Page 23 of The CEO Enemy

“Agreed.”

Jessica proceeds to give me an extensive tour of the hotel. I’ve seen most of it already. Norman gave me a tour when we were first discussing the sale, and I’ve stayed here three or four times prior to that. It really is a nice space. They’ve struck a good balance between comfort and elegance, something that can be difficult. It’s clear that the money they’ve made has been pumped back into the property.

“I’m sure you know all the specifics already,” Jessica says as we walk. “But in case you need a refresher given your extensive portfolio,” she quips, and I let her comment slide, “we are a smaller hotel by comparison to our counterparts in the city. We have eighty rooms, with forty standard rooms, twenty deluxe rooms, ten suites—including the Presidential Suite—and ten executive rooms. All the furniture was updated and replaced just over a year ago. We also just finished a major renovation of our main lobby and suites, which I’m sure Norman told you all about.”

“He did. One of the things that made this sale so appealing was how many updates and upgrades the hotel has had over the last few years.”

“And despite it all, we’re making profit,” she says with a confident smile.

“Or, because of it. What about marketing?” I ask. “Norman said that was more his department, although you did handle some aspects of it. Who are you using to handle your marketing now?”

“You’re looking at her.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re running the hotel and handling the marketing? You know there are professionals who handle that sort of thing, right, Jessica?”

“Please, call me Jess. I’m well aware. And I’m open to passing on the responsibility to someone with hotel marketing experience, provided it fits within our budget.”

“That can easily be arranged. All the marketing for our hotels is done through the same company. I’ll reach out to one of my managers to get the ball rolling,” I say. “I admire you handling it yourself, but it’s best to leave it to the professionals.”

She arches an eyebrow. “Is this shade about me not taking your offer? Clearly, neither Norman nor I were completely inexperienced in what we were doing.”

“I’m a grown man, Jess. I don’t do ‘shade,’” I tell her with air quotes. “And while we’re back on the subject, you should know that I’m not going to stop trying to buy you out. Blackwood doesn’t do partnerships, and once I have a strategic blueprint for the integrational overhaul, there will be no stopping the progress.”

Jess halts her steps and turns to face me. The outline of her nipples hint under the fabric of her blouse. I’d like to feel them against my tongue. “You’re shameless, do you know that?” she asks, poking me in the chest. “You must know that!” My cock wakes with her touch. Her sharp breaths mimic the rhythm of her poking, and a flush of redness paints its way down her neck, determined to reach the curves of her freckled breasts. “I already told you that I’m not going to sell. Regardless of the money.” She pokes me again. “Not now.” Another poke. “Not ever.” Yet another poke.

With each poke, my dick jerks slightly, but I keep up my poker face.

“How many more times do I have to say it?” she asks, double-poking me, and my dick emulates.

“As many times as it takes, until we finally land on a number that’ll change your mind.”

She shakes her head, and with a final, firmer poke she says, “Not going to happen,” before lowering her hand.

“It always does,” I say.

“You’re relentless.”

“You have no idea,” I tell her. “Company battles make me hard.”

She gasps, and her nipples press firmly against her blouse. We stand facing each other in the hall, the air around us thick with tension. The fun tension from last night, the combative kind, the kind that gets your blood pumping.

“You know what, since you’re so keen on working alone, finish the tour yourself.” Jess backs away with her hands in the air in mock surrender. “I’ve got work to do. I’m sure you can find your way around. Just don’t bother my staff.”

“Our staff, you mean.”

She rolls her eyes and waves me off as she marches away. I stand there, enjoying the swaying of her hips as she goes.

9

JESS

Ispend the rest of the day hiding out in my office, quietly fuming. He enrages me so much, I’ve lost all my charm capabilities.

He can go screw himself.

Jerk.

I can’t believe I was ever attracted to him.

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