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He nodded and moved his fingers to my ankle, massaging there.

"Do you want me to go with you?" His expression was serious while his hands moved back to my foot.

"No, I can handle my father."

Christian dropped his chin in a way that pushed heat through my body. "I didn't ask if you can handle him. You're more than capable. I asked if you wanted me to go with you."

I smiled and shook my head. "I want you to go but don't think that's a good idea. Showing up with you would only give him more ammunition that I need a man to fight my battles."

His hands moved up my calf. "I would hope he knows his own daughter better than that."

I tried to focus on our conversation instead of how his fingers pressing into my skin made it very hard to think clearly because I was reminded of those same fingers in other places last night. "He does but won't admit it. I appreciate the offer but I'll be fine."

Christian nodded stiffly and let it go.

"I did find something that might help. It could give you an advantage in the meeting."

"Yeah?"

His fingers were now massaging the inside of my lower thigh and shit…

"Your father plans on utilizing Article Fourteen of the Whitney family charter to stop you from using the Whitney name professionally without board approval."

Wow, that was a shitty move even for him…

"Which would force me to either bring the development under Whitney International control or move forward without the Whitney branding which isn't possible because I'm a Whitney."

"Exactly."

"How do you even know this?"

"I know one of your board members. I asked questions and he gave me answers."

"About Whitney business?" I frowned, considering that there should have been no way anyone shared our internal matters.

Christian smirked. "I can be convincing when I need to be and the more important thing to focus on is that you know how to argue your position in front of the board."

He had a point but what else could this man access if he wanted.

"Thank you; that helps."

He kissed the bottom of my foot. "You're welcome. I'll let you get back to it. I have a few things I need to work on so I can devote my attention to you later."

When he stood, I was almost disappointed because I wanted him devoted to me now. Knowing I would have him later was just enough for me to shift my mind back to business after Christian's presence no longer filled the room. I felt the devastation already surfacing. This man was going to shatter my heart, and the worst part— I was going to let him do it. This felt too good, and I was willing to accept that the highs would temporarily be enough to suffer through the lows that would undoubtedly follow.

eighteen

Christian.

"Should I be worried?"

Scotlyn looked up at me after I opened the passenger door and extended a hand to help her out of my car.

"No, why would you think you need to worry?"

She accepted my hand, and once she was on her feet, I had her body flush against mine. I brushed my lips over hers and delivered a soft kiss before I step back to admire how sexy she looked. The dress she chose for tonight was white, strapless around her chest, aside from the knot between them where two thin pieces of satin material looped her neck and tied at the nape.

Scotlyn was effortlessly beautiful in anything she wore but something about this woman in white landed differently for me. I dropped a kiss to her shoulder and let my lips linger longer than necessary.