Page 4 of Roots of the Wicked

His warm hand gripped mine in a hold so tight, my glare shot to our connection. A quick glimpse of a tattoo flashed when his sleeve inched up, making my brows hike with intrigue.

“Jax, nice to meet you. Have a seat please?” The edgy timbre in his tone insinuated this was a command rather than a request. I noticed he had taken my lead on the informal greeting, addressing me as Jax.

The group was set to start their meeting, so why was he asking me to sit in? I wanted no part of this corporate, boring-ass shit that excited them, just as they didn’t want to know the intricacies of my work.

“It’s time for your meeting. Please, don’t let me disrupt your timetable.”

Travis strolled away like he knew I was going to take the seat. In my peripheral, I spotted him talking to the group huddled near the table of food. Chase leaned toward me; his light-green eyes intense. Hypnotically powerful, they sparkled as yellow and brown flecks danced over a sea of brilliantly canvased green. His voice broke me out of the trance.

“Please, have a seat. They won’t start this meeting until I’m ready.”

Well hell, that settled it. If there was one thing I didn’t like, it was being told to do something I didn’t want to do. It made my other personality come out. The one who would have enjoyed using Chase’s tie for a choke collar, while planting a five-inch heel so deep in his back, it scraped his spine.

Only because he captured my interest, did I take the seat as directed, checking him out as much as he checked me out. His gaze traveled along my hands folded in front of me on the table and zipped up my chest until our eyes reconnected. A sliver of a smile danced across his eyes but avoided his lips. His lips were so sexy it made me speculate if he’d dished out money for them.

“I’m sure you’ve heard it before, and I apologize for being presumptuous, but I assumed you were a man.”

“I get that often but I’m not offended by it. The mistake works in my favor. Having the world believe I’m a man, in a male-dominated job gives me an advantage.”

A small smile softened his features. Having the world believe I was a man also kept people from digging deeper into my personal life. I purposely used my male sounding nickname as my business name. My past was rooted in enough wickedness, I preferred hiding behind the fake male persona.

“Also, I must compliment you on your services to my company. My staff openly brags about your technical skills and expertise.”

“Thank you.” I wasn’t expecting his compliment. However, his pensive expression gave me the impression that it was more than a compliment?

Chase let his gaze settle on me for a moment. His eyes fell to my piercings, lingered on my lips, and traced across my neck before returning to mine.

“I understand you have contracts with other companies. Would you consider working exclusively for Swift Capital?”

His job offer blew me away, forcing me to hide the fast moving shot of energy coursing through me.

“As much as I appreciate your offer, I enjoy the freedom of being able to freelance and choose my clients. I wouldn’t have the freedom to expand my skills in the ever-changing conditions of the open market.”

Although he attempted to hide it, my comments caused his face to twitch with surprise before a smile glided across his sexy lips.

“I felt inclined to ask, although I was certain from the moment I saw you, you weren’t easy…easily persuaded. However, I’m certain I can change your mind.”

Well, fuck.It sounded like he was flirting with me and it was starting to turn me on, especially since I noticed how attractive he was up close. The whole tall, dark, and handsome with a nerdy vibe must have been created by him.

“Consider you, and your staff having your own wing in this building with access to state of the art equipment, rights to manage the development and beta-testing of new software systems, and opportunities to take classes and obtain advanced skills paid for by Swift Capital. I would make it so you don’t need the open-market. The market will come seeking you. It is an excellent opportunity to take your business to the next level. Take my offer Jax. You should be concentrating on developing new technologies, not fishing around in the open market.”

My smile slipped. How the hell was he going to sit there and tell me what I should be concentrating on? Jax, remember where you are at and who your talking to, the little voice in my head warned.

Chase was attempting to make it impossible for me to say no. However, his underlying tone implied he wasn’t used to hearing that word.

“Chase, may I be frank?”

“Please.”

“I’m sure you can tell by my appearance, that not only am I not easy, but I don’t like being told what to do. It’s one of the reasons I work for myself and do my job well. Personally, I prefer to stay behind the scenes, and peek my head out only when it’s necessary. Your offer is tempting, and I’d like the opportunity to think about it for the sake of my employees. I would also like to point out that I prefer to achieve my goals at my pace and on my own accord.”

Another smile surfaced but was brushed away by the defiance that sharpened his gaze.

“Something we have in common,” he added. He adjusted his glasses, which enhanced the intensity of his already penetrating gaze. “In front of the cameras, I play my role, use my acting voice, but behind them, I despise being told what to do, even if it’s for my own good. I give commands and expect them to be followed and, although I may come off as arrogant to some, my commands usually lead to both parties getting what they want.”

Chase was flirting with me so smoothly, I found myself edging closer for more. The billionaire wasn’t who he let on to be for the public’s eye, the sharp businessmen that could turn pennies into millions.

This was the side of himself Chase hid from the public, the few parts I was arrogant enough to believe he had reserved for only me. Those delicious parts were also the very reason I needed to stay clear of him.

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