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I wasn’t a woman that mixed business and pleasure. To be honest, I was so preoccupied with securing deals that my love life had taken a nosedive a long time ago. It didn’t mean I wasn’t interested in a man. I just hadn’t found a man who could handle my strengths and help mould my weaknesses. I knew if I allowed Tate Hillside to break the walls that surrounded my fortress, I would end up hurt. And worse, regret my decision to even be here. Dad, Asher, and I finally seemed to be in a good place, and I didn’t want the risk of Tate Hillside to screw it all up. It was best this way, hold him back and pray his affections are turned elsewhere.
“Come on and be ready, let’s get this party started,” Tate smirked as he directed me to stand, then led me out the door. “It’s time to meet my board.”
I felt my eyes widen and palpitations start in my heart. I reached for my chest before I felt the hot breath of Tate in my ear. “Don’t worry Sutton, I’m right by your side. It’s just a meeting.”
I followed Tate as he held his head high, and I noticed every person around him was in awe of the man. The way people’s pens stopped writing and eyes focused on him the moment he walked past; he commanded the room like he was God himself. No wonder he was so cocky.
Tate opened the door and a large table, filled apart from two seats, awaited me as everyone took note of the pair of us as we entered.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Wilkinson of Wilkinson Holdings Corporation will be joining us today. If you’d like to take a seat, Sutton.”
I walked over to the pair of chairs and took a seat as Tate started to work the room. I see what Asher meant about him being in control. I couldn’t help but squeeze my thighs together to try and ease the pressure between them. His voice was dominant and strong, and fuck, I shouldn’t be having these thoughts. I pulled my notebook and pen out of my bag and started to make notes.
* * *
“Did that help?” Tate asked after the board members vacated and just the two of us were left. I continued to write the last few notes before I stopped and put my pen down.
“It did, but I didn’t realise how much I needed to do,” I admitted as I looked at the pile of completed sheets of paper in my less than neat, scrawled writing. I’d been so desperate to not miss a word that my hand ached.
I rubbed my hand in an attempt to stretch and loosen the muscles, as I noticed Tate’s eyes fixed on mine when I looked up.
“Are you going to show me what you wrote about me?” he asked, reaching forward to grab the notebook. I slammed my hand down on top of his and quickly pulled the papers away.
“No, Tate…” I hesitated as I placed the notebook back in my bag. “I just don’t want to share.”
“Why? Have you drawn scribbles of affection alongside my secrets?” He chuckled as I felt the heat travel up my face. “I’m joking, Sutton. I just hope I’ve helped.”
“Oh, you have. It’s just…” I started, as a knock to the room disturbed us.
“Next meeting’s here,” Tate uttered. “Come on.”
I stood up and followed Tate out of the room and toward the lift. “Don’t hold out on me Sutton, what’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
“I just don’t know where I fit in now. I’m not just the busy, top-notch worker but CEO now,” I began as the lift doors closed, and we stood there, alone. “I have all these pressures and responsibilities that I’d never dreamed of…”
“And it’s not just you,” he finished off as I felt my shoulders slump.
“I just feel Asher could’ve done better. Everyone knows him; loves him even,” I began to rant out, as his trained gaze remained on mine.
“Sutton, it’s okay. We all feel it. Trust me. You’re just thinking too much,” he said with a genuine smile. “You need to take it one day at a time. Don’t let the pressure overwhelm you. Relax.”
“And if I can’t?” I asked honestly as he tilted his head closer.
“Then it’s time to give it all up. Business isn’t worth anyone’s upset and hurt, Sutton. Life won’t be worth anything anymore.” He raised his brow as the lift stopped and the doors opened for my stop on the ground floor.
I walked out and took a couple steps, his spicy scent sending a wave of heat through me as I passed him to exit. I stopped and turned. “Thanks, Tate.”
“I’ll see you around, Sutton.” He gave me a cheeky wink as the doors closed and the lift begin to rise, along with the man who’d be in my thoughts for the rest of the day.
Damn! If all the interactions we had together were this explosive, I was worried how long it would be before I actually thought ‘fuck it’ and jumped into the man’s bed. Would it be such a terrible idea?
The whole journey back to the office had been a replay of Tate Hillside in that boardroom, and the way I forced my feet to keep moving before I stopped and turned around. I wanted to go back to his office; to Tate, and just let him know what he was doing to me. I knew I had to be strong. Temptation was one thing, but to actually take that step with him ignited something else within me: fear.
As I rounded the corner and could see Wilkinson Holdings Corporation in front of me, my phone alerted me to a text. I opened it and smiled: Asher.
Lunch is on me. I’ll see you at work at twelve. I hope the meeting went well.
Chapter8
