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‘Yes, but I came straight from my parents’ place.
If I arrive to breakfast in those same things, my mum and sister are going to know exactly how I’ve spent my night.’
‘I don’t think they’ll know exactly how we’ve spent it,’ he teases, reaching around and slapping my bottom lightly. I laugh.
‘Well, that’s true. And thank God for that.’
‘Mummy wouldn’t approve?’
‘Please, I don’t think I’ve ever called her Mummy in my life.’ I brush a finger over his lower lip, my heart throbbing. ‘And she’d be thrilled if she knew I was with you. I mean, so long as she thought there was the prospect of marriage, of course.’
‘She’s old-fashioned?’
‘She would think you’re a catch,’ I respond with a shake of my head.
‘And you disagree?’ His expression shows mock hurt.
‘Well, I guess it depends on your definition of a catch,’ I point out. ‘For me, being a fantastic lover would never compensate for the fact you’re completely emotionally unavailable.’ I’m surprised by the words I’ve just said, surprised because they’re not what I actually think. Are they? I mean, whether he’s emotionally available or not is beside the point—I’m not interested in emotions. So why does it sound like I even give a toss about that?
His eyes hold mine for a second too long and my breath catches in my throat as I briefly contemplate that I’ve hurt him in some way. But then he smiles and releases his grip on my hips.
‘That’s because you’re a smart cookie.’ He flops back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. ‘Now get out of here before I chain you to the bed and never let you leave again.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘SO? WHAT DO you think of it?’
‘What do I think of it?’ Dimitrios scans the papers then puts them aside. ‘Obviously it’s a good deal. Why are you even asking me?’
I reach across his desk and lift the analysis I’ve had our international finance firm conduct.
‘This is the kind of app you buy for breakfast,’ he continues. ‘It’s not going to take much capital, relatively speaking. Why haven’t you acted on it?’
I thumb the pages distractedly. ‘I’ve met the owner. Jessica Johnson.’
‘And?’ Dimitrios stares at me for a few seconds then throws his head back and laughs. ‘Let me guess. You slept with her?’
Despite the veracity of his assessment, something like anger snakes in my gut. I compress my lips, tapping my fingers on my knee. ‘I don’t mean that.’ It’s not, exactly, a denial. ‘I just mean I’ve spoken to her, got to know her. And I know how important this is to her. If we bought it—any part of it—the investment would need to be purely passive.’
‘No input?’ Dimitrios frowns at that. ‘It’s not generally how we do business.’
I dip my head in agreement.
‘Christ. What’d she do to you?’
I fix him with a stare that’s pure businesslike. ‘If I thought there was anyone better to run the operations of She-Shakes I’d be putting them forward. Jessica Johnson is the best person for the job. She’s the reason it’s become such a phenomenal success, and I think she’s the person who needs to keep managing it. What she needs is capital, and quickly. Other players with more financial backing are already stepping into her sphere. In order to grow, she needs cash.’
‘I’ve already said I agree.’
I nod, not sure why I’m hesitating. Yes, I’m completely sure why I haven’t already made her the offer. Everything’s complicated by our physical relationship. I don’t want her to think I’m offering to buy into the business just because she’s hotter than Hades—because I’d never do anything so stupid. This is just good business sense.
‘But I’ve read the full report,’ Dimitrios says after a minute. ‘The evaluation at the back—with a full one hundred per cent buyout—is pretty compelling. With our existing media network, the app could be grown exponentially.’
Something closes around my chest like a vice. ‘She won’t sell the whole thing.’
‘Everyone will sell for the right price.’
I shake my head. ‘Jessica Johnson is the rare creature who’s completely unmotivated by money.’ A small smile shifts my face. ‘She seemed almost...annoyed with how successful the app’s become.’
