Page 12 of Ruthless Wars

“Sure."

“I seriously doubt that. Staying below the radar is how you make the real money. And it’s not like any of the members of the Alliance are publicity whores. And you’ll tell them everything? The reason?”

Austin’s words hit home. I rake a hand through my hair, sheepishly saying nothing.

“Exactly. And I’m guessing you’re bailing on me for drinks.”

I give him an apologetic shrug. “Rain check?”

Huffing through his frustration, Austin zips his leather jacket.

“How about if a supermodel takes my place?” Without another word, I’m on it, dialing the cell number of one of my corporate attorneys and putting the call on speakerphone. “Simone?”

“Hey, Coop.”

Austin and I pick up on the awkward echo of her voice coming both from my phone and outside the door. We both look up to see her standing at the far end of the hall, and I catch Austin's small smile as he glances up and down her curvy frame.

“I’m delivering some paperwork to Alli,” she says. “I can drop by in about ten minutes.”

Austin fakes disinterest, but I know I've hit gold. “Actually, let me just ask a quick question. When you told me you thought Austin was hot, did you mean that in a platonic way, or was it a dinner-optional statement?”

“She said I was hot?” he asks with enough intrigue, I know I'm forgiven.

“Technically, I believe I said I wanted to bang the man speechless but was worried that might be pejorative. I mean, obviously, he has a brain too. And yes, I could do dinner before banging him speechless.”

Austin’s wide eyes are priceless.

“Excellent. See, I was supposed to be having drinks with him, but I have to bail.”

“Shocker,” she says. “You sleeping at the office again?”

“Don’t judge us obsessive workaholics. We keep everyone in the luxuries of running water and electricity. But if you’re free tonight, how about I give him a nudge?”

“Nudge away. Thanks, Coop. I owe you.”

“My pleasure. And if you could nudge Alli out of here at a reasonable hour, we’ll call it even.”

“Deal,” Simone says before disconnecting the call.

Unamused, Austin narrows his eyes on me. “And exactly how long have you had this tidbit in your back pocket?”

I grin. “What can I say? Timing is everything. You kids have fun.”

“Oh, we will. Don’t pull a hip making love to that laptop.”

I swat him away, eager to dive back into analyzing the play of the century. I know what Long Multinational is doing because they’ve done it before. But Steele Holdings wasn't in the mix then.

Who says stalking doesn't pay? Steele Holdings is all mine. And the seat on Long Multinational’s board of directors will be the icing on the goddamn cake.

With a quick glance at the time, I notice the date. “A year ago,” I say, surprised at the flash of a memory that instantly makes me smile.

Of her.

It’s easy to lose myself in that moment. The one that got away. Her and those lacy panties.

Thoughts of that crazy, gorgeous, seductively stubborn blonde left me tossing and turning all night. Leading me to sink my insomnia into an hour of Long Multinational trend analysis. A year ago today.

Thank you, Lady Luck.

---