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Bob shot me a questioning look, but I just shook my head slightly, never taking my eyes from Scarlett. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable, a challenge burning bright and daring me to refuse her demands.
My gaze flicked to the others gathered around the table - the Alliance members practically vibrating with self-righteous indignation, Bob Miller sweating bullets as he frantically scribbled notes. This was Scarlett’s show, no doubt about it.
But that final concession? Giving up all future development rights in perpetuity? That was clearly a step too far, meant to provoke me rather than reach any kind of reasonable compromise. A power play, pure and simple.
The smart move would be to agree to the first few points. Expand the habitat area, oversee the relocation efforts, contribute to conservation - all reasonable asks that I could swallow without too much difficulty. Of course, I’d outright refuse her last demand, but the rest was more than doable.
Once we dealt with the final demand, which I obviously wouldn’t be granting, I could have this all wrapped up in ten minutes. Just imagine. Full approval for the project in no time at all would have my father believing the sun shone out of my ass.
An end to all this nonsense would mean…not baiting Scarlett anymore.
I wasn’t ready to give that up just yet. Not when this was so damn entertaining. Not when I wanted to see what she’d do next. Not when I wanted to keep her in my life for just a little while longer.
Should I risk my father’s fury and all the consequences of pushing this case to litigation when I could so easily end it here? Fuck yes, I should.
So, I gave her a lazy smile and said, “I’m sorry, Ms. Wright. I’m afraid these amendments would impact the project to such a degree that it would be untenable. I cannot accept them.”
The way her eyes flashed, the way her chest rose and fell as she took a breath. She was pissed. Good. Let her be pissed. It made this whole thing so much more fun. Plus, it made her look hotter than ever.
“Very well, Mr. Rivers. If that’s your final decision, we’ll proceed to court. I’m sure a judge will see the merit in our case and rule in our favor.”
Judge Donald called an end to proceedings and Scarlett and her tree-hugging cult filed out of the room. Honestly, they looked like they were preparing for the apocalypse when they stopped just outside the door and talked to Scarlett in urgent, panicked whispers.
Bob turned to me with panic in his eyes. “Was that really the best move, sir?” He mopped his brow with a handkerchief, like an overheated old woman at church. “Refusing all their terms means this goes to court now. Your father is not going to be pleased.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Scarlett as she reassured them. The woman was pure sin in a pencil skirt. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, Bob.”
He sputtered beside me. “B-But the costs! The delays! We were so close to an agreement!”
“Were we, though?” I drawled, finally tearing my gaze away to look at him. “She would never have accepted anything less than total capitulation. This fight was inevitable.”
Bob opened and closed his mouth like a gasping fish. I almost felt bad for the guy. Almost. He just didn’t understand that some things were more important than profits or pleasing my father.
Like the opportunity to go a few more rounds with Scarlett Wright.
The thrill of the chase, of trying to throw her off her game. The chance to see that fire in her eyes and the pulse pounding in her throat. To have her full, undivided attention focused solely on me as we went head-to-head. Oh Jesus, don’t think about head.
No, this was exactly the result I wanted. Let the game continue. I was just getting started with Ms. Wright.
“Don’t worry, Bob. We’ll get what we want in the end.” My lips curved into a wolfish grin. “I’m counting on it.”
I couldn’t resist following after Scarlett when I saw her storming out ahead of her little cult. The fury rolling off her in waves was like a siren’s call and I was powerless to resist. I hurried to catch up, lengthening my stride to reach the antique elevator just as the gate was closing.
“Hold up,” I called out, grabbing the ornate metal grate and pulling it back open. Scarlett whirled to face me. Oh yeah, she was pissed. I loved it.
Without a word, I stepped into the elevator car, pulling the gate closed behind me. The small space seemed to shrink even further with the two of us trapped inside, bodies mere inches apart. I could smell her perfume, something light and floral, but with an undercurrent of musk that did crazy things to me.
Her chest rose and fell with angry breaths as she glared up at me. “If you had no fucking intention of settling today, you could have skipped this whole part of the process and gone straight to court. You wasted everyone’s time, asshole.”
Scarlett’s words were like daggers, but they barely even grazed me. I was too busy admiring the flush on her cheeks, the way her eyes were practically spitting fire. She was pissed, and it was hot.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” I drawled, taking a step closer until I was crowding her against the elevator wall. She held her ground, tilting her head back defiantly to maintain eye contact. “Seems to me this whole song and dance was very much worth it.”
A muscle ticked in her jaw, and I knew she was holding back a storm of words. Smart girl. Wonder what else she might be holding back?
The thought had me reaching out to toy with a loose strand of her hair, letting it slide through my fingers. She tensed, but didn’t pull away. I took that as a win.
“You see, Scarlett,” I murmured, dipping my head until my lips were a hairsbreadth from her ear. She shuddered. I smirked. “I’m a gambling man. And I’d much rather gamble on the chance of us going a few more rounds together before this is all over.”