Page 6 of Van Cort
Maybe today wasn’t a complete disaster.
CHAPTER THREE
EVERETT
Devon did her best to reschedule or push back meetings so I could get to dinner, but the inevitability of this five-thirty dragging on continues.
“You’re almost getting it for free, Everett,” Richard Carlise says. “Just sign the damn thing. I’m not trying to screw you.”
I keep looking at documents slowly, rather than rush the signature. “Twelve million dollars is hardly free, Richard.”
“No, but you expect-”
“A good deal. You’re the one in trouble, not me.” He quietens as I look up at him briefly and leaves me to make my decision. It is a good deal, and my lawyers have been over this contract, butI won’t be hurried or forced in any negotiation, regardless of the constant thought of sex interfering with that process.
Twelve million for a portfolio of abandoned warehousing that should be worth at least fifteen? Fine.
I sign and stand, pushing my pen into my inside pocket. “The lawyers will deal with the rest.” He stands, too, and approaches me to offer his hand whilst looking relieved. I shake, but there’s little else to say on the matter, and I need to get to dinner.
“Everett?” I look back as I get to the door. “Thank you.”
“Hmm.”
Devon hurries alongside me as I head for the elevator, handing me more documents I need to sign before the end of the day. “Are you alright, Sir?” I sign without looking at anything, too preoccupied with the thought of a fuck waiting for me. “You’ve seemed distracted today.” My brow arches at her. We’re discussing my personal thoughts now? Although she’s right. I’m overly distracted. She looks away. “Sorry, Sir.”
I press the button on the elevator to get me out of here.
The doors close.
The walk over to the restaurant goes quickly enough. It’s far away enough that there’s no real chance of anyone I know being there, and also not trendy enough for the current wealth set to be bothering with anymore. The food’s good, and it's too expensive for trash to get into. Frankly, it’s exactly what I need to get into her underwear and never have to see her again.
Andre and the car are idling by the entrance when I turn the corner. I reach for the door handle as I get to it, opening it for her. The first thing I see of her are her legs and heels in the footwell, which jump slightly at the abrupt shock.
Her head cranes around to look up at me, a near-fearful look in her gaze. “Oh, it’s you,” she says. I offer my hand to her, helping her get out. “You gave me a fright.”
“Not the reaction I was aiming for.”
She smiles and lets go of my hand, looking at the restaurant and brushing her dress down. “Well, this looks very nice.” It is. It will get me fucked quicker.
I look in the car. “Andre? Be back in two hours.” He nods at me as I close the door.
“Two hours? We have a time limit?” she asks.
I walk for the door. “I generally find that two hours is a good amount of time for dinner and drinks, and if it’s not enough time, then he’ll wait until I’m ready.”
“Oh, sure. Of course. Okay.”
She follows me into the restaurant, where we’re seated swiftly at one of the better tables in the back, away from the window.
I look to her for information on her choice of food. She’s scrutinising the menu still.
“What would you like to eat?”
She looks up at me as the waiter approaches. “I’m… not sure. What would you suggest?”
“Me? I’m not eating your food.” What a ludicrous question.
“No, but I’ve never been here before, and perhaps you have? What’s good?”
