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Rather than giving in to the urge to slide my hand into her hair and pull her toward me, I gesture toward the bank of elevators. “Shall we?”
The restaurant is one of the most highly rated in the area, and since it’s located in the hotel itself, I don’t have to suffer through a car ride with Chloe, where we’ll have to sit side by side and I’ll be forced to breathe in her scent while wishing to god she was anyone but my fucking assistant.
Inside the restaurant, I give the maître d’ my name, and he guides us to a table where Ellis and an elegant red-haired woman about his age are already seated.
He stands when we get there and shakes my hand, his grip firm. Then he introduces us to his wife. “Jasmine, this is Roman King and his assistant, Chloe.”
Chloe smiles warmly, and Jasmine responds in kind.
“It’s so lovely to meet you. I convinced Ellis to let me tag along because I’ve been dying to try this restaurant, but talking about business makes for a very dry evening.”
Chloe’s light, melodic laugh lights me up inside. I find myself inspecting her profile when I should be focused on tonight’s business, and from the way Ellis’s expression has sharpened, he’s noticed.
I keep my own features schooled, even as a thought strikes me. Does he have an ulterior motive for inviting Chloe to dinner tonight? Ethics are a top priority for him. I wouldn’t put it past him to be trying to discern what the exact nature of my relationship with her is.
As we settle into our seats, a waiter materializes with menus and a wine list. I allow Ellis to choose a bottle for the table, and after we’ve had a few minutes to go through the menu, we order.
The food is exquisite, as expected. And while Ellis and Jasmine keep conversation light to start with, I’m impatient to steer the topic to matters of business. Discreetly, Chloe assesses me. And I swear the damn woman can read my mind, because with an imperceptible dip of her chin, she turns to Jasmine and engages her in a discussion about which parts of France she’s traveled to, allowing me to finally broach the topic this dinner is centered around.
Ellis must have the same idea. With a sip of wine, he focuses on me. “It’s good to talk to you in a more informal setting. I’m sure you’ll agree that it can be hard to get the measure of a man from the end of a conference table.”
I nod. Ellis is clever. I have no doubt that despite his amiable demeanor, he’s watching carefully for signs that the King Group isn’t the right choice for this acquisition.
“I do agree. And I’m glad we have the chance to talk about what could hopefully be a new era for both of us.”
Ellis taps the side of his thumb on the table. “Stepping into new eras isn’t always easy, is it? Especially when we carry the legacy of others on our shoulders.”
I’m not a man who likes to dance around unpleasantries, and it’s clear he’s referring to my dad, so I give him a relatively direct answer. “My father’s choices have been… challenging to deal with.”
He studies me, his expression thoughtful. “Stepping out from that shadow couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t,” I admit. “But I believe my brothers and I have done it. Our focus is on building our own future, not just expanding the empire our father left behind.”
He nods, taking another sip of wine. “As you can imagine, my main priority is ensuring that EcoTech continues to operate under the highest ethical standards. For us, sustainability isn’t just about technology—it’s about corporate responsibility as well.”
“And that’s exactly where my brothers and I stand. Transparency and integrity are at the core of everything we do.”
His lips curve in a small smile. “Those are the kinds of values that align with our vision for EcoTech’s future. I do think there’s great potential for a meaningful partnership between EcoTech and the King Group.”
“My hope is that we can make that a reality.”
Our waiter appears to clear our empty plates, and once he’s done, Jasmine turns to Chloe. “I think I might visit the restroom to freshen up before dessert. Care to join me?”
Chloe glances at me, then back to Jasmine. “Of course.”
As the two of them excuse themselves and walk away, it takes more willpower than it should not to watch Chloe. I’m successful, but when I focus on Ellis again, it’s clear the mood has shifted.
He takes another sip of his wine and contemplates me. Then he sets down his glass and clears his throat. “If you don’t mind, Roman, I’d like to speak frankly for a moment.”
Tension curls around the back of my neck and tightens.
“Chloe seems like a lovely young woman, and I’m sure she’s a very capable and dedicated assistant. But given your father’s history, his business practices aren’t all that concerned me. His… interpersonal dynamics were well known to many of us. To be honest, it’s one of the reasons we’ve steered clear of the King Group in the past.”
A lead weight settles in my stomach, but I nod. “Chloe’s role is strictly professional.”
“I respect that, but these kinds of relationships—between a CEO and a close assistant—can sometimes be misinterpreted.”
Reining in my frustration, I choose my words carefully. “I’ve learned from my father’s mistakes. Not just his business failings but his personal ones too. I have no intention of following in his footsteps.”