Her voice was heavy with confidence, but she didn’t cross the line into arrogance. She had a special quality that made her innately endearing even though she was a powerhouse. She was aware of her power, but she didn’t seem interested in throwing it anyone’s face. Only someone secure in their success didn’t care what others thought of them—and she was definitely secure. “Mr. Cutler, what a nice surprise. What can I do for you?”
Her sexy voice caught me off guard even though I’d already heard it. It fell on my ear at the perfect cadence, making me think of her mouth pressed right against the shell of my ear as I fucked her against the wall.
Why did I keep on thinking about fucking her?
She was just a pretty woman. Nothing more.
It was time to focus. “I’d like to have another discussion about your company. Let’s set up a meeting in my office tomorrow.” My fingers drummed against the white desk, focusing on the silence between us. I wanted to listen to her breathe, listen for the sound of apprehension. I couldn’t gauge a single weakness when I met her in person. Now I was listening for it.
“I already came to your office and wasted my time. If you’d like to talk about this, you can make an appointment with my assistant.”
My eyes flashed at the cold way she brushed me off. Like a queen full of indifference, she dismissed me as if I didn’t mean anything to her. It was like a slap in the face. If anyone wanted to do business with me, they came at my beck and call. But this woman obviously operated under a different philosophy.
“Goodbye, Mr. Cutler.” Without waiting for a response, she hung up on me.
Click.
I listened to the line go dead before I hung up the phone. I sat back in the chair, my fingertips resting across my lips. While I sat there rigid and silent, the emotions exploded inside me. No one had ever handled me so callously before. She was playing with fire, and she was about to get burned.
And I was so fucking hard.
I despised this woman, but my attraction didn’t seem dependent on that fact. My mind and body had very different opinions about her. I didn’t consider myself a proud man, but I did demand respect. I didn’t care for the way she handled me. She should bend over backward for me like everyone else did. This deal didn’t matter to me, so I didn’t want to bother with the meeting. She could lose out on the opportunity, and I didn’t give a damn about it.
But I gave a damn about Titan.
This was important to her.
If she were well enough, she would secure this deal. Perhaps she would have had better success since she was a woman, and Ms. Alexander would have responded to her very differently.
I told her I would make this happen, and I had to keep my word.
She was my best friend.
So I ground my teeth together before I spoke into the intercom. “Jessica, get me an appointment at Ms. Alexander’s office.”
Alexander Applications wasn’t in the center of Manhattan the way Titan’s offices were. It was closer to the border and near the water’s edge. A large, historic building sat at the front, designed with sensual and elegant features. Two stone horse statues stood at the entrance to the building. Behind the building was a large stone wall that enclosed the rest of the compound in the background. More buildings were in the distance, where the research was conducted.
The black-and-white tile entryway led to a spacious lobby that was elegant enough for a five-star hotel. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and its old-fashioned feel directed contradicted the new technology that was born out of this place.
I checked in at the front desk then took the elevator to the top floor. This area was vastly different than it was downstairs. Just like an Apple store, it was sleek, plain, and modern. The desks and chairs were constructed of a gray-blue material, and the walls were made of a dark hardwood. I checked in with another assistant and then was guided to a separate waiting room.
It was a big waiting area for a single person. It made me wonder how many meetings she had a day. I was offered refreshments, but I declined. I surveyed the area then looked at the glass doors that took up the entire left side of the space. They were completely reflective, allowing Ms. Alexander to see out but no one to see in.
I wondered if she was looking at me right now.
I couldn’t believe I was sitting there waiting to be seen.
I didn’t wait for anyone.
But yet, I was sitting on my ass waiting for her.
She was probably dragging it out on purpose, just to remind me that she was in the position of power this time.
I didn’t like that one bit.
If I had my way, I would just forget this meeting altogether and spend all my time trying to bury her company. Even with her genius mind, I could still crush her business. The most popular products on the market weren’t necessarily the best; they just had better marketing. And marketing was my strength. I could decimate all of her hard work overnight.
And I was tempted to do it.
But then Titan came into my mind again. She was home right now, still weak from the gunshot wound that nearly killed her. Diesel wouldn’t allow her to work, so it was up to me to make this happen. If I could deliver her good news, it would make her suffering more bearable.
So I swallowed my distaste and continued to wait.
Finally, her assistant walked into the room. “Ms. Alexander will see you now.”
About time. I’d been sitting there
