Page 25 of The Billionaire's Most Unexpected Triplets

I laugh. “Sure. If it makes people feel better to call me that.”

“You are. And I don’t want to have anything to do with it. In fact, I don’t want to have anything to do with the new GourmetGlobal. It doesn’t even have a name.”

“It does now,” I say. “It’s called GreatFood. Thus, the relaunch.”

Her eyes widen. “You don’t have authority to change the name without the permission of the shareholders.”

I fold my arms, enjoying this immensely. “Who says I didn’t already get their permission?”

Leah’s jaw drops.

Good. I like it when she’s speechless.

This woman is fiery and fun, but she’s causing me a lot of trouble. Unfortunately, I can’t fire her without the shareholders’ permission, and they’ve made it clear they won’t allow that.

Not that I’ve thought about firing her. Because that would mean I’d never see her again. She’s been on my mind nonstop since I met her, and I can’t stop thinking about how much I hate the idea of her leaving the company.

Because that’s what she’s going to do. And it’s her choice. She isn’t my prisoner. I can’t make her stay.

I take a few slow steps toward her until we’re less than an arm’s length away. “Is this too much for you already?”

Her lips pull tight. “I would like to be included in discussions like those. I should have a heads-up when you’re thinking of doing something big like changing the name.”

I consider it. I could tell her no. I’m in my full right to do exactly that.

Or I could humor her.

But there are consequences to that. I need to stand firm in all my decisions. I can’t afford to look weak in front of my employees.

I lean in closer, feeling her breath on my face. “I’ll take that into consideration. But just remember, Leah, I didn’t become a successful CEO by being a pushover.”

She narrows her eyes at me, but there’s something in them that tells me she likes the challenge.

“I don’t doubt that for a second,” she says, her voice low and husky. “But maybe there’s a different way to lead. A way that doesn’t involve being an asshole all the time.”

I smirk. “And what way is that?”

She steps back, breaking the electric tension between us. “Maybe a way where you listen to other people’s ideas. You know, actually value their opinions. And treat them like human beings instead of expendable pawns on your chessboard.”

I arch a brow. Challenge accepted.

“You want me to listen to you?”

“Yes. I do.”

I lean closer until I’m inches from her face. “You want me to treat you like a human being?”

She opens and closes her mouth, her eyes flicking down to my lips. Every cell in my body wants nothing more than to press against her, to seize her lips, to bend her over the boardroom table and fuck her senseless…

So I step back. “Sure thing. I’ll see what I can do about that.”

Her lips twist at my sarcasm, and a moment later she’s out the door.

Sighing, I watch through the glass door as her delicious ass retreats down the hallway. I knew having her work here would come with its difficulties, but I didn’t expect to feel like a dog constantly in heat.

I need to watch myself around her. One wrong move and I could fuck everything up. I’ve gotten to where I am by being focused and being able to avoid distractions, and Leah, unfortunately, is the biggest distraction I’ve ever come across.

CHAPTER10

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