Page 134 of Tempting All The Way

“The kitchen.”

“Why the kitchen?” I raise a brow in question.

“You’re my favourite fucking meal, so it makes sense to have you in the kitchen.”

When Worlds Collide…

Two years later

Bentley just left my office and I already want her back in here. Our little lunchtime meetings are the highlight of my day. I’m stuck staring at my computer, skimming through a report I really don’t care to be reading.

I look up when Xavier plops himself into the chair across from my desk. “Come on in,” I say.

“I own a third of this office.” He lifts one shoulder into a half shrug.

I laugh. “What can I do for you, Xavier? Unlike you, some of us do actually work around here.”

“Yeah, I have a favour to ask you,” he says.

My brows scrunch down. He never asks me for favours. “What is it?”

“I need you to negotiate a contract for me, for Christianson Corp,” he says.

“Why? You have a dozen corporate lawyers over there.” Christianson Corp is his family’s multi-billion-dollar company.

“This contract is different. Lucy brought it to me. She wants to go into business with an interior design guru from the States,” he explains.

“I’m still not understanding why you need me? And since when is Lucy interested in interior design?” I ask. His little sister is studying for her MBA at university. She’s never been interested in interior design before.

“It’s a new thing. Apparently, it’sher passion. Dominic has connections with this woman in the States and has set up a deal with them to collaborate on branding.”

“Okay, so, once again, why exactly do you need me? Seems pretty straight forward.”

“The woman is the wife of a mobster—mafia prince or some shit like that.”

“Say again? Because I swear you just said Lucy is going into business with the fucking mafia?” My voice rises.

“They’re friends of Dom’s, and when it comes to him, no one can talk sense into her.”

“Well, how about you just say no?” I suggest. “We are not letting her go into business with the mafia.”

“It’s too late for that. She was about to sign the contracts. I only just managed to talk her into waiting and letting you review them first.”

“Fucking hell,” I hiss. “Fine, send me the documents, but I don’t agree with this already.”

“Thanks. Also, I’ve scheduled a meeting with the Valentinos for tomorrow at eleven. It’ll give you time to read through the contract and come up with any counteroffers.”

“You’ve scheduled a meeting. Anything else I need to know?”

“Yeah, Matteo Valentino, the husband—he’s also a good fucking attorney in New York. Not only does he know his shit when it comes to laws and contracts, he also knows how to make you disappear like you never fucking existed in the first place.”

“Well, fuck, guess I’m looking forward to this meeting then.” The sarcasm drips from my voice. Xavier drops a folder on my desk and leaves the office. I can’t believe he’s letting Lucy get mixed up with the fucking mafia. That never ends well for anyone. I hit the button on my intercom. “Tracey, reschedule my afternoon meetings. Something’s come up.”

“Sure thing, boss,” she replies.

Now, to see what the hell this genius fucking mafia prince attorney has hidden in the fine print. There’s always a way to read between the lines for someone who knows what the fuck they’re looking for.

I’ve fogged over the glass of the conference room to give us some privacy. I also made sure Bentley was too busy to come to this meeting with me. I do, however, have Xavier sitting next to me. Lucy and Dom are seated opposite us as we await the other parties.

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