Page 7 of The Billionaire's Rival (Bad Boy Billionaires)

“Working against each other,” he said, his voice icy.

The man to his left tensed. He looked ex-military. Was he a bodyguard? Surely Ford didn’t need protection in a place like this.

“I’m hoping we can draw up a settlement that’s agreeable to both our clients rather than dragging this out. Do you have a moment to talk?”

Ford studied me, and before he spoke, the blond man on his left smiled broadly and said, “If he doesn’t, I do.”

Military guy glared at the blond man and shook his head.

“What?” the man asked.

Ford gave him a glare as well, then turned back to me. “Jasper Rollins, these are my friends Carter Armentrout and Worth Chamberlain.”

The blond was Worth, and his previously lascivious look turned to haughty assessment. “Jasper, it’s so nice to meet you.”

Carter gave me a curt nod.

At least now I knew for sure he talked about me to his friends.

Ford rose from the table. “You can have a moment; that’s all.”

He was wearing one of his sweater-vests. It was a deep brown that matched his eyes. His tweed coat had been discarded onto the bench where he’d been seated, and he’d rolled back his cuffs. He looked like he’d just been styled for a slutty professor photo shoot.

I glanced around at all the occupied tables.

“Let’s go somewhere private,” I suggested. I didn’t intend to have this conversation in front of his friends, who were glaring at us like they thought I might kidnap him. Of course if that would get me what I wanted….

“There’s nowhere private here. You should have made an appointment with me.”

“I was thinking of the private rooms in the back.”

Ford’s eyes widened. “That’s…no.”

“I know you like to pretend to be all rigid and proper, but don’t act like you’re some kind of saint.”

“I never said that. I’m hardly a saint.”

I bet he wasn’t. I bet he was one of the quiet, buttoned-up types who turned into an animal in bed.

Holy fuck, where had that thought come from? I didn’t want to know anything about how Ford acted in bed. “Then what’s wrong with meeting back there?”

“Those rooms aren’t for meetings.”

“I know what they’re for. I also know we’ll have privacy there.”

“Jay, you can arrange for a meeting with me during business hours tomorrow. I’m going back to my—”

I grabbed his arm, my grip tight enough that he’d have to make a scene to get free. I knew he wouldn’t do that, but I hadn’t been prepared for him to like me manhandling him. He sucked in his breath sharply and for just a moment, I saw a hungry look on his face.

Damn, I liked how easily I could turn him on.

Not because I was gay. Because it showed I had power over him, power I could use to my advantage in business, not for pleasure.

I smiled at him, hoping he knew I’d noticed his reaction. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to be alone with me.”

“This is improper. We shouldn’t discuss the case socially.”

“This is a business meeting. They don’t all have to take place in the office.”

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