Page 12 of Taming the CEO

"Natalie, can I have a word with you before I leave?" I asked her on Friday morning.

She nodded. "Sure. Want us to go to your office?"

"Yes. Give me an update on the next events."

Natalie immediately started rattling everything off before we'd even entered the office. She was very good at her job. I was lucky that she needed one way back when she met Jake. She'd been trying to get her event planning business off the ground, and Gran was her first client. Natalie organized her ninetieth birthday party. I offered her a job because she couldn't get clients fast enough, and we'd been a team ever since. She was practically my right hand, and I was going to promote her, considering the hotel would eventually demand more of my time, leaving her to take care of the office here.

"Okay," I said as we both sat down. "Do you need me at any of these events?"

Since we focused on creating office spaces, we routinely held all sort of events—it was part of our marketing campaign. We always handed out invitations to existing customers, and they were welcome to bring over other business partners.

"It would be helpful. You know, most people attend these things because they can't resist your charm and want to check you out."

I knew she was only half joking, and I smirked. "I'll do my best to attend. I think I'll be able to make it tonight too."

"I saw on your calendar that you've got a meeting out of the office today."

"I'm meeting Samuel in Essex. And I’m taking Gran too." Natalie pressed her lips together, and I narrowed my eyes. "What's that? You look like you want to tell me something."

"Yes. I feel like it's my moral duty. Not just because you’re my boss and brother-in-law but because I like you. I have to give you some tips about Jeannie."

"Tips? She's my grandmother."

"Ah, yes. But you see, you've never been on the receiving end of her matchmaking efforts."

I jerked my head back. "That is not what's happening here. Gran's coming because she wants to see the property and meet Cami and... Fuck," I groaned. "That’s exactly what's happening, isn’t it?"

Natalie laughed. "It's good that you caught on. Now that we're on the same page, you're going to be more open to my tips."

"How did you know she was trying to matchmake you and Jake?" I asked.

"She wasn't at all subtle about it. She kept finding excuses for us to spend time together and kind of sang his praises to me. Honestly, he needed it, because I wasn't sold on him when I first met him."

"I wouldn't mind if she sang my praises to Cami. That might certainly butter her up for the sale."

Natalie winced. "Listen, Maddox. Unless you want Jeannie to actually go forward with her matchmaking efforts, do not encourage that. She'll take it as a sign that she's on the right path." She looked me in the eye. "Is she?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I don't know. Why did you flirt with Cami in the first place? You never mix your personal and professional lives."

I cleared my throat. "No, I don’t." I couldn’t deny that Cami was an extremely attractive woman, and she was tough too. I wouldn’t have minded hooking up with her. My priorities were all screwed up. "I fucked it all up, damn it!"

Natalie sighed. "Yes. I’m just surprised that you tried to negotiate that way."

"That’s not why I did it."

"So you were attracted to Cami, and that’s why you flirted? Not to get the deal?"

My nostrils flared. I wasn't a liar.

She put a hand over her mouth. "Um, well, just so you know, Jeannie will pick up on it. No matter what you do or try, she will."

"Natalie, I appreciate what you're trying to do. But I know my grandmother."

She shook her head vehemently. "Every single one of your brothers thought they had everything under control... until they didn't. I mean, it worked out well for them. But if you remember anything, remember this: don't let Jeannie be alone with Cami."

“Of course I won’t.”

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