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He wanted me.
Office rules weren’t going to change that.
“I’m so disappointed in Rhett,” I said, shifting gears. “I don’t care if he’s upset with me and he wants to murder you, he should have done the right thing and introduced himself to theWestons. Talk about a lack of decency.” I sighed. “I don’t know what his problem is. But I’m over it.”
“Are you going to talk to him about it?”
I nodded. “Right now.” I shifted my tablet in my hand. “Swing by my office before you leave for the game.”
“You’re going to Sky’s after work?”
My head tilted back as I sang, “I cannot wait. PJs, wine, and a massive bitch session.” I looked at him again. “Everything I need and more.”
“Don’t show me your neck.” His stare dropped to the area I’d just exposed. “Not with how badly I want to fucking kiss you right now and how it’s taking everything in me not to lock the door.”
And that was my cue to leave.
My teeth found my bottom lip and bit down before I replied, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I wouldn’t? Don’t goad me, Rowan. You’ll find yourself naked in less than ten seconds.”
I poked his chest and moved around him toward the door, his hand grazing my waist as I passed him. “Ten seconds?” I looked at him over my shoulder. “I’m disappointed in you, Spade. I thought you could do it much quicker than that.” I hurried out before he had a chance to reply and went down the hallway, stopping in front of Rhett’s doorway.
I was hoping I wouldn’t find him inside. That an appointment had taken him out of the building and that was why he hadn’t come into the conference room.
But, damn it, he was in there.
As I closed the door behind me, he briefly looked up from his monitor. The moment he saw it was me, he returned his gaze to the screen.
“What do you want?” he barked.
I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. “For starters, how about a solid reason why you didn’t show up to my meeting?”
He crossed his arms. “You’re not my mother, Rowan. I don’t have to give you shit.”
“You’re right. I’m not. But you’re acting like a child, which is the reason I’m treating you like one.” I kept my voice calm even though he was testing every bit of patience I had. “You’re a partner, Rhett. Just because you’re one of seven doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. We’re one company now, so things like attending meetings with vendors you haven’t yet met would be a great way to show your support.” I exhaled so loud that my chest ached. “You’re not putting the company first. Instead, you’re acting like a selfish prick.”
“Fuuuck,” he growled. “You just won’t stop, will you?”
“Stop doing what?” A surge of adrenaline shot through my body. I just wanted my brother on board. Whatever was making him act this way, I wanted to shake it out of him. “I love you. I would do absolutely anything for you. It kills me that you’re treating me this way?—”
“Then, you shouldn’t have fucked a Spade.”
That was it. I’d reached my limit.
“A Spade? That’s all you’ve got?” I leaned forward until I was gripping the edge of his desk. “You’ve fucked half this town, and have I ever said two words about it? No. Who you sleep with is none of my business. Just like who I sleep with is none of yours.” I squeezed the wood between my fingers. “But the man I’m with isn’t just any man, he’s your business partner. Someone you’ll be working with until the day you retire. Someone who is no longer your enemy. So, get over it, Rhett, and get it to-fucking-gether. Stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about your family and how this attitude you’re giving everyone is tearing us apart. You’re the only one who has an issue with this?—”
“The only one?” he challenged. “We both know that’s a lie.”
“If you’re talking about Ridge or Dad, you’re wrong. I’ve discussed this with both of them. In fact, Dad gave me his blessing.” My eyelids narrowed. “My happiness is what matters to him. I hate that you can’t see it that way.”
I’d had a conversation with Ridge and Dad as soon as I got back from Canada, knowing Rhett was probably going to tell them what had gone down when he caught Cooper and me in the hallway and I wanted them to hear my side of things. Dad wasn’t thrilled that I’d been dishonest with Cooper and hidden my last name, but he certainly wasn’t upset that I was dating a Spade.
If anything, he was ecstatic.
A reaction that had somewhat shocked me.
“I’m talking about Brady.”
