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A small smile passed Cressly’s lips. “We, well Hunter has been doing his thing. Meeting with potential customers but,” he flashed Hunter an apologetic look, “these bureaucracies take forever to make decisions, sign contracts and agree on budgets. So we will likely see the fruits of his labor but it could be another two quarters from now.”
Ryder looked to Hunter, who seemed stunned by the support of his boss, and then back to Cressly. “Sound good. Really good Cressly. Do you have any contacts we could use?”
“Yes Mr. Tompkins, I’ll get them to you right away.” He gave Ryder a nervous smile.
“Thanks. And call me Ryder.” He didn’t like formality, especially when it came to men decades older than him. He refocused on his step brother. “Hunter is there anything you need that could help?”
His green eyes blazed furiously and he visibly bristled. “I’m not some special needs kid you have to keep after, brother.”
Ryder’s jaws clenched in frustration and he released a weary sigh. “Dammit Hunter you don’t think I know that? I’m just trying to make sure we’re doing everything we can to bring in new business and this business keeps growing.” Slamming closed the leather folder, his piercing blue eyes held an icy glare. “Not everything is about you Hunter. My job is to make sure my employees have everything they need to succeed and whether you like it or not, that includes you.”
Cressly and the others read the room correctly and quickly gathered their things, beating a hasty retreat before the atmosphere became too volatile. “I’ll have Mimi send everyone a copy of the notes today,” Ryder said to their retreating backs.
Hunter sat staring up at Ryder, who stood reining in his anger, resentment the only emotion in his eyes. He hated, still hated the fact that Ryder was made CEO. Even though the job seemed boring as fucking hell, he still would have liked to be considered for the job. But no, his parents had insisted he’d be better at business development because he was charming and had that damned party boy persona. Truthfully he really did like schmoozing boring educators and administrators at expensive meals, it was fun and he was damn good at it. But then moments like this brought home the fact that Ryder was the boss. His boss. “Sure boss. Whatever you say.”
Ryder didn’t react because he knew that’s what Hunter wanted. “So you have everything you need, then?”
Hunter stood, mossy green eyes level with velvety blue ones. “I just said I did.”
“Then why have we gone six months with no new business?”
“You heard what Cressly said,” he practically growled at his brother.
Ryder stared at Hunter long and hard, skepticism making it hard to believe him. “That may explain some of it, but I’ve seen your expense reports and it doesn’t make sense so you need a better answer than that.”
Hunter snatched up his deep red leather folder. “Sure thing, boss man. I’ll have answers for you soon.” He stood and gave Ryder’s assistant and friend, Mimi, a meaningful look before he fled.
Ryder scoffed and shook his head as he gathered his things. Every single meeting with Hunter ended the same way. He was overly sensitive and always ready to fight about anything, no matter how insignificant. He couldn’t even worry about his brother right now because he had other things on his mind.
“You know Ryder, you could take it easier on him.” Mimi gave him the same soft and sympathetic look she’d given him when he’d been upset about gaining a new brother.
Ryder sighed and looked at one of his oldest friends. “I could but what good would it do?” The truth was that Hunter only listened when Ryder flexed his muscles, which he hated to do. “He knows he screwed up but refuses to own up to it because it’s me. I can deal with it at Mom and Jonas’ house but not at work.” If Hunter wasn’t his brother with a stake in the company, he would have fired him long ago.
Mimi patted his shoulder sympathetically. She’d spent the past two decades watching Ryder and Hunter compete, fight and antagonize each other over any and every damn thing. If there was a first place to be had, a winner or loser, you could guarantee they would battle to the death for it. It was exhausting to watch and she loved them both, albeit in different ways. Hunter was the difficult brother, the one you had to peel back layers to see he was a decent guy while Ryder easy going and level-headed. Hunter was charming and Ryder could be awkward. “I get that Ry, but as the CEO you have to be the bigger man. That’s why they pay you the big bucks.”
Ryder huffed out a laugh. “When did you get so smart Mimi?”
“I’ve always been smart, you just didn’t know how smart until you were lucky enough to hire me.”
He smiled at her. “Best decision I ever made.”
***
Skylar Morris was running late for a meeting with a potential client and a big one. Edu-Tech Industries was the premier educational software provider. They made educational games, learning aids and even software to help those with learning disorders, and best of all their products were affordable and had recently been endorsed by several homeschooling organizations. She had been looking forward to this meeting since it was put on the books a week ago. They were a big deal and signing with them would be an even bigger deal for her fledgling marketing company that, right now was made up mostly of her and her best friend Kendra Brooks, an office assistant and one social media manager. In another year they would need more employees for their loft office.
Unfortunately Skylar still had about ten blocks to go and only twenty minutes to make it to the building and up to the fifteenth floor. Dammit she knew she should have just taken her car from the parking structure near the office, but it was a nice day and she needed the time to clear her head before meeting with Ryder Tompkins. He had a reputation for being hard to read, exceedingly professional but fair.
She made it to the Tompkins-Cross Building with five minutes to spare and counted that as a win. As long as the elevators aren’t out of service, she thought as she slid between the closing doors. At the fifteenth floor she checked in with the receptionist and ducked into the bathroom to freshen up. She felt poised and confident, ready to handle a meeting with the company CEO. That in itself was odd, since she normally dealt with creative directors or sometimes business development managers. Sitting in the plush lobby on a white leather chair—so typical—she spotted a gorgeous man with a flop of blond hair, eyes so green they had to be fake and swagger for days. He threw her a charming smile she was sure made most women swoon. Not Skylar though. The man fell squarely in the man candy category as far as she was concerned, but she conceded he was probably a major player. It didn’t matter to her though. He was nice to look at, the end.
A few minutes later the pretty blond receptionist led her into a glass walled conference room that tech companies were so fond of these days. Inside the room she gave the blond a friendly smile and turned to find a tall man with short dark chocolate hair and hypnotizing blue eyes. His smile was friendly and professional but his posture was stiff and controlled. He flicked a button and the transparent walls were instantly opaque. Damn but Ryder Tompkins was a beautiful work of art. “Ms. Morris, thank you for coming. I’m Ryder Tompkins,” he extended a hand.
Skylar accepted the shake and her own hazel eyes widened in surprise at the jolt that went through her body. She ignored it and what it might mean because she didn’t have the time to deal with tingles. “Mr. Tompkins thanks you for meeting with me.”
He smiled and she had to grab on to the edge of the table to stop her knees from wobbling. The blond was gorgeous but Ryder was, he was breathtaking and extremely…potent. “No problem. Shall we get started?”
He sounded so stiff and formal she relaxed a bit. It was easier to settle down when a man that looked like him was brusque and obviously uninterested. “Yes lets.” She outlined her company’s goal and narrowed in on how she could help ETI. He gave her his full attention, jotting down notes without taking his eyes off her. It was disconcerting to have his full attention on her, but it also endeared him to her in a way she was unused to. “I’m confident my company can help you improve your numbers in the next two quarters, maybe three, and create a plan for long-term and constant growth.” She exhaled slowly so he wouldn’t see it when she was finished, and gave him a relaxed smile.
Ryder was impressed. Hell, he was more than impressed and it wasn’t just with Ms. Morris’ stunning looks which she played down. But her confident presentation, efficient manner of asking questions and the way she easily answered his questions had impressed him plenty. “What can you do that is likely to work in the next four months?” She gave him another killer smile and pushed a copper curl behind her ear.
