Tara hadn’t stopped to think out this level of logistics. “Let me talk to Grant first. I’ll let you know when we need you.”
Astrid’s eyebrows popped up as she hitched her handbag over her shoulder. “When you need me? I own just as much of the company as you do. So I’d say you need me now.”
Tara forced a smile. “Right. I’ll figure something out as soon as possible.”
Miranda and Astrid made their exit, leaving Tara feeling a bit like she was a lamb who’d been led to slaughter. Yes, this was her idea, but it was going to take all three wives to make it happen and it was clear that for now, this arrangement was tenuous at best. And then there was Grant to worry about. He would be pleased with none of this. It might be time to pour him a very stiff drink.
Grant pulled up in front of Tara’s house, happy to have found street parking on the always busy Ocean Boulevard. He hopped out of his BMW, stuck with the realization that he was walking into the unknown. Tara, Miranda and Astrid could decide to go any number of directions. They could attempt to buy him out. Hell, they could try to unseat him as CEO. He wasn’t ready to concede his dream. He’d spent too many years as the number-two person at Sterling, doing the dirty work and cleaning up after Johnathon’s messes. Although one could argue that Grant was walking into yet another cleanup job.
He rang the doorbell and Tara quickly answered, wearing a white sweater that fell off her shoulder, revealing her silky-smooth skin, and a pair of jeans that showed off every inch of her lithe frame. He’d known the odds were stacked against him, but her outfit seemed a bit unfair. How was he supposed to concentrate when she looked so damn good? “Come on in,” she said, waving him inside. “I have wine upstairs. Or bourbon if you prefer.”
“Wine will be just fine.” He followed her up the stairs, taking the chance to eye her hips in motion as she took each step. It was a glorious distraction from his worries about business. When they emerged on the top floor, to his great surprise, there was no sign of anyone else. “I thought Miranda and Astrid would still be here.”
Tara was standing at the island in her spacious gourmet kitchen, pouring them each a glass of wine. “They left me as proxy.” She clinked her glass with his. “Cheers.”
He drew a long sip from his glass, her warm gaze connecting with his. She struck him as extremely relaxed right now, comfortable with whatever came next. Her steady demeanor was exactly the reason why she was so successful in real estate. Many of her clients found her presence incredibly calming. Of course, her adversaries thought she had nerves of steel. Grant found that it made his pulse race, but Tara had always had that effect on him. Even after all these years. Once again, he wondered about his loyalty to Johnathon and exactly how long he could stick to it. “So? Do you want to give me the answer? I’m guessing bad news since the other two decided to exit stage left.”
“Come on.” She took his hand and pulled him from the kitchen to the living room, then led him out to her sprawling balcony, wrapped around the front of the house with an unobstructed view of the beach and ocean beyond. Even with the picturesque setting and a beautiful woman holding on to his hand, Grant braced for the worst. She was being too calm. Too kind. “I don’t want you to think of our answer as bad news. I think this could ultimately be a good thing for everyone.”
That was all he truly needed to know. She was about to deliver an answer that was less than what he wanted. Still, he’d stick around for the explanation. And the wine. And the company, for that matter. When he wasn’t focused on what Tara was about to do to his hopes and dreams, he couldn’t deny his intense attraction, the way he wanted to wrap her up in his arms and kiss her. “Just say it, Tara. You’re usually far more direct than this.”
“Fine. The wives and I want to keep our shares. We want a role in running the company. On a temporary basis to start, and if all goes well, we want to make it permanent.”
Grant rested his forearms on the railing, looking out over the vista. The sea breezes blew his hair back from his face. He should have seen this coming. Tara was incredibly driven. She saw opportunity and she took it. “I see.”
She inched closer to him and put her hand on his back. For an instant, his eyes drifted shut and he soaked up her touch. He’d had countless thoughts over the years of moments like this, when he could be close to her. It had been his fantasy for so many years that it was nearly hardwired into his brain.
“That’s it? You see?” she asked.
“I’m processing.” He straightened, and as he’d feared, she let her hand drop. It was for the best, even if it disappointed him. The contact was driving him to distraction. It was too easy to think about his physical desires, when he needed to stay focused on business. “I don’t think you three have any idea what you’re signing up for. This business is brutal. Absolutely cutthroat.”
“You think I don’t know that? No, I don’t do development now, but I work in a parallel universe. And I was there when you and Johnathon started the company. I know the nuts and bolts for sure. I also saw how hard he worked and how often he got cut down. Astrid and Miranda have witnessed the same. I think you’re underestimating us. Plus, Miranda
