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“So we’re talking about real estate crowd funding?” She turns her attention to Ted. “What sort of protection do you offer the investors?”
He pushes a placating smile onto his lips. “Protection?”
“Yes, if the project fails, what protection would Roman’s company have so he doesn’t lose his investment?” She takes another sip of her coffee, while the sliver of cheesecake she ordered sits untouched.
“Well,” Ted chuckles. “There’s always risk with investments. But I’m sure Roman knows that.” He turns his eyes back to me. “I’m happy to get the plans to you first thing in the morning.”
“So, there’s no protection? How many projects have you completed? Have you come in under budget or over budget? What’s your tenant-to-units ratio?” She fires off questions in a sweet but hard tone while keeping both hands on her cup and her eyes firmly planted on Ted’s face. His associates watch the exchange stoically, while the women seem to sink in their chairs.
“Ted?” I nudge the conversation through the silence blanketing the small room.
“I’m sure the ladies don’t want hear all the boring aspects of our business.” His smile tenses.
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Mandy says between bites of her chocolate cake. “I think it’s interesting. Don’t your wives?”
The bottle blonde with the ruby red lipstick beside Ted blanches. I’m not sure she understands that she’s allowed to talk.
“We have an excellent reputation, I assure you.” Ted pierces Billie with his stare.
“I don’t question that,” she responds. “I was just wondering what your stats are. Maybe you don’t know them off the top of your head? It’s your company, but it’s been a long day, and you’ve had a few drinks. I understand.”
Fuck, I crave this woman.
Ted blinks and makes a show of checking his watch. “You know, you’re right. It’s been a long day, and it’s getting late. We have a sitter that’s probably eating us out of house and home.” He gestures to his wife, who scrambles to get up from her chair. “I’ll get those plans and numbers to you in the morning, Roman. Then we can schedule another meeting. Maybe in your downtown office or mine.”
The other men start to stand from the table and help their wives from their chairs.
“That’s fine.” I pick up my spoon and dig into Billie’s cheesecake, bringing the sweet spoonful to my mouth.
I scoop another bite of the cheesecake onto the spoon as the last of them file out of the room, having said their goodbyes, and bring the spoon to Billie’s lips.
“Did I do something wrong, Daddy?” she asks quietly, but I can see the mischief twinkling in her eye.
“No,malyshka, you were perfect.” I slide the cheesecake between her lips and watch as they wrap around the spoon, pulling the sweet treat into her mouth.
“Those guys were assholes.” Mandy says as she gets up from the table.
“Mandy,” Maxim chastises her but he’s not any more upset with her than I would be.
“You really threw him off guard with your questions.” Mandy smiles at Billie. “That was sort of fun to watch.”
“It was.” I wave our waiter over, instructing him to get our coats.
“Do you think he really doesn’t know the answers?” She finishes the last drop of her coffee.
“I think he sees me as a wallet of dirty money who won’t ask too many questions.” Our coats are brought to us and I leave mine draped over the chair beside me and take hers to help her into it.
She scoots out of her seat and lets me wiggle the sleeves up her arms. I turn her around by her shoulders and work the zipper up to her chin. I should have pushed her to bring a hat, but it is a short walk from the door to the car.
“Ah, well, he’s an idiot then. Why would you do business with men like them?” She slides her purse over her shoulder.
I lift a shoulder. “I took a meeting. I never said I was going to do business with them. But now I know to stay clear of him, and any associates of his.”
“You were feeling him out?”
“Right.” I tap the tip of her nose, then lean into her ear. “Now, no more business talk. Let’s get home so I can give you your well-deserved reward.”
Her blush makes my pants tighter.
