Patton
My head aches as I stand in front of my desk, sorting through the papers. We stayed out too late last night. I drank two more whiskeys after she left, and now I feel like shit.
I almost kissed her. Dammit.
My lips were right there, ready to push hers apart and take that mouth, pull her hard against me, ravage her tongue. I’d had enough to drink that my inhibitions were down. Who knows what else might have happened if that elevator hadn’t stopped when it did?
The door to my office opens and Taron enters looking pained as usual. I’m so fucking sick of it, I’m ready to send them all on a spa vacation. This holiday weekend can’t come soon enough.
My voice is annoyed when I speak to him. “Your new hire suggested some changes to our fee structure. I thought you might like to be in on the discussion.”
“She’s working out better than I expected.” He only grins briefly before his expression is serious again.
“Why did we need a new employee again?” It’s not like him to bring in someone new without talking to all of us first.
He takes a minute, walking over to the small table in front of my window facing downtown. He picks up that photograph of the four of us in our fatigues. “I’ve been thinking about my role here… My limitations.”
“Have you thought about one of those standing desks?”
He shakes his head and returns the photograph to the table. “I know it’s not the best time with all that’s going on. I want you to know my plan…”
A light tap on the door makes us both look up. I’m not sure what Taron means, but I’m not about to let him step back when we’re about to blow up. This launch is going to be a financial windfall for all of us. It’s what I’ve been working to give them since we got home. It might not make up for what happened, but hell, it’s something.
“Come in.” My voice is stern, frustrated.
When Raquel appears, my body responds. She’s wearing a short beige skirt that shows off her shapely legs and a short-sleeved black top. Her hair is over her shoulders, and her scent drifts to me as she gets closer.
She’s so beautiful and so smart. It’s a double sucker-punch, and our near-kiss last night is on my mind. It’s a memory I do not need right now.
“Raquel, thanks for joining us.” I walk around my desk, putting my usual, stern shield in place.
“You summoned me.” Her voice is quiet, and she doesn’t meet my eyes.
I suppress a grin. Even in deference, she still has that touch of spice. I hate how it taunts me.
“Yes, well, I was intrigued by your ideas in the Madagascar meeting. I wanted Taron to be here so we could discuss implementing them. Have a seat.”
She sits in one of the leather chairs and crosses her legs. I blink away from them, and Taron speaks up. “Patton said you mentioned a ten percent finder’s fee and levels of security?”
She shifts to face him. “It was all very off the cuff, actually. I based it on the real-estate model. Realtors charge at least six percent on every sale. I thought, why aren’t we doing the same?”
Her eyebrows rise, and she lights up as she describes her plan. She’s really interested in the business, and she’s so damn quick.
I cut in. “Describe the security tiers.”
She blinks and when our eyes meet, her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink. My stomach tightens, and I study her full lips as she speaks, as she follows my orders. She seems nervous today, which bothers me. Did I cross a line last night? It didn’t seem like I did. We were very close in the small elevator. She stumbled toward me, and I held her arms. For a moment, it felt like she wanted me to do more…
I didn’t.
“It’s good.” Taron nods, slowly walking around the office.
“It is.” I agree. “Where did you learn all of this?”
She shrugs. “Most office buildings have some level of security, and most police forces will send a cruiser to drive by after hours if requested. If they want a full-time guard, we could contract with retired officers or perhaps even military. And we could offer these services at a special rate—or even waive them to make a deal more attractive like we did with Madagascar.”
Taron gives me a smug look, but I’m done arguing with him. Even I can’t deny how intelligent she is.
“You really saved that deal. Great work.” He gives her one of his signature smiles, and it unexpectedly annoys me.