Page 40 of Strictly Business

I close my eyes, letting out a sigh of relief as I smooth my wet hair back.

Maybe living here won’t be so bad after all.

That is, if I survive my boss’sverydistracting presence.

Chapter fourteen

Nicholas

Work has been my normal for so long that it feels less like a job and more like the natural order of my life. Meetings, deadlines, negotiations—this is where I thrive. The predictability of it. The control.

I need control.

And yet, right now, my focus is nonexistent. My desk is buried under folders and contracts demanding my attention, but I can’t stop thinking about Amara. Specifically, about this morning.

I can’t get it out of my mind. The sight of her, all smooth skin and fucking untouchable.

She’s supposed to be my fiancée, and yet I can’t touch her. Can’t look at her. It’s torture. Living with her is harder than I ever thought it would be, and I only have myself to blame for this idiotic idea.

This arrangement was supposed to be straightforward. A partnership, a mutually beneficial deal. But every time I look ather, every time I catch the faintest whiff of her vanilla perfume or hear her soft voice, I feel my carefully built control slipping.

It’s working out in my favor however, considering the meetings I have lined up this week to discuss the merger. I just need to focus and not let my head get distracted.

My phone vibrates on the desk for what feels like the hundredth time today, and I glance down, seeing Alexander’s name flash across the screen once again.

Alexander thrives on making my life hell. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s calling to stick his nose in my engagement since he knows marriage is the last thing I have ever wanted.

I lean back in my chair, debating whether to answer. I already know why he’s calling. The news of my and Amara’s engagement spread like wildfire this morning, and… it’s good. It’s what I wanted. It’s what I need for this deal to go through. But with that, comes the thousand and one lies.

Running my tongue over my teeth, I swipe to answer before I can talk myself out of it.

“Wow,” Alexander starts, his tone already dripping with condescension. “The prodigal son answers his own phone. I half expected to be redirected to your assistant… or should I say your fiancée? What’s her name again?”

“Alexander,” I say flatly, cutting him off. “What do you want?”

He snorts. “What do I want? I want to know what the hell you’re playing at.” He laughs, low and sharp, the sound crawling under my skin. “I’ll admit, the engagement was a nice touch. Almost convincing. But come on, Nicholas. You? Engaged? You don’t even date.”

My jaw tightens. “My personal life is none of your business.”

“Wrong. It’s everyone’s business now, thanks to your little PR stunt. You don’t do anything without a reason, so what’s the endgame here, Nick? Trying to make the board believe you’resuddenly some family man, ready to settle down? Because let me tell you, they’re not stupid.”

I let out a slow breath, refusing to rise to his bait. “I don’t have to explain anything to you, Alexander.”

“Oh, but you do,” he snaps. “Because when this blows up—and let’s face it, we both know it will—I’ll be there to pick up the pieces. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure everyone remembers who really deserves to be in that chair.”

“Is that so?” I ask, leaning back in my chair. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re spending more time obsessing over my life than focusing on your own job. Maybe if you put half as much effort into your work as you do into tearing me down, you wouldn’t still be fighting for scraps.”

The line goes silent for a moment, tension thick between us.

“Careful, Nicholas. You’re not untouchable, no matter how much you think you are.”

I chuckle quietly, my tone sharp. “Remember who gave you your current position, Alexander. Without me, you’d still be sitting in middle management. So maybe think twice before biting the hand that fed you.”

“You think you’ve got it all figured out,” he snaps, his composure cracking. “But luck runs out. Watch your back, brother. It’d be a shame if your little charade fell apart before you signed that contract.”

He hangs up before I can respond, and I set my phone down slowly, the muscles in my neck tense.

Alexander is bitter. Bitter that he’ll never sit in my chair, no matter how much shit he throws at me. Bitter that no matter what he says or does, I’ll always be one step ahead.

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