Page 44 of His Rules

“Vaguely.”

“So typical. She couldn’t tolerate you after two days. Only two days. I asked her why she was leaving and she stated in no uncertain terms she’d rather work for the devil. I don’t know what you did to her, but you left a lasting impression.”

We were both laughing and the memory was actually bittersweet. “I had a crush on her. She didn’t like that.”

“Perhaps because you had a reputation at nineteen years old of being a complete womanizer. Do you remember Sam? Our other roommate that one year. He and I had a bet going that you’d gothrough the entire class of junior females by December. I think you came close.”

“I wasn’t that bad.”

“Oh, yes, you were.” He took a sip of his drink. “Which is why I feel it’s my place to tell you that if you ever lay a finger on my daughter, I will kill you. No joke. There are some lines that can’t be crossed.”

“I assure you that nothing will ever happen between us, Daddy.” Kacey’s sudden appearance resulted in a tightening of my balls. She sauntered in, looking very much like a college kid cramming for an exam. In faded jeans with holes in the knees, a sloppy oversized shirt in a delicate peach color, and Converse high tops on her feet, she appeared no more than nineteen or twenty.

It was a subtle yet effective way of adding another barrier between us. As she walked closer, her hair swung back and forth from her ponytail. Whether or not she’d dressed this way on purpose didn’t bother me in the least. She was creating her own personal line in the sand.

A line I intended on crossing.

“Why is that, pumpkin?” Daniel asked. He was laying it on thick as his own personal reminder that she was his daughter.

The look she gave me was as if she was ready for the game she believed we were playing. And she anticipated winning. At least this round.

“Because I respect Mr. Winfield. I can learn so many valuable aspects of business, including how to nurture client relationships from him. I’ve already seen him in action. While I’d concede he has rather unconventional, even brutal methods,it’s exactly the way I want to be when I’m CFO one day.” Her smirk was vibrant.

Touché, Ms. Taylor. I didn’t say it out loud, but then again, I didn’t need to. Between the stark chemistry we shared and her utter dislike of me, our communication extended to mere glances to convey our thoughts. I lifted my glass in appreciation.

Daniel looked from one to the other. “Be careful of my daughter, Sebastian. That’s the only warning I’ll offer. She may look innocent and sweet, but she does have a venomous bite.”

“Daddy!”

“Just telling the truth, pumpkin. How about a drink?” he asked.

“I’ll grab a glass of wine from the kitchen. That will allow me to check on dinner.” She offered me another steamy gaze before heading from the room.

Daniel lifted his glass as soon as she’d walked out. “She’s set her sights and expectations high.”

“Yes, just like her father. I only hope she’s not sorely disappointed.”

“Me as well.” He took a sip, his brow furrowing. “You know. I was always jealous of you. Did you know that?”

“You had no reason to be.”

He laughed. “My dad was a pipeline worker, my mother a schoolteacher. He worked his butt off so I could go to college. Thankfully, I received a few scholarships, or I’d still be paying off my loans. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth.”

“How so?” My best buddy had never talked about my wealthy family and neither had I. He’d come home with me a coupleof occasions, so he was well aware of my family’s holdings and their status within the community we lived in. Yet he’d never seemed impressed or put off by the money or our surroundings. I’d admired that in the man more than he knew.

“Oh, come on. Your entire future was laid out for you from the day you were born. As firstborn son, you were required to carry out your father’s legacy. Yeah, you started your own company instead of taking over his, but that’s only because he sold the majority interest in his firm.”

“Yes, against his own attorney’s advice.”

“But you were thrilled.” He grinned. “I had a sense you had a painting of what that future would look like stored away in your bedroom at your father’s estate. Cars. Houses. Yachts. Designer suits. My guess is you had a lifetime membership to all the best clubs in town, including the kinky ones. And women. I can only imagine how many fathers of daughters are lined up waiting to talk to you about marrying their daughter. It must be tough to slide into your shoes every day.”

“You sound envious.”

“I used to be. Not any longer. I can sense the pressure building. Your dad has likely pushed you into getting married a second time, pushing for grandkids. Yes?”

I tried not to laugh. “Pops is almost seventy years old, but he hasn’t softened in his old age. He still thinks of me as a bad-mouthed kid who needs direction after all these years. But marriage? He knows better than to suggest that. He saw what my relationship with Ashley did to me.”

I’d blamed him for our failed marriage since he’d insisted I get involved with her in the first place.

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