Page 36 of Trust Me

A few throats around the room clear.

“We, the board, believe that this is the best way to transition you into the role long-term,” Adam says. “The interim role will last for the next three to six months. At which time, you’ll also have to agree to work with Riley Martin here to assist you with the onboarding of Sam Waterson’s employees during the acquisition.”

“Excuse me?” I demand, rising to my feet. I barely control my anger as I glare around the room. Lastly, my eyes land on Riley. She meets my stare head on—coffee irises meeting my hazel ones.

“Is this what you two were talking about in Miami?” I ask both Adam and Riley, but my attention remains on her. I think back to all of those moments in Miami when she looked too fucking chummy with Adam Bachleda and a few other members of the board.

Were they all plotting this shit behind my back?

Another wave of anger and guilt assault my gut as I remember back to waking up next to Riley that final morning in Miami. I disliked how warm and pleasant it felt as my eyes popped open. Her vanilla scent filled my room for hours after she left. I hated how my body longed for it.

“Kyle,” Riley is the only one seemingly brave enough to speak into the silence of my outrage. “I know you were worried about my inexperience. However, I can assure you that Martin Consulting is more than capable of handling this transition with the care it deserves.”

A muscle in my jaw ticks. Despite my ire, my body reacts to her level of confidence.

I don’t acknowledge her. “I don’t need a consultant.”

Heads look from one to the other.

“The decision is final,” my father says. “You are Townsend’s new COO on an interim basis for the duration of the first stage of this merger. During that time, you will work with Ms. Martin to carry out the transition. At the end of that period of time, your performance will be evaluated, and a final decision will be made on your role as COO.”

“What the—”

“If that is all,” my father cuts me off. “Gentleman,” he calls the attention of the board to a separate issue, leaving me reeling.

My head spins throughout the remainder of the meeting. I barely notice when my father’s image disappears from the screen and people start filing out. Mike says something to me before making his exit, leaving Riley and me alone in the boardroom.

I don’t say anything as I glare at her across the table. She remains silent as well.

I cock my head to the side.

“You finally got what you wanted,” I say, my top lip curling.

She shakes her head. For a brief moment, there’s something akin to sadness, shame, maybe, in her eyes.

“I never wanted this.” Her voice is resigned, slightly solemn even.

“Did you screw Bachleda to get them to hire you?”

She pulls back as if my question offended her. I’m not buying it. Her offense turns to anger.

“I didn’t need to screw with you to get this job. What makes you think I needed to sleep with Adam?”

I grit my teeth. I don’t like her mentioning another man’s name. I tell myself it’s because I’m pissed that I’m forced to work with her as the fuckinginterimCOO. But I can hear my subconscious mind calling me a fucking liar.

“Look, while this may be unexpected on your part,” Riley continues, “you’re just going to have to trust me.”

“Trust you?”

She nods sharply. “Yes, trust that I know how to do my job because I do. My record speaks for itself.”

I stand abruptly, almost knocking my chair over. I storm over to her side of the table and get directly in her face. My position is simply an intimidation tactic but her vanilla scent punches me in the gut. A completely involuntary movement on my part, draws me an inch closer. So fucking close that a strand of her hair grazes the tip of my nose. I inhale deeply.

She’s so fucking beautiful without even trying.

Riley’s breathing becomes noticeably heavier. I drop my eyes to that vein in her neck that beats faster.

“Do not play with me, Riley. You will not like the consequences.” My voice is low and harsh, but an undertone of huskiness accompanies it as well.

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