Page 8 of Her Cocky Client
The wine glass stops halfway to his mouth. “You’re not serious.”
“Ask the hotel reception. We’re stuckhere.”
“Fuck.” Nick sets his wine glass back down. He’s only disappointed for a split second because his lips turn up into a playful smile. “Cleared schedules and nowhere to go can be a good thing.”
“Are you serious right now?” I say, but I don’t mean a word. After all, I was thinking the same thing, which is why I’m back at his table. But I like keeping a guy on his toes. He needs to work for it. I want to see if he’s any good at talking a woman down from a ledge.
“Not at all. Who wouldn’t want to get your hot little hands all over me again?”
“Uh, me,” I say, raising my hand for effect. “I don’t fraternize with the enemy.”
His mouth draws into a tight line. “You’re not my enemy. We’re like David and Goliath. Do you know that story?”
“Are you trying to say I’m too small to be in contention?”
“No, I’m saying I’m Goliath, and you…you’re the annoying fly that buzzed around David’s face as he readied his slingshot.”
My blood boils. “You think I can’t get this deal right out from underyou?”
“Well sure, you can be under me, but I’d still land thedeal.”
“You’re a piece of work!” I screech.
“Iam.”
“You’re my competition. And you know what? I’m glad to learn what a massive prick you are…and I’m not talking what’s below thebelt.”
“Those are pretty strong words.”
“Yeah, well...”
He cuts me off. “Yeah well nothing. Us being competitors doesn’t give you an excuse to be so rude. All I was suggesting is that we just enjoy our time here. It sounds like we’re snowed in and not going anywhere.”
“That’s easy for you to say. This contract is just another one to you, another notch on yourbelt.”
I didn’t mean for my words to have a sexual connotation, but they did. I look away, cheeks burninghot.
“You seem to have an anger management issue.”
I glare at him. He hasn’t seen anything yet. But really, I’m not frustrated with him. He’s just the easy target. It’s this situation. I was counting on having a real shot with Tapped. The fact that Mr. Forer blew me off says a lot about how important I am to them. This afternoon has turned into a mess. The only right thing to do is get out of here, and even that can’t happen.
I grab the wine glass and down half of it in one swallow.
Nick reaches a hand across the table and cups my cheek. “You should know…I’m hard as fuck right now. I love a little rage in my women.”
Anger fills my chest and makes my pulse pound at my temples. My fingers curl around the glass’ stem. It takes all my willpower to not fling the rest of the wine in his face. It’s not his comment that hits a button. It’s his casual attitude. It’s that relaxed look on his face. He’s one of them. Nick is in the boys’ club. Those cocky, smarmy dudes in button-ups and smart shoes that have probably never touched dirt. They made their first few millions before they could legally drink. Because it was handed to them in a trust fund. He’s used to getting what he wants when he wantsit.
It's a shame I spread my legs for Nick before noticing he’s a self-absorbed, entitled assclown. No wonder he thinks he can fuck me once and assume he ownsme.
“Fuck you, and your boner,” I say through gritted teeth.
He smiles. “Relax. You’re losing your shit for no good reason. Did I drag you into your hotel room? Maybe I’m wrong, but you seemed to enjoy every second of what happened.”
“Too bad you won’t get to enjoy another one.” I can’t look at him without my blood boiling. Reaching down to the floor beside me, I begin to pick up my purse. Nick is just fast enough to get to his feet beforeme.
“If you say so.” He smirks as he heads out of the restaurant.
My ears are hot and buzzing. This has turned into the pre-Christmas meeting fromhell.
There’s only one thing todo.
I grab the wine bottle and fill my glass to thebrim.
