Page 14 of Tell Me You Need Me

“Fair deal,” I rumble. “Because if I break her heart, it’s nothing less of what I deserve.”

“Alright, now that that’s out of the way, let’s figure out this Singapore contract before the board has a collective stroke.” Maxy drops his hand and sweeps it through his hair, heading back toward his desk.

I don’t respond due to the soft, distinct double-buzz of my phone vibrating against my chest. I slide the device from the inside of my jacket pocket and unlock the screen.

Mischa: I can’t stand this any longer. If you don’t respond right now, I’m coming down there, and that means abandoning a massive pile of food with my girls. Plus, you know they’ve invited their men, and I’d like to actually eat something before they demolish it whole.

I read the message. Warmth spreads through my chest as I picture her pacing back and forth in her high heels, biting her bottom lip while the rest of the girls hold her back.

I fire a quick reply:

Me: Stay put, troublemaker. We’re on our way.

I look up from the screen and slide the phone back into my pocket, catching Maxim staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Change of plans,” I say, buttoning my suit jacket with a flick of my wrist. “Let’s go.”

“Go where? We have three contracts to review.” Maxim frowns, picking up the files.

“There’s food.” I run my hand through my hair and tip my head over my shoulder, nodding toward his office door while making my way to it. “And probably a fucking party to boot down in the boardroom on my floor.”

“What do you mean ‘a party’? And in your boardroom?” Max moves with me, or he was, now he’s stopped dead in his tracks, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“Mischa,” I say as he starts moving again. We walk to the elevator banks. “And Alex. And Seraphina. And Cory, Gennie, and Romy.”

“All of them? In the middle of a work day?” Max blinks, stunned, before looking at me, the dots finally connecting in his head as we step into the private all-glass elevator cabin. He stares at his reflection in the polished doors as we take the ride up. “Shit, everyone knew about the two of you but me?”

“Yeah.” I look over at him, a smirk breaking across my face as the elevator pings and the doors slide open on my floor. We step out into the marble hallway as the loud, ringing laughter of six women echoes down the hall. “You just didn’t want to see it.”

“Unbelievable. I’m the last damn person to know, and I’m around you and my sister more than anyone else.” He shakes his head with a quiet chuckle, following me down the corridor toward the doors of the boardroom.

“You’re her brother.” I shrug, stopping right outside, my hand gesturing to let him through first. “It’s standard procedure.”

The entire boardroom has been completely transformed into a high-society gathering. The air smells rich with Italian catering, the girls’ favorite, and it’s spread out across the massive convergent table in a chaotic, thrown-together buffet. Jett’s face is lit up on the giant presentation screen via FaceTime, laughing while Alex, Seraphina, Cory, Gennie, and Romy sit around the table sipping sparkling water and champagne. They look like a collection of stunning women who could bring any man to his knees.

Then there’s Mischa. She’s breathtaking in the fitted cream blouse, her hair tumbling over her shoulders in a straight sheet, her cheeks flushed with crimson. And she has no idea I’m looking at her. As if she feels my gaze upon her, her head snaps toward us, and her bright green eyes lock on mine, searching my face, trying to read the outcome of the last half hour.

When she sees the calm, easy-going expression on her brother’s face and the lack of bruising on both of us, a soft, audible gasp escapes her lips, and her shoulder drop in pure, sweet relief.

“Well,” Alex says, leaning back in her chair, raising a glass toward us with a grin. “They finally decided to join the party. Did you two manage not to draw blood up there?”

“Barely,” Max grunts, stepping past me to the table of food. He grabs a plate and casually piles three prosciutto wraps onto it. “Although I’m seriously considering firing you all for conspiring against my sanity.”

“Too bad, so sad, Max,” Gennie giggles. “We don’t work for you. And besides, we’re off the clock.”

“It’s true,” Jett’s voice booms through the surround-sound speakers connected to the screen. “You’re outnumbered, Romanoff. Accept your defeat and eat some pasta. I have it on good authority the other male components will be walking in right about now.” I look over my shoulder, and sure enough, Dom, Vik, Dante, Rafe, and Gavin come barreling through. The entire room bursts into easy laughter and the chaotic hum of camaraderie and friendship.

I ignore the food, the banter, and the rest of the crew.

My eyes never leave Mischa’s as I walk around the long table, my stride measured, confident, and possessive. Mischa stays seated. Her lips part slightly, and her pulse visibly flutters in the hollow of her throat as I close the distance between us. I step up to her chair, reach down, wrap my hand gently around her neck, and tilt her face up to mine.

In front of her brother, in front of our friends, in front of any passersby, I bend down and press my lips firmly against hers in a slow, lingering, greedy kiss that tastes like sweet wine and victory. Mischa lets out a trembling sigh against my mouth, making me want to deepen the kiss. Only it wouldn’t stop there, and I’d have her against the next available surface, something no one else’s eyes but mine will ever see. Her fingers come up to rest tightly around my wrist, gripping my skin as well as the fabric of my suit sleeves as she melts into the touch.

“All right, all right!” Max groans while the rest of the group is more of a loud, collective chorus of catcalls and cheers. “My eyes can’t handle this. Get a room, Cross.”

“You okay, trouble?” I whisper, my voice low enough that only she can hear me after I break the kiss, slowly. My thumb gently traces the soft curve of her throat as I pull back just an inch, looking down into her shining eyes.

“Better than okay, Mr. Cross.” Mischa offers me a radiant smile, her fingers tightening around my wrist.