Page 47 of Bachelor CEO

“What else would I think, Chase? In the pastyou’ve hovered in my doorway whenever you needed to talk to me. I recognize apower play when I see one. Well, I’m here, so let’s get this started. I don’thave time to waste. I have a lunch meeting with the president of the Chamber ofCommerce at noon.”

Chase focused on her face. Damn, she wasbeautiful, even when she was angry. He couldn’t help staring at her lips,thinking about the way her mouth had moved over his skin. He tried toconcentrate on delivering the news. He couldn’t afford to get distracted.

“I wanted you to know I’ve spoken with most ofthe board members by conference call. I’m taking over my grandfather’sposition. We’ll hold an emergency meeting this upcoming Monday afternoon toformalize the arrangement naming me CEO. The only opposition seems to be fromWalter.”

A little V formed betweenher eyebrows. “I thought Leroy was doing better.”

“He’ll need at least six weeks for physicaltherapy. He’s not to have anything stress him, including work. Not even onehint of office drama is to reach his ears. I’ve started reviewing everythingthat’s been done in my absence. I expect to be at full speed tomorrow. I don’twant anything to interrupt this transition, including Walter. Or you.” There.Chase didn’t like being so harsh, but he had to make things clear.

She sat back and folded her hands in her lap,the earlier fight gone. The view of skin vanished and he found himselfdisappointed on both counts. “So I report to you.”

“Yes.” The feeling of victory should have beensweet as he said the word, but oddly it wasn’t. He cared about his competitor.That had never happened before.

“And the board will approve this,” shepressed. Chase’s eyes narrowed.

“They will Monday. I’ve reached enough of themto secure a majority. It’s not worth you or Walter attempting a coup.”

She sat there so primly that he wished for theearlier spitfire to return. “So you’ll override your grandfather’s wish for youto remain away for a year.”

“Since the board doesn’t know about that, it’snot an issue. Besides, Leroy didn’t foresee this situation. And what kind of agrandson would I be if I didn’t return to ensure the success of my family firm?Given the circumstances, I really don’t think I need to be out jaunting aroundthe country. I’m Leroy’s power of attorney. I vote his stock and I sign hisbills if he’s incapacitated. The entire family is in agreement. None of us wantto lose him, or our company. A McDaniel has always been CEO and that’s the waythings are going to stay.”

“I see. Well then. Ifthere’s nothing else?” Miranda stood.

Still seated, Chase studied her. He’d lovedevery inch of her body and now there was a rift the size of the Grand Canyonbetween them. He hated it. Even sparring was better than the chill setting overthem. “We’re finished here. You can go.”

“Thank you.” Miranda walked out, and Chasereleased the pent-up breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

He wanted to follow her to her office, shutthe door, sweep everything off her desk like in a movie, and make love to heruntil both of them were sated and the chasm between them had disappeared. Onlyin bed had there been no walls, no pretense. Only then had they beenthemselves, without agendas.

But McDaniel Manufacturing came first. He hadto remember it was nothing personal, just business. Chase reached for a report.

THANKFULLY, Miranda’s knees didn’t wobbleuntil she reached her office. Then she trembled all the way to the safety ofher desk chair. There was no way she could work like this.

She’d made a grave tactical error in makinglove with Chase. She’d assumed she had a year before seeing him again. She’dfigured by then they’d have moved on.

Instead, she had an immediate physicalresponse to him that had left her shaking. She had far too many graphicmemories of their time together. Although, obviously that night didn’t meanmuch to him.

The proof had been behind his desk, on thedigital picture frame. When the photo of him with his arm around some girlappeared, Miranda had felt her heart fall to her feet. It sure hadn’t takenlong to be replaced.

To him, their weekend had been casual sexbetween two people who were intensely attracted to each other. Sex didn’t equalto love, so why did it bother her so much that he’d moved on?

Her cell phone rang, jarring her from herdepressing line of thought. She dug the device out of her purse and answered.“Miranda Craig.”

“Thought you might need a friend.”

Walter.“You’ve obviously heard.”

“I received a call from Ethel about tenminutes ago, asking me to attend a board meeting.”

“He’s taking over for his grandfather. He toldme he has majority support.”

“And he might,” Walter replied. “What aboutyou? Can you handle this arrangement? You’d still be second in command.”

“I’m going to have to try.”

“Why?” Walter asked. “Leroy had no intentionfor Chase to come back before a year was up. I’ve already told Chase that. Heknows I oppose his return. Leroy wanted him to have this time off.”

“Yes, but circumstances change,” Mirandareplied.

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