Page 34 of Tainted Love

Stuart’s entire body visibly softens and his eyes widen.

‘I was once in your position, stuck between wanting to create something and making money. Making money was the right path for me but I had to find out the hard way. I’m offering you a chance to take five years to earn some money and make that decision in a risk-free environment. If in five years you want to set up on your own, great, you’ll have the world at your feet with a good CV in your pocket.’

‘I’d like to think about it,’ Stuart says, his voice catching in his throat.

Gregory shakes his head. ‘That isn’t part of the offer. Sign now or walk away.’

The pair stare at one another for seconds that feel much longer. There’s something in the air between them. Admiration? Mutual respect?

Eventually, and as his lawyer looks on, Stuart says, ‘Where do I sign?’

* * *

Once the documents are signed, handshakes are exchanged and I show Stuart and Markus to the lifts. I watch as the numbers descend,27,26,25,24, delaying Gregory’s inevitable wrath. I stole his show and now there’ll be some well-earned fireworks.

I take another lift to the twenty-eighth floor and reluctantly walk, contract in hand, to Gregory’s office. He’s standing by the window, shoulders back, hips slightly forward, calves taut in his tailored trousers. He’s braced for war. With a deep breath, I step into my lion’s den.

He keeps his back to me but watches me through the window, jaw tense. At first, he doesn’t speak. I know how hard he’s trying to control his temper. Then he snaps. ‘What the hell did you think you were doing?’

I sigh. ‘Gregory, it’s eleven-thirty, I’m already tired and I have to finalise this deal; can we talk about this later?’

‘We’ll talk about it now!’ His South African twang is stronger than ever.

I consider apologising and walking away but I know I was right. Instead, I fold my arms across my chest and stand tall in my heels. ‘Fine. Talk.’

‘You had no right jumping in like that.’

‘Oh, really, I had no right? I was stopping you from making a bigger mistake than the one-million-pound mistake you were already making! You were about to offer him more, and for what?’

‘You could have lost us the deal.’

‘And if I had, I wouldn’t be sorry. That deal is high risk and my advice to walk away was sound.’

He takes two steps towards me. The sinews of his neck are stretched tight beneath his late-day stubble.Christ, he’s sexy.

‘To succeed in business, you have to take risks.’

I take one step forward.

‘I’m not opposed to takingreasonedcommercial risks, Gregory, but I can’t advise a client to take nonsensical risks.’

‘Advise, Scarlett. Exactly. That’s what I pay you to do. I pay you to advise me of the legal risks but it’s my decision,mine, whether to accept that advice or to take the risk.’

I move another step forward until only inches of air separate us.

‘That’s where you’re wrong. You’re not my client. Constant Sources is my client for this gig and I’m here to act in the best interests of the company, not yours, or those of your overly endowed ego.’

He bends until I can feel his hot breath on my face.

‘IamConstant Sources.Iamthe GJR group.Idecide who you do or don’t work for.’

‘No.Idecide who I work for and if you don’t like the way I work, I’ll close this deal and you don’t have to hear my legal advice again.’

‘Fine.’

‘Fine.’

I stare into his eyes, heart jackhammering with fury. I won’t back down because I’m right. I’ll stare and stare into those big. Brown. Captivating eyes.