Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
To the board, marriage is the ultimate contract. It’s stability, longevity, and a public declaration that a man is putting aside his need for toys and adventure. A traditional move that would muzzle the board at Sterling Capital once and for all, a perfect chess move, one that will end in checkmate. Christ, this is a lot. I stand up from my seat, grab the cut glass crystal filled with rum, and move to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the sprawling city. My reflection stares back at me, familiar—sharp jawline, perfectly tailored suit that screams wealth, and eyes that usually hold a glint of mischief. Except, that’s not what I see right now. Dead serious is the only way to catalogue them.
I don’t want a fake arrangement with some socialite who only cares about the name that comes with the man or the size of my penthouse. If I’m going to play this game, I want someone real. And as I stare out at the city, a very specific beautiful face flashes through my mind.
“You know,” I murmur, my voice low as I watch the traffic crawl along the streets below, “there is one woman I’ve had my eye on.”
“Just promise me you won’t screw things up with Alex.” Vik snorts, a sharp sound that shatters the quietness in the room. “She’s the first assistant I’ve actually been able to stand having in my office for more than a month without firing her or making her cry. She keeps my entire chaotic-as-fuck life running.” I turn around, and he continues after a brief pause, “And besides, we all know it’s not Alex you want, it’s her friend you were making googly eyes across the bar a couple of weeks ago. Don’t think for a second the three of us didn’t notice that little performance.”
I don’t deny the allegation, just lean my shoulder against the window, taking a slow, deliberate sip of my rum on the rocks. Vik’s right, as are the rest of them. Alex is indispensable, a brilliant force of nature who takes no shit when it comes to Vik. It’s her friend, who walked into the nightclub wearing a dress that should have been illegal, looking entirely unimpressed with the high-rollers and billionaires buying up the VIP section.
“This is going to be good.” Dante settles back in his chair, waiting for a response from me.
“I have no intention of screwing anything up, Vik,” I reply, the wheels already turning my head as I formulate a plan to not only solve my board member problem but to also go after the woman who’s kept my dick in a constant state of hard. “In fact, I think I’m about get very, very serious.” She completely ruined me in the span of a single evening with her effortless beauty that made my flashy cars and high-end watch collection feel entirely trivial. She’s exactly what I need to upend the board’s expectations. And more importantly, she’s exactly who I want.
“That settles it. I’m out of here.” Rafe stands up, announcing he’s done with the conversation and being at the office without his woman.
“Later,” I respond, walking back to my desk.
“Let me know if you need anything.” Vik raps his knuckles on my desk, setting his drink down, ready to leave.
“I’m not leaving for a while. You know where to find me.” Dante takes his glass with him, which means he’ll be back in less than an hour.
“Sounds good.” We all say our goodbyes, and my friends and colleagues head out the door as I take a seat behind my desk. I’ve got a plan to formulate and a woman to make mine.
CHAPTER TWO
corinne
The things I do for my friends, I swear. I’m currently carrying two brown paper bags from the deli around the corner, a favorite of ours. The savory scent of tomato soup and toasted sourdough bread is making my stomach growl. In my other hand I have the weight of the cardboard drink carrier, balancing two oversized iced coffees along with bottles of water.
I feel absurdly out of place as I cross the threshold of Sterling Capital. The lobby is bustling with activity, people in business suits with phones pressed to their ears or chatting with the person they’re walking with, and then there’s me. I’m dressed for the grueling twelve-hour shift awaiting me at the hospital after lunch. My ceil-blue scrubs are comfortable, what they don’t scream is corporate workwear. The sneakers on my feet are clean, but no, they aren’t heels. And my hair is up in a messy bun, unlike the chic chignons others have walking around me. If it weren’t for Alex calling me, somehow persuading me to have lunch before I clock in for the day, I wouldn’t be here.
I’m at the security desk within seconds of entering the building, taking a deep breath and inhaling the mixture of perfumes, coffee, and expensive leather.