Page 9 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

“My name is Angelo Taylor, and you do not get to call me ‘son.’ We’re not friends. We’re not partners. In fact, you should consider this more of an audition,” Angelo replied, maintaining his perfectly calm demeanor while mentally cataloging all the ways he could escape this meeting if it turned into a hostage situation. “There’s much left to discuss, and that’s if we decide to proceed.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “Considering your last few financial years, you’d be wise to keep me and my empire on your side.” He couldn’t helpbut relish the way Lockwood’s expression morphed from smug confidence to dawning realization, as if someone had just told him his favorite snack was discontinued.

He buttoned his jacket, embodying the ruthless businessman his father had taught him to be.

“I’ll speak with your assistant to schedule our next meeting since this one turned out to be an interrogation. Be better prepared next time, old man.”

The sneer that took over the old man’s face almost suited his wrinkled features better. Lockwood had clearly thought he could intimidate him, backing him into a corner. But Angelo was always the one in control. And he had just proven himself a worthy adversary.

Angelo walked out of the room and nearly crashed into a woman.Thewoman. Lockwood’s candy-looking personal assistant. Her heart-shaped face turned to look up at him and he almost kissed her right then and there. A weird look overcame her, and he suspected she was trying to find out why he looked familiar.

Her eyes. The greenest eyes I’ve ever seen.

If she keeps looking up at me like this my cock will wake up. I need to say something, anything.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Taylor! I wasn’t looking where I was going,” she was the one who spoke instead and was absolutely adorable and yup, his dick was awake.

“Not a problem.”

She breathed out slightly, standing straighter and almost taller and—

Oh God. The way she’s standing is making her breasts poke out towards me.

Eyes, Angelo. Look at her eyes.

She only came up just below his chin, even in what looked like five-inch stilettos that made her already long legs look evenlonger. Without the heels, she’d probably reach the top of his chest, which meant she was quite tall, considering he was six-four himself.

“Mr. Lockwood and I need another meeting. What is his availability for this month?” He fell back on his safety net: work.

She checked the tablet in her hands for an available time, and Angelo checked her out, like the little creep he was.

“Give me a moment, please. I need to check something with him,” the beautiful woman informed him with her sweet voice.

I’ll wait however long it takes.

At that exact moment, Lockwood stepped out of the boardroom. She rushed up to him, and Angelo checked out her perky ass.

I need to ask that woman out. I have to have her again.

“Sir, when would you like me to schedule your next meeting with Mr. Taylor?”

She seemed intimidated by the old man, her posture stiffening as he loomed over her like a dark cloud. Angelo couldn’t stand it. He noticed the way her eyes flickered nervously between the floor and the man’s stern face, as if trying to gauge how far his temper might stretch. It was as if she were a scared puppy backed into a corner, and it sparked a protective instinct in him. He wanted to step in and shatter the oppressive atmosphere that surrounded them, to remind her that she was not alone in this room and that the old man’s bark was much worse than his bite.

I’ll protect you, sweet girl.

Angelo shook his head slightly. He needed to rid himself of these thoughts. The woman didn’t even seem to remember him for Christ’s sake and he was already fucking her for the umpteenth time in his mind.

“Well, daughter, if you were able to do your job correctly, you would…” Angelo didn’t hear the rest of Lockwood’s cold words. Only one word mattered.

Daughter. I fucked Lockwood’s daughter.

What. The actual. FUCK.

Three

ANGELO

How in the hell did this happen?

The woman was Lockwood’s daughter? This gorgeous creature had come from that ugly troll? And Angelo had slept with her? The realization hit him like a bucket of cold water, leaving him momentarily stunned. He couldn’t shake the image of Lockwood’s scowling face from his mind, and the thought of being connected to that family sent a shiver down his spine.

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