life had probably been absurd. Yet, I’d seen the look on her face when I’d slid it on. I’d be willing to bet the house that I’d gotten it right.
“She’s lovely,” Nate said quietly beside me.
“She’s a monster.” It slipped out under my breath, but not quietly enough because I felt Nate’s stare sharpen and I knew what he must’ve heard in my voice, the pride I wasn’t bothering to hide. “A killer. I want her on our board.”
Nate choked, an actual sound coming out of him. “TheWestwoodboard of directors?”
“Yes.”
He stared at me like I’d suggested hiring a live grenade as our CFO. “You cannot be serious.”
“Oh, but I am,” I said, not even having to think about it. “She’s brilliant, Nate. She does a good job of hiding it, or maybe she’s been forced to hide it, but she knows more about business than anyone. More than us, even.”
As I glanced at her again, she shifted, rubbing her temple before reaching for another document. I turned back to Nate.“I’ll save Thayer for her, of course. That was part of the deal, but I want more of her than just that.”
The protectiveness in my voice startled even me. Nate’s light eyebrows drew together, his head slowly cocking. I didn’t miss the implication behind that look, like he was trying to figure out what exactly I meant bymore of her.
“She’s useful to all of us,” I corrected, straightening up a little. “People like her are rare in our world. Dad will agree. Uncle Harlan just needs to meet her, but he’ll see the same thing I do. Sterling’s wife got a seat on the board. It’s only fair that my wife gets one too.”
Nate waited, probably expecting me to take it back or soften it, but I didn’t. I gave him a moment to argue. Instead, he just watched me with something like awe mixed with a little concern. The moment passed and I nodded, then jerked my head toward the stack of investment proposals on the credenza.
“Start making moves for that investment into Adamson.” We’d been circling that project for weeks. It would bolster our position no matter what Thayer’s board did next. “Line it up. Quietly.”
He gave a short nod, almost visibly shifting back into strategist mode, but I didn’t stay to help him map it out. My mind was already back on Jane and the fact that she’dmarriedme this morning. The warm weight of the ring on my finger was an unavoidable, constant reminder I didn’t need, but it was like it was urging me on, wanting me to be a husband in addition to just a CEO.
I left my office and crossed the hall to the conference room. She must’ve sensed me before she’d even turned. Her shoulders straightened a little, her fingers stilling on the mug.
When she finally looked up, spinning a half turn on her chair to face me, she didn’t mention the fact that I had the files that were now spread out in front of her. She didn’t have to. The lookshe gave me said everything,I know what you were doing with all this information. I know you were fishing for anything that would’ve helped you take my board. Until our marriage solved all those issues for us.
In business, anyway.
“Would you like me to take you to your office?” I asked, even though I really didn’t want tonothave her in my sight today.
“I’m taking some time off.”
“That’s wise,” I said, arching an eyebrow at her. “Are you waiting for the fallout once the news of our marriage reaches them? Because if so, it’s already happening. I figured I should let you know.”
“I have been acting like the CEO all year without the title, the power, or the salary.” She leaned back slightly, her eyes hooded but steady. “I keep that place running. I figure I’m due for some time off.”
I braced my hands on the table and leaned in, close enough to catch the subtle scent of her, suede and cashmere dusted with vanilla. It tempted me more than it should have.
“They’ll suffer without you,” I murmured.
She looked up at me for a long moment, those gray eyes sliding from one of mine to the other. Then she shrugged. “Let them.”
That was the moment I knew she wasn’t just sharp. She was fearless too—and damn if that didn’t do something dangerous to me.
“All right, Killer,” I said on a slow exhale. “Dinner then. It is our anniversary, after all.”
Her eyebrows swept up. “Anniversary? We just got married.”
I lifted my wrist in an exaggerated movement and checked my watch. “It’s our… four-hour anniversary.”
She blinked at me, taking a turn to be stunned for a change, and then shook her head. “I didn’t take you as a romantic.”
“I doubt that’s what you’re into, anyway.” I straightened up and extended a hand toward her. “I’m starving and we have a future to discuss,wife.”
“Husband,” she replied, the word pitched with a mix of disbelief and something else, but she didn’t take my hand.
