Page 5 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

Sloane could still picture their last meeting: Helena had sat there, arms crossed, a fiery glare in her eyes, cutting through Sloane’s arguments like a knife. “This is a waste of time,” Helena had said, her voice strong and clipped. “If you want to discuss merger terms, I suggest you come prepared.”

She shivered at the memory. Helena had a commanding presence that could easily unsettle anyone. But Sloane didn’t back down easily. She had learned to stand her ground, to push back, and she was determined not to let Helena intimidate her this time.

With this new merger hanging in the balance, Sloane felt a surge of determination. She could get under Helena’s skin; she was sure of it, especially since she was the only one who knew they were both drawn to women—not that they ever spoke about it. She could use it to her advantage, perhaps even rattle Helena enough to catch her off guard in their negotiations.

Sloane stood up and paced the room. “What would I say if I wanted to make her flustered? Maybe something about how much fun it is to be bold in business…or how important it is to break free from old-fashioned thinking.”

Just then, her assistant, Mia, popped her head into the office. “Hey, Sloane, you ready for this?”

“Ready as I can be,” Sloane replied, straightening her blazer. She turned to Mia, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I think I’m going to play a little game with Helena.”

Mia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A game? What kind of game?”

“I’m going to challenge her,” she explained, folding her arms. “I want to see if I can rattle her a bit. You know how she is—always so high and mighty.”

Mia chuckled. “Good luck. She’s not going to let you rattle her easily. You know that, right?”

“Oh, I know,” Sloane said with a wave of her hand. “But that’s what makes it fun. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Just you wait.”

As she spoke, her mind was already racing with strategies. She pictured herself sitting across from Helena, their eyes locked in an intense stare. She considered throwing in a casual mention about what a nice surprise it is to bump into old friends. The impact might be enough to make Helena’s composure shatter, even if just for a moment.

“By the way,” Mia said, interrupting her thoughts, “do you need anything else before the meeting? I can get you coffee or…a stress ball?”

Sloane chuckled and shook her head. “No stress balls today, but I could use a little pep talk before I walk in there. Remind me not to let her steamroll me again.”

“You’ve got this,” Mia encouraged, giving her a thumbs-up. “Just show her who’s boss.”

“Exactly,” Sloane said, her voice rising with confidence. “I’m the one representing Thompson Industries, and I’ll do what it takes to protect their interests.”

Mia smiled. “Alright, then. Go get ‘em, tiger!”

As Mia closed the door, Sloane took a moment to gather her thoughts. She felt the familiar thrill of competition bubbling within her. “Helena Wolfe is about to realize that she’s not the only force to be reckoned with,” she said, pumping herself up.

She could already envision the boardroom: the polished table, the tension in the air, and most importantly, Helenaacross from her. Just remember, she thought, this isn’t just business; it’s personal too.

And with that thought grounding her, she felt ready. Ready for whatever the meeting would bring, ready to navigate the intense waters of corporate law, and ready to make sure that Thompson Industries wouldn’t just survive the merger but thrive.

Sloane Callahan was a force in the industry, and she wouldn’t back down without a fight.

3

HELENA

Helena Wolfe sat in the conference room, her sharp gaze focused on her laptop. The office was filled with tension, and a wooden table separated her and her team from Sloane Callahan and the representatives of Thompson Industries. Despite being the CEO of Wolfe Enterprises, Helena felt the pressure of the merger looming over her like a dark cloud. Sloane Callahan looked immaculate in a dark blue pant suit. The cut of it accentuated her long legs and fantastic ass- Helena hadn’t failed to notice that when they walked into the room. Her wavy brown hair was pinned back off her face and her blue eyes were focussed. Helena couldn’t help but admire the way the light picked up the lines of her face and the curve of her lips.

Come on, Helena! Now certainly isn’t the time to be checking out the opposition.

The walls of the room were a deep shade of navy blue, and large windows let in bright sunlight. The room was filled with modern furniture and abstract art that seemed to say, "We mean business." Helena straightened her posture in her chair. She wanted everyone to know she was serious. She brushed a loosestrand of hair behind her ear and crossed her arms, waiting for the meeting to start.

Sloane Callahan looked at everyone around the table, scanning the room with confidence. “Alright, everyone. Let’s get started,” she said, her voice steady and commanding. Her presence had a calming effect, even in this tense situation.

“Thanks, Ms. Callahan,” Helena replied, her tone cool and clipped. “Let’s cut to the chase. Thompson Industries needs this merger more than we do, so we’re not going to offer more than we have to.” She leaned forward, a small smirk crossing her face. She knew Wolfe Enterprises was in a strong position, and she didn’t mind showing it.

One of the representatives from Thompson Industries, a man with thinning hair and glasses, cleared his throat. “We understand that, Ms. Wolfe. However, our employees have worked very hard for this company. We need to ensure that their contracts and long-term security are respected during this transition.”

Helena rolled her eyes but quickly caught herself. “We’re open to taking on your employees, but we can’t promise long-term contracts for everyone. We need to keep the company profitable.” Her voice remained steady, making it clear that she meant every word.

Sloane shot a quick glance at Helena, sensing the growing tension in the room. “Perhaps we can find a middle ground,” she suggested. “Thompson Industries provides essential services, and retaining their skilled workforce is crucial for a smooth transition in this merger.”

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