Page 26 of The Bride's Billionaire

Tyler started, his eyes wide though he said nothing. Kayla, relieved she wasn’t the only one taken by surprise, just smiled. “Wonderful.”

They once again gathered in the conference room where she had left her laptop and papers. Tyler had brought his briefcase, at least. They called him in first. “Come down the hall with us, Tyler. Let’s hear what you’ve got for us.”

She knew he was a bit unsettled, but she watched in fascination while a whole new mask settled over his face. His jawline grew sharper if that were possible, his eyes turned calculating, and his shoulders broadened. In this new Tyler, she saw who her opponent truly was, and she knew she had every reason to believe she couldn’t beat him.

But she had to try.

And that trying is what might come between them forever. The man who just left the room would not cave, would not give in to any soft feelings for her, nor care that her desire to open up Brazil was as strong as his. And why should he?

She opened up her laptop to review her notes and presentation, grateful for the extra time she had to prepare. Somehow, instead of intimidating her, Tyler’s look of determination had only made hers grow stronger. Personal feelings aside, she could win this. If it meant he wouldn’t get it, if it meant representing her company as far better than his, she could do it. Because like he’d said, this was a business bid; it wasn’t personal.

She told herself that, but she knew deep down, for her at least, everything about this bid had become personal.

Chapter 11

As Tyler walked out of Rogerio’s office, he wished he could high five himself. He couldn’t have nailed that presentation any better. The timing had seemed perfect, their questions easy to answer, their concerns resolved. He kept himself from swinging his briefcase in glee, but only just. He’d be hearing from them today, if he wasn’t mistaken. They could begin bottling Antar products this week, or at the very latest, next week.

His whistle stopped at his lips when Kayla rounded the corner ahead of him. His mouth fell open as he stopped to appreciate this new creature. Here was Kayla in her element, her head high, her shoulders back, a small smile curling her lips, her slender legs seeming to stretch out longer to her signature spiky heels. She emanated a sizzling, irresistible power, and he at once forgot that she was his biggest competitor, too filled with desire to follow her in and watch her in action. She carried herself with a confidence he had previously only seen in very few people.

Her eyes met his, but her countenance didn’t change. She nodded and then entered Rogerio’s office.

His previous assurance that the bid would be his toppled around him, and he was left entirely unsure who they would pick. Shaking his head, he couldn’t believe he was falling for a woman that could potentially win in a bid against him. He texted his VP.I don’t know. They brought in Finley as a competing bid, and she’s good.

Finley? Nah. They’ve got nothing on us.

He didn’t answer because he wasn’t so sure. What was his company’s game plan if this bid didn’t pan out for them? He needed South America. That was the bottom line. Brazil was the best path there. His only other option right now was Argentina, but he wanted Brazil. He had other small clients in the country, so he was already set up as a business in this country. And since it was the more international location, his reach would be great, besides all the other obvious perks, like the country’s infrastructure and cheap labor making it more profitable.

He needed this bid, plain and simple, but he wasn’t sure he could win it. He moved to stand in front of one of the floor-length windows that lined the hallway. Perhaps he’d gone soft. He had claimed it wasn’t personal, but perhaps he’d held back some behind-the-scenes conversations he may have initiated if Kayla wasn’t involved. He needed to step up his game Perhaps he should be in discussion with lawyers about a potential merger, or maybe he could try to buy her out. He could make offers, convince her selling to him was her last resort…

He shook his head, watching the tiny cars move around on the street below. No. he’d win this or he’d lose it. Perhaps he was being soft, or perhaps just fair, but he’d let their bids speak for themselves, their companies’ reputations stand as testament, and planned to wait and see who Antar most wanted to work with.

After thirty minutes or so, longer than he’d spent in the office, all three people left laughing and smiling. Kayla looked flushed, and a sparkle of victory lit her eyes.

They approached Tyler, and Mr. de Santos and Rogerio each shook his hand. “We were just telling Kayla here that you are off for the afternoon. You should take her to lunch while we deliberate with the board. We expect to have an answer today or tomorrow. If it lingers longer into the week, then we will contact you once you return home.”

Tyler wouldn’t leave without a decision. He had to seal the deal now in person or not at all. But he smiled and placed a hand on Kayla’s back. “Shall we?”

“I’d love to.” She turned to Mr. de Santos. “What do you recommend?”

He smiled his usual warm and grandfatherly smile toward her and gave them some recommendations.

“Thank you.” Kayla smiled and all three men smiled back. Tyler couldn’t help it; he was as enamored with her as the rest of them.

As soon as they entered the elevator, they both relaxed. Then Kayla laughed. “Glad that’s over.”

He eyed her, knowing it was just the beginning. But he needed a break. “What do you say we get outside for a bit?”

“Yes! Can I take off these heels and put on shorts?”

“Whatever. Let’s go to the beach.”

“Bikes. Do you want to ride along the boardwalks?”

That is exactly what he wanted. “You get me.” He reached for her hand. “I have never met anyone who is so in tune with what I’m thinking.”

They hurried from the building, and the limo ride back to the hotel was unremarkable. As they rode the elevator back up to their rooms, Tyler rotated his shoulders. “We can grab something to eat once we’re out there.”

“You hungry?”

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