Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“I’m hoping we can draw up a settlement that’s agreeable to both our clients rather than dragging this out. Do you have a moment to talk?”
Ford studied me, and before he spoke, the blond man on his left smiled broadly and said, “If he doesn’t, I do.”
Military guy glared at the blond man and shook his head.
“What?” the man asked.
Ford gave him a glare as well, then turned back to me. “Jasper Rollins, these are my friends Carter Armentrout and Worth Chamberlain.”
The blond was Worth, and his previously lascivious look turned to haughty assessment. “Jasper, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Carter gave me a curt nod.
At least now I knew for sure he talked about me to his friends.
Ford rose from the table. “You can have a moment; that’s all.”
He was wearing one of his sweater-vests. It was a deep brown that matched his eyes. His tweed coat had been discarded onto the bench where he’d been seated, and he’d rolled back his cuffs. He looked like he’d just been styled for a slutty professor photo shoot.
I glanced around at all the occupied tables.
“Let’s go somewhere private,” I suggested. I didn’t intend to have this conversation in front of his friends, who were glaring at us like they thought I might kidnap him. Of course if that would get me what I wanted….
“There’s nowhere private here. You should have made an appointment with me.”
“I was thinking of the private rooms in the back.”
Ford’s eyes widened. “That’s…no.”
“I know you like to pretend to be all rigid and proper, but don’t act like you’re some kind of saint.”
“I never said that. I’m hardly a saint.”
I bet he wasn’t. I bet he was one of the quiet, buttoned-up types who turned into an animal in bed.
Holy fuck, where had that thought come from? I didn’t want to know anything about how Ford acted in bed. “Then what’s wrong with meeting back there?”
“Those rooms aren’t for meetings.”
“I know what they’re for. I also know we’ll have privacy there.”
“Jay, you can arrange for a meeting with me during business hours tomorrow. I’m going back to my—”
I grabbed his arm, my grip tight enough that he’d have to make a scene to get free. I knew he wouldn’t do that, but I hadn’t been prepared for him to like me manhandling him. He sucked in his breath sharply and for just a moment, I saw a hungry look on his face.
Damn, I liked how easily I could turn him on.
Not because I was gay. Because it showed I had power over him, power I could use to my advantage in business, not for pleasure.
I smiled at him, hoping he knew I’d noticed his reaction. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to be alone with me.”
“This is improper. We shouldn’t discuss the case socially.”
“This is a business meeting. They don’t all have to take place in the office.”
5
FORD
Because I’m an idiot, I followed Jay downstairs, then through a door marked “Private” that led to a hallway where several rooms were located. The rooms were only available to certain guests. The guard at the door nodded to us, and we walked in.
I was hoping all the rooms would be occupied, but luck wasn’t with me. Jay found us a room halfway down the hall. We stepped inside, and he locked the door behind us.
If I made a bargain with him, would he fuck me in here? Did I actually have the nerve to find out? No, I’d only had one drink so far. I’d need a hell of a lot more before I lost my mind to that extent.
Thankfully, the room didn’t have a bed, just a comfortable looking sofa. I’d never actually used these rooms. I wasn’t a prude like Jay tried to imply, I’d had my share of hookups, but they were never particularly satisfying. I saw no reason to have one here. Vincent’s was a place I came to hang out with my friends.
Now, here I was in a hookup room with a man who was only interested in getting me to make a stupid decision that would fuck up my relationship with Miles and my professional reputation. That was not going to happen.
Jay sat on the couch and looked up at me. “Don’t you want to join me?”
I shook my head.
“I’m not going to bite you.”
I huffed. “I’m well aware of that.”
Jay smiled. “Are you really going to make me negotiate while you loom over me?”
“I’m hardly looming.” Jay was at least four inches taller than me, so even with me standing I wasn’t that far above him. “Say what you came to say, and we can continue this discussion tomorrow.”
Jay sighed. “This isn’t working, is it?”
“What?”
“This room. It’s making you nervous.”
I glared at him. “I’m not nervous. I’m annoyed. I was having a nice evening, and you interrupted it.”