Page 135 of Bossy Wicked Prince
The conference room door opens and Nate strides inside. As always, he’s wearing an impeccable suit, accessories today with little Eiffel Tower-shaped cufflinks. I bought them for him as an impulsive present about a week after we got back together. I wasn’t sure he’d wear them, since they’re just sterling silver, and his stylist didn’t pick them out. I’ve been happily surprised to see them at every big event we’ve gone to since.
He walks along the conference table, shaking everyone’s hand in turn. When he gets to me, he gives me a kiss on the cheek. Nobody bats an eye. We’ve been dating publicly since Christmas, and eventually, everyone got over the whole situation. I haven’t seen my name in the Toronto Tea in months, except for a single post from Peppermint. They retracted some of the things they wrote about Nate, ending the post by wishing us both the best.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped them from writing about the rest of the guys. James, Luke, Beau, and especially Ryan fill up the Toronto Tea headlines most days. I would email Peppermint again to complain on their behalf, but none of the reporting has been wrong yet. Ryan really did sneak into James’s apartment with three French ballerinas to use his steam room. James still hasn’t forgiven him.
I refocus my attention as Nate stands at the front of the room and clears his throat. “Good afternoon. If you’ve had a chance to peek at your folders, you already know that UPS just finished ourbest quarter yet. The Edmonton acquisition brought in a dozen clients…”
I take a bite of my pastry while I watch the presentation. Even though Nate’s frowning the whole time—some things never change—business is good, so the money guys are happy.
And so am I. The whole atmosphere at UPS has shifted since Eleanor was fired from the board and Nate appointed me in her stead. I begged him not to nominate me—if sleeping with his former assistant looked bad, then I can’t imagine appointing her to the board would look much better. But he argued that I deserved the job as the new head of the Walsh Foundation, UPS’s new charitable arm.
Apparently, the board agreed. They unanimously voted to let me join. I hear that a letter of recommendation from Susie went a long way toward convincing them I was the right woman for the job.
“And I’ve got some exciting news,” Nate says. “We just closed a deal with the University of Toronto. We’re now the exclusive security provider for all of their campuses.”
I gape at him. This is huge—he’s been trying to get that contract for two months. Since he didn’t mention it at breakfast this morning, he must have wrapped up negotiations right before the meeting started.
Most of the questions at the end are related to the new deal. When the meeting finally wraps up, Eric Hernandez, the chairman of the board, approaches me.
“I’ll see you at the gala next week, Cat,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “My wife is crazy about the Paris theme.”
“I’m excited to meet her!” I tell him warmly.
I’m excited for every part of the gala, honestly. We planned it to belatedly celebrate the Walsh Foundation, so donors could see what we’ve done with our money so far and be plied to contribute even more. I’ve worked myself to the bone planningeverything before Nate and I hop on a plane to London for some UPS business. The gala’s being held the night we get back.
Eric walks out with some other board members and Nate shakes his head. “I can’t believe you charmed that man, Cat. Eric has done nothing but scream at me since I became CEO.”
I shrug. “Have you tried being nice to him?”
His lips twitch—his not-quite-a-smile that he does more and more often these days. “It doesn’t work as well for me.”
When the last person walks out the door, Nate grabs my hips and pulls me close to him, nuzzling my neck. “You did so well, Kitten. All our projections for the next year are up, thanks to you.”
I laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t do anything, other than my job.”
“Exactly. You gave us all this good press with the Walsh Foundation, and it’s changing the UPS reputation. Our head of sales told me this morning that half of our new clients from this quarter chose us because of our company values. That’s all because of you.”
“I couldn’t do it if you didn’t give me the money in the first place,” I point out, tracing his lapels with my fingers. “You like changing the world just as much as I do, Nate Walsh.”
“Oh, I like changing the world, but it’s all thanks to you. You’ve made me a better, more selfless person. You know I’d do anything to make you happy, Cat Daniels.” He wraps one of my curls around his finger, a little habit he’s picked up that makes my heart skip a beat.
“I know you would,” I murmur.
“So give yourself some credit. We have contracts with companies I’m genuinely grateful to be involved with, thanks to you. I’m so glad to have you in my life, Kitten.”
I grin, basking in his words. “I’m glad I have you too.”
He kisses a sensitive spot under my jaw, making me gasp. “I want to show you how much I appreciate you.”
Once, I might have stopped him, insisting that someone else might need the conference room. Now, I don’t argue. Nate’s helped me to stop feeling guilty when I put myself first. He’s so obsessed with spoiling me, that whenever I resist, he flirts shamelessly until I give up and let him. I still can’t believe how cherished he makes me feel.
His mouth moves expertly over my neck, sending sparks through my blood. I can feel my face and chest heating as they start to flush. I glance over at the door, which is still open to the office.
“How about we take this ‘discussion’ upstairs?” I say breathily.
“I can’t wait that long,” he growls. He lets go of my hips and prowls to the conference room door. He shuts it, and I can hear the lock click into place. It sends a shiver of anticipation through me.
And that’s nothing compared to how it feels when Nate turns to stare at me. Instinctively, I take a step back so my ass is pressed up against the conference table.
