“I wouldn’t call it implying.” I closed the distance another inch. “More like stating a fact. You always go harder at the women in the room.”
He shrugged, lazy and smug. “Not my fault they can’t take it.”
The air went razor-edged.
“I’d say if they can’t stand the heat, they should get out of the kitchen,” he added, smirk deepening. “But…”
The implication hit like acid.
My teeth locked so hard my jaw ached. “You really are an asshole.”
His smile widened, pleased with himself, and for the first time all day I wanted to put my fist through something that wasn’t made of glass.
“That comment just revoked your return to the room,” I said, straightening my jacket. The words dropped hard enough to strip the amusement from his face.
“Bullshit,” he snapped.
“Go back to your office.” I stepped close enough that he flinched. “Shut your door, and shut your mouth. That’s not a suggestion.”
He swore under his breath but turned, footsteps pounding down the hall until the sound faded into the hum of the building.
I stayed where I was for a long breath, letting the adrenaline drain enough to slide the mask back on. Hand through hair. Straighten tie. Reassemble the man they expected to see.
Then I stepped back into the conference room.
“Apologies for the delay.” The door clicked shut behind me. My voice came out level, almost bored, like I hadn’t just been a breath away from breaking my CFO’s nose. “Mr.Bell and I were revisiting Falkirk’s position.”
I saw her first. I always did.
Emma held my gaze without the slightest hesitation, reading me in a way no one else ever could—and I tried, again, to give her the truth I still couldn’t speak.
He crossed a line. I cut it.
The tightness in her features released. A small nod passed between us before she turned back to the table, the picture of professional ease.
“It’s no problem at all, Mr.Holt. In fact, we’ve been having quite the conversation while you were away.”
I lifted a brow. “Really?”
“Yes.” Amusement threaded through her tone. “Ms.Morgan was just sharing her exciting news.”
I glanced toward Tessa and caught the way her hand drifted to her midsection, pride softening the hard focus in her eyes.
“Mr.Smith’s wife just had twins,” Emma explained, humor warming her tone. “He was offering some tips.”
Tessa grinned. “More like horror stories.”
Smith let out a booming laugh. “That might not be entirely wrong.”
Laughter rippled around the table, loosening the coil in the room by a degree. The storm from the hallway receded, replaced by something that almost felt like normal.
Then the door opened behind me, and normal evaporated.
Nathan rolled in, loud and unbothered. “Damien. Sorry, I took a second. The line for coffee was three deep.”
Everything in me tensed, but I reached out anyway—accepting the cup because appearances demanded it. A blandsmile settled on my face. “Now that everyone is adequately caffeinated, we can pick up where we left off.”
I hadn’t even finished before Nathan cut across me.
