“Thanks, Ashton. I’d like the three of us to meet once a month if that works for you.”
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“It does.” I glance at Lorelei for a brief moment. “This project is a top priority for me, so whatever you need, you’ve got.”
His phone rings and he excuses himself to take the call. I watch him leave and then face Lorelei again.
“You just broke a few of your own business rules,” she says.
“I did.” My eyes drop to that exquisite body of hers. I’ve had a taste and it was far from enough, but this new tension between us is intoxicating, captivating me more than I imagined possible. Lorelei Winters means more to me than a casual relationship. I want this woman by my side just as much as I want her under me. Meeting her gaze again, I continue, “It seems you bring that out in me, Lorelei.”
“I’m just concerned for Stan. This project is everything to him and you’re treating it like a game.”
I close the distance between us. “I may have broken some of my rules today, but I never treat business like a game. I’m here for two reasons, the main one still being to make money.”
“And what’s the other one?” Her breathing is a little shaky as she asks this question and I know this is my moment to push her.
Placing my arm around her waist, I pull her to me. Moving my mouth to her ear, I growl, “I’m here to show you just how I do business so we can move past the standstill we’re at.”
“And what if you fail to change my mind?”
I draw back so I can look her in the eyes. “I won’t. I’m good at two things in life, Lorelei: business and sex. I’ve shown you one. Now I’ll show you the other. And when I tell you I’m better at business than sex, that should mean something to you, because we both know that even though you’re saying no to me, your pussy is begging you to change your mind.”
Her eyes burn with lust, but she doesn’t disappoint me by giving in easily. Instead, she steps out of my hold and says, “You should leave now.”
“I am. Jessica will be in touch.”
“What for?”
“I thought you missed that point in the meeting. I really need to teach you to listen more carefully when I’m involved in a business deal.”
She places her hands on her hips. “What damn point?”
“The one that put me and you in charge of the interior design.”
“I didn’t miss that. I just thought we’d be overseeing a team who did that.”
“Welcome to my way of doing business. I believe in being hands on. This is going to be the most luxurious resort in Australia by the time we’re finished with it. To ensure that happens, you and I need to check out our competition.”
Her eyes narrow at me. “And what exactly does that mean?”
“It means cancel your cruise. We’ve got resorts to visit.”
“Oh, my, God, you sneaky bastard.”
“I told you this wasn’t over and I meant it, Lorelei.”
“I’m not a pushover, Ashton,” she calls out as I exit the office.
My lips curve into a smile.
Baby, I’m counting on it.
* * *
“I’ve scheduled this weekend and next for you, and shuffled your Friday meetings to free you up on those days,” Jessica says over the phone a couple of hours later.
I enter my father’s building as we talk, ignoring the tension that has settled into every muscle of my body. “Let Lorelei know. And don’t allow her to say no.”