“But it is your concern if I don't give you high marks in culture. Sure, your company has the highest salaries and with the gene therapy collaboration with PharmaTech, you have high marks in innovation. But your company culture marks are terrible. If I were you, I'd want to impress me, the person with all the power,” she said.
“Wouldn't it be unethical if I agreed to go along with what you're implying?” I said through gritted teeth.
“As if this competition is ethical.” She snorted. “Honestly, there are so many bribes floating around. Like this very nice lunch.”
“Speaking of food,” I said, wiping my mouth. “They're going to start judging soon. Can't miss it.”
“I did want something a little different for my dessert.” Sloane walked around the table and ran her hands up my suit jacket. “You sure you don't need a little stress relief, Mr. Billionaire? You have a lot of weight on those broad shoulders.”
“I'm perfectly fine, thank you,” I said, twisting out of her grasp and opening the door. “After you.”
She sauntered beside me, using any and every excuse to touch me. It wasn't a long elevator ride, but my jaw was clenched the entire time. We arrived in the main lobby just in time to see Holly get coated with white chocolate.
“You need to go sit over at the judges’ table. We need to start filming,” Dana said, hurrying over to me. She looked Holly up and down. “Holly, honestly. Go change. You're one of the first to present.”
“Are you all right?” I asked her after Dana left.
“Totally,” she said, rolling her eyes. She was caked in white chocolate.
Sloane looked between us then ran her hand down my back, letting it linger at my hip. “I'll come find you later, Owen.”
Holly looked annoyed after Sloane sauntered off.
“Do you need to use my shower?” I asked her.
She sighed. “I need a long soak, but I would never be able to finish in time. The show must go on.” She picked up her red velvet coat.
“You're going to ruin that.”
“Actually, I ruined it four hours into a nine-hour marathon baking session when I wasn’t paying attention and splattered egg everywhere.”
“I didn't realize baking was such a hazardous sport.”
“That's why I have a hat,” she said, putting the red Santa hat on her head and tightening the belt on the coatdress. She blew me a kiss. “You can lick all this off me later.”
I started.
She laughed. “That perked up your south pole, didn’t it?”
I sat at the judges’ table, all my employees gawking as the first contestants presented their dishes. Holly's was definitely the most imaginative.
“This is really cool,” Nick said. “Like very cool.”
“I love that you can taste all the flavors,” Anu remarked. “The cookie isn't too doughy; it's the perfect texture and a great counterpoint to the cocktail shots.”
“Also, kudos for not skimping on the alcohol,” I said, toasting her with the vodka cranberry shot. All my employees hollered.
“Hey, everyone,” Anastasia said after the last contestant had presented. “The judges aren't deciding this round, you are. You've heard their comments. So vote on the app, then let's party. Hit it!”
Christmas rock music blared out of the sound system. I milled around, talking to my employees as they sampled the desserts. Holly's cookie shots were a big hit. I toasted several of the employees in line, and we did cookie shots together.
“Coolest CEO ever!” one programmer said, taking a selfie with me.
I wanted to talk to Holly, but Dana motioned to me.
“She wants more B-roll, I bet,” Holly said.
Before I left, I whispered in her ear. “Don’t forget I'm licking that all off of you.”
