Page 47 of Negotiation Tactics

“What about before?” I press, because, surely, while he wasn’t in the process of inheriting his father’s multibillion empire, he would have tried at least one of the dozen things my brain came up with.

“I went to parties sometimes. I’m sure you’ve probably heard about how wild some of them got”—he chuckles, making it clear he knows I did my research on him—“but I didn’t really have much time while I was studying either. And before that…” His eyes grow distant, telling me he is reminiscing about his childhood. “Private lessons and study camps, mostly. I started preparing for this moment very early on.”

As I watch him fail to stifle down the hint of regret that coming up short with an answer brings to his face, I feel a little sorry for him. I didn’t have the greatest childhood, but up until the point when my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was quite happy with my life. When I think about how it changed once dad was gone, I kind of understand his circumstances, too. We are not the same, but we are similar enough, both of us following along our paths even if they might not be exactly what we might’ve wanted them to be.

“Are you excited about taking over the company?” I blurt out, wanting to know.

That has him flashing me that boyish grin. “Very. I just hope I don’t fuck it up.”

I’m sure he will do fine, especially if he is willing to put behind some of the rigidity of his dad’s generation… which I think he wants to. Aside from the proposal, we haven’t really talked about our respective jobs, but my curiosity is sparked now and I kind of want to hear what his typical day looks like. I’m about to ask him when his phone chimes, so I let him answer the message first.

“Sorry, Josh.” He frowns and meets my eyes. “I have to get back to the office.”

I’m a little disappointed… not that I should be, I remind myself, but then double down on that because it’s okay to be. We will likely be working together indirectly at least for a while, so any insight I can get into him and his company is welcome. And who knows, maybe I can still come by that dirt I failed to uncover and have something in my pocket in case I need to use it at some point.

He leaves a wad of cash and stands, stuffing his phone and the napkin—though I don’t think he realizes it—in his jacket’s pocket, then pauses, a smirk materializing. My hackles rise because whatever he is about to say can’t be anything good, but at the same time, a thrill rushes through me at the thought of what kind ofnot goodit could be.

“I forgot to mention…” His blue eyes drink me in with intensity that makes heat pool to my core. “I might have your little trespassing attempt recorded on camera,” he draws out, his voice dipping low and suggestive. “I think it is in your best interest to stop by so we can discuss the matter of this very implicating evidence.”

There is no way he is being serious about having a video of me! He is making it up, I am 99.99% sure. I open my mouth, ready to argue, but then stop myself because—fuck—I don’t think I actually checked the corridorfor cameras. I doubt the rooms had them, but the hallways, on the other hand…

“You are bluffing,” I accuse him, earning myself another of those sexy smirks.

“Am I?” he taunts, crossing his arms. His muscles fill the sleeves of his dark blue shirt as usual. “I can neither confirm nor deny such an accusation. You won’t know unless you drop by, let’s say… anytime after nine p.m. I’ll let security know, so they let you in.” His lips curl up on one side. “You know where my room is.”

I shoot up to my feet and follow him out. The frown marring his attractive face is gone now, and in its place a self-satisfied smile tells me he is definitely full of shit. I halt him as he is about to get in his car. “Alistair, you are pulling my leg.”

His phone pings again, and after another glance, he sighs. “Sorry, Josh, I can’t drive you back. I gotta go. Do you need a taxi?”

I wave him off. “I’ll walk.”

He sinks into the leather of the driver’s seat and looks up at me, keeping the door open. “I had fun.” His gaze lowers to my mouth. “I hope to see you tonight or that recording is going viral,” he reminds me, shutting the door closed before the grin slides onto his face fully.

Staring after his car as it merges with the traffic, I fold my arms over my chest and clench my left elbow. I know he is bluffing—there is no tape, I am sure of it. But there is also that 0.01% chance that he’s not, which leaves me with no choice but to play his game and go to his fancy mansion this evening.

The security at the gate instructed me to just walk in, so I push the massive front door open and let myself in. The corridor is dimly lit and feels ginormous and imposing now that there is no crowd of inebriated people around me, but I press on anyway because I’m on a mission. I was on a mission last time too and I try to ignore how sideways that one went.

I make it to Alistair’s room too quickly and come to a halt in front of it. I feel prickling along my skin, because therearecameras. I don’t know how I missed them last time, as they aren’t exactly concealed, but I must have had too much tunnel vision and not paid enough attention.

Taking in a deep breath, I steel my nerves and knock. His confirmation to enter comes a heartbeat later. His room is not illuminated fully, much in the same way it wasn’t when I first was here, though this time he is here, waiting for me.

“I wasn’t sure you were going to show up,” he says, amusement lacing his words. He’s sitting on the plush couch in the sitting area of the bedroom, wearing only pants and a towel around his shoulders.

I try not to stare as I reply, “I’m here to discuss this hypothetical evidence you might or might not have of me hypothetically looking around in places I shouldn’t.”

He pushes off the couch and gives his hair a pass with the towel before discarding it on the coffee table nearby. I’ve seen him naked already, but I hadn’t taken the time to study the sculpted lines of his torso, the way his muscles play together when he moves. He’s like a piece of art more so than a regular person, and I’m so here for it.

Taking a few steps back as he approaches, I plaster my back against the door. My breathing hitches just from his presence alone, and my body coils tight the moment heplants himself right in front of me and I catch a whiff of his pine-scented aftershave.

He smiles, noticing the way he is affecting me, and takes a step closer. “Josh,” he purrs, the cadence of his rich voice riling me up even further. He’s transformed into the Alistair from that very first night who has since been the subject of my erotic fantasies. “You are right. There is no video and no recording,” he states, his hand trailing up my arm and leaving fire behind.

No way, did he play me? And I fell for it? “I saw the cameras.”

He leans in, his mouth hovering near my ear. “I had them put up today. In case I need them in the future. They aren’t on yet.”

Relief along with heat rushes through me, culminating in my core. Having him so close and almost naked makes me unable to think straight or push him away or remember why I should be trying to push him away.

Before I know it, my hands are caressing his skin, absorbing the heat of it and reveling in the firmness of the muscles beneath. “I should go home then,” I mutter as he pins me with his lust-filled gaze.

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