“Are you kidding?” Her eyes pop wide. “Manning Motors is one of the most successful automotive companies in the US, and it’s the oldest. Managing a project like this will do wonders for my business. It will open doors currently closed to me. It has the power to transform my career and that of my team.”
“So, you just want to use me?” I smirk, leaning against the side of my car.
“It’s not like you won’t be getting anything out of it.”
I like she doesn’t deny it. “Careful, Ms. Lewis. Those words could be easily misconstrued.” I push off the car, straighten up, and eyeball her. She’s only a few inches shorter than me in her heels. Her big blue eyes radiate determination, and I admire that about her.
Fire dances in her eyes. “Careful, Mr. Manning. That could easily be misconstrued as an inappropriate proposition. Whatever would HR say?”
“HR would do as I say, and I don’t proposition women.” I move in closer until there’s only a sliver of a gap between our bodies, and the tips of my shoes nudges hers. “I don’t have to, sweetheart.” I press my mouth to her ear. “They come crawling to me.”
“Wow. Your arrogance is astounding.” She tips her head back a little, and our eyes meet.
“It’s not arrogance if it’s true.”
“It’s very unattractive in case you weren’t aware.” She brazenly holds my gaze, not moving an inch, even though I know grown men who have shit their pants this close to me.
If she only knew who she was challenging, she wouldn’t be so brave.
“And you think I give a shit, why?”
“I know men like you. Men who think women only exist to serve them. Men who buy into their own press, but it’s all bullshit.”
“It doesn’t sound like you keep the best company, Ms. Lewis, and insulting the man you’re begging for a job is not a smart strategy either.”
She steps back. “I’ve changed my mind.” She levels me with a sharp look. “I don’t want to work for a misogynistic prick who loves to lord his self-proclaimed superiority over everyone.”
“And I don’t want to hire a woman who uses her contacts to cheat her way into a contract she doesn’t deserve.”
She barks out a laugh. “One would think you didn’t have a clue about how business deals are done. News flash, Mr. CEO. Networking is the blood flow of industry. And if you really want to know, it wasn’t my idea.” Her nostrils flare as she loses her cool demeanor.
“Whose idea was it?”
“My father’s,” she hisses, and a weird feeling settles on my chest.
“What has your father got to do with this?”
Derision washes over her face. “He shares the same misogynistic views you do.”
“I don’t have a single misogynistic bone in my body.”
“Keep telling yourself that if it helps you to sleep better at night.”
I shrug because I’m not about to have a stupid argument over something that is nonexistent.
She moves to go past me. “This was a mistake. Good evening, Mr. Manning. Good luck with Genesis Marketing. You’ll need it.”
ChapterEight
Drew
“Where the fuck are we going?” Charlie asks from the passenger seat of my SUV as I turn off the road and drive through the open gates of the private entrance that leads to the old, abandoned hotel situated thirteen miles from Rydeville.
“You wanted to know, and the best way is to show you,” I supply as my cell pings with an incoming call. I press the button to accept Blackwood’s return call. “About damn time,” I growl.
“You’re not my only client.” His voice rings out through the car speakers.
“I’m the only client that matters.”
