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When I broke it down in my head, when I really tried to make sense of everything, it seemed like he was really overreacting. Especially considering what had gone down in Canada and at the liquor store, both before either of us knew about the business deal. If he was worried about how his family was going to react, all he had to do was explain the timeline of events. They would understand that we’d had no knowledge of the merger when all of that took place, that the acts were innocent. That we were just two people who had met in an unexpected way and our explosive chemistry prevented us from wanting to be apart.
If that was even the case for him.
But that still meant that two partners would be involved.
Jo and Jenner seemed to pull it off. Of course, they didn’t work for the same company, but Jenner was their corporate attorney, which gave them plenty of crossover.
So, what the hell was Cooper’s problem?
That was what I wanted to ask him. I just needed to find the chance.
Because this building was twenty-six stories tall, and although we hadn’t viewed each floor, the realtor had taken us through the first few, pointing out how departments like accounting and HR could construct their layouts. That didn’t give me an opportunity to discuss anything with him. And now, we were on the executive level, a completely open, rectangular floor plan that had no privacy, aside from the offices that were built into the perimeter. Since this was where we’d all be working, the seven of us had scattered once we got off the elevator, passing each of the doorways, taking in the possible spaces we could claim.
As I made my way around, I noticed Cooper checking out the corner office. None of our other siblings or Jo were nearby, giving me, what I hoped, would be a few minutes to confront him. Even if they were close, there was no reason I shouldn’t be speaking to one of my soon-to-be partners.
Granted, between our families, it would raise every alarm for every reason.
I just had to make sure I kept my voice down.
So, I did, whispering as I approached, “I’ll make sure to request the office right next to this one,” and stopped directly behind him. “You know … so I can torture you.”
One of his hands dropped from the framework, where he’d been gripping the top of the doorway, the muscles in his cheek moving, which made me think he was flexing his jaw. A gesturethat emphasized today’s amount of scruff and how sexy it looked on him.
God, I didn’t care how angry I was; Cooper Spade was still the most gorgeous man on the planet.
But he didn’t look at me. His eyes stayed pointed at the interior of the office.
“What do you want, Rowan?”
I laughed.
Because I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard.
“What do I want? Answers. How about we start there?”
He turned his head just enough to give me side-eye. “You know exactly why I left your house. You know why this can’t become a thing. And you know you shouldn’t be bringing this up when there are so many fucking ears around us.”
My hands began to shake, and I tucked them into the pockets of my suit jacket. “I wouldn’t have brought it up at all if you’d just written me back something that was even remotely respectful.”
He shook his head, sighing. “I told you once. I don’t know why you keep making me repeat it. There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
“And I heard you loud and very clear, but that doesn’t mean I agree.”
“This isn’t a debate.”
The anger was rising so fast and so hard; my fingers clenched into fists. “You owe me a conversation. I don’t care how dominant and controlling you are, this isn’t just about you.” I leaned into the wall by the doorway, bringing us even closer. “You got all hot and bothered that I’d only thought about myself and I hadn’t told you who I was. Don’t you see that’s what you’re doing now? You’re only thinking about yourself. But what about me? What I want?”
A smile.
That was what he gave me.
And despite the wrath I was feeling—that look, his face—it sent tingles straight through me.
“I am thinking of you, Rowan.” He glanced straight ahead again, leaving a coldness in his wake. “That’s why I’m telling you, there’s nothing to talk about.”
What?
My head shook, like a fly had just hit my forehead, hoping the movement would piece together what he’d just said.
