Page 40 of Succumbed

“I assumed so. It’s what we do, as business owners.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “My visibility and press is positive for my business, which means I can take better care of my team and invest more in my clients and community. I might not choose the limelight, but my personal preferences are ultimately immaterial.”

Some of the fight goes out of Declan’s posture as I speak, and I glimpse Shane’s amused expression out of the corner of my eye.

“Anyway, feel free to tab through the overview while I hit the main points.” I push my laptop toward them, and they all lean forward to see it. “The press campaign will start in two weeks and will feature three marquee events–a live interview, the launch at the Summit, and the Brightest in the Bay award ceremony when we return.”

“Say more about the interview.”

There’s a frisson of electricity along my spine at the command in Shane’s tone. My night with Linc, and the stolen moments with him since, turned on a part of my brain I didn’t know existed. I’ve noticed more dominant behaviors from the men in my life, but none affect me the way Linc and Shane–even Declan–do. They leave me yearning for more.

“You’re familiar with Cass Thompson?”

“Hell, yeah. She’s dope.” Linc’s dimple winks at me, and my core aches. I still want to lick him.

“She is,” I beam back at him, keeping it professional. “She’s also a personal friend. I’m working with her to set up an exclusive interview with you, Declan.”

His eyes flash to mine.

“She knows the startup community well, the Bulletin has the highest reach in the Bay, and she’s experienced in green tech. Even without our friendship, she’s the best choice.”

“I agree,” he admits, sounding mildly surprised. “It would be a huge win to have that kind of attention for Solum.”

“It would. You have six weeks to prepare so you can make the most of it.”

Declan clears his throat, glancing at his partners. “Will you or your team provide any coaching?”

It’s a struggle to keep the smile from my face, but I have a feeling he’d interpret it as mocking, so I lock it up and incline my head solemnly. “Of course.”

He jerks his chin in acknowledgement and turns back to the slides on my laptop.

“Interview in six weeks, Summit in ten?” Shane asks.

“That’s right. You all have current passports, yes?” At their murmurs of ascent, I sigh in relief. “Good. That’s one less thing to worry about. We’ll all be going. It’ll be impossible to launch Solum without acknowledging the elephant in the room that is Greenstar Labs and Anne-Marie, and I anticipate technical questions Shane and Linc will be best suited to answer.”

They nod thoughtfully, and a feeling of accomplishment fills me. We have a short amount of time to make magic happen for their business, and I worried it would be an uphill battle. Declan’s attitude and the tension between the three of them is concerning, and I expected the news of Lincoln and I sleeping together to cause more waves. I might make it through this in one piece, after all.

“Christ, that was a lot,” Linc sighs a couple of hours later. He reaches his arms up and laces his fingers behind his head, muscles rippling under his white tee as he leans into the stretch.

I chuckle as I stand, rolling my shoulders and stretching out my arms. “It was. Productive session, gentlemen. Thank you.”

“No, thank you,” Shane chimes in.

He rises from his seat and walks into the kitchen, moving with almost feline grace. The strength in his lithe form is obvious, especially in that tee.

“Whoa, it’s almost nine.” Linc frowns, looking at his phone. “Lex, did you eat before you came over?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” I wave him off as I pack up my laptop and notebook.

He squints at me. “Lex.”

I look up at him with my most innocent expression. “Linc.”

“What did you have for lunch?”

It could be a casual question, but from him it’s loaded. He’s heard too many mentions of missed dinners and snack meals this week during our runs.

My shoulder twitches up. “Cami brought me a quinoa bowl.”

“Did you eat it?” Shane calls from the kitchen, picking up on my careful language.

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