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After his conversation with Bethany in his car, he’d nearly called off this meeting.He’d felt as if they’d made progress; that she would give them a chance while he tried to get over the hurdle of his erstwhile brother-in-law and the piece of paper, which now stood between him and the woman he was coming to realize he couldn’t live without.
The idea that he could lose Bethany was what had made him keep this appointment.Come hell or high water, he intended to hang on to her.This was merely another angle to make certain that happened.
She may not like what was coming next—hell, he was pretty sure she would have a thing or two to say about it—but he’d be damned if he’d let the chance slip by to keep her with him until he could come completely clean.
The elevator door pinged open.
He saw her first.Dark humor lit within him as he silently mocked himself.Hell, when didn’t he see her first?She was like a laser beam attuned to his radar.Wherever she was, his senses zeroed in on her.
And today, as always, the sight of her knocked the breath from his lungs.Jesus, but she was fucking gorgeous.
Her hair was tied away from her face in a loose knot that caressed her nape.Her navy pinstripe jacket covered a cute, pink, flowered shirt, and her skirt ended at her knee, leaving her knock-out legs exposed.Delicate studs adorned her ears and a single string pearl necklace rested against her collarbone.
She looked prim and proper.
He wanted to mess her up.Tousle her well and good, leave her glossy mouth and other equally captivating parts used and bruised.
He barely managed to tear his eyes away when Sheena Malcolm stepped out first, followed by Gary Wright.
He hurried through the handshakes and glanced back at Bethany.
Shock, surprise, then uncertainty streaked across her face.Then hurt and anger flashed through her eyes.
His blood thrummed at the anticipation of fireworks, even as he wondered whether he’d chosen the right path.
“Mr.Savage, this is Bethany Green, our very talented assistant,” Sheena said.
Zach stepped forward.“Miss Green.Very pleased to meet you.”
Bethany remained frozen against the elevator wall, her throat working as she watched him.He kept himself firmly planted in the elevator entrance to prevent her bolting.And he could see in her eyes that she was considering it.
He held out his hand and cocked an eyebrow.
Her eyes flashed as she glanced down at his hand and back at his face.When the silence strayed into awkward territory, she finally stepped forward.
“Mr.Savage.It’s an honor to meet you, I’m sure.”
The bite in the word made his lips twitch, but the hurt and wariness in her eyes didn’t prolong the humor.Bethany wouldn’t take this situation lying down.And he had to play his cards right.
But the moment her hand slid into his, the belief that he was doing the right thing reasserted itself.He was not willing to live without her.
He held her hand for as long as it was appropriate without raising questions from the two Neon executives behind him.Then reluctantly, he let her go.
Jeff, who’d flown in that morning from San Francisco, was waiting in the newly set up meeting room.Introductions were made and coffee served.
Zach made sure Bethany was seated first before he took the seat next to her.He caught her hastily indrawn breath as he quickly squeezed her bare thigh under the table.
She began to ravage her lower lip with her teeth and heat surged into his groin faster than he could process the reaction.
God, please.Soon.He was dying of blue balls.
Sheena Malcolm cleared her throat and smiled a brittle smile from across the table.
“Mr.Savage, Gary and I can’t express our appreciation at being given this opportunity to spotlight your company.I will be your first point of contact on anything to do with the Indigo Lounge, of course, but Gary and I?—”
Zach forced himself to concentrate on the meeting and not on the urge to flatten Bethany to the nearest surface and fuck her until the world stopped turning.
“You made a PR bid for the Indigo Lounge last year, did you not?”