Page 2 of Big Bossy Billionaire

Killian raised an eyebrow. “This all sounds very expensive, Gomez. I hope you’re not burning the profits on unnecessary amenities.”

“Of course not, Mr. Holt,” I replied, my smile never faltering. “I’ve included a copy of the finance sheet and the blueprints for the resort in each of the files handed out at the beginning of the meeting.”

Which you would know if you had bothered to look down, you arrogant asshole.

Having to face off against Killian wasn’t new, but he usually saved his scathing remarks for our private meetings. Killian wasn't even bothering to pretend to play nice today, and it was earning more than its fair share of confused looks thrown between the two of us.

Luckily, I had done more than enough research to be able to duke it out with him. I was in the zone, and I knew I had a good project on my hands. We had managed to get our hands on a prime piece of beachfront Miami real estate that would make this work swimmingly.

And no one, not even the CEO of Holt Enterprises, could convince me otherwise.

“Given the nature of this project and how expensive it’s going to be, we will need our best team on this,” Killian pointed out, his eyes studying me intently. “Have you put together a team yet, Ms. Gomez?”

“I have a list of names in the file, Mr. Holt,” I replied sweetly. “And I will be going to Miami myself to oversee the project.”

Killian leaned back and unclasped his fingers, pushing some of his tousled hair off his forehead. “I’m sure you have better things to do with your time, Ms. Gomez.”

“Not at all, sir. I’m happy to make sure that Holt Enterprises has another success on its hands. I’ve overseen many of these projects, and I’ve yet to face a problem I couldn’t solve.”

Including a boss who didn’t make his dislike of me a secret. Geez, he was really going hard today.

Unfortunately, since his name was on the company, and his sister was one of my closest friends, I had no choice but to put up with him. I had considered leaving my job at Holt Enterprises for a company where I could start over from scratch, where nothing and no one could hold me back, but I knew that it wouldn’t be the right decision for me.

Business-wise, I was exactly where I needed to be. And I could hold my own against Killian Holt.

Besides, Holt Enterprises was one of the leading architectural and development firms, specializing in the buying and developing of land and concepts. My role was creating studies that helped me determine the target group and sale prices. Not only was it something that I knew how to do, but it was something I knew how to do well.

For the past five years, I had poured my blood, sweat and tears into the company.

It was all I knew, and all I wanted to know.

And I didn’t regret it one bit, even the part where I had to deal with a cocky boss who thought he knew better than everyone else. There was also the fact that when he wanted to be, he was quite the charmer. Yes he was demanding, but in spite of having a no-nonsense attitude when it came to business, he was respected and well liked by his employees. Well, most of his employee’s anyway. At least with Serena on my side, it made it easier for me to deal with him without being afraid of the consequences. I certainly pushed the boundaries with him as far as our passive aggressive interactions. I probably shouldn't egg the CEO on like that. But I couldn't help it. He always started it, so I of course had to give him hell and finish it.

Moving to another company would have to mean starting over from scratch.

Better the devil I knew than the devil I didn’t.

“I’ll expect to see more details about this study, Ms. Gomez.” Killian flipped through the file before he set it down. Then he sat up straighter and unbuttoned his suit jacket. My eyes immediately went to his fingers, and I couldn’t look away from them. He had long, deft fingers, and for the umpteenth time I found myself wondering how they would feel, and what they might do, if they were allowed to roam freely.

Specifically against my bare skin and over every inch of my body.

When he shifted and sat up straighter, I caught a glimpse of the tattoo that wound around his neck and disappeared underneath his white, button-down shirt. All I could see were the ends of a few dark imposing tendrils peeking out. Not for the first time, I wondered what the rest of the tattoo looked like, and what else it wound around. I didn’t like having him in the same room when it pulled my focus. With him there, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering about him and imagining everything from the way he would taste to the way he would feel.

I didn’t like it one bit.

“I’ll bring you the rest of the paperwork from our research as soon as we’re done here, Mr. Holt,” I told him, after a brief pause. “Will you be requiring anything else?”

“I’ll need a detailed cost-benefit analysis.”

“That would already be in your inbox.” I announced tartly.

Killian took his phone out of his pocket, peered at it and frowned. “I’ll also need a detailed financial sheet detailing the expenses you and your team will need during your trip.”

I gestured to the folder on the table in front of me. “And that would already be right in front of you, in your folder. We can discuss details whenever you’d like.”

Killian’s expression turned amused. “We’ll see how this project of yours does, Ms. Gomez. It would be a shame if you were to fail. I don’t tolerate failure.”

And he didn’t make a secret of it.

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