Page 25 of The CEO Enemy

Okay, maybe I’m slightly angrier with myself for doing what I did with him. After all, I have an iron-clad “no business entanglements—no exceptions” rule for a reason. Duh, it’s practically written in the stars. Especially with CEOs.

I will never date another CEO again. Ever. Even if the underworld turns into an ice rink, count me out.

Of course, there’s no way I could have known who he was. We never exchanged names, and I had no idea he was the jerk Norman sold his shares to. Still, the frustration is unwavering.

“I’m sure this makes everything ten times more awkward,” Pauline says. “But there’s no reason you both can’t be adults about this.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. I have to think on the bright side. For one, I got to “fool around” with him before he became an insufferable prick. But I won’t allow him to outdo me, that’s for certain. And two, the deal with Blackwood is something that can help the hotels expand their potential. I have so many plans and ideas, ones that have seemed like a dream, things I told myself I’d try once the hotels made profit for a year. With a company like Blackwood, some of those things can become a reality now. When he talked earlier about his strategic blueprint for the overhaul—while sounding way too cocky and know-it-all about it—I didn’t get mad at his immediate assessment of room for growth.

Truth is, the business and success-oriented side of me was getting excited. I understand there’s potential for enhancement.

“You’re right, Pauline,” I admit. “And I know the pros more than outweigh the cons. It just sucks.”

“I know it does,” she says in her dry way. “You were really into him.”

“Okay, I wouldn’t go that far. I was drawn to him by some electric pull, yes. Call it a momentary lapse in judgment. Call it a surge of balcony-adrenaline. Call it cocktail blindness. Of course, now when I think about his face all I want to do is poke him in the eye.”

“Whoa, easy there, killer, don’t go too far,” Pauline teases and leans back. “In all seriousness, there’s a simple solution that’ll help you deal with all these complex emotions.”

“Please, I’m all ears.”

“Sleep with him.”

I burst out laughing. “God dammit, Pauline. Be serious.”

“Oh, I am,” she says, without an ounce of humor. “Despite how pissed at him you are, that doesn’t change the fact that he made you come. That’s more than your ex ever did. Seriously, Jess, what more is there to think about? I say, sleep with him and get it out of your system. Otherwise, you’ll just drive yourself crazy wondering what it would be like.”

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Any desire has been successfully stamped out after that meeting.”

“If you say so,” Pauline says, getting to her feet. “Can’t wait to meet him. Where’s he now?”

“No idea. I left him on the second floor when he tried to buy my half of the hotels.”

“Oh, geez.”

“Yeah. I love this place too much to simply hand it over.”

“I admire you for that, Jess. I really do.”

Pauline heads for the door, and just before she opens it, I ask, “What would you do?”

“Me? If I were you, I’d take the deal and count my money on a beach somewhere with my family.”

Her swift response catches me off guard. She didn’t even think twice. “Just like that?”

“Hell yeah. Life is too short to sit in a hotel office all day, no matter how comfy it is.”

She has a point, I admit. Savoring a Sex on the Beach cocktail on an actual beach, rather than being embroiled in a brutal office war with a presumptuous billionaire co-owner, undeniably has its advantages.

“And…you wouldn’t sleep with him?” I ask.

Pauline makes a mock noise of surprise. “I’m a happily married woman, Jess. Me, I would never, ever, dream of such a scenario,” she teases. “That being said, you’re not me. You don’t have to like the guy to have some fun. Just saying.”

Without another word, she spins on her heel, and exits my office to get back to work.

I know she’s joking to cheer me up. And I get how any lingering attraction will make this whole scenario difficult.

But I meant what I said. I can’t think about him without my heart spiking with indignation.

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