She laughed. “My place? That issonot happening.”
Although he was miffed at how she took pleasure in her steady stream of rejections, her spunkiness fueled his drive to win.
He tied his dress shoes and straightened, then raked his damp hair from his eyes. Already dressed, she sauntered toward him. With each step he envisioned her mouth on his, her body draped around his, while their slow, erotic connection climbed to a frenetic pace. She stopped inches away, her almond eyes filled with frisky energy. She turned. The dress needed zipping.Damn.
Unable to resist, he ran his fingers down the length of her back, appreciating her silky skin. Her breath caught. It would be all too easy to pull her into an embrace and begin again.
No. We’re done.
He slid the zipper, cloaking her slinky body. Losing her in this way left him with an unexpected emptiness. He shook his head. Sleep deprivation had muddled his brain.
He touched her shoulder. A simple courtesy to let her know he was finished, and then he stepped away. Seeking the best for his business wasn’t new, but hiring a strong-willed person was. While his loyal staff was comprised of intelligent, hardworking individuals, they did as he instructed. No balking, no pushback. How much could this change of strategy cost him? He was about to find out. “Brigit, the wealth manager position is yours. When can you start?”
She pivoted, the playful spark gone. “I’m declining your offer, Colton. Nothing has changed.”
He clenched his jaw. She was being so damn stubborn. While he needed her expertise, this would be a great career move for her, as well.
She glided past him and into the living room. Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, he followed, but sank into the recliner, prepared to stall her. She paced in front of the sofa.
Here comes serious.
Cocking her fist on her hip, she stopped in front of him. Her eyes narrowed and the feisty woman he’d met in Seth’s office returned. “It’s my understanding that you’ve had six wealth advisors in the past decade. Most resigned because you’re impossible and incorrigible. Their words, not mine.”
He relaxed against the crinkled leather and remained silent. Best to let her regurgitate her issues, so he’d know what challenges to overcome.
“From what I’ve learned, you rarely agreed to their proposals and made financial decisions based on whatyouthought best. When you made poor choices and lost money from bad investments, you blamed them, even if they’d advised against your suggestions. Those business tactics make my head hurt. I’ve worked too hard and come too far to work with a hot-headed tyrant like you.”
He tapped the armrest, but said nothing. She was nowhere near done.
Brigit pinned him with a hard stare. “It’s one thing toletyou boss me around in bed, or in the shower, but I’m the expert when it comes to wealth management. You are not. My recommendations are the culmination of a well-thought-out strategy with only your best interest in mind. If you won’t allow me to do my job, which by your own admission I’m the best at, why on earth would I work with you?”
Fuck, she had a point.
“It’s my understanding that your staff’s investments haven’t been managed because you monopolized Todd’s time. I’ll tell Seth. Expectations with potential wealth managers must be set. You employ a staff of twenty, therefore time must be set aside quarterly to meet with everyone.”
“Todd managed.” He strummed his fingers over the worn arm of the chair.
“No, Colton, he did not. News flash. The world doesn’t revolve around you.”
Although frustrated she’d declined his offer, he was pleased to hear her champion his staff. “You’re negotiating with mealready? I don’t see how you’re in a position to do that.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Negotiations began the moment you laid eyes on me in the conference room. Others may cut you slack, but I will not.”
And then he knew. She wanted control, respect, and autonomy. If he wanted her, he’d have to play by her rules. This was definitely a first. His heart thundered in his ears. Handing over control, no matter how seemingly small, made his blood boil. There was no such thing as insignificant power.
Colton had to tread with caution. Brigit Farnay was quite the contender. If he gave her an inch, she’d want more. A smile ghosted across his lips. Time to roll out his plan. “Your presentation was spot-on and your analysis of MobiCom was exactly what I needed.”
Gripping her hips, the hint of a smile danced on her lips.Nice.Even tough-as-nails Brigit Farnay wasn’t impervious to a compliment.
“And therein lies the problem,” she said. “I followed your orders. How are you going to manage when you give me another unreasonable request with zero turnaround time or I disagree with your investment strategies?”
As he paused, he studied her face. She was so damn sexy all fired up. “Brigit, let’s trial this for ninety days.”
“You really know how to entice a girl.” On aharrumph, she crossed her arms. “Try this on for size. Trust my judgment and give me control over your wealth.”
Control over my wealth.Colton gritted his teeth. From a young age, he’d learned that control and power went hand in hand. The room closed in. He needed air.
“Colton.Colton.” Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “I’ll call a taxi.”
