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Aside from the fact it didn’t give them the money or influence to lobby for policy changes. Truechange.
Farming is big business. Worth billions.
She smiled at me. “I can see where your mind is going, Ward. Trust me, this is a different way of doing things. We take the power away from the corrupt senate—not sorry—and put it back in the hands of consumers.”
Now I was really listening.
“Change happens at the checkout. People vote with their wallet, as we say. More farmers are joining and having to improve their farming methods, otherwise people buy their competitors’ products.”
Penelope smiled, and I could see her passion for what she was doing.
“It’s not about hurting farmers—we are open to everyone joining.Ifthey can meet our standards. It’s simply eliminating the hidden animal cruelty from the consumer which has gone on long enough.”
Incredible.
“Do you think it will work?” I’d asked next.
“Yes. I know it does. Other animal welfare organizations are doing it around the world with huge success.” She smiled broadly and took a sip.
Pride poured from her.
God, she was beautiful. Smart, beautiful, and intelligent. If I’d been a younger man—a different man—I might have fallen in love on the spot.
Perhaps I did in my own way.
Penelope Goldsmith had captured my attention, and I was having trouble looking away, completely charmed by her.
“You put me to shame, Ms. Goldsmith. All I’ve done with my life is to create beautiful clothes.” I smirked, glancing down into my liquid gold.
It was a dick thing to say. Verity & Co. clothing walked along the runways alongside the biggest names in the world. Were worn by the most beautiful men and women on the planet.
And had made me one of the richest men in the country. Give or take a few hundred million.
But who was counting?
“Many of your dresses hang in my wardrobe, Mr. Montgomery,” Penelope said. “They make me very happy to wear. We all have our part to play in this world.”
I sipped my drink as I imagined her naked, stepping into one of our designs...and me ripping it off her so I could ravage her. The image had taken me by surprise, my cock thickening in my designer pants.
The chemistry had flowed both ways so powerfully. Her eyes dilated, a slight blush of arousal on her cheeks.
“My sons are now in charge. I’m semi-retired.” I think I said it to let her know I was no longer a young man. Not that she was a spring chicken, but I knew she was unmarried. How, I cannot remember.
“Come on now. You’re way too young to retire.” She teased.
I couldn’t have stopped the smirk if I’d wanted to as she flirted.
“Please, call me Ward. There’s more to life than working.” I lifted a shoulder. “I admire your passion, given the options available to you, but don’t you have other dreams?”
Her eyes drifted across the room. Then back to me. “I have dreams. Don’t we all?”
Our eyes remained locked as invisible flames lapped at us. At that moment, I desperately wanted to know what she craved.
Pleasure?
Material things?
Love?