AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t think anyone could,” I say firmly. “You’re far too savvy for that.”
“And flattery, too,” she says. “But that’s not what I want to hear.” She leans across my conference table, mushing up her breasts to create an exaggerated cleavage. “I want an apology,” she says, her lips spread in an evil grin.
“I hear ya,” I say.
Brody joins us. Gretchen follows with two glasses of wine for Brody and Adrianne and a glass of Pellegrino for me.
“Thanks, Gretchen,” I say.
Adrianne scowls at her.
“What’s this I heard about apologies?” Brody smiles.
“I lost my temper with Adrianne after the last time she called. Nick and I counted seven times she called in the hour it took me to travel to my last meeting.”
“Ah,” Brody nods. “We’re in business together, Adrianne. No one wants to be sorry they are in business together. We want you to be happy – but remember, we’re equal here. Jack is as much of an investor in this project as you are.
Jack doesn’t work for you – he is working with you. It is in his best interest to make this a successful project – not just for you but also for him.
I am sure we explained this to you before we accepted your money. But since you’re here, let’s review what’s happening.”
Brody’s speech is interrupted by Gretchen calling out for someone to stop.
“Is he in here?” a female voice asks.
Brynne?
Chapter 6
Brynne
The layout of Jack’s office is not difficult to maneuver. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out that the central room with shaded glass walls is his conference room.
I remember him explicitly saying he was returning here to meet the stalker/admirer. I see muted figures through the etched glass and knock on the door before opening it.
“Hi there, sorry to interrupt,” I smile.
Jack rises to block me from entering. A Miss Clairol redhead is seated at the conference table, firing daggers from her overpainted eyes.
“Hi,” I say in a flirtatious hush. “I think I walked off with your keys this morning. Did Nick drive you in?”
“Yeah, I am kind of busy,” he says through gritted teeth.
He has a look of abject terror. He is trying to communicate with his eyes for me to leave. I know he doesn’t know what is going on. I take his ruggedly good-looking face in my hands and draw his mouth to mine.
He doesn’t resist, that’s for sure; I kiss him tenderly. It’s a brief but slow, deep kiss. I glide my tongue just past his lips beforeI release him. His eyelids are heavy like he’s been doped up. Maybe I should help him back to his chair. I don’t know whether to feel flattered or sorry for him.
“See you tonight?” I ask in my best relationship voice.
I reach inside the office, waving goodbye. I flutter my hand on purpose, intentionally wagging my ring finger. I loaded it with one of my cubic zirconia costume diamonds to suggest I am engaged.
“Sorry for the interruption and the PDA,” I say to the meeting. “Hey there, Brody. I’ll let you have my fiancé back.”
“Well, thank you, Brynne,” Brody says with forced politeness, his eyes flaring with madness. “It’s always good to see you, but we need to get back to work.”
I forced myself to sashay down the corridor and back to reception. But the truth is I probably should sit down – before I walk into a wall. Never has a kiss, which was supposed to be nothing, affected me like this has. My head is spinning with the kiss replay. I watched through lowered lids as his perfectly chiseled lips met mine.He didn’t resist. I surprised the heck out of him, but he didn’t resist.
“Can you come with me?” I mouth to the receptionist.
