Page 18 of You're Mine

“You’re the first person I’ve told, and I think I’m doing the right thing, you know, helping people.”

George took a bite of his steak and sat back. “I know of the companies you’re a silent partner in. In fact, six months ago, I even approached the tech guys you helped, in the hope of having them join my tech firm, and they refused. Their silent partner had faith that they would be able to take their latest project the whole way.”

Anna-Beth gasped. “That was you?”

“Yes.”

“They didn’t tell me the name of the company, I had no idea. Really?”

George nodded. “I was disappointed but I also respected them for their decision. I have to say, though, Anna-Beth, you’re looking tempting, and not because you’re wearing one of my robes either.”

He saw her cheeks heat. “Tempting in what way?”

“I love to find talent, to bring it into my company, let it flourish, and allow it to expand. What you’re doing is what I want to start. I’ve been working on it for months. Consider it like a division of my company that goes out, finds talent, and we work to build on it. If it fails, the company helps, we fund, and we help to build,” George said.

“That doesn’t sound like something a large company would do. Usually it means taking all the credit, swallowing up the product, and turning it into something else. Trust me, I have seen how that works,” she said.

She had watched so many people nearly get destroyed because of it, through her own parents’ company.

“I know exactly what you mean, but … I think you have a real eye for seeing something in others.”

Anna-Beth frowned. When it came to work and business, she was used to being criticized for her ideas and what she would love to see. Now that George was saying she did, it was kind of unnerving.

“George, I help people that I know have been treated incorrectly. All the businesses I’ve helped were at some point connected to my parents.” She nibbled her lip.

“Exactly, have you ever thought that the reason you went to help them wasn’t just because you felt bad for them, but maybe you saw a vision? You’re not losing money, Anna-Beth. You’re making a fortune.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I try not to go into much detail.”

“Okay, how about this? Tomorrow, we go to my company, I show you some of the ideas that have come our way, and we’ll see what happens?”

Anna-Beth sat back and looked at him. “You’re giving me a chance?”

“Yes.”

“You actually believe I can do this?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I have no idea why you have this much doubt inside you when you have already proven time and time again you know what you’re doing. You’ve not squandered your trust fund. You’ve invested it, and have seen a return.” He reached out and she loved when he touched her hand.

Staring at him, she waited.

“I’ve just been lucky, George. I … I don’t want you to get too excited.” She’d been told time and again how useless she was. Her parents, especially her father, had called her many names to say how much of a pain in the ass she was.

He shook his head. “I don’t believe that. I believe you have this gift, this way of seeing something more. Give me a chance,” he said.

“I don’t need to give you a chance.”

He moved and knelt beside her. For a split-second, she kind of hoped he was proposing to her, but she also knew that was not going to happen. They were having sex, amazing sex, and that was all it was.

“Trust me,” he said.

“I trust you.”

“Good.” He gripped the back of her neck. “Because I am always right, and I’ve got a good feeling about this.”

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