If Griff had a contract offer from Callum, then she was locked into having him as her headline act. Instead of arguing with him, she needed to switch gears and start thinking about how to manage the press, how to spin his comeback into positive publicity for Ryder International. To protect the company, her job and herself.
She’d have to draw up a whole new publicity campaign. But the first step, obviously, was to ensure that he didn’t do anything asinine between now and Valentine’s Day.
Kinga rested her arms on the table and locked eyes with him, hoping her expression looked as fierce as she felt. “I’ll make you a deal.”
“This should be interesting,” he drawled, amusement lifting the corners of his mouth. Right, so she didn’t intimidate him at all.Great.
“I will not fight Callum on this and, believe me, I could. It might take some time but he would, eventually, listen to me.” No, he wouldn’t, but O’Hare didn’t need to know that. “And we can easily afford to break your contract, pay you for any inconvenience caused. As far as the bad publicity that would generate, I think that a lot of people would understand why we felt we couldn’t afford to take a risk on you.”
Kinga thought she saw a flash of pain cross his face but it came and went so quickly she couldn’t be sure. But she did have his attention and that was all that mattered. She’d push her agenda while she had the upper hand. She suspected she wouldn’t retain it for long.
“I control the publicity,allthe publicity, including how we frame the story of your comeback.” Griff started to speak but Kinga jumped in before he could. “You don’t have a manager anymore and my sources in the industry tell me you don’t have a publicist, either. Consider my PR services part of your remuneration package.”
“I am perfectly able to manage my publicity,” Griff said, his voice dangerously soft.
Kinga snorted. “No, you’re not. And since your comeback intersects with my ball, I’m going to be the one controlling that narrative.” She drilled her finger into his muscular forearm and ignored the fire when she touched him. Her uncontrollable attraction to him was very damn inopportune. And annoying.
“All you need to do is behave yourself. And because I don’t trust you to do that, you will relocate to Portland, Maine, where I live and where Ryder International has its headquarters so I can keep an eye on you.”
“No,” Griff countered. “If I make it to Portland, it will be because Iwantto be there and not because you issued a royal decree.”
Kinga frowned at him, wondering if he knew that the local press called her and Tinsley Portland’s princesses, or whether his off-hand comment was just a coincidence.
“I want you in Portland, it’s where our business is based, where the Ryder-White’s have lived for generations,” Kinga stated, momentarily distracted by the interest in his eyes. God, he was want-to-jump-you-hot.
She wondered what he’d do if she put her mouth on his, whether the heat swirling between them would erupt into a firenado.
She rather suspected it would. The flames between them were sky-high and if he were anyone other than, well,him, she might be tempted to explore their crackling chemistry. Even to the point of suggesting they get a room...
The thought shocked her.
She wasn’t an impulsive person. She didn’t make quick decisions. Her impulsive behavior at the New Year’s Eve party a decade ago had led to tragedy, so she analyzed everything, considered all options, worked all out the possible outcomes and consequences. Only then did she act.
“I want you to relocate to Portland,” Kinga repeated her suggestion.
“That’s not going to happen.” Griff’s insolent smile pulled her back to reality.
“Chin up, darlin’,” he drawled. “I realize you are a boss girl, but not everyone is always going to fall into line with your wishes. Maybe I’ve been sent to remind you of that.”
She’d never admit it to him, or anyone, that she suspected he was right. That her vociferous opposition to Griff just made Callum more determined to have him perform. Callum liked shaking her up, making her feel off-balance and out of control. He liked the idea of his grandchildren working in the family business but would far prefer she and Tinsley were male.
Callum wasn’t a fan of strong, successful women.
Mind games—Callum was a master at them. But she wouldn’t let him, or any other man, get the better of her. Kinga forced herself to drop her shoulders, to send him a cool smile. “I think this whole process would run smoother if we worked together so I would greatly appreciate your presence in Portland, Mr. O’Hare.”
Where she could keep her beady eye on him.
It galled her to admit that she’d lost this first battle between them—she had no doubt there would be many more—and she knew it was time to retreat. Picking up her tablet and bag, she slid out of the booth, a little surprised when Griff stood, too. The man, surprisingly, had manners...
“I need to leave now to catch my flight,” she said, digging into the side pocket of her tote bag for a business card. She handed it over and watched him tuck it into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll pick up the tab and let you go back to doing what you seem to do best.”
“And that is?” Griff asked, laughter back in his eyes.
“Picking up random women in bars.”
Griff dipped his head and Kinga had the wild thought that he was about to kiss her. She should step back, retreat, but her feet refused to cooperate. She wanted him to kiss her, she realized; she wanted to know how he tasted, whether his big body was as muscled as she expected.
Dear God, this wasn’t good.