Page 22 of The Bride's Billionaire

“True.” He shrugged in an adorable, self-deprecating way. She wanted to kiss his little smile.

“I grew up on a huge amount of acreage in Iowa, in a growing town of good people. They were successful farmers, and we created a community of family minded people; we put a ton of money into our local school district, built up a really successful football team, and the area started to grow. We created a town center, brought in the best shopping, made it a safe, convenient, family-oriented community, and soon the land was worth more than what we grew on it.”

She nodded. “Then why bottlers?”

“Well, this was all when I was young. By the time I’d graduated from college, we had only a smaller version of the original ranch, and I had an inheritance to invest.”

“You got your MBA?”

“Yes, and I studied supply chains in my undergraduate. I worked for a major soft drink company and thought I’d stay there, but soon realized that international bottlers were a great niche business, under-represented. Most of the time the big companies would go in and create their own bottlers first.”

She smiled, proud of him. “And Sperring Bottlers was born.” She searched his face, wanting to know everything about him. “And what doyoudo for fun?”

“This.”

“This?”

“You.” He chuckled. “You’re the most fun I’ve had in a long time. I’m a workaholic generally. I was hoping once I got South America going I could step back a little bit, enjoy life, maybe have a relationship…” His pointed gaze and the warmth in his expression sent happy shivers down her arms. “So tell me, Kayla of Finley Bottlers––by the way, can I just tell you how happy I was to discover you are the face behind Finley bottlers?” He leaned forward and took her hand in his. “I thought you were sexy before, now I want to know everything about you.”

She swallowed. Who was this guy? Could she believe him? Was he trying to charm her into going soft on their bid for the bottler choice? She searched his face. He seemed totally sincere. “This is my daddy’s company. He started small in Texas, where I live.” Suddenly, talking to Tyler about her company, knowing she’d be fighting the man across from her for the sake of her family and to keep her company growing...a lump grew in her throat, and she turned so he would see her blinking back tears.

She cleared her throat. “It really took off while I was in college, but as soon as I graduated, he had a stroke. So I took over.”

“I’m sorry.” His hand resting on hers squeezed.

“When he passed away, he left the company to me and my brother.”

“It’s grown a lot in the last seven years. Was that you?” His eyes brightened appreciatively.

“Yes. I got my MBA also and started using some of the things I learned there as well. But it was more out of necessity than anything.”

“How so?”

“I wouldn’t mind keeping it small, regional, but turns out my brother isn’t much help. He's having family difficulties and my mom isn’t really interested or available to help. We need the business to cover all of us. I’m kinda hoping for some extra to put away for college and everything, for the kids in my future.”

He nodded. She could tell he didn’t totally understand, but he didn’t need to understand to look sympathetic.

“And what do you do for fun?”

“This is where we’re different. I love this company. It serves its purpose, but it isn’t my passion.” She sipped her mango smoothie and shrugged. “It’s not my fun.”

He watched her. “And what is?”

“So many things. I want to live! To go out like we did last night and enjoy life, see people, be with them. I help out at centers for refugees, for the homeless. I’ve taken trips to India.” She shifted in her seat. “I love to travel. I’d like to see more of the world. That’s where this bottling company works well for me. I love to go into these countries, get to know the people, really become a part of their lives and see how the bottler can make things better for them.”

His face was unreadable, which immediately made her feel self-conscious. “What?”

“No, nothing. I’m just feeling inadequate.”

She laughed.

He shook his head. “No really, is it okay to just want to run a successful business, to be the best? Or even to make it the best it can be?”

She wrapped her fingers around his. “Of course. That’s impressive. You have goals, ambition. Drive. It’s remarkable what you’ve accomplished. Our companies serve different purposes for us.” She toyed with her fork. “I’d love to hand it off to someone. Once I’m in a position where we’ve grown enough, I want to be able to let the day-to-day stuff go and do other things. You probably can’t understand that.”

His smile turned victorious. “And that is where we are once again alike. I want that very same thing. Brazil would give me that.” He stopped, and his gaze flitted to her face.

“For me as well.”

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