Page 120 of Savage Suit

Chapter Twenty-Five

It’s not you, it’s mehad always been a copout in my estimation, a crock of shit meant to forfeit real accountability. And yet, it was never more applicable or understandable because itwasn’tRyan. It was all me. Even if I had my reasons for my distance, it hurt her.

But all I’d learned from Quinn the night she and Reid intruded on my solitude gave me pause. Not to mention the rabid media coverage targeting Ryan. I’d trotted her out in front of the world for an end goal, the saving of my reputation, the recovery of my bottom line.

She’d succeeded, but at what cost to herself? The very reason I’d hired her—to deal with Amage—was now also in jeopardy. When Boyd Andrews called last Wednesday, he’d expressed not one hint they wouldn’t give KMG a fair shot. That, too, was my fault. I should’ve known Claude sought any excuse to drop us.

Even worse, I was in no position to take over the House of Amage. I wasn’t bankrupt by any means, yet because of that fucking article, I’d lost more money in a day’s time than ever before.

I glanced at Ryan, sitting across from me at a small corner table. She was magnificent. There was no other word to describe her. She had wit, charm, business acumen, and beauty. More than anything, she was tough as steel, but I was achingly aware of her softness.

I wanted her. On my arm. In my bed.

In my boardroom.

It was the last thought I could barely wrap my head around. After insisting my entire adult life, hell, since I was twelve, I’d never marry a career woman, I yearned for Ryan. Shocking to me, but her job kept me away from her. One mishap would panic me, and I’d demand she resign.

For the entire week, I’d gone back and forth about terminating her after this meeting. Itwasworry for her health. Mostly, though, selfishness motivated the idea. If she didn’t work at KMGandI convinced her to retire, I could pursue her.

Yet, she was so fucking brilliant, the ideal candidate on paper. In reality, she was qualified to be a project manager at Keegan Media Group. Or the fucking president and CEO.

I hadn’t known what to expect from her at today’s meeting. I could’ve sent her on her own. Had she been a man, I would have. An unfortunate sentiment she would’ve chewed me out over. Even with me present, Claude had disrespected and condescended. If she had been ahe, no fucking way her looks would’ve been commented on. Claude wouldn’t have belittled her by calling her little one. And he wouldn’t have demeaned her.

When she played the video, I held my emotions in by sheer will. Ryan captured the essence of Réjane Keegan as a young woman, a wife, a mom, and, most of all, a businesswoman. Somehow, she’d also perfectly portrayed our close relationship and how much my mother loved me.

I was stunned, awed, and enraptured. At the conclusion, when Ryan paused before turning and addressing us, I was also grateful. Arrogance told me she’d done it for my benefit because she knew it had laid my heart bare and my emotions were raw. Logically, though, I understood the business decision to allow the impact of what she’d created to sink in, maximizing our chances of Amage green lighting the project.

After Ingrid Warrington’s article, Boyd called and told me Claude was looking into legal action.

“He says you misled him and his brothers by overstating your net worth and intimidated them into signing the contract for Réjane’s fragrance.”

“What?” I’d exploded.

“We all know that’s bullshit, Noah,” Boyd had said on a sigh. “But you need to consider the ramifications of a lawsuit. The fragrance will never see the light of day because it’ll be tied up in court. Sauncier will release the smell alike. And Claude will win in the court of public opinion.”

I’d drawn in a deep breath. “I refuse to jeopardize my mother’s fragrance. What do you suggest?”

“I’ve already gotten their agreement on an alternative. You’re going to have to have your guy present the details of the fragrance. It won’t be a done deal, but I will do my best to get it pushed through.”

In other words, a presentation had been as necessary for my mother’s parfum as it had been for our bid to win the marketing contract for their new pillar fragrance.

Throughout Ryan’s exhibition, I’d seen how impressed everyone except Claude had been with her.

And once she completed her pitch for my mother’s fragrance, Ryan wasn’t finished mesmerizing me. I couldn’t have asked for more than what she accomplished in such a short time. I owed Reid a debt of gratitude.

After such a triumphant meeting, she should have been celebrating. Instead, she was so quiet. I’d never seen her so upset and unanimated. The next time I saw Claude Amage, I would beat the living shit out of him for dampening her mood. I wasn’t a violent man; however, I didn’t appreciate his accusations, especially after her brilliant presentation. Boyd had talked me down once. The next time the asshole struck, Ryan had reacted, and I’d thought it prudent to withdraw her from the situation.

Now, removed from the situation, I regretted leaving before I knocked Claude out and I hated the agony plastered on her face. Since arriving at Three Amigos, a local Tex-Mex restaurant owned by a small group of friends, she was lost in her own head. Now, with our food and drinks in front of us, Ryan’s funk remained. She’d hardly touched her steak quesadilla and took occasional sips from her Mexican Coke.

“How’s your food?” I asked, then took a bite of my chicken fajita, hoping my question spurred conversation between us.

She looked at her plate before picking half of the quesadilla up and taking a small bite, giving me a thumbs-up as she chewed. She washed the food down with a sip of her drink. “It’s great. How’s yours?”

“Good as always. If you’re ever craving Mexican food, this is the place to come to.”

She nodded and forced a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Her skin glowed against the dress’ bright color. Mesh made up the neckline and sides and clung to her curves, driving me insane. She’d pushed her wealth of dark hair back, catching part of it in the middle and then allowing it all to flow around her. I wanted to eat her pussy, then fuck her thoroughly. Our first time together should’ve been in a bed.