Page 19 of Marriage Bargain With Her Brazilian Boss (Billion-Dollar Fairy Tales)

ITTOOKEVERYTHINGNush had in her to walk into Caio’s office at OneTech towers a week later. More than she had in her, in fact, to not turn tail and run away when she saw not only both her sisters present but also the last person she wanted to see—Laura Huntington.

Out of the periphery of her vision, she saw Caio straighten in his leather chair. With the floor-to-ceiling glass walls behind him, sunlight bathed his broad frame in an outline she knew well, keeping his expression in the dark.

That’s for the best, she told herself, moving across the vast office toward her sisters. She and Caio hadn’t spoken or even looked at each other in the week since their confrontation. Mostly because she’d been licking her wounds in private, letting Mira and Yana take her out for shopping and lunch and a much-needed spa day.

In hindsight, it had been exactly what she’d needed to gain perspective. Especially after learning that, in a shocking turn of events, Thaata had left all of his stock in OneTech to her. Not Caio, even though he’d promised to facilitate the transfer.

That and her mom’s sudden and fiercely lucid reminder that she hadn’t raised a coward who tucked tail and ran away when things didn’t go her way had finally made her face up to the truth. But knowing what she needed to do didn’t make it exactly easy to...do.

Caio saw her as a girl to be protected, as a naive, unworldly innocent because that was how she’d chosen to act, how she’d chosen to conduct her life.

No more.

Thaata had intended for her to head OneTech alongside Caio. That much had become clear from the fact that she’d inherited all of his stock in OneTech and not Mira or Yana.

She wasn’t going to let Laura or her family railroad Caio into a partnership he didn’t want, just for OneTech’s sake. He’d done enough for them. Enough of him thinking OneTech’s legacy and even Nush herself were his responsibilities to be protected at any cost.

It was time to grow up.

Yes, because your proposal is completely without any selfish motives, a voice whispered.

“I want to talk to Caio. Alone,” she announced loudly before her determination deserted her and she retreated into sterile safety.

Both Mira and Yana looked shocked enough that Nush knew this was the right thing to do. She’d been passive and inert and living her life in her own head for too long. Her sisters’ expressions were full of a confidence that Nush embraced like a childhood blanket as they left.

“If it’s about saving OneTech from the hostile takeover my father’s planning,” Laura offered, “I should stay.”

“Actually it’s up to me now,” Nush managed through a dry throat.

She didn’t miss how Caio straightened from his chair, how his gaze focused on her face with that laser-like intense focus. Arms folded, Laura looked to Caio for direction.

Nush exhaled, fighting the thread of anger weaving through her. It wasn’t Laura’s fault that she dismissed Nush, was it? She’d always preferred to leave the boardroom politics to Caio and her grandfather. But enough was enough. “Leave us, Laura. Now.”

Whatever she heard in her tone, Laura complied this time. Only when the double doors closed behind her did Nush face Caio.

He’d walked around his massive desk and leaned against it, legs crossed. Through sheer willpower, Nush stopped her gaze from drifting up and down his body.

Still, there was so much of him to see, to absorb. He’d always been an energy source she’d gravitated to. From the custom-made white dress shirt that lovingly spanned the breadth of his shoulders to the column of his corded neck visible with the buttons undone to his chest, to the edges of the tattoo peeking out. He’d long ago discarded the suit jacket and the tie, had clearly run his hand through his wavy hair a few times—in anger or frustration or both.

The impact of their gazes meeting was like a thump of a fist against her chest. A flicker of heat flashed in those golden-brown eyes as they swept over her and left just as soon. Like a shooting star. Leaving Nush to wonder if she’d imagined it because she wanted to see it.

She patted a hand over her midriff, searching for the right words, nervous and way too aware of her own skin. But she had to get used to this level of awareness constantly.

“I’m surprised to see you’re still here.”

Nush bristled even as she welcomed the taunt. She’d take his animosity, his anger, his challenges, even deal with his monstrous ego—Hello, Caio’s ego—if it meant he wasn’t coddling her. This was progress.

“Come to say a final goodbye?”

“That would make you happy, wouldn’t it? Then you can just dismiss me as...” Nush closed her eyes and fought to take a deep breath.

When she looked back at him, those golden eyes regarded her thoughtfully.

“I’ve decided to put off my...break for the time being. A few weeks probably. Until my new plan takes care of every problem.”

Fury raced across his features before he schooled his features back into that impenetrable mask he showed everyone. “And may I ask why the sudden change of heart?” Something sinuous trickled through the air between them. “Please don’t tell me there’s truth to the rumors of alliance...” he spat it like the word was distasteful on his tongue, “between you and him?”

“You’re the one who’s obsessed with the idea of him and me, Caio. You and his father.”

---