Page 16 of Billionaire Boss's One Night Stand

“That’s irrelevant,” he replied. “This is just like you, cheating and being sneaky, thinking they’re fair game for you to pounce on.”

“Gammonisfair game because they’ve made it crystal clear they aren’t going to choose you for their new line rebranding.”

“We’ll just see about that.” He huffed, giving me a long sneer, as if I were filth. “You’re never going to get them. Not for the line they want rebranded. Baby products?” A slow, sinister grin took over his face. “Can’t say I picture you knowing a single fucking thing aboutthat.”

It was no secret I was one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. I was interviewed last year and quoted to assume I’d never be a parent.

My grandmother was a hardcore feminist, a savvy businesswoman ever since my grandfather died, then later, when my parents died. No one would ever get away with accusing Wendy Richards of being without a womanly touch or mind. She fundraised and sponsored numerous charities and programs for women and girls.

Just like my name was synonymous with bachelorhood, though, the Richards Consultations company was well-known for representing and marketing products and companies more geared for men. Sports products, athletic gear, and camping equipment were the sorts of things we worked with. Otherthan those, we had numerous clients, all more focused for men. Cigars, financial organizations, banks, and even a famous franchise of male-dominated sports bars where the servers all had enormous tits.

My grandmother wasn’t advocating for the patriarchy. She simply followed where the money was.

And now, broadening to include Gammon and their baby products. None of which I knew a thing about. Aaron was aware of my ignorance as well.

“Iremember what it was like in those newborn years,” he gloated, so damn happy to be able to claim this advantage over me.

“What, ten, twenty years ago?” I guessed rudely as we headed to the door to exit. He did have kids, but they were older. Aaron was just as out of touch as I was when it came down to the finer details.

He shrugged, cocky and pleased that he’d gotten to me. “Stay away from my clients,” he warned, opening the door and stepping out with his beverage.

“Learn how to keep them and they won’t come sniffing around me,” I shot back, leaving in the opposite way.

“Fucker,” I muttered under my breath. He had a point. An esteemed bachelor wasnotan ideal representative for a campaign to promote baby products. But I would be damned if I'd let him get to me like this.

Time to go.

I had to do better at letting Aaron’s words in one ear and out the other. I seldom interacted with him, despite how close our buildings were to each other. Yet, any time our paths crossed, he was unbearable. Haughty, full of himself, and never missing a chance to rub something in my face.

I’m going to get Gammon. Theywillbe my client. And as soon as that’s a done deal, I’ll introduce myself to him as the new CEO of his big, bad rival.

The rest of my walk toward the office helped to settle my anger.

I’d woken up on such a good note, too. Aaron DuPont was a hell of a downer, uniquely able to piss me off and twist my mood fully into bitterness.

At the first beep of the alarm clock on my watch, I’d risen with a deep calm, thoroughly satisfied after a long night of sex. I was so pleased that the blonde and I had clicked and meshed, fitting with each other so well despite not even knowing each other for more than a few hours.

It was spontaneous. Reckless. Wild. And so damn good.

In the aftermath of speaking with Aaron, though, it seemed like a crappy reminder of exactly why I wouldn’t be a rep that the Gammon folks would want to sponsor newborn products.

A bachelor, hooking up with sexy, short blondes wasn’t a “family” man.

But it’s not just me.

I’d be leading a team to score the Gammon account. John felt that this new hire he found would change things up, but it was with another wince that I worried Aaron would still have the advantage.

As a promotional company more focused on service and products for men, we didn’t have a healthy proportion of male-to-female employees in my department.

Itistoo bad Janice left.She had recently taken a long leave to help care for her ailing parents, and when they needed more assistance, she accepted an early severance package to just retire prematurely. If she were still at the office, she’d even out the team.

Let’s hope you’re right about this new hire, John.

I glanced in the direction of his office suite, curious whether this person would start by joining the first team meeting I’d arranged. The sooner we kicked this off and began brainstorming, the better.

Suddenly, it seemed like there was not a single moment to lose.

We’ll make it work.

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